Also known as the Lantern Festival or the Mooncake Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most anticipated traditions celebrated by the Chinese community. It’s a time for people to get together and express their gratitude for those around them, acting as a time for reunion, love and appreciation.
Taking place at some of the most historical places in Singapore, here are some upcoming events and promotions to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival:
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore Mooncakes
Image: The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
Staying true to heritage and tradition this Mid-Autumn 2022, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore presents its yearly, delicately crafted collection of mooncakes. Taking a modern twist on classic recipes, it features nine elegant mooncake flavours: Matcha Mochi, Valrhona & Truffle, Champagne Truffle, Lychee Rose, Durian, Pineapple Paste, White Lotus with Macadamia, Pandan Paste and White Lotus with Egg Yolk.
Image: The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
This year’s mooncakes are presented in two stunning, intricately designed, multi-functional box concepts. Emblazoned with inspiring iconographies that narrate the rich heritage of Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES, the tin box and jewellery box together with the tote bags are perfect additions to any mooncake connoisseurs’ limited-edition collectibles.
Purchase now to enjoy a 25 per cent early bird special. Valid till 12 August 2022 only.
Date: Now till 10 September 2022
Venue: Capitol Singapore, L1-74
Pose, Snap & Win
Stand a chance to win The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore Mooncakes — complete with a Tote Bag Set — when you pose and snap photos at Capitol Singapore. Simply take a picture with their Mid-Autumn life-sized decor and tag them on their social media @capitolsingapore on Instagram and Facebook to enter the giveaway.
Jazz Concerts and Night Lights (Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES)
Image: CHIJMES
The Singapore Night Festival returns in 2022 after a two-year hiatus to spark wonder around the diverse eccentricities of the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct. With spectacular light projections and performances from local artists, catch these performances and installations at Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES:
Jazz’in @ Capitol Singapore
A series of jazz concerts featuring stellar homegrown jazz artists such as Miss Lou and the Rhythmakers. Bringing you four groovy evenings at the historic site. Come, give your ears and souls a treat, and get on your feet!
Date: 19, 20, 26, 27 Aug 2022
Time: 7.30pm – 10pm
Venue: Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza
Light Projection at CHIJMES
Light your night and watch the façade of the iconic CHIJMES Hall illuminated with bright colours, exhibiting the history of CHIJMES in conjunction with the Singapore Night Festival 2022.
Date: 19 – 27 August 2022
Time: 7pm – Midnight
Venue: CHIJMES, The Lawn
Exclusive Night Lights Themed Deals
Other than the amazing festivities in Singapore’s Night Festival, be sure to check out some of the exclusive offers below and many more from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES:
Glow in the dark shooters and LED cocktails from Hopscotch
1-for-1 offer from a wide selection of mains from restaurant, Am I Addicted
30 per cent off the Flaming Volcano Chicken from Famous Treasures
20 per cent off the Flambe Alcoholic Banana Gula Melaka from New Ubin Seafood
Watchmaking is often about a remembrance of things past — one might even say it is about living history, and keeping the past always in the present tense. While true of all spheres of watchmaking, exempting perhaps the quartz watch and the smartwatch, it is particularly true of haute horlogerie. In this rarefied realm, the work is often about bringing the techniques and knowledge of the past into the present, and ultimately onto people’s wrists again. When an old name returns once more to the dial of a working timepiece, it is a special moment. Well, it can be when done right, and that is exactly what Christine Hutter did on November 11, 2008 when she resurrected the Moritz Grossmann name from her kitchen table in Dresden. This is the Glashütte-based manufacture that produced all the pieces you see here, of course.
Obviously, there is more to it than that oft-told story about the firm’s rebirth. First of all, Hutter was deeply interested in all things mechanical from the moment she graduated from university in 1986. This nascent passion was nurtured by master watchmaker Wilhelm Glöggler in Munich, where Hutter entered the world of watchmaking as an apprentice. By the time she finished, she was top of her class, according to the brand’s biography of her. In 1989, the world changed dramatically, and the path was suddenly open to Glashütte, the mecca of German fine watchmaking. In due time, Hutter had completed stints with the watchmaking trade in both Switzerland and Germany. In fact, Hutter gained valuable sales and marketing experience at no less than Glashütte Original and A. Lange & Söhne, before she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey to establish the Moritz Grossmann manufacture.
