Design News: Orchard Road named one of the coolest spots by Time Out; The Nature Of Things design exhibition
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There were 38 cities on the list for 2024, and this is the first time Orchard Road has made the list.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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Orchard Road is No. 7 coolest haunt in Asia
Orchard Road is the coolest neighbourhood in Singapore, ranking No. 7 in Asia and No. 37 in the world, according to Time Out magazine’s annual list of hot spots released on Sept 25.
To create the list each year, the London-based Time Out Group hires a global team of local journalists in 333 cities in 59 countries to give their recommendations on the best in food, drinks, culture, art, music, theatre, travel and entertainment.
There were 38 cities on the list for 2024, and this is the first time Orchard Road has made the list.
According to Time Out, the coolest neighbourhood in the world is Notre-Dame-du-Mont in Marseille, France, with its colourful cul-de-sacs and graffiti-covered alleyways.
In second place is Mers Sultan in Casablanca, Morocco, known for its bohemian artists’ village vibe and surreal architecture from the 1960s and 1970s.
In third place is Pererenan in Bali, Indonesia. Pererenan draws tourists as well as locals to its pristine black-sand beaches, eclectic shops and has a “certain laid-back cool, devoid of noise and traffic”, says Time Out.
Other Asian hot spots that caught the attention of Time Out’s journalists include Seongsu-dong in Seoul, South Korea (No. 4); Gakugeidaigaku in Tokyo, Japan (No. 15) and Ekkamai in Bangkok, Thailand (No. 27).
Orchard Road, which has long been billed as one of the world’s most famous shopping belts, was voted as best in the country by Time Out editors and writers for a number of attractions.
Recently opened urban enclaves in the area are drawing a young, hip crowd, such as adventure complex Trifecta, which also has music events.
Trifecta will have the world’s first hybrid skate bowl designed for skateboarding and surfskating.
PHOTO: TRIFECTA
Trifecta in Orchard Road is billed as Asia’s first snow, surf and skating lifestyle destination.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Other draws include Asia’s largest Nike store – a three-storey standalone outlet – as well as Night At Orchard, a monthly outdoor bazaar and a rooftop garden at Orchard Central.
A large digital screen showing running routes in Singapore at the Nike boutique in Orchard Road on Jan 18, 2024.
PHOTO: ST FILE
A spokesman for the Orchard Road Business Association, which is dedicated to enhancing the street’s position as one of the world’s premier shopping and lifestyle destinations, welcomes the ranking.
“Being on the list affirms the vibrancy, continued relevance and dynamic appeal of Orchard Road,” the spokesman said. “It validates our ongoing commitment to maintain Orchard Road’s global reputation as not just a shopping destination but as a major cultural, entertainment and lifestyle hub.”
Info: For Time Out magazine’s full list of the world’s coolest haunts, go to timeout.com
NUS designers show new works bridging design, natural science and tech
The Nature Of Things is a showcase that explores the relationship between nature and human habitats.
PHOTO: DESIGN INCUBATION CENTRE, NUS
An ongoing exhibition at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in the Buona Vista district presents 14 projects by design students and recent graduates of the National University of Singapore’s Division of Industrial Design (DID) that explore the relationship between nature and human habitats.
Titled The Nature Of Things, the exhibition offers insights into the complicated relationship between nature and human habitats, as well as the need to address worsening climate change.
The show is part of Singapore Design Week (SDW) 2024, which ends on Oct 6. The exhibition, which is one of SDW’s community events, will run till Jan 5, 2025.
Its multidisciplinary nature bridges the fields of design, natural science and technology to craft a holistic experience for visitors.
Designed as a home setting, it presents views of two sides of a window. The interior view of the window showcases human-designed spaces, while the exterior scenography has flora and fauna.
The window encourages visitors to consider their place in nature, and to re-examine the impact of human design on the world of nature.
The students’ projects range from practical solutions to visions that explore a subject from different perspectives. From helping local cicada mating habits circumvent urban noise pollution to highlighting the fragrance of the night-blooming moonflower, the students’ designs explore the practical and experiential, as well as the artistic and provocative.
The exhibition is an augmented version of its initial iteration called La Nature Des Choses, which was shown at the Paris Design Week in 2022 in France. It was also shown at the Bangkok Design Week 2024 in February.
The exhibition is a joint effort with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and the Design Incubation Centre (part of DID), both at the National University of Singapore, and multidisciplinary design studio Greydient Lab.
The studio also created the exhibition’s digital footprint, from the website to the online storefront. Some designs from the exhibition will also be available for sale through Greydient’s online store ( greydient.store
Info: Visitors need to buy Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum tickets to access the exhibition. Go to str.sg/tQ9j
Courts’ Muze furniture collection
The Nikki range in the Muze Collection is inspired by classic mid-century designs of the 1950s.
PHOTO: COURTS (SINGAPORE)
Courts (Singapore) has launched a new furniture collection with something for everyone, from singles to small families to multi-generation households.
One of the region’s leading electrical, electronics and furniture retailers, Courts – a wholly owned subsidiary of Yokohama-based retail giant Nojima Corporation – unveiled its Muze Collection on Sept 25 at 10 Courts stores across the island.
The new collection comprises four ranges. The designs are sleek and contemporary, and come in a variety of colours and silhouettes.
There are also materials in more than 100 colours. Pet owners can choose from pet-friendly materials such as fabric which is resistant to wear and tear.
The futuristic Aurora range in the Muze Collection is designed for big families.
PHOTO: COURTS (SINGAPORE)
The Aurora range for big families is inspired by the 1950s Space Age movement, featuring futuristic, curvaceous shapes, bold colours and functional elements such as a remote-controlled reclining feature.
Another highlight is the Corinna range, which features a sofa for singles in a homage to Scandinavian design. It comes in a solid hardwood frame with high-density foam seating.
The Muze Collection, which draws on about 50 years of expertise in the local furniture industry, offers a blend of style, quality and affordability for astute home owners, says Mr Harry Higashiura, group chief commercial officer and country chief executive of Singapore and Malaysia.
“We recognise the dreams and aspirations of owning a perfect home and provide solutions to help consumers achieve that dream,” he adds.
Info: The Muze range starts at $399 for a coffee table. Go to courts.com.sg
