me+ Architects’ Post

Integrating ESG principles into interior design is reshaping Corporate spaces

🌟 Spotlight on Nichollette Goh 🌟 We're thrilled to share insights from our amazing Business Development team member at IDI Malaysia! ✨✨ Nichollette’s passion for design fuels her journey in the interior design industry, where creativity meets strategy. From starting in marketing to making impactful moves in business development, she embodies the essence of our mission. 💡 Key Takeaways from her Interview: 1. Client-Centric Approach: Always see things from the client’s perspective. Exceeding their needs transforms clients into loyal advocates! 2. Brand Presence: A consistent, professional image across platforms and events is vital. Showcase IDI’s unique story and values! 3. Sustainability Matters: Modern clients prioritize eco-friendliness. By integrating sustainable practices into our strategies, we position ourselves as leaders in the industry. Curious to dive deeper? Head over to our blog on the website for the full interview! https://lnkd.in/gnd9a8w6 🌍✨ #IDI #BusinessDevelopment #InteriorDesign #Sustainability #ClientFocused #EcoFriendly #DesignPassion #Innovation

This weekend, in conjunction with the KL Kreatif Festival, I found myself exploring downtown Kuala Lumpur. I stumbled upon a newly repurposed event space called The Toffee KL, which also hosts Bernard Chandran’s Myth Evolution Fashion Art Exhibition (running until 20.10.2024). It’s an intriguing space, home to UrMu (Urban Museum), a private collection filled with incredible works from local artists. After soaking in all the creativity on display, I made my way up to the rooftop, adorably named BoomBong. As I stood there, this was my view: a rooftop, looking down on another rooftop, with the towering Warisan 118 standing tall in the background. KL is a city where the old and new meet in unexpected ways. This space, like many others, is breathing new life into an older building. Walking up the stairs, I couldn’t help but admire the well-worn tiles—each one with its own story to tell. There’s something captivating about the juxtaposition of fresh energy in a space that carries the marks of history. The weathered rooftop beneath me reminded me that, in both design and life, we often seek the shiny and new. But sometimes, it’s the aged, imperfect elements that carry the deepest beauty. They represent resilience, history, and the stories that have shaped us. It’s a reminder to honor the past while still moving forward—just as KL does so beautifully with its mix of tradition and modernity. That’s the charm of Malaysia, isn’t it? The rojakness in our food, our culture, and even our architecture What unexpected places have inspired you recently? #Design #Inspiration #Art #Creativity #KualaLumpur #UrbanSpaces

Celebrating Singapore Malay achievements 2024. This year, we proudly highlight, some remarkable contributions and successes of the Malay community in Singapore. From groundbreaking innovations to cultural milestones, our community continues to inspire and uplift. While deviating from traditional norms, retaining the essential principles of newspaper design, is an exciting challenge. The design direction is required to facilitate easy navigation while highlighting key information. Here’s 2 conceptual framework and guidelines : 1. Retaining Essential Newspaper Principles: Information Hierarchy maintains a clear distinction between different levels of information. From primary stories to secondary features, the layout shall guide readers in accordance to its level of importance. 2. Use of White Spaces (Breathing Room): Incorporating ample white spaces enhance readability and focuses attention on key elements. Avoid clutter. This will allow elements to breathe, making the content, less overwhelming. Visual Segmentation separates sections or stories, creating a clearer distinction. It eliminates the need for heavy borders or lines. Creative design does not mean texts elligibility have to be compromised. Muhd Hazman Abd Aziz and Nurul Insyirah Mohd Shukor, appreciate your professionalism. Good team work! Link to read: https://lnkd.in/ghT3CswS Berita Harian Singapura