This of course begs the question: why Carl Moritz Grossmann (to use his full name and distinguish from the manufacture that bears his name today), and who is he anyway? It does not take much of an imagination to infer that Grossmann was a watchmaker based in Glashütte. He was one of the legendary names in that great watchmaking town, alongside Ferdinand Adolph Lange and Julius Assmann. It was Lange who convinced Grossmann, a Dresden watchmaker, to set up shop in Glashütte in 1854. Grossmann eventually set up the German School of Watchmaking Glashütte in 1878, while also making timepieces at his manufacture there. When he died suddenly in 1885, his manufacture was liquidated and the name Moritz Grossmann was not to return to watchmaking until 2008.
Hutter, with the support of her family, bought the rights to the Moritz Grossmann name, and became the heir to a grand tradition. As you might expect, Hutter is one of very few women brand leaders, owners and watchmakers, and possibly the only one who is all three of those things. We are certain that we shall be keeping in close contact with Hutter, so we will call time on the introduction here, and leave the rest to Hutter herself. With any luck, we will revisit the specificities of the models and collections elsewhere, which we had to cut short here due to space constraints.
Before we begin, we must ask — for the benefit of our readers who do not know Moritz Grossmann too well — about the start of the manufacture. Tell us why the story began in your kitchen in Dresden.
Well, we started with a holding company in Switzerland (Hutter was employed by Haute Horlogerie Schindler SA when she acquired the rights to the Moritz Grossmann name, and was based in Switzerland) and then established a company in Germany. We wanted to start at the original address of Moritz Grossmann in Glashütte but it was not possible. So began without an office in Glashütte, just a letter box, and me working out of my family home in Dresden. At the time, I lived half the time in Switzerland, and half in Dresden.
Image: Moritz Grossmann
Eventually, I managed to rent some rooms in Glashütte, opposite the house of Moritz Grossmann. Then (while we looked for a permanent space) we worked out of a couple of houses and five different flats over the years.
So you did not start out at the location of your current rather impressive building…
We found the land, and we started construction of the building, which took a few years to complete. We moved into the new building in 2012 even though it was still under construction. We finished in 2013 and that was the official opening of the manufacture.
The editors, including myself, have been to Glashütte many times over the years, and your building has always been very impressive. I initially imagined you made many thousands of watches, because of the size of the manufacture, but I was surprised to learn that Moritz Grossmann makes between 200 and 500 watches annually!
Image: Moritz Grossmann
You must not forget that when you start a company like ours, there is a lot of development work that goes into it. Not only do we need to develop movements, we also need (space and time) to set up production from scratch. Then there is the question of style, because we (invest in having a lot of) craftsmanship in-house, and in working the traditional way (of Glashütte style watchmaking). This does not even take into account the matter of production (by hand) and finishing by hand. Because of this, we are not able to produce watches in quantity, and that was never the target. For us, we want to really go (all-in) on the highest craftsmanship, to produce (the highest) quality.
So nowadays, we produce around 300 pieces a year, and the target is to reach 1,000 pieces. Still we cannot (more than) double our production so we go step-by-step. This is another reason for the manufacture building, where we had to decide if we wanted to go with a smaller building and expand in maybe three to four years, and then again, and again… or do what we did and get enough space for 100 or 120 people. Now we are a bit more than 40 so we can grow to three times the size and not need to invest again (in real estate and related infrastructure).
“We are not able to produce watches in quantity, and that was never the target. For us, we want to really go (all-in) on the highest level of craftsmanship”
On the note about quality, Moritz Grossmann watches are singularly distinguished in the amount of handcraftsmanship in every piece. You also produce a number of signature features, such as the unique automatic winding system in the Hamatic, and the distinctive Grossmann winder. All of this takes time, and we are seeing that newer collectors do not really understand that it might take up to a year to make one watch, never mind the development time of a few years.
Normally (those production time requirements) are true. It depends of course on the movement; maybe the Hamatic or the Tourbillon will take longer. There is also the matter of raw part production, and then a very long part where we work on hand-finishing. Just the purple-brown hands can take up to eight hours because these are done by hand; and you can see this, if you use an eye-piece (or some other magnifier). It is clear that they are done differently to normal watch hands.
