Cover A group shot of 8 Singaporean designers at Milan Design Week 2024's 2nd run of Future Impact
A group shot of 8 Singaporean designers at Milan Design Week 2024's 2nd run of Future Impact
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A look at the local creatives whose works wowed the international design scene at Milan Design Week this year
It’s always heartening to see local names at an international event. Such was the case with Milan Design Week, which creatives flew to from all over the world to live and breathe design, and inspire one another with their creations. Singapore might have a relatively small design scene, but it is blessed with robust government support in the form of DesignSingapore Council, which routinely organises global showcases for local designers.
Future Impact, curated by renowned design journalist and multihyphenate creative Tony Chambers and design curator Maria
Cristina Didero, is one such showcase. Launched in 2023, the event returned this year as Future Impact 2, featuring the work of seven designers who envision a better future through design.
Each of them was paired with a manufacturing partner in a bid to develop designs “that minimise environmental impact, reconsider current production methods and enhance functionality”.
Some of these creatives need no introduction to local design fans, while others are emerging names who are deserving of bigger platforms for their unique ideas.
In case you missed it: How Singapore designers are using ChatGPT, 3D-printing and sustainable materials at Milan Design Week
Above Future Impact 2 showcase at Milan Design Week
Above The small yet robust showcase featured seven local studios
Future Impact 2 showcase at Milan Design Week
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Faezah Shaharuddin
Above Faezah Shaharuddin of Studio Kallang showcasing her furniture collection, Unlikely Fragments
Faezah Shaharuddin of Studio Kallang showcasing her furniture collection, Unlikely Fragments
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Multidisciplinary designer Faezah Shaharuddin, known in the local design scene for her whimsical furniture brand Studio Kallang, emphasised the importance of sustainable designs in our living environments through her furniture collection, Unlikely Fragments. She combined wood scraps from her furniture brand’s production processes with vintage textiles infused with Cozterra, an innovative formulation designed to absorb carbon dioxide that was developed by Singapore-based technological material company Xinterra.
Zavier Wong
Above Netherlands-based designer Zavier Wong
Netherlands-based designer Zavier Wong
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Netherlands-based Singaporean designer Zavier Wong’s Manifold Steel - Wall Piece No.1 is an art-like shelf formed from thin sheets of metal that are cut, folded, welded and finished by hand, with algorithmic and generative design tools also involved in the entire process. Employing artificial intelligence and other technological aids helped to minimise the use of materials and reliance on labour while adding fresh possibilities to design.
Christian+Jade
Above Singapore- and Copenhagen-based duo Christian+Jade
Singapore- and Copenhagen-based duo Christian+Jade
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Based in Singapore and Copenhagen, design duo Christian+Jade explored rubber production and material waste with the Para stool, crafted from the Para rubber tree found in Asia. A by-product of the latex industry, rubber wood is a lesser- known timber that is usually destined to be burned. Featuring a natural rubber seat and rubber wood base, the Para stool aims to highlight the beauty of the material and assign value to it. The duo collaborated with Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku, which sources rubber wood from Malaysia.
Tiffany Loy
Above Textile designer Tiffany Loy in collaboration with Italian company Friul Mosaic on Mosaic Membrane
Textile designer Tiffany Loy in collaboration with Italian company Friul Mosaic on Mosaic Membrane
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Textile designer Tiffany Loy collaborated with Italian company Friul Mosaic on Mosaic Membrane, which utilised mosaic tiles in skin-like, three-dimensional folded forms capable of functioning as pieces of furniture. The collaboration celebrated the fluidity of both textile and mosaic materials, while also drawing inspiration from the hollow arched structure of the vaulted ceiling of La Rotonda del Pellegrini, where the exhibition was held.
Also read: These 5 Southeast Asian designers are redefining traditional crafts with modern technology
Genevieve Ang
Above Designer-artist Genevieve Ang
Designer-artist Genevieve Ang
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Can objects replace the warmth of direct physical communication we’ve been losing in the digital age? Reciproco, an innovative pair of interactive ceramic pieces designed to transfer heat between objects, was co-created by designer-artist Genevieve Ang and Interactive Materials Lab, and explores this notion poignantly.
Crafted from glass waste and enhanced with thermochromic paint, these ceramics change colour when touched. By handling the pieces, visitors were able to activate the ceramics and observe the technology in action.
David Lee
Above David Lee's Monolith table and chair
David Lee's Monolith table and chair
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When promoting his work, designer David Lee always tries not to show his face in photographs, preferring to let his creations speak for themselves—hence the name of his studio, I Am Not David Lee.
At this showcase, Lee presented the Monolith table and chair; each is made from a single sheet of aluminium that is cut and bent to its final form, minimising labour and the excessive use of material. The chair’s shape was inspired by 1926 Milan Grand Prix’s track, while its vivid green colour is an homage to Porsche’s iconic Acid Green shade.
In case you missed it: 7 iconic mid-century chairs designed by modernist architects
Gabriel Tan
Porto-based designer Gabriel Tan relocated from Singapore
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One of Singapore’s most talented designers, Gabriel Tan has enjoyed much acclaim since relocating from Singapore to Porto. His achievements include designs for industry giants Herman Miller and B&B Italia, as well as the launch of his own home accessories brand, Origin Made. Tan attributes his success to Porto’s proximity to global design capitals like Milan, as well as the abundance of craftsmen there.
His contribution to Future Impact 2 was two table lamps called Good Gourd-Hybrid Basketry, which marry traditional basket- weaving techniques and 3D printing, showcasing how technology can help to preserve traditional craftsmanship. During Milan Design Week, Tan also presented his Luva modular sofa and Cyclade small tables for Herman Miller, which were launched in Singapore earlier this year at Xtra.
Also read: Why Singaporean designer Gabriel Tan chose to relocate to Portugal
Lanzavecchia+Wai
Francesca Lanzavecchia and Hunn Wai of Lanzavecchia+Wai
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Hunn Wai is the Singaporean half of Lanzavecchia+Wai, a design practice he founded with Italian designer Francesca Lanzavecchia when the two of them were in school together in Eindhoven. The duo were busy during Milan Design Week 2024: Wai expanded the Pebble furniture collection for Living Divani at Salone del Mobile, while Lanzavecchia participated in three exhibitions and also launched a total of 10 new products for various brands.
These included the curvy Nebulina chair for Trussardi Casa, Scribble tile series for De Castelli, Halo coffee tables for Fiam; and stackable tableware Pane e Vino for Orografie.
Credits
Photography: Mark Cocksedge (Future Impact 2) and courtesy of respective brands
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