Happy birthday, Singapore! We are a nation shaped by its people – 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣. This includes you, us, our family, friends, and colleagues. Together, we've been part of an incredible 59-year journey of making lives in Singapore better. That’s something we can all be proud of.      Creative courage, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and communication are the bedrock of the creative attitude that has made Singapore what it is today. From national-level systems that serve our collective needs, to ground-up initiatives that improve individual lives, a design mindset has always helped our society thrive.      It’s all about creating new possibilities – bringing a better life to fruition with purpose and heart. 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 know it well, and that’s why we’re shining the spotlight on their everyday stories of positive impact this year.     Know someone who uses their creativity to solve problems and make a difference? Nominate them for a chance to be featured in 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣! Submit your entries now at https://lnkd.in/g6QGwWQ3.     –    Organised by the DesignSingapore Council, People of Design celebrates the everyday visionaries who are delivering extraordinary impact through design. These innovators defy the stereotype that design is only for designers or that it is merely about aesthetics – it is a tool for positive change that is accessible to everyone.     #DesignSingaporeCouncil #PeopleOfDesign

Imagine a 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗹 truly designed to meet the needs of visitors with 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 (𝗔𝗦𝗗). A space that dedicates one day every week to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment for individuals with ASD and their families or caregivers. >>𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀. >>𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻. >>𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀. >>𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆—𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁. Now, how many malls around the world are doing this? Here’s an insight I gained during my trip to Kuala Lumpur for the UIA2024 Forum: KL has three #Sunway malls that operate exactly like this. A huge thank you to Ar. Mumtazah Mustajab for sharing this inspiring example with me! And it got me thinking: How much does offering this option cost from an architectural and design perspective? The answer: almost nothing. Small tweaks in lighting, materials, and layout can easily accommodate these needs. But the impact on visitors? >>Families with ASD members feel safe, included, and valued. >>The overall visitor experience improves significantly. >>Consumer behaviour shifts positively—when people feel welcome, they’re more likely to return and spend. It’s a powerful reminder: inclusivity isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding and acting on the real needs of diverse groups. Thoughtful design, paired with operational adjustments, has the potential to create life-changing experiences for people who often feel excluded from everyday activities. What’s stopping more malls from following this example? #InclusiveDesign #AccessibilityMatters #ASD #UIA2024KL #ArchitectureForAll #DesignForImpact

Give me the true concepts to experience 👇 I demand! if you know me well, you’ve probably heard me talking how frustrated I am, when I see new places opening, but they do not have a conceptual service 🥲 Do you need one? Oh yes! if you wanna be one step ahead of your competitors 🫡 🤌🏼 conceptual service allows you to exceed customers expectations, create memorable SERVICE experiences! The key 🔑 to long relationships and brand loyalty! 👉🏼 conceptual service is not only for guests, but also to boost up the corporative culture 👥 within team! Build up a mission and a vision, share mutual values and motivations! To develop a conceptual service for you place, I implement 4 components: 🔸 key brand characteristics ▪️ service roles in the team 🔸 service scenario/framework ▪️”legends and rituals” as memorable elements of your brand Please, put aside old and outdated systems! Write me a DM and let’s talk, how we will create highlights of your service! #conceptualservice #conceptualframework #servicemanagement #asiakaskokemus #asiakaspalvelu #palvelupolku

Announcing our partnership with SEGi University & Colleges - signing an MOU! Thank you, Tony Leong, Lee Jun Hou, Kelvin Tan, Reuben Chua, Dr Andrew Leong, EDBA (梁一和博士). Together, we're supporting the #NoFreeDesign movement and advocating for fair compensation for designers and those in the creative field. As an Industry Advisor for SEGi College Kuala Lumpur, our goal is to bring awareness to students and parents about the importance of fair compensation for designers and to create a more sustainable future for the creative industry. Many designers face the challenge of clients expecting free design services. This not only undervalues their skills and expertise but also creates an unsustainable business model. It's time to demand fair compensation and recognise the value that designers bring to projects. If you're concerned about your future or your child’s future in the creative field, join us in promoting fair compensation for designers. Together, we can create a more sustainable and rewarding career path for the next generation ◾ What Can You Do About It? - Pre-order your copy of "The Dark Side of Free Design" to learn more about the challenges faced by designers and how we can work together to create a fairer industry. WhatsApp +6012-221 1793 - Join the FIND movement and become part of a community who are committed to advocating for fair compensation and ethical design practices. Forum of Innovative Design Association (FIND) - Learn more about SEGi University's design programs and how you can contribute to a brighter future for the industry. ◾ If you have any questions or concern, do write in the comment and I will try my best to answer.

