Magazine Issue 5 Jul / Aug / Sep 2013 - Ascendas

THE
ASCENDAS
MAGAZINE
N.03.13
ASCENT
MOST IMPROVED
EDITORIAL
SILVER
MOST IMPROVED
DESIGN
HONOURABLE
MENTION
CONTENT MARKETING
AWARDS 2013
AWARD OF
EXCELLENCE
APEX AWARDS 2013
14
SKYSCRAPERS
GET TALLER AND
GREENER
22
DESIGN THAT
ENGAGES THE
SENSES
FO RE WO RD At Ascendas, we see innovation as a tool to create
unique customer-centric solutions that enable businesses to grow
competitively and sustainably. The latest example of this is our
newly-completed development , ONE@Changi City, which sets a new
benchmark for business park development in Singapore. It embodies
our spirit of innovation through its seamless integration of live-workplay elements in one location, and demonstrates the added value that
a vibrant, integrated community can bring to businesses.
We also see innovation ourishing in one of today’s most exciting and
progressive developments – the iconic skyscraper.
Once a status symbol trumpeting a city’s
nancial growth or architectural prowess, today’s
skyscraper dominates the global skyline, and is fast
becoming an eco-friendly, live-work-play solution
for high-density urban centres. This issue’s
spotlight on sustainable skyscrapers outlines green
design solutions, technological advancements, and
integrated open spaces that foster elements of community spirit –
elements we are happy to call integral parts of our agship projects,
like Changi City in Singapore, International Tech Park Bangalore in
India, and Dalian-Ascendas IT Park in China.
A key element in sustainable, future-ready spaces is a focus on
catering to human-centric needs for interaction and engagement.
In this issue, we look at Experience Design, an emerging design
discipline that focuses on engaging users, which is fast gaining
traction among companies looking to retain talent. We also look at
Crowdfunding, a novel strategy for start-up enterprises to access and
grow with alternative sources of funding.
Creativity and compassion – these are two integral aspects of the
Ascendas spirit. Read about how our staff combined their passions
for art and community service by painting murals in senior citizens’
one-room ats, bringing cheer to them and brightening their homes.
Travel Tales features some of our female employees in Ascendas
Korea, who have taken team bonding to a whole new level of cultural
and culinary experiences.
I hope you will nd the selection of articles in this issue interesting.
If you have any ideas or stories to share about design innovation
and sustainability, please do write to us at ascent@ascendas.com.
Manohar Khiatani
President and CEO
THE
ASCENDAS
MAGAZINE
N.03.13
ASCENT
MOST IMPROVED
EDITORIAL
SILVER
MOST IMPROVED
DESIGN
HONOURABLE
MENTION
CONTENT MARKETING
AWARDS 2013
AWARD OF
EXCELLENCE
APEX AWARDS 2013
14
SKYSCRAPERS
GET TALLER AND
GREENER
22
DESIGN THAT
ENGAGES THE
SENSES
J U L /AU G /S EP CO NTE NT S 04 THE HOTLIST Lifestyle news you
should know about. 06 ASCENDAS NEWS Key local and global news
highlights. 08 PROFILE Ernst Meyer of DNV talks about relocations. 10
FEATURE Changi City is complete with the opening of its business tower.
PHOTO
PETER CLARKE /
COURTESY OF
TECHNE
ARCHITECTS
LOCATION
PRAHRAN
HOTEL, VICTORIA,
AUSTRALIA
14 FEATURE Ascendas actively champions local artists in myriad genres.
18 DESIGN Live-work-play in today’s taller, greener skyscrapers. 26
DESIGN A new eld in design is transforming user experience. 32 MONEY
Entrepreneurs use crowdfunding to reach investors. 34 FOOD The evolving
whisky scene in Singapore. 38 TRAVEL TALES Ascendas Korea staff work
and play together. 41 @ASCENDAS Events and happenings at our local
and overseas offices. 44 ART SPACE As an avid supporter of the arts,
Ascendas provides spaces for regional artists to showcase their creations.
18
THE
ASCENDAS
14
MAGAZINE
26
N.03.13
ASCENT
PUBLISHER
PUBLISHING AGENT
Ascendas Pte Ltd
SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
Crystal Seah
Caroline Ngui
Dennis Pua
Joanna Lee-Miller
Christopher Chan
Senior Vice-President & Head
Group Communications
Anne Than
Senior Manager
Group Communications
Joyce Wee
Manager
Group Communications
Group Editor-in-Chief
Group Editor
Managing Director
General Manager
Editorial & Creative
Sales & Client Management
Low Ching Ling
Kaz Lim
Senior Editor
Associate Account Director
Chiquit Torrente
Stanley Gan
Associate Editor
Annabelle Bok
Sub-Editor
Jayson Ong
Senior Art Director
Stephanie Teo
Art Director
stangan@sph.com.sg
Senior Account Manager
Ivanna Ip
Executive, Client Management
Publishing Services
Alice Chee
Team Head
ASCENT is published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
(Registration No: 196900476M) for Ascendas Pte
Ltd (Registration No: 200010635R). Copyright
of the materials contained in this magazine
belongs to SPH Magazines Pte Ltd and Ascendas
Pte Ltd. Nothing in here shall be reproduced in
whole or in part in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise without prior written consent of SPH
Magazines Pte Ltd and Ascendas Pte Ltd. Views
expressed in this magazine are not necessarily
those of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd nor Ascendas Pte
Ltd and no liabilities shall be attached thereto.
All rights reserved. Editorial enquiries should
be directed to e-mail: ascendas@ascendas.com.
While every reasonable care will be taken by
the Editor, no responsibility is assumed for the
return of unsolicited material. All information
correct at time of printing. MCI (P) 062/05/2013.
Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd
(Registration No: 197801823M). For advertising
enquiries, please e-mail jrani@sph.com.sg.
04
THE
HOTLIST
Be in Control
Strap on this futuristic
armband, and you’ll be able
to control your computer,
phone and other wireless
gadgets simply by waving
your hand or snapping your
ngers. The MYO utilises
groundbreaking gesture
control technology that
reads muscle signals, and
amplies and relays them
to gadgets using Bluetooth
wireless technology.
Pre-orders can be placed at
getmyo.com for US$149 (S$188).
Luggage Stop
Premium luggage brand
Zero Halliburton now has
its rst standalone agship
boutique in Southeast Asia.
Located in Singapore’s
Mandarin Gallery, the
store sports a minimalist
chic interior, with modern
Mummy’s
Secrets
Unveiled
For the
rst time in
Singapore and
Southeast Asia,
the mysterious
secrets of Egyptian
mummication and
burial practices are
unveiled. Mummy: Secrets of
the Tomb features stereoscopic
technology, an innovative 3D lm
experience, and a 3,000-year-old
mummied temple priest.
Till Nov 4 at ArtScience Museum, Marina
Bay Sands, tel: +65 6688 8868. Admission
fee of S$13-15 applies.
Jamie Eatery
Debuts in
Singapore
British celebrity chef
Jamie Oliver’s tag-team
venture with his Italian
mentor, chef Gennaro
Contaldo, has arrived
in Singapore. Jamie’s
Italian houses an
antipasti station, open
kitchen and alfresco
dining area. Try the
homemade pasta and
other Jamie favourites at
this family-friendly eatery.
Jamie’s Italian, #01-165/167
Vivocity, tel: +65 6733 5500,
jamieoliver.com/italian.
accents that show off the
cool aluminium cases. The
luggage have been seen in
top movies like Quantum
of Solace and Inception, and
used by NASA to transport
rock samples from the
moon to Earth.
Zero Halliburton boutique,
#02-19 Mandarin Gallery, tel: +65
6736 2263, zerohalliburton.com
Text Joey Lee
Essential Eames
The story of the design
world’s most prolic
and famous couple,
Charles and Ray
Eames, is told via
videos, artwork,
interactive displays
and an extensive
collection of iconic
furniture. The show is
curated by Charles and
Ray’s grandson Eames
Demetrios.
Boxed Beauties
Cigar connoisseurs will love these
colourful homes for their collections.
Crafted using cedar, these humidors
have been modeled by Fred Pinel to
maintain the optimum atmospheric
conditions for cigar storage. Each
nifty accessory holds up to 145 cigars.
Available at pineletpinel.com for
€2,500 (S$4,100).
Creative Space
Budding entrepreneurs,
freelancers and designers
in Hong Kong have a new
place in which to work and
connect with like-minded
people. PARTNER Workplace
+ Cafe, a pay-as-you-use
facility in Wanchai, offers
office services like copying,
printing and scanning, and
complimentary drinks,
snacks and Wi-Fi. There’s
also a design library, and a
meeting room for hire.