We also do a double-assembly of the movement and that takes time (this involves assembling the entire movement, oiling it and regulating it, then taking it apart again to clean it all and start again; some finishing is done only at the point of the second assembly, and this is when the actual functional but also decorative screws are used; final fine regulation is also done the second time around, allowing for a little more precision and accuracy). Then again, you must remember that we do not only produce one watch (at a time). We are doing small series production.
Staying on hand-finishing for a moment, I was deeply impressed by the Benu Heritage Tremblage model. Tell us about this dial, which you did in-house.
We are lucky to have a very experienced engraver to work on this; he is 72 years old and he really knows how to do this tremblage dial by hand. We discussed what kinds of dials we could do by ourselves (this watch came together during the Covid-19 disruptions)… there were a lot of delays with suppliers, and there is a chance your order will (slip through the cracks) and then you will be waiting a long time. Our engraver proposed this tremblage technique for a dial that we could do ourselves and I said “Hey, let’s do it!” It is all done by hand and is (pure) craftsmanship; we need four to five days for just one dial!
Image: Moritz Grossmann
I was just with a client, showing him that you can really see the handwork in the details, like the two holes in the eight, where you can see the tremblage also. (The watch) is a big success and we never thought there would be this kind of demand… You know the collectors today, they are looking for something special, not something mass-produced. Each Heritage Tremblage will be different, because of the handwork. There is not a chance that one watch will look (exactly) like another.
To finish here, tell us about the pricing strategy.
We start, more or less, above €20,000, and it is really about craftsmanship and development. If you combine this with all the usual things, like material costs and so on, there is no way we can do this for €5,000! It’s impossible, and you can really see and feel the craftsmanship (for the price). And then you have the development of special movements, like with the Hamatic. This is three and a half years of development in the movement alone. So this is how we start.
Image: Moritz Grossmann
Maybe later, in three or four years, we can look at our prices on the secondary market (pre-owned, auction and otherwise). Right now, we do not have (a track record here) because we are too young and too small. From what we have seen, looking at the last OnlyWatch auction, we thought the piece we offered had (a notional) retail price of CHF27,000-28,000, so the estimate was for between CHF20,000-35,000. It hammered for CHF120,000. For that silver-plating-by-friction dial, and now the tremblage, we see a lot of interest and for sure (strong potential price appreciation) in future. But again, we are young so you cannot compare us with players who have been in the market for decades.
When beauty company Glossier launched in 2014, it was entirely new, both in its messaging — “be you, just dewier” — and its exclusively online sales strategy, which at the time was an unconventional way to sell beauty. The vertical business strategy, also known as the direct-to-consumer (DTC) approach allows brands to sell directly to their customer; they would be in complete control of aspects such as pricing, branding, messaging and the type of features and services the brand would offer — they’re also mostly done online.
Founder and chief executive Emily Weiss’ approach worked. Suddenly, Glossier became the gold standard for startups, who forewent once-coveted shelf space at department stores and Sephora in favour of selling directly to customers. But for all the Glossier mania, their inability to keep up with beauty’s retail evolution eventually led to their downfall and eventual shift to an omnichannel strategy.
On a joint Instagram post, Glossier announced its first external retail partnership with multinational retailer, Sephora. The deal ramps up Glossier’s push into physical retail, allowing them to significantly expand the brand’s retail distribution and contribute to changing the beauty industry’s landscape.
However, Glossier’s choice to expand into the retail industry is not uncommon. In the past few years, internet-born beauty brands such as The Ordinary, Fenty Beauty and Drunk Elephant have all transitioned from selling exclusively online to utilising brick-and-mortar stores with beauty retail giants: Sephora, Ulta and Nordstrom.
The change in business models from these beauty powerhouses and cult brands signals a significant shift in the way customers are shopping and the way products are being sold in the beauty industry. Now with an omnichannel strategy in place, the potential to reshape the market is bigger than ever and all the parties involved have the opportunity to reap the benefits of both a digital and physical shopping experience.
Historically, large legacy brands have ruled the beauty industry in market share and prestige. But recently, internet-born brands have become the big growth story. These companies base their operating models on exploiting technological and analytical capabilities — often adopting the direct-to-consumer approach to take advantage of the e-commerce benefits it offers.
Due to the pandemic, the rise of online shopping, and social media’s impact on consumer trends, the shift to online retail was one of the most significant accelerations in consumer behaviour. It seemed as if a new online-only beauty brand was being created every day. Brands now have full control over how they want to conduct their business — from shipping policies to visual branding — and consumers have a more efficient, effective and personalised shopping experience, all from the comfort of their home.
