How important is interior design in Singapore companies?

Dr Biz • November 5, 2020

In today’s challenging business environment, interior design in Singapore has never been more important for big and small companies alike. While businesses keen to cut costs might see updating or renovating their premises as less of a priority, in-fact, ensuring that you are adequately communicating your brand’s unique offering will likely be key to success and growth.

Design is also becoming more important for discerning customers, particularly in the service and leisure spaces. Trends like biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature into the exterior and interior of buildings are particularly pertinent in today’s sustainability conscious world. Moreover, using natural elements in your building design can win big points for savvy companies.

For example, UOL Group’s Parkroyal Collection Pickering Hotel was recently praised by respected naturalist, broadcaster and environmental campaigner Sir David Attenborough. In October, the British icon posted a picture of the five-star hotel on Facebook, commenting: “This is an urban forest. An eco-building in Singapore”. Awash with green, the 367-room hotel has energy-saving features throughout the building, including Singapore’s first “zero-energy sky gardens” powered by solar panels.

Other Singapore hotels pushing the design boat out include the former Marina Mandarin, whose $45 million renovation will include an urban farm with a “farm-to-table” concept that it will deploy in its rooftop restaurant when it reopens as the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in December. The Pan Pacific Orchard also secured a $120 million green loan for its redevelopment by architectural firm WOHA, which includes biophilic design elements and three curated sky gardens.

Form and functionality

Ensuring that a space works well while also being beautiful is another crucial element of successful interior design in Singapore, if not everywhere. For example, not only will the Orchard Sky Garden’s three sky gardens be a visual feast for guests and onlookers all over the city, but they will also be self-sustaining as they use rainwater for the irrigation system and energy from the sun to power the area via solar panels.

For founder of DAS Interior Anders Foo, form and functionality are ever evolving: “At DAS Interior, we believe that interior design is never static. It can carry different meanings or reveal itself through discoveries. We wanted to start a business that could deliver highly personalised design work that reflects bespoke quality and functionality.”

Combining style and utility is, arguably, important for all interior design in Singapore - even residential. Here, balancing the needs of family life with style can be most challenging, and so can present some of the biggest interior design obstacles. As in the hotel space, incorporating elements of nature such as green spaces, natural roofs and wood materials is becoming more popular, as is increased natural light. However, ensuring there is space for granny when she stays over is equally important.

Dr Biz client Nexxinterior focuses on these complex needs for its full-service interior design concept. It says: “We create homes that are beautiful, comfortable, and aesthetically attractive with the highest degree of perfection. Attention to detail and a commitment to excellent customer service are important to us and we pride ourselves on ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience for our clients across Singapore.”

Combining ambience with full flavours

The food and beverage world is another where a healthy combination of form and functionality is essential for interior design in Singapore. Today, even diners in small independent restaurants expect both delicious flavours and warm, inviting surroundings. The extent of that warmth is important for business owners as, crucially, the more comfortable and visually stimulated customers are, the more likely they are to stay, spend and recommend.

Singapore restaurants that have won plaudits for their design include New York pizza restaurant Lucali, which has opened a branch in Kampong Bugis. Its industrial interior reflects its US roots, while contemporary artworks and long, candle lit wooden dining tables backed by a fully open kitchen from which diners can watch their pizzas being cooked gives an entirely modern feel. Meanwhile, Bar Milano on Keong Saik Road hired a movie set designer to renovate its 38 seat space with hand painted tiles from Italy, vintage wooden furniture and a well stocked bar.

Interior design in Singapore is taking on exciting new dimensions, helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to express who they are and what they offer to an ever more discerning customer and client base. This will become more important as business competition becomes fiercer, and a well thought out, beautiful yet functional space will help companies to stand out from the crowd.

At Dr Biz, we provide tailored and comprehensive solutions for all entrepreneurs’ business needs. From incorporation to accountancy, tax and payroll, to professional advisory services, we help businesses in Singapore assess potential risks and become more cost effective and efficient.

To find out more, please feel free to contact us.

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