PARTNER Workplace + Cafe, 29/F
Cheuk Nang Plaza, 250 Hennessy
Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, tel:
+852 2893 3030, partnerhk.com
Till January 5, 2014 at ArtScience
Museum, Marina Bay Sands.
marinabaysands.com/
singapore-museum
06
ASCENDAS
NEWS
New
management
at the helm
ONE@Changi City
caps the “CBD of
the East”
Singapore
Singapore The inauguration of
ONE@Changi City was celebrated
by Ascendas, together with
Frasers Centrepoint Limited (FCL)
and guest of honour Ms Jessica
Tan, Member of Parliament for
the East Coast GRC (ChangiSimei), on August 5.
Ascendas President and CEO
Mr Manohar Khiatani and FCL
Group CEO Mr Lim Ee Seng both
spoke about the milestones
marked by the opening of the
nine-storey building: It completes
Changi City, Singapore’s largest
integrated business park,
which is a 50:50 joint venture
development between Ascendas
and FCL.
ONE@Changi City opens with
over 90 per cent occupancy,
counting Credit Suisse, JP Morgan
and EMC as anchor tenants. The
650,000sqf eco-friendly building
Ascendas Pte
Ltd recently
announced
two
management
changes in the
Group.
Former
Ascendas
director Dr Teh
Kok Peng took over
the reins as Chairman
on April 1, succeeding
Mr Lim Hock San. Dr Teh
brings with him a wealth of
experience in the public and
nance sector. He is an adviser
in the Government of Singapore
Investment Corporation (GIC)
and was the President of GIC
Special Investments from 1999
to 2011. He sits on the boards
of China International Capital
Corporation, Overseas Chinese
Banking Corporation, and
Sembcorp Industries Ltd. He
also serves on the governing
boards of the National
University of Singapore and the
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public
Policy. The Board of Ascendas
said: “Dr Teh’s wealth of
experience in the public sector
and large nancial institutions
will be most valuable in helping
to take Ascendas to the next
stage of development. We look
forward to working with him.”
Meanwhile, Mr Manohar
Khiatani succeeded Ms Chong
Siak Ching as the group’s
President and CEO on May 1.
The Board of Ascendas
congratulated Mr Khiatani
on the appointment: “We are
pleased to welcome Mr Khiatani,
who was selected after a
comprehensive search process
conducted by the Board. As a
Board Director and CEO of JTC
Corporation, he is familiar with
the business and achievements
of Ascendas.”
Indeed, Mr Khiatani’s
experience in industry
development and industrial
infrastructure, and his
background and experience in
leading roles across government
agencies and multinational
corporations, make him
uniquely suited to lead
Ascendas.
“I am delighted and honoured
to have the opportunity to work
closer with and further my
contributions to the Ascendas
Group,” said Mr Khiatani. “I look
forward to continue building on
the good work already done and
working closely with the entire
team to bring Ascendas to the
next level of growth.”
Text Audrina Gan
A-HTRUST
acquires Park Hotel
Clarke Quay
has contiguous oor plates of
up to 80,000 sq ft per oor, the
largest of its kind in Singapore.
Ascendas Group Chairman
Dr Teh Kok Peng and Fraser &
Neave Limited and FCL director
Mr Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi
joined Ms Tan, Mr Khiatani and
Mr Lim in lighting up the ONE@
Changi City inaugural logo, and
toasting its grand opening. The
special evening was marked by
an elegant reception right at the
lobby of the North Tower, where
artworks from local emerging
artists are installed for public
viewing.
Below From left: Mr Choe Peng Sum
(CEO, Frasers Hospitality Limited), Mr
David Tan (Assistant CEO, JTC), Mr Lim,
Dr Teh, Ms Tan, Mr Sirivadhanabhakdi,
Mr Khiatani, Mr Christopher Tang (CEO,
Frasers Centrepoint Commercial), Mr Tan
Yew Chin (CEO, Ascendas Land Singapore)
Singapore Ascendas Hospitality
Trust (A-HTRUST) has acquired
Park Hotel Clarke Quay. The
move is part of the Trust’s
strategy to diversify its portfolio
and broaden its earnings base.
The acquisition was funded by a
combination of debt and equity.
The portfolio value was raised
from S$1.1 billion at IPO to
approximately S$1.4 billion.
Located at 1 Unity Street
in the vibrant Clarke Quay
area, the award-winning hotel
comprises 330 rooms and six
suites. Its strategic location has
made it the abode of choice
for both corporate and leisure
travellers, enjoying an average
occupancy rate of 88.9 per cent
in 2012.
A-HTRUST CEO Mr Tan Juay
Hiang said: “We are excited to
add Park Hotel Clarke Quay to
A-HTRUST’s stable of properties.
This marks our rst foray into
the Singapore hospitality
market as we capitalise on the
continued growth of Singapore’s
tourism industry.”
Following the acquisition,
more than 20 per cent of the
trust’s portfolio (by valuation)
will come from Singapore,
making it the company’s second
biggest market after Australia.
New wing for
children’s home
Singapore Ascendas Gives
Foundation (AGF) Chairman
Mr Willy Shee and Children’s
Aid Society (CAS) Chairman Mr
Michael Kan welcomed guest of
honour Mrs Mary Tan, wife of
Singapore President Tony Tan
Keng Yam, to the inauguration of
the new wing for teens at Melrose
Home on July 26.
Melrose Home, the oldest
children’s home in Singapore,
provides a supportive
environment to children aged
three to 18.
The new wing, which includes
multimedia facilities, study and
recreation spaces, doubles the
home’s capacity from 15 to 30
teenagers.
This expansion was funded
by a donation of $600,000 from
Ascendas and industry partners
ADDP Architects LLP, Expand
Construction, Fong Consult, PTP
Engineers and WT Partnership.
Ascendas also managed the
construction project and
provided manpower.
08
PROFILE
Master of
Relocation
Ernst Meyer, VP and DOO for global
risk management company DNV, moved
his family from Norway to Singapore
three years ago – and they’re still
relishing life in Asia.
Seafaring and Norway share a long
history, from the time of the ancient
Vikings to pre-20th century shipping,
to today’s high-tech maritime industry.
So it’s natural that Norwegian Ernst
Meyer, 44, has the sea in his blood;
his grandfather was a whaler and his
father a sailor. While still a boy, Meyer
took up sailing and boating for leisure;
he got his diving certication later.
“I’ve always been attracted to the
ocean and maritime environment. It’s
a legacy thing for Norway,” he explains.
It was this love of the sea that led Meyer
to pursue and obtain a Master of Science
degree in Marine Technology. He started
work in Statoil as a trainee, and nished
as a project engineer after a six-year stint.
In 2001, Meyer joined Det Norske
Veritas (DNV), a global risk-management
company that specialises in the maritime
and energy (oil and gas) sectors. Since
then he has risen from a senior
consultant position to various senior
management roles, including a fouryear posting in Houston. Today, as
DNV’s Vice President and Director
of Operations, South East Asia &
Pacic, Meyer leads maritime and
energy business units in nine
countries across the region.
NEW BEGINNINGS
1
When the Singapore posting
came up in 2010, Meyer
didn’t hesitate to jump on
board. It was exciting “to get
to experience Asia with my
family: to see and smell and
touch”, he says.
Relocating to Singapore,
however, wasn’t all fun and
games. As with any lifechanging move, it involved
sacrices and uprooting his
family. Meyer’s wife Randi had
to put her career as a geologist
on hold. Thankfully, their son
Henrik, 13, and daughter Frida, 10,
adapted to life here, and classes
in the Overseas Family School, very
quickly.
“There are over a thousand
Norwegians here, so it’s easy for us to
Text Shawn Low Photography Morven Koh
One project that Meyer is particularly
proud of is the setting up of the Cleantech
Centre at the Singapore Science Park I.
The Asian hub for research and innovation
in clean technology, it is a joint effort
by DNV and Singapore’s Economic
Development Board.
Another project keeping Meyer busy is
the relocation of DNV’s Singapore offices
into a new building at Singapore Science
Park I. The new regional headquarters
is just up the road from the old Science
Park office. “We like to be here. It’s a
great location. It’s close to town where
meetings are held with clients, and
also close to the shipyards where major
projects are under way,” Meyer explains.
Custom-built by Ascendas for DNV, the
new building will pull over 400 employees
from various locations together under
one (very modern) roof. Meyer continues:
“Our current building was state-of-the-art
30 years ago. It was prestigious, but now
it’s time to modernise. We are getting
something better… from air quality to
energy efficiency, and making a fresh and
avant-garde impression on our employees
and customers.”
