What does the future look like for homes? Designers weighed in at a recent Lookbox Living x King Living design conversation.
25 August 2022
Test by Janice Seow
When it comes to residential design, in a way the future is upon us. We are navigating new living patterns in an increasingly uncertain world. So how can our homes be designed for better living, in these times?
At a recent Lookbox Living x King Living Design Conversation, Janice Seow, Editor of Lookbox Living put this question to a panel of speakers that included Goy Zhenru from Goy Architects, Lawrence Puah from akiHAUS Design Studio, and Vincent Goi from Arkhilite. The event also included insights from King Living’s country manager, Ili Ibrahim.
Here are some of their views:
“Our homes will have to evolve to be more and more adaptive to serve our various living needs – they will be required to function as an activity space, wellness space, meditative space, and spaces that we have traditionally sought outside of our homes,” said Lawrence, adding that “Designers need to tap on to the increased interest towards Design and Living and direct it towards good space crafting… using the tools of lighting, ventilation, layout, materiality, etcetera to address psychological, emotional and sustainable needs.”
Vincent, whose firm Arkhilite specialises in the crafting of Slow Spaces, spoke on the principles behind the concept, and explained how they activate it in their projects. “We do it by paying attention to the level of calmness in the spaces we design, though site opportunities, and through light.”
Zhenru highlighted how the drive for efficiency has led to cookie cutter construction of HDB flats with similar layouts and reduced flexibility. All the designers concurred that there were fine examples to be drawn from older HDB designs that offered wider internal layout options, enjoyed shared corridors and a greater sense of community, and were more accommodating of natural ventilation.
Zhenru suggested that on a micro level, small differentiations such as to floor tiling and window design could offer variety, while on a larger scale, different HDB estates could even have different atmospheres and their own unique sense of identity.
While cost often influences a homeowner’s purchasing decisions when considering environmentally-friendly products, Lawrence said that it was still important for the design industry to be sustainability advocates, and client education was key. He also gave examples of how homes could be made more environmentally friendly, including designing fluid, open spaces that bring as much natural light and ventilation in; conservation of existing architecture and finishes where possible; repurposing furnishings and fittings; and a passive approach to sustainable design – making only what is needed and making it well.
Ili shared that the role of good design today is to “bridge the gap between home and work settings” and to cultivate “conducive spaces focused on inclusion and well-being that inspire creativity and productivity”. She noted the increasing interest in simplicity and the desire for “balance between design and functionality” where “every piece of furniture is functioning at its most efficient”. To that end, King Living products are made for the times where their highly modular designs are capable of evolving with one’s needs, and offer multifunctionality while ensuring comfort and flexible use.
When it came to environmental considerations, Ili noted too how the company “has always held strongly to sustainability principles in design, manufacture and lifetime stewardship in everything it creates”.
Following the stimulating discussion, the evening rounded off with guests all in high spirits as they mingled and explored the different King Living furniture collections in the Kallang showroom while enjoying Australian-themed refreshments.
Discover the exceptional craftsmanship and flexible modular designs of King Living at their showrooms in Kallang and Alexandra, or visit www.kingliving.com to browse through the collections online.
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