However, for the past four years, Diffusion, a PR agency based in London, has monitored consumers and their affinity for DTC brands. They witnessed a climb in interest during pandemic times, followed by a subsequent fall in their annual DTC Consumer Purchase Intent Index. Inflation, ongoing supply chain woes and an increase in competition are taking a bite out of native direct-to-consumer brands, forcing them to dip in consumer interest and lose billions within their market cap. With the DTC craze slamming into reality, brands are now looking for ways to minimise their loss.
Meanwhile, the future is looking bright in the world of retail and in-store commerce. Consumers who craved real-life shopping experiences during the pandemic are driving back to the stores. “Going out to shop is still part of the whole experience,” says Erik Nordstrom, who has seen a 18 per cent increase in foot traffic to the retail store this June. “It’s entertainment, it’s a family thing to do on the weekends and it’s bound to bounce back from the struggles we faced in the pandemic.” The US Census Bureau reported that retail sales rose more than 28 per cent in May compared to last year and expects it to grow as much as 13.5 per cent this year, with research firm Zenreach, predicting a full return to normalcy in the US retail industry by September of this year.
With the re-opening of stores, many consumers waited in line to experience the pleasure of physical retail. The human connection, the ability to feel and try on, and the immediacy of the purchase were what they had missed. This downward trend created a huge opportunity for traditional retailers to modernise and expand their presence to online marketers and retailer sites, creating an effective omnichannel strategy.
The Omnichannel Revolution
Image: Sephora
Using both digital and traditional marketing, the omnichannel strategy embraces a customer from multiple directions with the same messaging. Essentially, when a brand uses a multi-channel sales approach and integrates it throughout the customer’s shopping experience, it creates a seamless experience. The benefits of an omnichannel marketing strategy are clear — studies have shown that marketers that integrate three or more channels into their marketing campaigns increase their purchase rates up to 287 per cent and see more than 18 per cent engagement in their campaigns, compared to only 5 per cent for single-channel campaigns.
Online-only brands creating partnerships with big retailers offer many benefits to both parties. For example, to bring DTC beauty products closer to the buyer, Sephora has introduced several in-store merchandising activities, showcasing digitally native or otherwise up-and-coming brands. The first fixtures for Sephora’s “The Next Big Thing” was an in-store space set aside for displaying new makeup brands — launched at its Time Squares store in June 2019. It was a clever attempt to drive customers lured by popular brands they encounter on the internet into a physical space where they can try them out and purchase samples.
Image: Sephora
On the other hand, DTC brands that have shifted to retail, such as Glossier, Kylie Jenner Beauty, The Ordinary and Drunk Elephant, can reap the benefits of retail marketing. They’re able to access a more extensive customer base, and there’s a sharpened shopper focus that DTC brands lack. Customer data power today’s retail marketing platforms, and everything that happens on those platforms is focused on meeting actual shopper needs and responding to known behaviours. This has the possibility to increase sales due to ease and efficiency of the shopping experience.
“Consumers are now operating within a total omnichannel ecosystem and all the touchpoints that we’ve been fortunate to have been developing have helped us as we went into the pandemic and now it’s helping us as we’re coming into the endemic stage,” said Alia Gogi, managing director of Sephora Asia.
Clearly, the lines between online and offline have blurred over the years and both retailers and DTC brands are working toward creating a seamless experience for the consumer. The beauty retail space has shifted drastically over the past couple of years, and it is unlikely to stop evolving. Elements like personalisation and experiences will continue to play huge roles and the digital aspect of retail will continue to influence brick-and-mortar retailers moving forward.
For a few years now, the Indian sports market has been thriving, and entrepreneurs have especially been emphasising Indian fantasy sports games. One such investor is Gia Janashvili. He has been talking about the potential and opportunities the Indian iGaming market will have in the future and has stated that out of all countries, India has immense potential, especially in the iGaming sector. Being an entrepreneur himself and co-founding Veli, Janashvili thinks the Indian fantasy sports market will grow rapidly in the coming years. We sat down with Janashvili and talked about what led him and Veli to move into this particular market with their Fan2Play investment.
Why is the Indian iGaming market so attractive for entrepreneurs and investors like yourself?