2
have a social life. And Singapore is very
welcoming. We are a normal family – on
weekends we take the kids to football and
basketball games,” Meyer shares. It didn’t
take Randi long to nd her second calling,
either. She is now part of the steering
group of Norway House Cambodia
(www.norwayhousekambodsja.com),
a charity that supports an orphanage
in Cambodia. “It takes up half her time,”
Meyer says.
ALL IN A DAY ’S WORK
A typical day sees Meyer overseeing a
large rig construction project, as well as
strategising and liaising with his regional
managers. Fortnightly, he has three- to
 ve-day travelling stints. With DNV
involved in high-risk industries, Meyer is
unwaveringly serious when he says, “If
we make mistakes, it can have huge
consequences. That’s why we always
emphasise quality in what we do.”
1
Meyer at the
landscaped roof deck
4
of the new DNV Asia
Pacic headquarters.
2
An artist’s
perspective of the
seven-storey DNV
building, which was
custom-designed
to match the
company’s business
space requirements
and commitment
towards sustainable
development.
TIME TO PL AY
Outside the office, you’ll nd the ruggedlooking Norwegian tearing around on his
road bike – he rides 70km every weekend.
Travel-wise, he’s gone skiing in Kamchatka,
Russia, with friends. “It’s a strange place.
There’s no infrastructure, totally deserted!
You can ski down volcanic mountains, all
the way down to the Pacic Ocean,” he
enthuses.
The Meyers have also taken the
opportunity to travel around the region.
“We have been to Beijing, Japan, India,
Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,
especially over the long weekends. It’s all
part of the experience here,” Meyer says.
Meyer has completed his original threeyear contract, but the challenge of the job,
his love for Singapore, and how well his
family has adapted, have all contributed
to his stint here extending into its fourth
year. With a big office move and major
plans ahead for DNV in the region, it looks
like the Meyers are here to stay.
F E AT UR E
EASTERN
PROMISE
CHANGI CIT Y’S SEAMLESS LIVE-WORK-PL AY CONCEPT,
NOW COMPLETE WITH THE OPENING OF BUSINESS TOWER
ONE@CHANGI CIT Y, COULD TURN CHANGI BUSINESS PARK
INTO SINGAPORE’S “CBD OF THE EAST”.
1
Image Aedas and Tom Soper
10
Text Chiquit Torrente
Many urban planners and designers
refer to Massachusetts Institute of
Technology professor and renowned
author Kevin Lynch when planning a
city. His book, The Image of the City, has
a must-have checklist for every livable
city – paths, edges, nodes, landmarks
and districts. Incorporate all these
elements within a small development,
and you have the ideal integrated
community in which users can live,
work and play in an easily navigable
and pleasant environment.
Changi City, jointly developed by
Ascendas and Frasers Centrepoint
Limited, is just such a community. The
integrated development at Changi
Business Park (CBP) has already achieved
international recognition as a “Highly
Commended Mixed-Use Development”
at the 2012 Asia Pacic Property Awards.
Its eco-friendly design, by award-winning
architecture rm Aedas, had also earned
a Green Mark Gold Plus from the Building
& Construction Authority in 2011.
Changi City’s paths, both landscaped
and interior walkways,bconveniently
connect its three districts – Capri by
Fraser, a hotel-residence; Changi City
Point, a garden-themed mall with
2
3
retail and dining outlets and a rooftop
amphitheatre; and ONE@Changi City, a
nine-storey business tower.
The 4.7ha site on which Changi City
stands has its edges tree-lined sidewalks,
with the East-West line’s Expo MRT station
on one side and the upcoming Downtown
line’s Expo MRT station on another.
The main node, a strategic and
primary junction according to Lynch,
is the entrance to Changi City Point
from the MRT stations.
The entire development itself
is a pedestrian-friendly node for
CBP as it welcomes commuters
into the business park while
also providing dining and
entertainment amenities to
companies housed within CBP,
such as IBM, Cisco, DBS Asia and
Standard Chartered.
Changi City itself is also a
landmark for CBP: the distinctive,
organic form of Changi City Point
merges with the honeycomb-shaped
cladding and exoskeleton of both Capri
by Fraser and ONE@Changi City.
1
Marking the
completion of
Changi City, ONE@
Changi City is the
“work” portion of
this integrated
community’s
live-work-play
equation.
2
For “play”, there’s
Changi CIty
Point, which
offers shopping,
dining and
entertainment.
3
Capri by Fraser
is where people
come to “live” in
Changi City.
12
F E AT UR E
“Changi Business Park
is well-poised to be
the CBD of the East
in Singapore.”
Mr Khiatani, President and CEO, Ascendas
4
5
The nine-storey business tower is
also an architectural landmark due to
its contemporary green design – its
sun-shading exoskeleton and terraced
“gardens” (grown in planters) stand out
among the glass-box office buildings that
surround it.
Another gem in Ascendas’ family of
designed business spaces, this building
boasts the largest contiguous oor plates
in Singapore – up to 80,000sq ft per oor –
bringing the net lettable oor area up to
a total of 650,000sq ft.
Officially opened on Aug 5, ONE@
Changi City marks the completion of
Changi City, Singapore’s largest integrated
business park.
The opening was attended by many
of Ascendas’ partners, including ONE@
Changi City’s anchor tenants Credit
Suisse, JP Morgan and EMC.
Mr Manohar Khiatani, Ascendas
President and CEO, said: “The completion
of Changi City… demonstrates the added
value that a vibrant, integrated community
can bring to businesses. This agship
project also epitomises the innovative
customer-centric solutions that Ascendas
always strives to provide to our valued
customers.”
Mr Khiatani also cited other
benchmarks established by the business
tower: its record-breaking contiguous
oor plates, and an occupancy rate
surpassing 90 per cent.
With the opening of ONE@Changi City
completing the live-work-play concept
of Changi City, Mr Khiatani said: “Changi
Business Park is well-poised to be the
CBD of the East in Singapore”.
6
4
Mr Manohar Khiatani,
Ascendas President
and CEO, welcomes
guests to the opening
of ONE@Changi City.
5
Guests were
entertained with
live string music
during the cocktail
reception of ONE@
Changi City’s official
opening.
6
Dr Teh Kok Peng,
Ascendas Chairman,
presents a thankyou gift to guest of
honour Ms Jessica
Tan, Member of
Parliament for East
Coast GRC (ChangiSimei).
7
A bird’s-eye view
shows Changi
City in relation
to the Expo MRT
station and its
surroundings.
7
8
Artist Edwin
Cheong’s sculpture,
Balance.Is.Key.
To.Life., embodies
the balance of live,
work and play.
Changi City in a nutshell
Chan
CHANGI CIT Y
POINT
What it is
A 2½ storey
retail
sto
mall
Key feat
features
450-seat
450-sea rooftop
amphiteatre and
amphite
outlet sshopping
for brands
bran like
Samsonite,
Samson
Lacoste and Royal
Sporting House
Official launch
April 2012
20
8
CAPRI BY FR A SER
What it is
A hotelresidence (hotel
and serviced
apartments)
Key features
313 rooms in a
12-storey tower;
free Wi-Fi; digital
device charging
stations and
e-print facilities;
EZ hammocks;
hydro-treadmill
pool
Official launch
January 2013
ONE@CHANGI
CIT Y
What it is
A nine-storey
business tower
Key features
Net lettable area
of up to 88,000
sq ft per  oor
plate; largest
contiguous
 oor plates in
Singapore
Official launch
August 2013
14
F E AT UR E
1
SUPPORT
FROM THE HEART
ASCENDAS AC TIVELY PROMOTES CREATIVE
TALENT THROUGH MYRIAD INITIATIVES.
It was a normal school night for
most students. But for a cohort from
Crest Secondary School, April 24 was
unforgettable.
Twenty students were treated to a
dramatic night under the stars as they
watched Othello at Fort Canning. Before
the Shakespeare in the Park performance
by Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), the
students also enjoyed a backstage tour.
Their memorable eld trip was possible
thanks to Ascendas’ support of SRT. As
a partner of the local theatre group
since 2003, Ascendas makes an annual
donation, and regularly holds networking
events for customers and tenants at SRT
productions. It also organises backstage
tours and meet-and-greet sessions
with the creative crew; these sessions
are frequently offered to beneciaries,
including underprivileged children.
Ascendas’ support of SRT and other art
groups, including Pangdemonium! and
Musical Theatre Live!, is administered
through its Ascendas Gives Foundation
(AGF). “Government funding amounts to
less than 6 per cent of our annual budget,
so we are very dependent on donations
from companies and private patrons,”
says Charlotte Nors, Executive Director of
2
1
With Ascendas’
involvement, Musical
Theatre Live! has been
able to incubate new
works for the local
theatre scene.
