Right on the Mark

A PROPER SHOWER at the end of the day is something Singaporeans easily take for granted, but it's a different story in other parts of Southeast Asia where low water pressure is the norm, thanks to poorly maintained infrastructures.

But bathroom company American Standard created its Genie Pressure Booster Hand Shower, which uses pressure-boosting and water saving technology to ensure a stable, soft spray regardless of the local conditions. The design won it the platinum award at this year's Singapore Good Design (SG Mark), the country's gold standard of design and quality.

Available in Singapore as well as in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, Genie is a clear example of how a good product can do wonders for both consumer and profitability, which makes businesses "realise the value of investing in quality design," says Andrew Pang, president of the Design Business Chamber Singapore which awards SG Mark.

Since its inception in 2013 in partnership with the prestigious Japan Good Design (G Mark), more local and international companies have competed for this seal of approval that can make a big difference to their bottom lines, as well as customers and employees.

Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of Hegen, whose milk bottle won a gold in 2018, says she has seen an almost nine-time increase in revenue from Singapore retailers, and international exposure. Her prospects for overseas markets have also more than doubled, as SG Mark winners move directly into the final round of the G Mark competition, to vie for its highest levels of awards.

Other winners are no doubt hoping to do the same.

01 AIRTABLE BY AIRLAB @ SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

With three spindly legs instead of four solid ones, AirTable isn't your conventional office desk. In fact, it represents a groundbreaking milestone in 3D metal printing. The tabletop is an equilateral triangle with symmetrically sloping edges. Supporting it is a very thin steel structure made of a thin and dense web, which flows into three slender legs, each touching the ground on a point the size of a five-cent coin.

Assistant professor Felix Raspall, who designed the AirTable says, "this is an opportunity to demonstrate how we use new technologies to design and make spaces and objects that defy conventions."

02 DIAGEO SINGAPORE BY M. MOSER ASSOCIATES

When alcoholic beverage company Diageo approached design firm M Moser Associates to revamp its office at One George Street, the brief was to reinvent its existing workspace to make it more conducive for building meaningful connections between customers, brands and employees.

An M Moser spokesman explains that Diageo wanted to "bring the outside-in" to encourage closer relationships with partners and customers, and spark a new working culture in line with the company's new global HR mission to "inspire and connect".

Employees now hot desk, picking from The Study or The Studio, which offers conventional desk space, as well as high and low benches, or in The Living Room, which has comfortable armchairs. There's even a bar they can work at, which transitions from a casual work environment in the morning to a lively event space at night. All these spaces double as intimate meeting spots for brainstorming and collaborations.

03 DESIGN ORCHARD BY WOHA ARCHITECTS

Whether you want to support local brands or just a place to hang out, Design Orchard located at the junction of Orchard and Cairnhill Roads, is the hot shopping spot to be at.

Designed by Woha Architects, the three-storey development houses an 850 sqm retail showcase on the first level, a 1,500 sqm incubation space on the second and third levels, and a rooftop events space - a vantage point to view the entire Orchard Road from.

This project is a multi-agency effort by JTC, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board to nurture home-grown brands and profile emerging local design talents.

04 OCBC HOLLAND VILLAGE BRANCH BY OCBC BANK

Going to the bank is a hassle, often involving much waiting in a crowded space. "OCBC Bank believes in design as a tool to improve society and to make daily life better," says Bojan Blecic, its head of experience design.

Its Holland Village branch may set the tone for all bank branches to look. The Premier Banking space is designed like a stylish home, with an artistic mix of textures, colours, materials and styles. Also new is the Digital Concierge, showcasing a full suite of online banking services. Walk-ins have increased and new sign-ups more than doubled since the introduction of technology and deliberate spatial design.

Mr Blecic adds, "Taking part in this competition shows that even players that traditionally do not have big affinity with design can be key contributors. This goes way beyond just helping our organisation, by showing how the financial industry can create great value through design."

05 MOJURA BY ONG&ONG AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN, NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

Backpacks typically come in fixed sizes - small, medium or large. With Mojura, users can create their own unique bags for any occasion. It works by using a modular bag system, that lets users increase or decrease the number of compartments as needed. Its creators say that by encouraging consumers to only buy what they need, Mojura helps to cut wastage. Available from shop.beyond-allthings.com.

06 CHANDELIER BY SNOHETTA AND PLAYPOINT SINGAPORE

Changi Airport is renowned for its pre-flight experience, but what's there to do for passengers besides shopping and dining?

Over at the transit area in Terminal 4, adults and kids can burn off their energy at the Chandelier, a five-storey structure that is Singapore's tallest customised vertical net playground. It is made up of 10km of rope and supported by 15 tonnes of steel. Up to 50 adults and children can climb, jump on, and slide down the structure designed for children aged six to 12.

See the SG Mark 2019 winners at Changi Airport Terminal 3, at the walkway to Jewel, from now till June 23.