For about two or three years now, tech investors, business leaders, and various internet services have been trying out their luck in the Indian market. Because of the large population, the marketplace for technological goods is promising. You add in the increase of people starting to use the internet, and you have an iGaming market that can grow. Here at Veli, we haven’t stayed far behind. Look at the statistics for the past two or three years, and you’ll see that investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars were poured into the Indian iGaming market. This is a great sign that not only iGaming will grow, but it can become one of the best industries in India. In the past couple of years, we have contacted several Indian up-and-coming tech businesses and offered our services. However, Fan2Play seemed the best decision for now.
Which past experiences have nudged you to go with a project like Fan2Play?
All of our past ventures have been in places where we deem iGaming to change and improve for the better. We have made many investments in the Pan African market simply because we saw numerous opportunities in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Congo, Kenya, etc. The sole fact that the South African iGaming industry alone grew by US$300 million lets everyone see that targeting these countries will bring big steady growth revenues. Same as South Africa, the iGaming markets in Congo have immense potential. With the platforms that we provide, we enable various targeted and highly customized experiences. I firmly believe that the same fate will follow the Indian iGaming scene. The potential it has shown in recent years is exemplary, even more so with the growing fantasy games. This was the main reason why Veli decided to invest in the well-known Fan2Play.
Can you explain what Fan2Play is?
Fan2Play is an online fantasy sports game platform where you can go up against other players and make teams in cricket and football. It can also be described as a fantasy sports contest where you can build teams and go up against other players in public leagues, make private leagues for your friends, or accept random players’ challenges. Basically, it’s a game like every other. You start by choosing your team, and then when you have accepted a challenge, it all comes down to which players score more points in their performance in the match.
Is Fan2Play legal in India and have there been any drawbacks?
It is entirely legal and safe to play. Following the laws in India, it is clear that Fan2Play and its contests like Fantasy Cricket and Fantasy Football are considered games of skill. Now, because all Indian laws are being followed, certain states in India cannot participate in the contest where there is cash distribution as prizes, including Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The good thing about this is that Fan2Play wants to include every state in India, so players from the states I mentioned can still play practice contests for fun.
Where do you see Fan2Play and the Indian iGaming industry in the future?
We already know that more than three million players are registered and play at Fan2Play. This was also one of the major reasons why Veli decided to invest in the online fantasy sports platform. We can’t predict the future for certain, but seeing the evolution that Fan2Play has had in the past two years, I can firmly say that this sector will develop further. As for the overall Indian iGaming industry, as I mentioned, I am positive about its continuous growth. More and more players will come through, and it won’t be surprising to even see international gamers.
How many diamonds can fit in a single ring? The answer is 24,679, according to the new Guinness World Records Book.
SWA Diamonds, an Indian-based jewellery company, set the record with their impressive design in May. Shaped to mimic a pink oyster mushroom, the ring represents immortality and longevity. Its computer-generated design took nearly three months for SWA Diamonds to complete before starting the build for the ring. After meticulous research and consideration, the ring was created by pouring gold into a plastic mould in order to form the 41 unique mushroom petals before adorning it with natural diamonds by hand.
Image: SWA Diamond
“There is no greater joy than to live your dreams the way you were meant to. Our team feels accomplished and satisfied after knowing we have earned a new Guinness World Records title,” says Abdul Gafar Anadiyan, SWA Diamond’s managing director.
While a number of carats were not specified, it was revealed that the ring weighs in at 340 grams and is valued at US$95,243. A team of independent gemologists verified the ring; evaluating and confirming the stone’s weight, carat, clarity, type and cut.
The ring was also given a name, “The Touch of Ami”. Anadiyan continued, “It marks the triumph of entrepreneurship in the diamond sector of our state.”
The Indian Gems and Jewellery sector is one of the largest in the world, contributing around 29 per cent to the global jewellery consumption. Diamonds are India’s third-largest source of export revenue, earning the country US$16 billion in 2020. Nine out of every ten diamonds in the world journey through India, and the city of Surat, perched on the country’s Arabian Sea coast, is where most of them are cut and polished. Filled with talented jewellers, it is no doubt that three of the previous world records were set by jewellers located in India.
Image: Guinness World Records
Harshit Bansal, founder of Renani Jewels in Meerut, India, was given the title on 21 December, 2020. The ring, named the Marigold, or “The Ring of Prosperity”, has a circular band with an ornate floral design, complete with 12,638 diamonds of 38.08 carat natural diamonds.
