Ask any Singaporean what our national identity is, and he or she would be quick to list out several attributes that bring us together as citizens of this tiny island state.
Ask any Singaporean what our national identity is, and he or she would be quick to list out several attributes that bring us together as citizens of this tiny island state. This includes our ‘kiasu’ attitude, our love of food and our uniquely local Singlish language, which is an amalgamation of the various languages and dialects commonly used by Singaporeans.
However, it is not as easy trying to identify a design style that is distinctly Singaporean. While many design lovers will point to the look of colonial and Peranakan shophouses as iconic aspects of Singapore’s architectural style, it provides nothing more than a historical reference for how the country looked in the past. But do the newer landmarks, such as the Marina Bay Sands resort and Gardens By The Bay, represent a style that is embraced by its people?
In this issue, we talk to the players in the local design scene to find out what, in their opinion, is the Singapore style, and visit some beautifully designed homes to see how the homeowners inject elements of their urban Singaporean lifestyle into the decor. My team and I would like to wish all Singaporeans a happy national day, and see you again in September.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