2-3
Students from Crest
Secondary School
enjoying Singapore
Repertory Theatre’s
Othello.
4-5
3
Ascendas has been
a supporter of
Singapore Repertory
Theatre, known for
its Shakespeare in
the Park productions,
since 2003.
Text Karen Tee
4
Images SRT’s Shakespeare in the Park – Othello
4
5
SRT, which celebrates its 20th anniversary
this year.
“Ascendas has been an amazing partner
and without such partners who have a
strategic approach to long-term support,
SRT wouldn’t be where it is today.”
Two years ago, Ascendas began working
with Pangdemonium! for its musical Spring
Awakening. During that period, the theatre
company’s office lease was cut short,
recounts artistic director Tracie Pang.
Ascendas came to the rescue by offering
them office and rehearsal space.
Earlier this year, Ascendas came on
board as a corporate sponsor, helping
to defray office and staffing costs. Says
Tracie, “Running a non-prot theatre
company is not easy and can only be
16
Image Pangdemonium!
F E AT UR E
6
done with the generous help of wonderful
sponsors like Ascendas who have a true
appreciation of the arts.”
AGF supports artists across various
mediums – it has procured and
showcased paintings, sculptures and
ceramics in its buildings across the region.
“Our dedication to the arts drives us
to support programmes that nurture
artistic talents in the various elds of art
and to grow an appreciative audience for
the ner things in life,” says Mr Willy Shee,
Chairman of AGF.
“We acquire artwork to enhance the
environment of our buildings and through
these displays, aim to inspire our
employees and all who come into contact
with the art.”
Ascendas has embarked on an
ambitious project to create an online
art gallery of all the works displayed
throughout its buildings spread across
33 cities in 10 countries.
WALK THE TALK
To involve employees in its initiatives,
Ascendas organises art workshops for
them as well as beneciaries. These
include clay-making, calligraphy and
recycled art workshops.
Via collaborations with social enterprise
Social Creatives, staff can share their
passion for the creative arts while helping
those in need.
For example, on a recent visit to
Bendeemer, 60 Ascendas staff painted
one-room ats and created murals,
bringing cheer to senior citizens and
families. On a separate occasion, they
gave the Asian Women’s Welfare
Association Family Services Centre at
Towner Road an interior makeover.
Always on the lookout to increase
its reach within the arts community,
Ascendas recently started working with
start-up music consultancy Express In
Music. This tie-up will enable musicians
to unleash their creative potential as they
create original soundtracks that will serve
as ambient music in Ascendas properties
and on web-based platforms.
For its strong support for the arts,
Ascendas has won numerous accolades,
including 10 awards from the National
Arts Council. These include the 2012
Friend of the Arts Award and the 2011
Associate of the Arts Award.
As part of its 10th anniversary
celebrations last year, Ascendas held a
charity auction of its artwork, including
Swirls of Dream by Fern Wong, an artist
with Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA).
Fern’s artwork, together with other pieces
featured in Ascendas’ 10th anniversary
commemorative book, raised $35,000 in
donations for VSA.
As Singapore develops into a worldclass creative hub, Ascendas looks
forward to promoting the arts among
an ever growing audience as well as
supporting more regional talent.
7
8
9
10
6
Besides funding,
Ascendas helped
theatre group
Pangdemonium!
with office and
rehearsal space.
7
In Korea,
Ascendas
supported
the Mouth &
Foot Painting
Exhibition in
2012.
11
8
Fern Wong’s
Swirls of Dream
was put up for
auction as part
of Ascendas’
10th anniversary
celebrations last
year.
9-11
Works of art
add to the
creative vibe
on Ascendas’
properties.
18
DESIGN
NEW AGE
MEGA-TALL
BUILDINGS
ARE NOT
JUST ICONIC
ADDITIONS TO
ASIA’S CIT Y
SK YLINES;
THEY ARE
ALSO PROVING
TO BE FL AG
BEARERS OF
SUSTAINABLE
URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
THE SKY’S THE
1-2
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa,
currently the tallest
building in the world,
towers over the rapidly
growing metropolis.
Its height also makes
it a convenient launch
point or backdrop for
celebratory reworks.
1
Text Shweta Parida Images Getty Images
Text Hong
& Corbis
Xinyi
2
Rapid urbanisation in developing
Asian countries such as China and
India is changing landscapes at an
unprecedented rate. To maximise
limited space and resources while
also establishing sustainable
living environments, city planners,
developers and architects are scaling
new vertical heights. Enter the
sustainable skyscraper.
The skyscraper was born in late 19th
century North America, coincident with
advances in building technology. During a
building frenzy that started in the 1920s,
several iconic structures such as the
Chrysler Building and the Empire State
Building emerged on the New York skyline,
which has since become a barometer for
tall structures around the world.
Until 1990, up to 80 of the world’s 100
tallest buildings were in North America.
But by the end of 2012, the statistics had
changed drastically. According to online
skyscraper database Emporis, Asia now
boasts 54 per cent of the world’s tallest
skyscrapers, most of them sited in China
and the Middle East – particularly Dubai.
Last year, at the Council for Tall
Buildings and Urban Habitat’s annual
symposium held in Shanghai, renowned
architect Adrian Smith – designer of the
current record holder Burj Khalifa in Dubai
– told members of the press that “China’s
urbanisation, happening at a breakneck
speed, would fuel major expansion in tall
buildings”.
An interesting recent development has
Broad Sustainable Building (BSB), a unit of
China-based Broad Group, announcing its
construction of Sky City in Changsha – a
city best known for being Mao Zedong’s
long-time abode. At 838m in height, the
gravity-defying structure will trump the
Burj Khalifa’s 828m when it’s completed –
supposedly in a record-breaking time of
three months. Sky City’s days of glory as
the world’s tallest tower may be shortlived, however. Saudi Arabia has already
started construction on its Kingdom
Tower in Jeddah – it will have a vertigoinducing height of 1km.
20
DESIGN
3
New York City’s
skyline, with its
iconic Empire State
Building, started
the skyscraper
height race in the
early 20th century.
2
3
4
The Chrysler
Building in New York
was the tallest in
the world from May
1930 to April 1931.
At 319m in height, it
is now dwarfed by
the current tallest
skyscraper, the
828m Burj Khalifa.
On a more “normal” scale, the 632mtall Shanghai Tower will be the second
tallest building in the world when it is
completed in 2014. It is expected to be
the herald of a new type of development
in China – the sustainable super-structure.
Shanghai Tower is designed to be a selfcontained vertical community focused on
sustainability, business value, innovation,
and cultural diversity. Put forward as the
solution to the country’s growing urban
living demands, 33 per cent of the site is
reserved for public green space.
DESIGN EVOLUTION
One of the far-reaching effects of
globalisation seems to be how
skyscrapers around the world are “clones”,
with debatable levels of variation in their
designs. Shanghai-based Hisham Youssef,
Principal and Workplace Director at
architecture rm RTKL, says: “From the
Woolworth and Empire State buildings
in New York City, to Burj Khalifa in Dubai,
we have increasingly been able to build
taller, more slender and more efficient
buildings due to advances in materials
and engineering, but fundamentally the
skyscraper has not changed.”
Youssef, who co-founded the American
Institute of Architects’ Middle East
and Shanghai chapters, adds that a
contemporary skyscraper remains more
of an icon and less of a viable proposition
for better standards of living.
Presenting a different point of view,
Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of
Copenhagen- and New York-based
architecture rm Bjarke Ingels Group
(BIG), says: “I think that forms and shapes
have changed. The competition in height
over the past few decades has now been
replaced by aiming for solutions to today’s
challenges with regards to the quality of
living, leisure and working.”
He points out that BIG’s projects
in Seoul and Shenzhen are a “subtle
evolution of the classic high-rise from
the 1930s. Both are economically and
ecologically sustainable, and tailored
to our ideal lifestyles – something most
likely completely recognisable and also
surprisingly new”.
Samuele Martelli, Director and
Architect at Hong Kong-based MAP
Architecture and Planning, agrees
that while there have been updates to
skyscrapers’ physical design, “the most
signicant improvements are related to
the study and research of energy-saving
technologies”.
Critics of tall buildings, however,
argue that this skyscraper trend is
leading to cookie-cutter urbanism. “The
majority of high-rises in Asia are quite
generic, conventional structures with
all-glass curtain walls and some kind of
an ornamental headpiece at the top to
distinguish them from the surrounding
towers,” comments Ingels, whose rm
won an international competition to
design the Shenzhen Energy Mansion
headquarters. The yet-to-be completed
structure expands toward the sky in order
to maximise available surface area for use
in harvesting solar energy. “The top of
the structure would be paved with solar
panels and provide an abundance of
electricity,” shares Ingels.