Image: Lakshikaa Jewels
Previously, in 2019, Lakshikaa Jewels from Mumbai, India, created an eye-catching ring over 18 months with 7,777 diamonds on an 18k fold base. It’s been valued at US$4.9 million and was meticulously crafted by a team of twelve crafters and one experienced jeweller and designer to recreate the Lotus Temple in Delhi on a piece of jewellery.
Richa Singh, Managing Director of India’s Diamond Producers Association quoted, “Diamonds have a very deep connection to the history, culture and fashion of India. We will continue to be innovative and daring in the path of jewellery crafting.”
For a lot of people, regardless of whether they are men, women, or anyone in between, shopping for clothes is a rather fun experience. Going to the mall, trying on clothes, having fun with your friends, there is a lot to enjoy with clothes shopping. What isn’t fun, however, is the cost you ultimately pay when going clothes shopping. If you are going to higher-end places, getting a full wardrobe can be quite an expensive trip. If you can’t afford to deal with such expensive trips, however, we are here to help you save money where you can.
Wait for sales
If you are a “professional” clothes shopper, you must already be aware of the fact that sales are the best way to get a good deal on clothes. Not all sales are going to be strong, but even a reduction of price to some extent is better than paying full price. Sales on clothes manifest in many different ways, with two of the most common being either clearance items that have not sold well, and storewide deals. These kinds of sales encourage shoppers to spend more than they normally would, especially if it is a “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” deal.
A Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal is basically what it says on the tin: if you buy three eligible items, one of those items will be free. The free item will be the one with the lowest price, which also encourages you to spend more than you normally would to get the most out of the deal. Variations of this deal include Buy 1 Get 1 50 Percent Off and Buy 2 Get 2 Free.
There is one tactic that you should watch out for, however. Some businesses have a tendency to make their sales seem better than they actually are. The way they do this is actually quite simple. Before they actually do a sale, they increase the advertised prices of items that will go on sale, and then they “put it on sale,” when, in fact, the sale price is the same as it was before the price was raised. In order to avoid this kind of trick, check to see whether the business you are shopping at has a history of this kind of scheme. If others are reporting this tactic, the best thing to do would be to find somewhere else to buy your wares.
Consider Signing Up for a Rewards Program
If you shop at one store a lot over others, it may be worthwhile to join their rewards program. Rewards programs typically give you cash back, store credit, and/or other perks for shopping at their store. The more you shop there, the more value you get back from your purchases. Once again though, be careful about not falling into the rewards card rabbit hole. Don’t over-shop just to get more rewards back.
Compare Prices From One Store to Another
While it may be convenient to do all your shopping at one store, especially if you have been a loyal
customer of the store for years. However, it’s important to remember that customer loyalty can
sometimes come at a cost. You may not even realize that there are better options out there for your
needs, and thus make the mistake of never bothering to look. Look up the prices of the same item
from one store to the next.
Intersperse Buying New Clothes With Used Clothes
This is an easy step to take – honestly, the only thing you really need to make sure of is that you find the right used clothing store to buy from. To do that, the best strategy would be to simply ask your friends, family, and look online at reviews of used clothing stores. Some will have a better reputation than others, and qualities you should look out for include how much they charge, the quality of the clothing, and their location. While some used clothing stores do allow you to shop online, we recommend that you shop in person. Buying used clothing is a lot more slapdash than buying new, so trying on clothes is even more important than it already is. It’s especially true for women shopping for plus-size clothing.
Do Sales and Programs Actually Save You Money?
The answer to this question is inconclusive, mainly because there is no one answer that fits everyone. This is because sales can affect people in certain ways. These kinds of deals and programs are great, but ultimately, every clothing company is doing them because it is profitable for
them to do so. In truth, when you use coupons, join rewards cards, or shop sales, people often wind
up spending more money than they would if no sales were occurring. In truth, the best way to save
money is to be careful about your spending. If you navigate these things smartly, you can get the
most value out of them without spending too much more money.
Whether it’s respecting the architectural details of an old home or giving new life to a building, here are two spacious abodes that have undergone a significant metamorphosis for a modern comeback. We look at some modern architectural transformations for homes in Singapore.
