The Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA) 2023 that took place on 9th November is proud to present the Youth Category, featuring outstanding academic projects completed by students aged 17 to 25 years old. The number of award submissions marked a new high this year with over 100 entries received, ranging across seven different categories from over nine local educational institutions.
This is also the first time SIDA Youth category is made international, and a number of winning entries include those from Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and even the United Kingdom. The Society of Interior Designers, Singapore (SIDS) will also be signing a MOU with Singapore Polytechnic to further the collaboration on education-related initiatives within the field of Industry Design.
“SIDA is a flagship initiative of SIDS, and it has evolved into an internationally renowned platform that not only recognises outstanding talent but also spotlights the pivotal role of design education. This is the first year that we have opened our Youth Category to overseas participants, and our winners are exemplary in their ability to apply the principles of design, showcasing innovation and creativity that meet and exceed international standards,” shared Mr Tung Ching Yew, President of Society of Interior Designers, Singapore. With the sole intention of elevating the standards and profiles of young interior designers around the globe, the winners of SIDA Youth Categories have thus gained greater recognition, which in turn unlocks more opportunities in the industry. These are some of the top projects from this year’s SIDA Youth Category:
Best in Exhibition Design
Project Title: VeggieVital
Cultivating Home Harvests is not just an exhibition which educates Singaporeans, it allows visitors to explore, share and care. Explore with your sense of sight and smell to learn about these edible greens that are grown for the diners at the exhibition!
Designer: Ku Yee Wen Klammy, Institute of Technical Education
Best in F&B Design
Project Title: Fusion
Fusion is a dining concept that aligns with Ong Shunmugam’s aesthetic of cultural fusion and contemporary elegance while ensuring seamless circulation for visitors to explore both the restaurant and the clothing line without disruptions or congestion. Designer: Vu Thu Phuong, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts ● Best in Retail Design Project Title: Rooted Echoes “Rooted Echoes” reflects the importance of cultural preservation, and signifies the ongoing conversation between the past & the present, cherishing cultural practices, rituals, and values as a way to keep the spirit of the culture alive.
Designer: Wong Kit Yee, Nanyang Polytechnic
Best in Retail Design
Project Title: Rooted Echoes
“Rooted Echoes” reflects the importance of cultural preservation, and signifies the ongoing conversation between the past & the present, cherishing cultural practices, rituals, and values as a way to keep the spirit of the culture alive.
Designer: Wong Kit Yee, Nanyang Polytechnic
Best in Exhibition Design
Project Title: Cosmocation
Cosmocation is an avant-garde educational astronomy museum promoting astronomy knowledge and providing experiential learning for Singapore’s public.
Designer: Christine Loh Shin Huey, Raffles College of Higher Education
Best in Public Space
Project Title: ACCRESCENT
To address the issue of the lack of connectivity between the spaces & facilities, by leveraging the community spirit of personalising the neighbourhood, as seen from the existing community garden, to create an urban playscape as a communal space for elderly and children to relax, play, and forge meaningful relationships through enhancing user experiences.
Designer: Tay Yun Jun, Singapore Polytechnic
Best in Public Space Design
Project Title: The Nourished – Urban Garden Landscape The garden brings out the “Heart” of the community, that disseminates a healthier lifestyle for the elderly and youth. Where the “Artery” provides social connectivity through complex curve shapes.
Designer: Chua Jia Ning, Sherica, Singapore Polytechnic
Best in Hospitality Design
Project Title: Vivarium
Vivarium is a self-sustaining space that is located at 2 Seletar Aerospace Ave which every user can call a third home, a place outside their home and work, where they can socialise and grasp the concept of co-living with nature in this net-zero building.
Designer: Teoh Kia Chuan, Temasek Polytechnic
“This year’s entries are nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve noticed a lot of creative and fresh ideas, and also a lot of attention to details that really make the work speak to us. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that it was a tough decision to pick out the winners,” said Jeslyn Seow, one of the judges for the Youth Category. “And looking at the standard and quality of the work, the future of interior design is looking more promising than ever.”
SIDS will be signing a MOU with Singapore Polytechnic (SP) on 24 November to deepen the collaboration with regard to education-related activities and initiatives within the area of Industry Design and Industry. The key objective is to co-develop training content, and explore the delivery modules for adult learners in terms of course accreditation that are aligned with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)’s Design Framework. The collaboration also serves as a provision of capability development such as industry attachments and network opportunities with industry advisories, as well as co-branding and support for future Interior Design events and initiatives.
“This collaboration bears significance in nurturing the next generation of interior designers, be it the acquisition of hard skills or forging meaningful relationships. Singapore Polytechnic currently boasts a robust PET & CET curriculum for the Diploma in Interior Design and Diploma in Design (Interior Design) respectively, and the valuable input from industry experts can better equip students with the necessary skills and tools to allow them to better transit with the workforce,” said Ms Ng Hwee Li, Co-Chairman of Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Council (SIDAC).
