The winners of the THDA 2022 were unveiled through a live broadcast from the Liaigre Singapore showroom on Purvis Street, which embraced a hybrid format; the award recipients attended the event in person to offer their acceptance speeches during the broadcast, while nearly a hundred viewers tuned in to the livestream via Zoom.

The Singapore-based viewers who were tuning into the livestream were treated with an exquisite canapés and cocktail set that’s specially created by Luxe Catering. The botanical-themed selection draws inspiration from nature as well as Singapore’s garden city vision, in keeping with this year’s nature-influenced theme.

A total of 11 accolades were presented during the evening and awarded to firms that created a mix of minimalist abodes as well as maximalist havens that conveyed a beautiful harmony of form, function and personality.

These include the Best Architectural Concept, which was awarded to Ming Architects for the firm’s ingenious approach to a modern, minimalist home in Bukit Timah; the Best Use of Colour, which went to WY-TO for the firm’s bold use of bright hues within a two-storey home; and a stylish monochromatic shophouse project by Design Intervention that earned the firm the Best House (Interior Design) accolade.

Here, we pick out some of the highlights from the event and some of the key home design trends that the winning projects represent.

A Natural Flair, the theme for the 2022 edition, is a testament to the originality and skill of homegrown design studios; it also highlights how our homes continue to serve as safe havens and serene sanctuaries, especially during the past year. Some of the winners selected conveyed this through projects that drew from the beauty of nature while creating spaces that were also mindful of its ecological and social impact.

Aside from notable luxury design firms, the spotlight was shared with three studios recognised for the Designers on the Rise accolade: AL+, Goy Architects, and FDAT Architects; the latter worked on the recent renovation of Park Royal Collection Marina Bay (the hotel formerly known as Marina Mandarin). “This is a firm that’s clearly on the rise. Though a young firm, they clearly have the confidence to execute large-scale projects that younger firms may not,” comments Mark Wee of DesignSingapore Council and THDA jury member.

Read more: Tatler Homes Design Awards 2022: 3 Eco-Conscious Singapore Studios Designing a Greener Future

Fellow jury member Erwin Viray of SUTD was delighted to track the work of two of his former students—Luther Seet of AL+ and Goy Zhenru of Goy Architects—who have been jointly selected as winners for the category. “It is always inspiring to see one’s former students creating projects that make the world better. One of them is architect Luther Seet, who helms AL+; projects such as the workers’ dormitory with a lush landscaped courtyard that serves as a communal gathering area for the residents,” says Viray.

The awards night also unveiled the stunning bespoke trophies specially created by the Tatler Homes Singapore team in collaboration with local glassmaker Synergraphic Design. This year’s trophy design bridges tradition with innovation by combining the art of glassmaking with the latest printing technology—glass offcuts were used to create unique trophies that are attached to a glass base with a digitally printed pattern inspired by natural stone.

Read more: How These Glass Trophies Were Made Specially For Tatler Homes Design Awards 2022

‘Sophisticated’, ‘modern’ and ‘minimalist’—these were some of the recurring terms used to describe some of the winners, who conveyed understated spaces that were also homely and calming. “My favourite entry was for the Best Luxury Concept; I really liked the soft and subtle use of colours and textures, which really provides for a luxurious setting,” says Clint Nagata of Blink Design Group and THDA jury member, commenting on the accolade awarded to Dwell Interior Design.

Ki Residences, the award-winning project by 2nd Edition that won the Best Show Unit category, was similarly praised for its understated tribute to Japanese design. “I thought that the interiors were really sophisticated, with an understated elegance—everything is meticulously curated, whether it was the spatial design, material palette or the finishing,” says Teo Su Seam of LTW Designworks.

In a joint keynote speech recorded on behalf of the jury panel, Khoo Peng Beng and Belinda Huang, co-founders of Arc Studio Architecture + Urbanism, shared their thoughts on living in harmony with our built and natural environment, as well as their hopes for the future of the local design and architecture community.

A beautiful home is also one that has efficient and thoughtful use of space; a quality that the winning projects also embody. Super Assembly’s transformable apartment in Wallich Residence bagged the Best Modern Concept not only for its understated design approach, but also its clever use of space; part of the living room can be closed up and converted into a guest room when needed.

“Capturing the scenic views was key; [the project] exemplifies the quality of calmness that is achieved through vernacular textures, repetition, and rhythm,” adds jury member Sabrina Long of NAFA, who praised the project’s elegant aesthetic.

Watch the first part of the jury commentary on the winning projects here:

The Carve House by Ming Architects also won plaudits for how it converted a potentially dark basement into a light-filled space with a stunning staircase as its focal point. Mark Wee, DesignSingapore Council executive director and jury member, commended the project’s “ingenious approach to bringing daylight into the basement”, while Teo highlighted how “the pockets of window frames the exterior into the interior creating synergy between the inside and out”.

Besides featuring a bespoke mix of furnishings, the well-conceived projects have incorporated art into the interior. These include the penthouse designed by Architology Interiors, which won the Best Use of Art, which features a clever curation and placement of paintings and sculptures by Chinese artists and other talents from the region within a luxurious home. “The art and the interior are complementary to each other, yet are beautiful in their own right,” says Khoo Peng Beng, co-founder of Arc Studio Architecture + Urbanism and THDA jury member.

Some winners such as Design Intervention, took inspiration from the work of Italian artist Piero Fornasetti to create a glamorous shophouse that bagged the Best House (Interior Design) category. An illustrator homeowner’s love of retro pop tunes and her vibrant personality also inspired WY-TO’s exuberant home design, which was named the project with the Best Use of Colour.

THDA jury member and Via. founder Frank Leung describes the abode as a joy to behold: “Bold, vivid colors are used deliberately to anchor elements or spaces in this house—what a joy to see!”

Watch the second part of the jury commentary on the winning projects here:

While the attention is often placed on the lead designers, each successful project also represents fruits of labour by the team; the winners also took the time to show appreciation for the support from not only their clients but also close collaborators such as the contractors involved in realising their design vision.

“It is very humbling for us to be amongst the winners today,” says Super Assembly principal architect Iskandar Idris, who received the Best Modern Concept accolade with the studio’s director Patrick Siah. “It has definitely given us and the team greater motivation and meaning to create impactful spaces.” Siah also attributes the project’s success to the client, and the firm’s trusted contractors.

Angela Lim, design director of SuMisura and recipient of the Best Bespoke Concept category, concurs. “This is truly a glorious moment, and I wish that the team who has worked tirelessly throughout this project, could be here to bask in the recognition,” says Lim. “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the well-deserving winners.”

Altogether, the event represented not only the collaborative spirit and camaraderie within the local design scene, as the winners shared a toast to the achievements of the local design scene. “As designers, we collectively guide our world into a future which we all help to shape. All our choices and voices are important in our action to create a common home for humanity that is safe and more just,” says Belinda Huang of Arc Design + Urbanism and THDA jury member.

“Ultimately, [the winning projects] created an engaging sense of home, and had a lot of personality; all these projects reflect an approach to lifestyle that felt elevated without feeling pretentious,” sums up Ed Bakos of Champalimaud Design. “I want to thank everyone who submitted work and offer my sincere congratulations to the winners. Your work shows the true power of design to elevate how we live; well done everyone.”

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