CA SE FOR SUSTAINABILIT Y
While state-of-the-art skyscrapers
such as Two International Finance
Center in Hong Kong, Taipei 101 in
Taiwan, China Central Television
Headquarters in Beijing, and the
Shanghai World Financial Center
in Shanghai claim an iconic
status not just for themselves
but also for the cities they
reside in, not everyone is
persuaded. “The competition
in height and eye-catching
icons on the skyline could
be replaced by the ambition
to create attractive and
well-functioning threedimensional public spaces,
commercial spaces, parks or
squares,” Ingels says.
But even though
exponents of the
sustainable skyscraper
present a winning
argument, most current
structures consume
4
22
DESIGN
5
WHAT MAKES
A SKYSCRAPER
SUSTAINABLE?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5
Skylights in the
Taipei 101 Mall
help to brighten
its atrium.
6
7
Sustainable
skyscrapers
need a healthy
ratio of green
to built-up
spaces, like
this one in
the middle of
Shanghai’s
Pudong area.
6
7
The Burj Khalifa’s
high-tech
elevators, with
touchpad
buttons and
LED light shows,
bring users up
to the top oor
in a record 35
seconds.
8
Occupying levels
79-93 of the
Shanghai World
Financial Center,
Park Hyatt Hotel
completes the
Vertical Complex
City.
8
Ample green space
High-tech, eco-friendly materials
State-of-the-art green engineering
Live-work-play environment
Economically sustainable
Energy-effi cient (bonus points for being
energy-generating)
Low-emission operations
Low-maintenance
Eco-friendly and energy-saving
construction
Social spaces and community
excessive amounts of energy.
Martelli questions the
theory’s effectiveness:
“The concept of
sustainability is related to
the saving of energy, so in
theory a good skyscraper
should have low emissions
and low maintenance needs.
Don’t forget, we also need to
consider the energy used to build
these towers.”
There is yet another concern about the
proliferation of skyscrapers, which brings
forth the lack of human touch in such
super structures.
Youseff emphasises that for
skyscrapers to be completely sustainable,
we need to develop a more “social and
humane model” for human occupation,
that will enhance quality of life as well as
the way we live, work and play. “At best,
skyscrapers, as designed today, exist
in isolation and incite a certain type of
alienation in our society – a phenomenon
that isn’t particularly healthy,” he says.
To counter this problem, experts
highlight the importance of inclusive and
self-sustained design, not only in terms
of fully comprehensive energy resources,
but also in the re-creation of the social
ecosystem that exists at ground level.
DUBAI
Burj Khalifa
828m
SKYSCRAPERS
AROUND THE WORLD
CHINA
Canton
Tower
600m
US
CANADA
CN Tower
553m
CHINA
TAIWAN
Shanghai
World Financial
Center
492m
Taipei 101
508m
US
Empire
State
Building
381m
FRANCE
Eiffel
Tower
300m
One World
Trade Centre
541m
24
DESIGN
9
When completed in
2004, Taipei 101 was
the tallest building
in the world – until
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa
was completed in
2010. In 2011, however,
Taipei 101 received
LEED Platinum
certication for its
energy-efficient
eff orts, heat-blocking
double pane windows,
and water recycling
system.
To be successful, skyscrapers and their
inhabitants need to nd ways to connect
with reality on the ground and elsewhere,
even as they nurture vertical communities.
BIG is already implementing this
concept in their projects. “Our idea of
sustainability lies within the relationship
between design, technological innovation
and quality of life,” Ingels says. “There
are examples of making the city or a
building more sustainable and at the
same time making them more enjoyable.
For example, our project in Seoul consists
essentially of two vertical towers with
two horizontal towers stacked between
them, forming a link and hidden vertical
communities.”
TALLER AND BET TER?
There are widely differing views on the
topic, but there is also an increasing
inclination to accept the roles that
skyscrapers play. While architects, civic
authorities and developers recognise the
possibilities that skyscrapers offer, it is
also obvious that superlative structures
are not always the best solution.
“Skyscrapers are useful, but we must not
forget that despite all our technological
advances, these excessively tall towers are
not on a human scale,” cautions Martelli.
On the other hand, rms like BIG
embrace a more think tank-like approach
towards urban development. With a
design attitude grounded in analysis
and consequences, Ingels says that they
design buildings which look different
because they truly perform differently.
Simply put, height is not the main
consideration; rather, it’s more important
to identify and analyse the potential for
sustainability, based on local conditions.
“As a result, we tend to move away from
the conventional skyscraper,” he says.
Whether taller is better or not, what
is evident from this ongoing debate is
that skyscrapers are no longer just vanity
projects that catapult their host cities into
the league of modern civilisations – they
also provide myriad opportunities for
better living and working environments,
for the human race at large.
26
DESIGN
EXPERIENCE
DESIGN IS AN
EMERGING FIELD
OF ARCHITEC TURE THAT
CR AF TS MORE THAN
JUST SPACES, FOR A
BET TER USER
EXPERIENCE.
Pritzker Prize laureate
Philip Johnson regarded
all great architecture as
“the design of space that
contains, cuddles, exalts
or stimulates the persons in
that space”. But sometimes, in
the attempt to make bold, statementmaking structures, that purpose is
neglected.
Experience Design, or XD as
those who practise it call it, is
an emerging eld of architecture
that aims to enhance user experience
by facilitating a memorable interaction
between a built environment and the
people in it.
User experience is shaped by engaging
people, evoking emotions and creating
memories.
As a holistic approach to design, XD is
multi-dimensional and involves multiple
disciplines: architectural design, product
D E S I G N T H AT
E N GAG E S
design, service design, psychology,
cognitive science, storytelling, brand
strategy, marketing, etc.
So XD applies not just to architecture
and the built environment, but to
products, processes, and services as well
– anything and everything involved in how
people will experience a place (or brand).
These may range from a signature indoor
scent to themed and custom-coordinated
decor and uniforms, for instance.
If you think about it, XD probably
existed long before it was formally
recognised and its term coined. Steven
Spielberg and Walt Disney, for example,
may be regarded as experience designers
for their understanding of how to craft
the human experience. Cirque du Soleil
brings together storytelling, music, design
and human physicality to create multisensory experiences.
Bringing XD into the design spotlight
was accomplished by a few pioneers. One
Text
Text
Hong
LynnXinyi
Tan
1
1
To create a
holistic Ascendas
experience, Space,
a bespoke scent,
was commissioned
for the Ascendas
head office.
2
Part of the unique
user experience
in Ascendas’ own
corporate office
is the open plan,
free seating
workspace
arrangement.
2
28
DESIGN
3
of these is award-winning global rm Ideo,
which adopts a human-centred approach
in its design of products, services, spaces,
and interactive experiences.
Ideo is known for their XD of Nemours
Children’s Hospital in Florida, which is
designed to welcome, guide and support
young patients and their families
through the unique visual (and physical)
cues of its various spaces. Ideo also
designed the non-architectural details:
from personalised radio frequency
identication bracelets that trigger “smart
rooms” to welcome a patient upon entry,
to a trained concierge service that helps
orient patients and visitors.
Ideo’s other projects include Microsoft
Windows 8’s reimagined packaging design,
and the redesigning of the Singapore
Ministry of Manpower’s Work Pass
Division’s business process into a more
holistic customer service experience.
Another pioneer is Pentagram, an
independent design consultancy
operating from London, New York, San
Francisco, Austin, and Berlin. Most of
Pentagram’s work involves XD with a
brand identity focus, and their client base
includes big-name corporations such as
the Star Alliance, Citigroup, and Twentyrst Century Fox.
Here in Singapore, local architect Mark
Wee and Thai-Singaporean artist Ken
Yuktasevi have been developing XD for
the past seven years, establishing names
for themselves in the eld. The duo now
helm OX:D, the experimental XD studio at
ONG&ONG.
“We see XD as the discipline and practice
of crafting together environments,
communications and processes, and
the coming together of these
4
3-4
At Nemours
Children’s
Hospital in Florida,
designed by Ideo,
patients choose
the colour of the
lighting in their
rooms.
5
The CCTV
Headquarters
in Beijing was
designed by
award-winning
Rem Koolhaas and
David Gianotten of
OMA, and former
OMA partner
Ole Scheeren.
5
THE XDFACTOR
As users, we may not always
notice XD at work; but XD is
all around us, really.
designed by Gregory Beck,
who specialises in translating
the emotional assets of
stories into consumer
experiences.
