Young design talents from the region take the spotlight at International Furniture Fair Singapore. Nicky Lobo reports.
April 17th, 2015
The International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS), held annually in March each year since 1981, is presented as ‘the region’s leading event for trade professionals of furniture, interior design and hospitality industries all over the world to source for the latest products’. Walking through six halls of Singapore EXPO certainly cements this statement.
There is a buzz of business in the air and a serious undertone of industry – the press releases, communications and opening speeches all relate the event back to numbers. The growth of Singapore’s population, housing and construction industries and furniture consumption worldwide are factors to the growth and success of IFFS, it is claimed. And indeed, it is.
The positioning of design and furniture design within a wider context of economy and industry is something that Singapore gets right. The discourse becomes practical, rather than frivolous, abstract or purely decorative.
In the past few years, the vision for IFFS has been to integrate design and business into a cohesive experience for visitors. To me, the experience was heavily weighted toward business, with a number of exhibitors missing the opportunity to present their product in a thoughtful, design-considered way.
However, there was a jewel in the crown of IFFS in Hall 4, appropriately titled “Design Hall” where most of the official events – such as the opening ceremony – took place. Also featured were the crème de la crème brands, a Furniture Design Award retrospective showcase curated by Thai designer Anon Puritat, two art installations and the exciting Asian STAR Showcase.
Featuring a collection of pieces by rising designers and studios from countries across Asia, this part of the exhibition was the real showstopper with names like Vito Selma, District Eight, Alvin T and Milk Design. This level of quality should set the bar for all exhibitors in future editions of IFFS.
IFFS
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
‘The Elevation of Gravity’ installation was an immersive showcase of innovation that heralded the debut of Gaggenau’s groundbreaking Essential Induction cooktop.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
SingaPlural returns for its 4th edition from 10 to 15 March at 99 Beach Road to showcase the best design elements from advertising, architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, as well as interior, furniture, graphic and fashion design.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
What’s in a name? At Wardle, a new name marks the next progression in the architecturally designed road for this outstanding practice.