The Brutalist architecture of this bungalow designed by Czarl Architects. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Bunker-like Bungalow
Giving a home a second life isn’t easy especially if the property has a historical value. Restoration work is best left to the experts because they understand the type of original materials used and how to source for them.
One of the stylish living areas in this spacious home. Image: Bai Jiwen.
These experts have to study the home’s history and assemble the right artisans to do the necessary craftwork for the interior and exterior of the building. But restoring a building to its former glory isn’t about retracing historical facts and techniques. How do you make an old building relevant for today’s lifestyle and context? What should be altered and what should be left intact? Here, we showcase two buildings that have been given a second life. The architects and designers have understood the building’s past and its site to create these architectural marvels.
The dining space offers views of the garden and neighbourhood. Image: Bai Jiwen.
A Former President’s Home
A couple, the Lims, who are retirees from the healthcare and finance industries, purchased this sprawling 12,197-square-foot home after many house tours. It was their dream home.
Interestingly, it was the residence of Singapore’s former president – Mr Ong Teng Cheong. The home’s sprawling land spanning approximately 10,649 square feet is a multi-tiered site that
slopes up from the front of the house. How does one preserve the site where the house sits? How is one able to construct a modern family home that reaped lush vistas of the neighbourhood while maintaining some elements of its older identity? These were questions that the couple wished to pursue.
Realising Their Dreams
The next logical step was to look for an architect to realise their dreams. The husband and wife had read a newspaper article about the transformation of Wat Ananda Metyarama Thai Buddhist temple located in Bukit Merah. The architect was principal architect Carl Lim of Czarl
Architects. The brief to Carl Lim was this: An easy-to-maintain, multi-generation home that is modern and functional. In terms of aesthetics, the couple desired the emphasis on using natural materials. The couple also yearned for an inner sanctuary within the house. For the façade, the man of the house wanted something very “masculine”, possibly one that showcased elements of brutalist architectural lines. The husband provided some schematic images to aid the architect’s planning. Construction took around two years to complete. While it was a lengthy process, there were inevitably some challenges to tackle. Dealing with a multi-tiered site with a slope was one of these issues. To capitalise on where the slope began, the architect designed
a future basement. Therefore, the home’s highest point is at the road level, thereby making it largely unblocked by the neighbours’ homes.
A cosy corner with plenty of sunlight and ventilation. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Bunker Aesthetics
The Brutalist-feel of the home’s façade conveys a masculine feel. To access the home, one enters the foyer via a staircase. The entrance foyer’s multiple window grilles salvaged from the previous home are the highlight of this space. They were welded together to create a vertical feature. The grilles sport a damask pattern synonymous with 1970s aesthetics. The entrance foyer is more than just a spot to greet guests; its adjacent lounge area opens up to the surroundings for anyone to partake in the verdant views. The lounge area is connected to the
formal living space via a water feature. One needs to walk across a large lava stone slab to get to the other side. The formal living space has a chic ensemble of modern furnishings, furniture, and lighting from European brands. One of the highlights is the Arco floor lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Despite being designed in 1962, this iconic floor light with its arc metal stem holding a globular metal shade feels modern in this setting. The light is complemented by eye-catching mustard leather armchairs.
A stylish bedroom with a plush bed helps the homeowners to unwind after a day. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Celebratory Meals
The dining room is special to the couple because it offers a 270-degree view of the estate’s greenery. The luxurious round dining table affords communal meals for friends and family. The sliding doors open out to let in air and sunlight stream in, making meals in this space so enjoyable.
Spectacular Staircase
The home’s main spiral staircase which provides access to all floors is also a conversational piece when guests pop by. The architect designed an organic design staircase and paired glass light pendants to illuminate this vertical space. As one ascends or descends the staircase, the lights add a touch of magic. There are also alcove LED lights on each step to assist one to see where he/she walks. What would such a striking house be without a swimming pool? The architect created an indoor lap pool with movable lattice screens for privacy. A purposeful skylight allows a palm tree to thrive and take root. Weekends make this the perfect spot
for the couple to unwind. The home also accommodates a gymnasium to keep the couple fit and healthy. There is also an entertainment room where the couple entertains guests with a
dose of Hollywood flicks. However, the wife’s favourite space is still the dining space. She enthused, “For me, the dining room is my favourite spot because family members relax and enjoy each other’s company over a meal. They can freely move around as the dining space flows
out to the garden and veranda.”
