Cover Along with his brother and cousin, Koh shares how he hopes Commune will help continue his grandfather’s legacy while pushing boundaries in the furniture industry
Along with his brother and cousin, Koh shares how he hopes Commune will help continue his grandfather’s legacy while pushing boundaries in the furniture industry
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Along with his brother and cousin, Koh shares how he hopes Commune will help continue his grandfather’s legacy while pushing boundaries in the furniture industry
If you enjoy the art of home decorating, you’ll most likely be familiar with homegrown brand Commune. Since its launch in 2011, Commune is well known for its elegant, modern and human-centric pieces designed to fit comfortably in small apartments and urban homes.
Commune’s chief creative officer Julian Koh is no stranger to the furniture industry. His grandfather founded Koda, the leading furniture producer and exporter in Southeast Asia and Commune’s parent company.
“Sawdust is in our blood because we breathe so much of it,” Koh jokes.
Founded in 1972, Koda grew to become one of the leading OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) furniture manufacturers in Southeast Asia, exporting its products to over 60 countries and regions.
Above Watching how pieces of wood would turn into furniture naturally sparked Koh’s interest in craft and design (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
Watching how pieces of wood would turn into furniture naturally sparked Koh’s interest in craft and design (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
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Koh’s childhood was filled with memories in the brand’s factory along Defu Lane. He fondly recalls vivid memories of his grandmother stapling chairs in the factory “while dressing up nicely”.
Watching how pieces of wood would turn into furniture naturally sparked Koh’s interest in craft and design. This interest led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Product Design at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. After graduating, Koh joined the family business in 2008. Although there was never any pressure to do so, he valued the camaraderie and sense of unity that came from working alongside his family.
During his time at Koda, Koh began to question why the company didn’t have a brand of its own. This realisation inspired him to establish Commune in 2011, giving the family business a unique identity they could truly call their own. Soon after creating Commune, Koh was joined by his brother Joshua and his cousin Gan Shee Wen.
Above When Koh first entered the industry, he faced a steep learning curve as he was unsure about the best way to run a retail business (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
When Koh first entered the industry, he faced a steep learning curve as he was unsure about the best way to run a retail business (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
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Breathing new life
Koh shares that his elders were initially hesitant to venture into retail. “They were saying how retail wasn’t our game,” he explains, noting their uncertainty about investing in this new direction. Despite their reservations, Koh was determined to prove the value of the venture, taking gradual steps to demonstrate its potential.
When Koh first entered the industry, he faced a steep learning curve as he was unsure about the best way to run a retail business. He started by designing products he believed would appeal to people’s homes. His efforts were not in vain as customers quickly took interest in the brand, leading to the opening and expansion of retail stores in Singapore and China.
Over the years, Commune has found its brand DNA, offering human-centric pieces that suit the needs of daily life. When it comes to designing pieces, Koh gets inspired by travel. “[I take time to travel to different exhibitions as well] just to know and feel the vibe of what people are doing and the trends moving forward,” he explains.
Above Hegen 3-Way Stool from the Commune x Hegen collection (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
Hegen 3-Way Stool from the Commune x Hegen collection (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
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Stronger together
Collaboration is at the heart of Commune’s philosophy. “We always knew that there was synergy behind collaboration and what we can do to create something exciting,” Koh explains.
Since its inception, the brand has partnered with a range of local and international brands, including homegrown mother and babycare brand Hegen, fashion brand Pedro and Singapore Airlines (SIA) to create unique and memorable collections.
Read more: From Kimono Mom to Yvon Bock, these are our favourite motherhood stories from Asia
Above Continental Wall Valet and Continental Bar Cart from The Continental collection (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
Continental Wall Valet and Continental Bar Cart from The Continental collection (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
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One of Koh’s standout passion projects is The Continental, a capsule collection created in collaboration with Singapore Airlines as part of their latest initiative, The Upcycling Project. The collection preserves the essence of the iconic products by re-imagining retired SIA craft windows and carts. For example, the Continental Bar Cart transforms a galley cart with a sleek black powder-coated finish, elegant walnut veneer storage shelves and a premium leather utility pouch—giving these aviation staples a stylish new life.
Beyond product collaborations, the brand is committed to fostering community. This inspired the creation of Commune Cafe, an extension of the Millenia Walk showroom. Designed with the same warm, contemporary aesthetic as the furniture showroom, the cafe serves as a social hub and a welcoming spot for customers to enjoy coffee before exploring the furniture collections.
Above Looking ahead, Commune has ambitious plans for growth (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
Looking ahead, Commune has ambitious plans for growth (Photo: Facebook / Commune)
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Staying open-minded
When it comes to meeting the evolving needs of consumers, Koh emphasises that Commune maintains an open-minded approach, striving to understand and cater to a diverse range of demographics. This flexibility allows the brand to stay relevant and responsive in a rapidly changing market.
Looking ahead, Commune has ambitious plans for growth. In addition to pursuing more collaborations with various brands, the homegrown company aims to expand its presence further in key international markets such as China and Europe, strengthening its global footprint.
Driven by Koh and his family’s deep passion for the furniture industry, Commune continues to push boundaries by creating sleek, elevated pieces designed for everyday living.
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
