Designed by FARM, the newly opened Hafary House prioritises customer engagement through an immersive and sensory shopping experience. Here’s what you can expect.
11 December 2024
Text by Vanitha Pavapathi
Shopping for tiles, stone, wood, mosaics and vinyl flooring is one of the few experiences that cannot be fully replicated online. The tactile nature of these materials – their textures, weight, and how they interact with light – requires a hands-on approach. Recognising this, Hafary, a reputable building material supplier in Singapore, has strategically established showrooms across the island over the past four decades.
From Hafary Tradehub 21 at Boon Lay in the west to The Stone Gallery by Hafary at Sungei Kadut up north, and the immersive Hafary Gallery at its headquarters in the east, each location was thoughtfully designed to enhance customer engagement. Building on the success of Hafary Gallery, which is known for its innovative and memorable visitor experience, Hafary has taken another bold step.
The relocation of its first showroom from Balestier to the centrally located Hafary House on 161 Lavender Street marks a new era in material retail. Opened on 1st December 2024, this experiential showroom housed within a conserved shophouse reimagines how materials are showcased and experienced. Conceptualised by the award-winning design studio FARM, Hafary House inspires homeowners and designers to explore beyond the surface.
From the moment you step inside, the unconventional approach is palpable. A full-height mosaic wall, crafted from sandblasted tile backs bearing the Hafary logo over tile mesh, immediately draws attention.
FARM’s strategy to highlight materials in their most honest and unrefined state suggests new sensorial experiences that could translate into the design of homes. The reception counter exemplifies this ethos, with stacked tiles exposed on the edges forming an undulating, raw facade. This unique structure could very well be recreated in a dwelling as a showstopping kitchen island or bar counter.
Meanwhile, straps typically used for securing stone slabs during transportation are woven into an overarching ceiling feature, blending functionality with artistry. This dynamic element unites the different material zones under a cohesive visual language while maintaining harmony with the overall spatial design.
Like its name suggests, Hafary House is planned as a series of spaces and experiential zones, each designed to inspire and encourage self-exploration. They include living, dining, hall, kitchen, bathroom, terrace, patio, and outdoor areas. These spaces display a curated selection of furniture settings, blending tiles, wood, and stone into cohesive design inspirations.
The thematic displays range from Art Deco to Japanordic, offering a spectrum of styles tailored to diverse lifestyles and tastes. These vignettes are constantly updated to stay ahead of trends while helping homeowners visualise the possibilities of integrating Hafary’s materials into their personal spaces.
Secondary showrooms enhance the experience further. The Wood Culture area showcases wood-textured tiles, vinyl flooring and wall coverings. Materials are applied in innovative ways, such as using wood-plastic composite flooring as vertical slanted fins, seamlessly guiding visitors through each display. In the sanitary showcase, metallic pipe wall plinths complement bathroom tile swatches, demonstrating the versatility of Hafary’s offerings.
FARM’s design for Hafary House sets a new standard for showrooms, making it a destination for inspiration. By showing how industrial materials can be turned into art, Hafary’s new showroom empowers homeowners to think outside the box.
Hafary House is located at 161 Lavender Street, Level 2, Singapore 338750.
Hafary
www.hafary.com.sg
Photography by Finbarr Fallon
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