JERUSALEM, ISR AEL
Images Ideo (Nemours Children’s Hospital), Getty Images
BEIJING, CHINA
CCTV Headquarters
The largest project yet by
the renowned Offi ce for
Metropolitan Architecture
(OMA), it allows the public to
experience various aspects
of the production process of
media and television via a
Visitor’s Loop.
NEW YORK CIT Y, US
Inside CNN
This retail and visitor
attraction within the Time
Warner Building features
multi-brand retail areas,
interactive media stations,
and screening rooms. It was
The Holocaust History
Museum
Designed by award-winning
architect Moshe Safdie, the
museum demonstrates an
intimate connection with its
subject matter through the
manipulation of architectural
forms and light. For instance,
a dark room’s conical ceiling
lets in a shaft of light,
vividly evoking emotions
that revolve around both
persecution and hope.
SENTOSA , SINGAPORE
Port of Lost Wonder
A creative collaboration
between OX:D and Awaken
Group, the Port of Lost
Wonder is more than a water
theme park. Designed with
customer input in mind, it is
a place of connection as well
as a place to make memories.
Here, fathers can spend time
with their children while
mothers rest, and children
have opportunities to
exercise independence.
SINGAPORE
Frank by OCBC
The new Frank by OCBC
branches were speci cally
designed by OX:D to attract
the Millennial Generation/
Generation Y (those born in
the 1980s), with its useroriented customer service
and simplied retail styles,
cool collaterals and displays,
and customisable credit/
debit cards personalised to
individual user identities.
DESIGN
6
6
7
It’s not just
designed space
that enhances a
user experience.
At Frank by OCBC,
designed by OX:D,
the credit/debit
card customisation
interface, and
even the cards
themselves, are a
product of XD.
7-8
elements to create beautiful experience
touchpoints that move the human soul,”
says Yuktasevi. “It entails a lot of humility
and empathy and involves different
disciplines, but all operating with the
same heartbeat: to understand users and
co-create,” he adds.
EXPERIENCING XD
This emphasis on co-creation is what
makes XD different from conventional
design. OX:D goes as far as setting up
camp in a client’s environment for a few
months, “talking how they talk, eating
what they eat”, in order to get a true feel
for the project.
The merits of XD are far-reaching.
Firstly, users have a more compelling and
therefore memorable encounter with the
project – whether a building, product or
service – because they have interacted
with it in a meaningful way. Secondly,
businesses benet from users’ greater
brand awareness and resulting brand
loyalty. Thirdly, XD encourages higher
staff morale and productivity.
The long-term impact of XD is what
OX:D is most excited about. “We have
seen a change in our clients’ mindsets
as they derive a deeper understanding
of their customers, staff, and the world
around them,” Yuktasevi shares.
It goes without saying that XD comes
with a higher price tag – the time (months,
in some cases) that a design team spends
in a client’s office taking notes, for
example, is billable. But while costs vary
according to how much time a design
team spends on a project, XD designers
also take into consideration the fact that
the market, as a whole, is still unfamiliar
with their craft.
Yuktasevi is convinced, however,
that “the justication comes from
our conviction that saving time and
money can be forgotten in a year or
two while good design and meaningful
transformation lasts forever”.
Sentosa’s Port
of Lost Wonder,
designed by OX:D
and Awaken Group,
is more than just a
water theme park,
with its customer
input-driven
design aesthetics.
Images OX:D
30
8
32
MONEY
As an entrepreneurial start-up culture
takes hold in Singapore, a grassroots
form of nance – far from the
boardrooms of venture capitalists and
investment bankers – is sprouting.
In line with the DIY, social mediafuelled mindset of today’s edgling
enterprises, everyone from artists and
social entrepreneurs to more traditional
businessmen is bypassing the usual
nancial channels and going straight to
the public to appeal for funds.
Crowdfunding, a concept that emerged
in the United States, is catching on
here and helping a new generation of
entrepreneurs realise their dreams.
According to crowdfunding platform
Indiegogo, Singaporean projects have
raised over $134,000 in six months
ending April.
“This impressive crowdfunding
milestone from such a small place is
the result of creative, well-executed
campaigns combined with a generally
tech-savvy community,” says Indiegogo’s
Andrew Nunnelly.
He cites local lm-maker Kenny Gee’s
campaign to raise funds for his movie
The Body as an example of innovative
pitches. The pitch, which eventually pulled
in US$29,000 (S$36,300), was itself a
hilarious short lm about a local lmmaker
looking to raise funds on Indiegogo.
“Raising nearly US$10,000 past its goal,
The Body is setting the tone for the wave of
campaigns from here,” says Andrew.
Websites like Indiegogo offer small
investors the opportunity to earn interest
from lending money to small businesses,
or invest sums as small as US$10 to
companies in return for an equity stake or,
in many cases, a non-nancial reward.
“I’m a fan of the arts, so if there’s a
project which appeals to me then I will
support it. It’s not really about getting
free tickets, although that’s nice too,” says
Jason Teo, a nancial professional.
Jason was one of many individuals who
recently contributed funds to the local
arts group the Open House through
Indiegogo for its project OH! Open House
Marina Bay: The Happiness Index, an art
Mass
Appeal
Crowdfunding, which allows
start-up companies to make
their pitch for cash directly to the
masses, is gaining traction among
Singapore enterprises.
Text Francis Kan Illustration Getty Images
exhibition that took place in the banks
and offices of Singapore’s nancial district.
Kickstarter, another popular
crowdfunding website, does not allow
for-prot investments. Instead, users back
projects in exchange for tangible rewards
or one-of-a-kind experiences like personal
notes of thanks, custom T-shirts, or dinner
with an author. Kickstarter is also used
to raise funds for disaster relief, citizen
journalism, support of artists by fans and
political campaigns, among other projects.
Such websites have helped business
and individuals worldwide raise nearly $2.7
billion last year, an 81 per cent increase
on the previous year, estimated a survey
by Massolution, a research and advisory
rm. It expects another $5.1 billion to be
raised through crowdfunding platforms
this year, with more of the funds shifting
towards new businesses and small rms,
as opposed to social projects.
BENEFITS OF THE CROWD
According to SGE, an online publisher
dedicated to the South-east Asian
start-up and entrepreneurship scene,
two recent crowdfunding campaigns
in Singapore set new records for the
amounts raised – a sign of crowdfunding’s
growing acceptance here.
Silverline, a project by social enterprise
Newton Circus that aims to empower
seniors using refurbished smartphones
and specially-designed apps, raised
US$54,000 over 45 days, exceeding its
initial target of US$50,000. Bamboo Bee,
which makes lifestyle bicycles out of
bamboo, collected US$55,000 over
32 days – it set out to raise US$40,000.
“Crowdfunding provided us with
numerous advantages over traditional
funding mechanisms,” recalls Loring
Harkness, Newton Circus’ Project Director.
These include the ability to secure seed
nancing without having to sacrice
company equity.
Also, projects have the potential to
go viral on the internet as more people
discover them online, enabling futher
contact with the media and increasing
online presence. Crowdfunding can also
be an effective way to test a product’s
mass appeal.
MARKETING IS KEY
But crowdfunding campaigns face the
challenge of demonstrating that it will
ultimately be successful. As such, clever
marketing to keep the public engaged is
key to any project’s success.
“People want to contribute to successful
campaigns, so reaching the 40 per
cent and 80 per cent milestones were
particularly vital,” says Loring.
Bamboo Bee founder Sunny Chuah says
keeping supporters happy requires great
effort. “There is constant preparation of
exciting updates for your supporters. You
also have to entice the crowd so that your
project will stand out,” he says.
When Silverline introduced a dollar-fordollar matching programme, supporters
responded overwhelmingly, contributing
nearly $12,000 over seven days.
Crowdfunding is by no means a shortcut
to success, say its users. Ultimately, it is
the quality of a project that determines
its success. “You need to be condent in
your idea and product.�If your family and
friends are not supporting you rst, the
untapped market will not move an inch,”
says Sunny.
Of course, once the money has been
secured, the real work of delivering the
goods begins. Says Loring: “We will be
using the money to extend our charity
programme for under-served seniors in
Singapore, and also develop the next suite
of Silverline apps.”
TIPS FOR CROWDFUNDING SUCCESS
1
2
3
Have a great idea to start with.
Novelty will only take your project
so far.
Make sure your video and campaign
design accurately re ect the nature
and creativity of your project.
Promote, promote, promote. Use
all available platforms – create a
Facebook page for your campaign, post
the link on your own Facebook page,
post it on Twitter, blast it on your blog
or website.
34
FOOD
THE DRINKING SCENE IN
SINGAPORE IS PICKING UP
WITH THE RISE OF SPECIALIST
WHISK Y BARS. FEMALE
DRINKERS IN PARTICUL AR ARE
R AISING THEIR GL ASSES.