Bocci pendant lights add pizzazz to the modern spiral staircase. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Spatial Obstacles
Without a doubt, Carl had to tackle some architectural challenges along the way. The elephant in the room was the home’s unique topography consisting of a large retaining wall that impeded his task of designing liveable spaces. Also, the challenge of giving the best view to every room and bathroom, while addressing heat from the western sun and maintaining privacy were some of the main architectural issues.
The indoor swimming pool adds a resort-feel to this bungalow. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Nevertheless, Carl prevailed. He devised a purposeful spatial design where the home was organised into a loose cluster of dwelling units positioned around a series of courtyards or outdoor spaces akin to a little village. The edges of the “village” cluster are defined by an attic elevated landscape deck or a second-storey elevated pool that shields the dwelling units. The master bedroom and study were pushed into the background behind the landscape which is designed to weave around the entire perimeter of the attic and bind the whole attic cluster of dwelling units into a cohesive form. Carl designed the swimming pool on the second level so as to free up space on the ground floor for the homeowner’s gardening pursuits.
Strong, striking lines are the highlights of the bungalow’s architecture. Image: Bai Jiwen.
Also, the elevated landscape deck helps to shield the private sanctuary of the homeowner. The architect was able to have grit and conviction to complete the project in 24 months despite the ongoing pandemic. The final result is a satisfied man of the house, “I couldn’t ask for more. My home is now a place for me to retreat and enjoy my swimming, Tai Chi, and yoga moments. Now, I hardly go out on weekends!” While the new home has no resemblance to its former identity, Carl was clever to preserve the lay of the land and construct a modern dwelling with a refreshed aesthetic that could cater to the homeowner’s lifestyle.
The conserved bungalow along 67 Cairnhill Road is hard to miss. The building’s heritage can be traced to the turn of the 20th century. It flaunts distinctive Anglo-Malay style decor for its facade and other spectacular architectural detailing. Tracing back its history, the bungalow was purchased by Lien Kwang Wah, a family member of Singapore’s distinguished pioneer banker and philanthropist, Lien Ying Chow who founded Overseas Union Bank.
The sophisticated facade of Klimt Cairnhill. Image: Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited
For many decades, the conserved bungalow was left vacant and fell into a state of despair. Thanks to Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited, this established firm will turn this time-honoured bungalow into Klimt Cairnhill clubhouse offering exquisite lounges and ornately designed dining rooms to cater to luxurious soirees and posh celebrations. In 2018, the developer purchased 67 Cairnhill Road and its two adjacent plots for a cool SGD 100 million.
The bungalow site will be conserved for heritage purposes. Image: Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited.
Thankfully Low Keng Huat assembled a credible team to handle the architectural and interior challenges. Appointed architecture firm DP Architects would be tasked to revitalise the spaces and restore architectural details for 67 Cairnhill Road. The firm is renowned for projects in Singapore and around the world. The construction of Dubai Mall was one of their most renowned projects, and they also had a hand in creating The Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, including The Fullerton Heritage. For interior works, the design firm LTW Designworks reputable for projects such as The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, and Four Seasons Seoul, to name a few, will be overseeing this area of expertise. The team had to visit the National Archives of Singapore and research this conserved bungalow and understand how the distinctive Anglo-Malay style came about. For the residential site, DP Architects proposed a curvilinear design sporting gilded features to embellish the façade, hence, “Klimt” as suggested by the firm. The firm was inspired by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt whose iconic works were festooned with gold leaves. However, the developer quipped, “The design and concept of Klimt Cairnhill were not entirely inspired by Gustav Klimt’s paintings. We had our own design and concept given the location, and it evolved from there.” When it is finally completed Klimt Cairnhill will offer 138 units integrated into a 36-storey tower, while preserving the architectural details of the 1930s bungalow.
Read about other architectural transformations here.
Rendering of the Club House. Image: Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited.
Cairnhill definitely remains one of the most sought-after residential addresses in prime District 9. As a developer, Low Keng Huat’s push to enhance and restore the conserved bungalow to meet our modern needs is commendable. While it appreciates the past, it also wants to create a new residential address in the heart of Orchard Road where the modern amenities will house new families for generations to come. They will come to witness a fragment of Singapore’s architectural history, and perhaps, allow their children to appreciate and understand a part of our precious past.
