Winner receives S$12,000 cash prize, an overseas internship with world-class designer, and public installation at Mapletree Business City
Singapore – Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) announced today that cloud-inspired outdoor furniture Laputa, won the top prize of the Mapletree Business City ‘Design in the City’ outdoor furniture competition. The competition was launched in October 2011 to mark the grand opening of Mapletree Business City (“MBC”), a Mapletree flagship development, as well as to seek inspiring outdoor furniture for the business community of MBC to enjoy.
Presented by the Minister for National Development Mr. Khaw Boon Wan at MBC’s grand opening dinner event, final-year National University of Singapore student, Mr. Darren Yeo received S$12,000 cash prize, as well as an overseas internship with internationally-renowned product designer, Mr. Toshiyuki Kita, which is co-funded by Mapletree and DesignSingapore Council. The winning entry will also be fabricated and installed publicly at MBC.
Commenting on the competition, Mapletree Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hiew Yoon Khong said, “Mapletree aspires to contribute to the arts and design by providing budding talents a platform to design furniture that is functional, innovative and in MBC’s case, also promotes communal interaction. To further underscore our commitment, Mapletree plans to make this outdoor furniture design competition a regular event, in order to further encourage design innovation in Singapore and Asia.”
The competition attracted a total of 64 entries. Of these, eight finalists were selected for final evaluation by the panel of judges, which comprised three design industry experts and veterans: Mr. Edmund Cheng (Chairman of Mapletree and the National Arts Council), Mr. Jeffrey Ho (Executive Director of DesignSingapore Council) and Mr. Lim Choon Hong (Managing Director of Xtra Designs Pte Ltd). These eight finalists were then invited to produce design prototypes for assessment in the final judging round.
During the prototyping phase of the competition, Mapletree also arranged for the finalists to have an opportunity to present their works to Mr. Toshiyuki Kita. Since 1969, Mr. Kita has been renowned in the international arena as an environmental and industrial designer. Many of his works are possessed by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, and other museums globally. Finalists were each given a one-to-one session where they got valuable feedback and advice from Mr. Kita. The grand prize winner will get the additional benefit of the Mapletree-DesignSingapore Council sponsored internship at Mr. Kita’s studio in Osaka, Japan.
“Darren was picked as the winner for his excellent execution of Laputa, a design that not only meets the competition brief but also commands presence like a beautiful sculpture. DesignSingapore Council is pleased to support Mapletree’s efforts in nurturing designers through the ‘Design in the City’ competition, and also to partner Mapletree in co-funding the winner’s overseas internship with Mr. Toshiyuki Kita.” said Mr. Jeffrey Ho.
Mr. Hamizan Bin Arsad of LASALLE College of the Arts and Mr. George Goh from the National University of Singapore emerged as runners-up with their good design ideas and strong execution of their prototypes. Both runners-up each received Mapletree cash vouchers of S$1,500. Mr. Aaron Lim from Nanyang Technological University also received a special mention prize for his commendable effort of a conceptually beautiful design. He received S$750 Mapletree cash vouchers.
DESIGN IN THE CITY FINALISTS
WINNER
Designer: Yeo Jun Xian Darren
Institution: National University of Singapore
Design: Laputa
Concept
Clouds are used across all forms of disciplines: from geology to computing, religion and aesthetics, making it a universal language deemed fit for Mapletree Business City. As a representation of the success of Mapletree Business City, Laputa challenges the convention by bringing out structural lightness and sculptural beauty.
Judges’ review
“The execution of Laputa was excellent. The design met the competition brief very well, and especially complements the Eco Pond of Mapletree Business City. As a design, in simple pure sculptural form, Laputa commands great presence. As a furniture piece, it is of good size, and can accommodate and promote interaction between users”.
RUNNERS-UP
Designer: Goh King Swee, George
Institution: National University of Singapore
Design: Bundle
Concept
Bundle draws inspiration from Mapletree Business City’s Eco Pond. The contrast between the materials used emphasises the relationship between nature and the built environment.
Judges’ review
Bundle is conceptually interesting with the excellent use of the contrast between concrete and bamboo. It looks good, and is a solid piece of furniture with good size and proportions.
Designer: Hamizan Bin Arsad
Institution: LASALLE College of the Arts
Design: Lotus
Concept
The peace and tranquility exuded by the lotus plants at Mapletree Business City’s Eco Pond inspired Lotus. Organically shape with no corners, Lotus allows users to freely interact.
Judges’ review
The execution of Lotus was good. The varying heights of the furniture make it user-friendly. Lotus serves its function as furniture, while its interesting shape encourages interaction between the users.
SPECIAL MENTION
Designer: Aaron Lim Zhe Yu
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Design: Vena
Concept
Inspired by cabbage and its natural fractal pattern, Vena is based on biomimicry – the examination and emulation of nature, developing into unique form. Vena is an interpretation of the cohesive balance between nature and urbanity.
Judges’ review
“Vena is visually very pleasing and a most beautiful design. The curved three-dimensional effect makes the piece look like a sculpture.”
FINALISTS
Designer: Chung Jiesi Jessica
Institution: LASALLE College of the Arts
Design: Variform
Concept
Multiple furniture pieces of Variform resemble permanent art installations at MBC. Varying heights and sizes leave the users to imagine and interpret the use of the furniture pieces.
Designer: Li Wenjin
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Design: Metal Bench Piece
Concept
In exploring the common ground between modernism in architecture and sculptural art, the metal bench is the designer’s vision of functional art – minimalist aesthetics.
Designer: Suhada Binte Mohamed Anwar Ersalle
Institution: LASALLE College of the Arts
Design: Flexi
Concept
Inspired by the water lily, Flexi reflects a modern interpretation of today’s emphasis on urban greenery. The simple circular surface of the leaf is uniquely morphed for a sculptural outcome that is both an art piece and furniture.
Designer: Zheng Zhihan Clement
Institution: National University of Singapore
Design: Cycle
Concept
Cycle draws inspiration from the fluidity and cyclical patterns in nature, and is designed such that both sculpture and furniture coexist seamlessly.