IN FINE
SPIRITS
Image Getty Images
2
1
1-2
Female drinkers
are increasingly
taking to whisky,
especially single
malts.
Text Guy Hoh
3
3-4
Whisky bars like
B28 now offer
an international
range, from limited
editions to cask
number releases.
Whisky fans in Singapore are
rejoicing. With more specialist
whisky bars in town, it is no
longer the case where one or
two brands are lost amid a
liquor smorgasbord. These
days, whisky lovers can
enjoy a wide array from all
over the world, including
whisky shop special
editions, vintage and cask
number releases, and antique
bottlings. With hundreds of
labels on offer, local whisky
fans, and female drinkers in
particular, are lapping it up.
B28 owner Mike Soldner notes: “The
market has matured with female whisky
drinkers an important part it. Many are
knowledgeable and are frankly spoilt for
choice.”
Top of the list is the single malt whisky,
often regarded by connoisseurs as the
art of distillation’s ultimate expression. A
single malt is distilled entirely from malted
barley and spring water, unlike blended
whiskies that can contain spirit from
grain or rye. Single malts are typically
associated with�Scotland, though they are
also produced in various other countries
including the United States.
More women are taking to the nuances
of whiskies produced in different regions.
“As I’ve matured, so has my palate. I drink
in moderation and know what I like,” says
one such convert, public servant Mui Seah
Lee, 34. “You won’t catch me drinking
Island or Islay whiskies as I’m not fond of
their smoky and peaty avours.”
Chua Khoon Hui, co-owner of Quaich
Bar, says: “The lady drinker is normally
less brand-conscious and far more tasteorientated than the guys.”
The whisky specialist adds that single
malts are no longer a rarity here: “Choices
make everyone more educated and
give all palates, especially the ladies’, a
particular whisky that they like.”
Every whisky distillery has master
blenders who create and maintain the
label’s character. The avours of a single
malt are dependent on myriad factors,
4
from the quality of the water and barrels
to the ageing period. Because a single
malt whisky’s age is determined by the
youngest malt that goes into it, your
bottle of 12-year-old single malt may have
much older malts added to it to achieve
the master blender’s desired character.
In many instances, it would be have
been matured in oak casks, used bourbon
or sherry casks, or even barrels that once
contained port. As a whisky matures, it
takes on the character and avour notes
of its cask to wonderful effect.
Banker Liyen Ong, 34, says: “I’ve been
drinking single malt matured in port wood
casks. I love port as a drink, so naturally
liking a malt with the bouquet of port is a
given.”
Special blends and whiskies “nished’
by aging in particular barrels are equally
popular with whisky fans: The Glenlivet,
Glenmorangie and The Macallan are some
of the best-known mainstream brands
vying for the palates of educated drinkers.
Even wine lovers are taking to whisky.
Investment consultant Yak Chan Wei, 33,
who recently attended a whisky tasting
at The Auld Alliance, says: “I prefer
something with a complex taste that’s
not peaty or musty, like the Glendronach
18-year-old.”
Joseph Ricketts, retail and marketing
manager of La Maison du Whisky, concurs.
36
FOOD
5
“Women know what they are buying now.
They may be buying a gift, but more often
than not, they are buying something to
share with friends. ”
Like wine, whisky vintages have distinct
differences, even in barrels from the same
distillery. Specialist whisky purveyors try
to buy single cask, single malt, meaning
that the whisky has added exclusivity by
being bottled all from a single cask.
In short, once all those bottles have
been drunk, there is no more – and the
search begins all over again for the whisky
lovers who may have rated that particular
cask as their whisky grail.
“Buying independent bottlings based on
taste rather than the label is essential. I
try to suit the customers’ palate and their
personality with a particular whisky. We
sell most of our whiskies after people
have tasted it by the glass. This is
especially true for our female customers,
many who know the style of whisky they
like but may not know the name,” says
Joseph, who adds that Japanese single
malts are especially popular among his
female clientele.
Recognising the rising prole of the
female whisky drinker, The Macallan held
5-6
At B28, live music
pairs beautifully
with whisky.
7
Quaich Bar offers
more than 300
types of whiskies.
6
7
a ladies-only event at the recent World
Gourmet Summit in Singapore. Billed as a
unique experiential whisky appreciation
class, the session saw participants
enjoying and discovering the spectrum
of common whisky scents and tastes,
and improving their knowledge in whisky
appreciation.
FULL OF CHAR AC TER
SPECIALIST
WHISKY
BARS AND
STORES
The Auld Alliance
#01-08 Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
theauldalliance.sg
B28
The Club Hotel
28 Ann Siang Road
btwentyeight.com
Quaich Bar
#01-09/10 Waterfront
Plaza, 390A Havelock
Road
#01-293 Resorts World
Sentosa, 26 Sentosa
Gateway
whiskystore.com.sg/
quaichbar
Fine Spirits by La
Maison du Whisky
#01-10 The Pier @
Robertson Quay
80 Mohammed Sultan
whisky.sg
If you have deep pockets, selected
Scottish distilleries now offer the ultimate
in bespoke whisky – imagine owning
your very own cask. Some distilleries
including Glengoyne in Scotland and Nant
in Tasmania offer a purchase of matured
or fresh casks to be bottled under your
personal name or as a fun investment
that you can sell back to the distillery on
maturation.
Most cask programmes set a minimum
of 12 years of maturation in-cask before
you can bottle, and a cask ageing period
that lasts as long as you continue to pay
for storage and insurance costs. At press
time, the smallest 190-litre barrel (fresh
bourbon cask) of Glengoyne cost £1,600
(S$3,000) while the 500-litre (fresh sherry
butt) cost £4,000; excluding storage,
bottling fees, UK taxes at the time of
bottling, and local taxes.
Even more exclusive is the Macallan
En Primeur programme. Since 2007, up to
25 customers per year may apply directly
to the distillery to purchase a fresh cask
of their own, complete with its own birth
book, and enjoy yearly updates. These
privileged few even get to witness the cask
being lled with new spirit.
If you purchase a cask, it matures at
12 years, but you can of course choose
to extend its ageing to whatever date you
fancy after that. Bottle it when you want
to and treasure its taste, for it will be a
malt available to no one but yourself.
Nearer home, word from Quaich Bar
is that it is looking into custom blending
kits, so the possibility of blending a
personal whisky for your palate alone
and bottling it wholly for yourself is just
around the corner. Now that’s good news
one can drink to.
38
TR AVEL
TA L E S
They Work and
Play Together
In April, a group of female employees
from Ascendas Korea bonded on
vacation to the scenic Japanese
island of Kyushu.
1
Text Audrina Gan
When Suh Young joined
Ascendas Korea as head
of the administration
and communications
departments, she was
pleasantly surprised to be
invited along on a trip that
her female colleagues had
planned. It turned out to
be one of the best times
of her life. Over three
days, the group explored
the city sights of Fukuoka
and soaked in the rural
tranquility of Yufuin on the
island of Kyushu, Japan. As
they recall the trip’s key
highlights, they also reveal
how holidaying together
has brought them closer.
2
GA STRONOMIC DELIGHTS
3
1-4
4
Seven
ladies from
Ascendas
Korea, plus
Young’s
daughter,
found both
the natural
and manmade sights
of Kyushu
refreshing.
Food was denitely the
main attraction on the trip.
Finance assistant manager
Lee Ji Young says: ‘‘We
found the famous, original
Ippudo ramen restaurant
in Daimyo, Chuo Ward in
Fukuoka. The dish was
delicious, with the signature
Hakata-style noodles and
richly-avoured pork-bone
soup.”
For asset manager Byun
Min Jung, it was sushi that
left a lasting impression.
“It was fresh and so wellpresented. The shrimp sushi,
in particular, stood out for
me – the head of the shrimp
was deep-fried, crunchy and
nutty in taste, contrasting
with the sweet rawness of
the meat,” she says.
Young and Cho Hyun
Joo, a compliance officer,
appreciated the traditional
presentation of the kaisekiryori (multi-course Japanese
dinner). “It looked great and
the array of dishes were just
beautiful,” Hyun Joo says.
Young adds: “It was all so
exquisite and carefully put
together.”
Kyushu offers myriad
pastries and sweets, like the
thin-rolled cakes from Yufuin
confectionaries. “We bought
signature foods from Hakata
City department store at the
Hakata Train Station Plaza in
Fukuoka. Sweets are value
for money and make for a
nice souvenir,” says Min Jung.
SOAK AND REL A X
Kyushu is famous for
its onsens; spring and
winter are good times to
experience these thermal
baths known for their
healing properties. “It’s
even better in the winter,
when you can soak in the
onsen with snow falling on
your head,’’ Min Jung says
of their spring experience.
