Postponed for a month due to heightened public safety measures, the Singapore Interior Design Festival (SIDFest 2021) officially opened on 18 June 2021, with the opening ceremony held on 17 June.
Under the theme “Optimised/Optimism”, SIDFest 2021 demonstrates the innovation and excellence of the Singapore design community, tackling key issues like the future of design in a post-Covid world.
In her opening address, guest-of-honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development calls on the industry to continue being creative and innovative to keep abreast with trends and needs.
“It is this ingenuity and nimbleness that will put the community in good stead as we adapt to new demands in re-imaging the use of our living and working spaces. Already, in land-scarce Singapore, even pre-COVID, we have seen a growing emphasis on good interior design. Good design can enhance one’s living environment and ensure efficient use of the available space.”
Citing that the pandemic has served as a catalyst of change in the industry and brought the important work of designers to the forefront, Professor Keat Ong, President of Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS) said in his opening speech: “In a post-Covid world, elements like better ventilation and air circulation have become magnified. Wellness-focused design also becomes more important as people spend more time at home, and at times in isolation. Good and effective design will play a major role in how offices, public spaces and homes are shaped in this new normal. Our inputs and expertise will come to the fore as mankind navigates this critical juncture in our history.”
This year, one of the highlights of SIDFest 2021 is the SIDS Symposium, a hybrid conference that will be attended by the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers to discuss key issues in the industry. The Asia Roundtable will have delegates from 15 countries and territories from the Asia-Pacific region participating virtually.
Apart from the symposium, SIDFest 2021 showcases installations and workshops in which the public can take part. Installations celebrate the positive perspective and invite designers to create experiences using the tools of the trade — materials, lights, colours, textures, spaces to paint — as a love letter and call to arms, for the fraternity, from the fraternity.
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- Photo credit: SIDFest 2021. The highlight of the festival is the Design By Numbers showcase, which will occupy NDC’s main atrium space. Design by Numbers is the festival’s main showcase in which designers will use assigned numbered plots at the National Design Centre atrium to build large-scale inhabitable structures of varying heights and sizes.
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- Photo credit: SIDFest 2021
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- Photo credit: SIDFest 2021
The main highlight will be the Design by Numbers showcase in which designers will use assigned numbered plots on the National Design Centre (NDC) atrium to build large-scale inhabitable structures of varying heights and sizes.
With “Casting Hope” being the thematic notion this year, festival director Dennis Cheok shared: “We responded to that brief by rallying all sectors of the design industry to step forward with an optimistic take on the global pandemic, and to put up a showcase of the lessons learned and achievements earned.”
The works of some of the most promising young interior designers are also on show in another showcase, 20 Under 45.
The public can view the much-awaited SIDFest 2021 at the National Design Centre from June 18 to July 18.