New year new thoughts 💡🇲🇾 Malaysia: More Than Concrete and Commerce —Championing Culture, Creativity, and Sustainability Malaysia’s development has long been associated with rapid industrialization—factories, malls, and infrastructure built to fuel economic growth. While these advancements are necessary, they often come at a cost to our natural landscapes and cultural heritage. But Malaysia has so much more to offer. Beyond being a hub for manufacturing and data centers, we are a nation rich in cultural diversity, artistry, and natural beauty. Instead of merely focusing on hardware and industrial growth, we should turn our attention to nurturing what makes us truly unique: • Our cultural richness: A vibrant tapestry of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous traditions that can inspire global admiration when showcased in architecture, art, and design. • Our creative potential: By empowering local artists, designers, and cultural innovators, we can position Malaysia as a hub for creativity and originality. • Our natural assets: Malaysia’s biodiversity and tropical landscapes deserve preservation and integration into modern developments, creating a harmonious balance between progress and sustainability. The opportunity? We need to rethink development—not just as physical growth, but as a chance to tell Malaysia’s story on a global stage. Imagine: • Homes and communities that integrate cultural design with modern sustainability. • Cities that prioritize green infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and connections to nature. • Creative hubs that celebrate and elevate local artists, making culture and art central to our identity. Malaysia doesn’t need to mimic other nations. Instead, we can redefine progress by balancing innovation, culture, and nature, showing the world a vision of modern living that is distinctly Malaysian. Are we ready to ‘Make Malaysia Great Again’?

“不管黑猫白猫，能抓老鼠的就是好猫；不管英文中文，能有效交换想法并激发思考，就是好的沟通” (Regardless of language—whether English or Mandarin—as long as ideas are effectively exchanged and inspire thought, it's great communication). That was the spirit of the bilingual China-Singapore Design Dialogue, where I had the privilege of moderating a thought-provoking conversation between design leaders from both countries. It culminated in one key question: “Chinese designers already operate with China’s vast market scale & advanced technical capabilities: what more can Singaporean design(ers) bring to the table?” The Chinese panelists pointed out 3 key qualities, drawing from what they have seen & heard: 𝟭. 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆-𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 While commercial acumen is essential in a competitive market, the Chinese designers also recognized the importance of imaginative spirit— unconventional, boundary-breaking thinking in meaningful ways. What’s valuable isn’t just technical 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭, but also the discerning nature of design 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵 (设计思维). This was exemplified by Donn Koh's sharing of STUCK DESIGN's approach in “asking the ‘wrong’ questions”, and also the multi-sensory Augmented Reality prototypes shared by Dr Ching Chiuan Yen. 𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 The discussion also touched on the fact that design cannot solely be measured by the scale of its commercial success. While scale (“量”) is a metric for commercial success, the quality of design (“质”) is also gauged by how it elevates humanity. Jeremy Sun from Orcadesign Consultants eloquently noted that “设计师是以设计为信仰的传教士” (Designers are missionaries: upholding the moral values & purposes of design, and evangelizing the full value of design). 𝟯. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 Chinese panelist 何勃 emphasized Singapore’s unique strength as a nexus at the intersection of diverse cultures. This gives Singaporean designers a sharper sense for “what resonates” with regional and global customers. Such sensitivity will be increasingly valuable as Chinese firms seek to expand internationally. Panelist 虞文怀 also traced the evolution of e-bike market from "tool" to "toy", and how design must thus increasingly focus on designing for the person (customer), as much as product (form & function). --- The dialogue concluded by exploring the nature of collaboration: where each side brings its best qualities for a productive fusion. China, with its immense energy, scale, and capabilities, serves as a forge for realization. In contrast, Singapore offers the qualities of an atelier — unconventional imagination, thoughtfulness, and finesse. Through this dialogue, with guests from Chongqing (“重”) and Singapore (“新”), we have been treated to a refreshed perspective on design and the role of collaboration between the cities: 对设计有了“重新”的见解。 #SingaporeDesignWeek DesignSingapore Council