Ha Sun Hee, senior nance
manager, adds: “The alfresco
40
TR AVEL
TA L E S
public bath was cosy; there
was also a private family bath
that we took turns trying.
And we had a deep bathtub
in our suite. It was fun going
from one onsen to another,
sometimes relaxing alone or
soaking while chatting with
my fellow travellers.’’
Ji Young says one of
her most memorable
experiences was stepping
into an onsen bath by
herself at about 10pm.
‘‘Feeling the cold air on
my face as I submerged in
the hot spring water while
looking out into the moonlit
night sky is a picture I will
remember for a long time.”
RUSTIC CHARM
In Yufuin, the group stayed
in Hoteiya, a ryokan or
traditional Japanese inn
where the rooms are laid
out with tatami ooring.
The ladies were bowled
over by the quaintness of
the ryokan and the famed
Japanese hospitality.
Sun Hee says: “The
hostess made us tea in our
room, at the kotatsu, which
is a traditional low table
on the oor, covered with
a thick, heated blanket to
warm the space under the
table. When we returned
to the room from strolling
around the lake or exploring
the onsens, it would be
tidied up already, with our
bedding folded or laid out.
‘‘During mealtimes,
the hostess impeccably
presented all the beautifully
plated dishes to us. For a
working mum like myself, it
felt wonderful to be so well
taken care of.”
Sun Hee said drinking
fresh milk added to the
countryside charm, while
Min Jung was reminded of
the “good old times” when
life was simple and slow.
“The milk was served in an
old glass container with
paper cover. It reminded me
of my childhood days when
fresh milk was delivered to
homes in glass bottles,” she
recalls with a smile.
STRONGER BOND
The trip may have lasted a
short three days, but the
colleagues learnt a lot about
one another.
“We discovered each
other’s talents, such as who
is a good navigator, who
is uent in Japanese,” says
5
7
Hyun Joo. “We had a good
combination of talents,
and while we had different
interests, everyone was
accommodating and giving.”
It was also a good break
from work. Sun Hee says:
“We did not talk about work
once as we had so many
other things to share, and we
were too busy hopping from
one spa to the next, taking
nature walks, or partaking in
the local delicacies.”
Young sums it up: “This
trip was an extension and an
expression of the closeness
and comfort that has
developed among us (the
female employees).
‘‘I feel much closer to my
colleagues after spending
these three days together.”
6
8
5-8
Mealtimes,
ranging from
traditional
Japanese
tea to the
multi-course
kaiseki-ryori
that included
sushi, were an
eye-opening
experience.
Both the local and overseas offices of Ascendas
have had a fruitful – and fun – rst half of the year.
We round up the signicant events.
Singapore
Ready, set, go!
The Singapore
Science Park was
again temporarily
transformed into a
sports and tness
hub from April 8-12,
the annual Sporting
Lifestyle Week. A total
of 870 participants
attended and competed
in a sports bazaar,
lunchtime sports
seminar, zumba tness
class, and inter-company
archery, netball and
cycling relay games.
Game participants
received a goodie bag
with event T-shirt, water
bottle, frisbee and fan.
Sharing Shakespeare
Korea
As a corporate sponsor of the Singapore Repertory
Theatre (SRT), Ascendas is able to offer staff and
customers the opportunity to enjoy the drama
company’s productions. Most recent was Othello,
part of the Shakespeare in the Park series. This
season was particularly special, as Ascendas also
brought students from Crest Secondary School
to the production’s opening night. The students,
many of whom were experiencing an outdoor play
for their rst time, also enjoyed a backstage tour
of the production. Othello ran from April 24-May 19
at Fort Canning Park.
Signature Towers Seoul
(STS) hosted a usedgoods sale for The
Beautiful Store, a local
charity organisation.
The items donated by
STS tenants garnered
sales amounting to
approximately $5,100.
Volunteers, shoppers,
and passers-by also
enjoyed children’s and
small crafts activities, a
lucky draw and games
on the day of the sale.
Shop for charity
Game on
Staff and tenants,
registered into 30
teams, came from
all over Singapore to
Bishan Sports Hall
on May 11 for the
Ascendas Badminton
Tournament. Ascendas
senior vice president
Mr Lim Yew Teck
presented the rst,
second and third place
prizes to Freescale
Semiconductor
Singapore Pte Ltd, DSO
National Laboratories,
and the Western Digital
Singapore teams.
42
@ASCENDAS
India
Festive bazaar
Popular ea market
Sunday Soul Sante
graced Ascendas
Park Square Mall at
International Tech
Park, Bangalore (ITPB)
on March 17, with over
20,000 shoppers. In
addition to more than
250 stalls offering
food, fashion and art
merchandise, the event
featured a fashion show
and live entertainment
that included stand-up
comedy, dance, and
music.
Giving back
Ascendas was a
buzz of community
development efforts
this past quarter,
with various teams
conducting socialcause events: In
February, Ascendas
OneHub Gurgaon
hosted a day camp for
the Government Girls
School in Ghamroj
Village. International
Tech Park Pune (ITPP)
staff spent quality
time with the specialneeds children of
Zep Rehabilitation
Centre in March,
while Mob4Change
was held in April
at Ascendas Park
Square Mall for
non-government
organisations (NGOs)
to raise social
awareness among
IT professionals.
Healthy Lifestyle & Sports Meet
In February, over 1,000 participants from more
than 30 companies in Ascendas Hyderabad
including The V, CyberPearl and aVance
Business Hub enjoyed the annual sports fest,
Healthy Lifestyle & Sports Meet. It included a
free health check-up in association with Apollo
clinics. In March, it was the turn of International
Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB) to get sporty. At
the Bangalore Healthy Lifestyle & Sports Meet,
General Motors Technical Centre India won the
title of Overall Champion for winning in the
most sports and tness game categories.
Philippines
Fire safety fun
Interface in
Hyderabad
Ascendas Hyderabad
hosted Interface, the
annual networking
evening for property
consultants and
agents, at the Regenta
One hotel on March
15. The event was
held in appreciation
of the efforts and
contributions of the
property consultants
and agents.
Ascendas
added an
interesting
twist to
the annual
re evacuation drill
for Accralaw Tower,
incorporating competitive
reghting exercises
into the activity. Tenants
played – and learned
from – relay games such
as donning a reman’s
uniform and gear, putting
out res, and handling
emergency victims.
China
Earth Hour
Employees and
tenants of Dalian
Ascendas IT Park
(DAITP) learnt about
eco-living during DAITP
2013 Earth Hour Event
in March. The theme
was “Let’s become
green enthusiasts on
a weekly basis”, and
participants were
taught how one act a
day, such as no driving
on Wednesdays,
contributes to the
pro-environment
cause. DAITP was
named 2013 Earth
Hour Environmental
Protection
Ambassador by the
Earth Hour Dalian
Committee.
Singapore’s ESM Goh at OneHub
OneHub GKC welcomed Singapore’s Emeritus
Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong during
his April visit to China. The Sino-Singapore
Guangzhou Knowledge City (GKC), where
Ascendas Guangzhou general manager Chia
Weng Fook introduced OneHub GKC to ESM
Goh and his delegation, was a key stop on the
minister’s seven-day trip.
Arbor Day
In celebration of Arbor
Day, the nationwide
tree-planting campaign,
40 Ascendas Xi’an
employees and tenants
joined China Business
News in placing saplings
in Qinling soil. The happy
planters are looking
forward to harvesting
their trees’ rst fruits in
two years.
Caring for autistic
children
As its rst charity
project, Ascendas Gives
Foundation (China)
designed and built an
experimental activity
room for autistic children
at the Shanghai Silent
Angel Kindergarten (SAK).
Ascendas provided
funding, design and
construction for the
nature-inspired space
customised according
to the children’s special
needs, and held a
launch event attended
by Ascendas China
employees and the
students and teachers
of SAK.
Mother’s Day @
Ascendas Plaza
To honour mums,
Ascendas Plaza
organised a sushimaking demonstration
by Hai Zhi Xin Japanese
restaurant, a paper
carnation crafts session
for children, and a lucky
draw for 10 families to
win meal coupons. After
the crafts session, the
kids presented their
handmade owers
to their mothers as a
token of their love and
appreciation.
ART
SPACE
VIGOUR
by CHUA BOON KEE
Artist Chua Boon Kee designed this curvy sculpture
to harmonise with the surrounding lines of Icon @
International Business Park, Singapore. At six metres
high, the stainless steel piece exudes the energy and uid
dynamism of the Ascendas spirit – thus its name.
Photography Vee Chin
44