Top image: Design of the Year – SUTD Gridshell

Design of the Year – A Guide to Flora and Fauna of the World

Recognised as one of Singapore’s most prestigious accolades, the President’s Design Award – or PDA for short – is given out annually to designers whose works have made an impact in the local community and beyond.

Design of the Year – Eyelet Flip

This year’s winners, as with every year, are exceedingly diverse. ‘Designs of the Year’ include a guide to flora and fauna housed in an archival box, a spectacle frame featuring a spring hinge for progressive lens users, and a highly intuitive and interactive refrigerator.

Design of the Year – Ouyi Refrigerator

“The recipients showed that design is very much in our daily life and is about meeting users’ needs. We celebrate with the recipients who have pushed the boundaries of design and hope they will continue to be an inspiration to young designers,” says Robert Tomlin, Chairman of the President’s Design Award 2014 Steering Committee and Chairman of DesignSingapore Council.

Design of the Year – Sandcrawler

Design of the Year – Kent Vale

Architectural projects also featured strongly this year, with three out of the 11 ‘Design of the Year’ coming from the discipline. “Through the President’s Design Award, it is heartening to see the local architecture community upholding a high level of design excellence to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play. For instance, our local architects have been increasingly contributing to our larger vision to make Singapore a tropical city in a garden by masterfully incorporating greenery into their designs. This is a trend that bodes well in creating a distinct local architecture identity,” says Ng Lang, CEO of Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Designer of the Year – Tan Kok Hiang, Principal Director of Forum Architects

Designer of the Year – Peter Tay, Design Director, Studio Peter Tay

This year’s PDA involved 16 jurors from nine countries, including Singapore. A total of 133 eligible nominations were accessed before the final cut was made.

Designer of the Year – Larry Peh, Founder & Creative Director, &Larry

Watch this space for our interview with President’s Design Award “Designer of the Year” recipient Tan Kok Hiang, Principal Director of Forum Architects.