Andaz Singapore
Conceived as a contemporary lifestyle destination that embraces the energy of Singapore’s urban spirit, architect Andre Fu and his design studio AFSO seek to capture the city’s eclectic shop-house experience of dining at Andaz Singapore.
Working within the framework of the modernist Duo development by German Architect Ole Scheeren, Fu has fashioned a multi layered journey that conveys relaxed luxury yet captures the vibrant atmosphere of local areas such as Kampong Glam and Basah Bugis. As guests explore the hotel, they will experience a strong sense of discovery – an experience that is quintessential to Singapore itself.
The journey begins with a dramatic 8m high lobby where guests encounter an abstract interpretation of the shop-house façade, a recurring theme throughout the hotel. The arrival experience will also introduce the concept of a Pandan where guests will be enticed by a spectrum of Pandan chiffon cakes and sweet and savoury soft buns.
Guests begin their experience in the square – a modern open courtyard with a 4m high ceiling framed with a distinct balanced perspective leading out from the lift lobby. Here, interactive check-in counters are set against a courtyard of lush tropical succulent plantations and a backdrop of bronze shop-house facades that glow like a vitrine after dark.
Conceived as the hub of the hotel, Alley on 25 brings the spirit of the local neighbourhood into a matrix of seven distinct shop-house experiences, namely:
- Aunties Wok & Steam – an eatery dedicated to the art of steam and wok cooking where an island kitchen has been installed evoking a lively market dining experience. Decked with tiled metallic windows and timber furniture upholstered in olive green and lemon yellow, this intimately-proportioned dining room offers panoramic views of the city.
- Smoke & Pepper – a rustic natural-cleft granite grill island is the core visual anchor of this culcina-rustica dining room. A series of bronze frames are also introduced to suggest the silhouettes of an exposed pitched roof profile.
- Icehaus – Crafted in monolithic white Carrera marble with an open kitchen where guests can view live cooking preparations, the room evokes a casual-chi café experience in a palette of mustard yellow and peanut caramel.
- Sunroom – an airy timber pavilion with an intricate checkered grid ceiling that has drawn inspiration from the works of modernist architect Schindler. An array of hanging ferns and greeneries are suspended from the ceiling to entice guests with a sense of urban retreat.
- The Green Oven – A classic cast-iron racing green oven takes centre stage, alongside partitions in the chamfered ivory tiles and a ceiling matrix of floating frosted-glass copper globes.
- Plancha’Lah! – An intimate yet energy-charged shop-house. Guests are seated at two unconventional high counters that are built perpendicular to the chef’s hot plate cooking counter. Terracotta orange leather chairs and smoked walnut is used to create this sensory dining.
- Bar Square – Guests are greeted with an 8m wide bar ‘cabinet’ where they are invited to sit around to encourage interactions. The bar is adorned with an eclectic mix of lounge seating in earthy and mineral blue.
Leading up from the main lobby, guests will enter a floor dedicated to events that is enlivened with bold artworks by artists Monica Delgado and Ahmad Abu Bakar. In-keeping with the spirit of the shop-house spirit, the event venues are distinctive and charismatic.
The Glasshouse – destined to be one of the most exceptional ballroom venues in Singapore. A distinct glass-box with a soaring 8m high celling, its floor-to-ceiling glass window is garnished with full timber slatted partitions typical of modern Asian aesthetics.
Garden Studio – an events venue that opens onto a vast adjoining lush terrace decked with potted fan palms. Architecturally, the concept was to create a standalone pavilion within the sandstone-clad volumetric space to provoke a play of indoor and outdoor.
Lined by curvilinear passageway, there are also two multi-purpose studios.
The Banquette Kitchens –Flooded with natural daylight and decorated with a custom-made mosaic in aubergine and racing green, guests are invited to celebrate within the life and energy of a genuine kitchen.
Nestled high above the hotel is Mr Stork – the destination rooftop bar set within a lush tropical landscape and cobbled pavement. At the heart of Mr Stork is a free standing bronze pavilion, designed as an installation with radial tilted fins reminiscent of a classic windmill. The journey is also layered with a series of private tents where guests are invited to escape into a rural dreamscape.
The Guestroom Experience
Conceived as a contemporary bungalow, Fu has introduced whimsical moments throughout the room – from the entrance doorbell that is housed in a bespoke post-box, the shop-house doors in bold mango yellow to the floor-to-ceiling ivory panelling. The room experience is also punctuated with ethnic touches in aubergine and mustard yellow to celebrate Singapore as a city where multiple cultures amalgamate.
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Conveying the rich heritage of a traditional tailors-shop, guests are transported into a private world of Amory chic. Magically domed ceilings designed with a matrix of suspended globes are high above. The sense of nostalgia is also echoed with the use of natural walnut, burgundy lacquer and bronze accents.
Working alongside Andre Fu on this project was Coltex Furniture, who have worked with Andre on numerous projects before including The Villa La Coste in Provence and the St Regis Hotel in Hong Kong. Opening in January 2019, the St Regis Hong Kong is a 129 room hotel with Chinese and French restaurants, banquet room and indoor heated swimming pool. The Villa La Coste is designed in harmony with its verdant surroundings and this cutting edge stay is a place of straight lines, towering panes of glass and studies in shades of white.
For more information about Andre Fu, please visit: www.afso.net.
Coltex Furnishing
Coltex Furnishing specialise in the supply of high quality fabrics for the hospitality industry. The company has been in operation for five years and works closely with clients to create customised designs, which meet their specific requirements.
Past projects for Coltex Furnishing have included the HBA Singapore-designed Nou Hotel in Beijing, where Coltex Furnishing supplied upholstery fabrics for guest rooms; the Venetian Hotel in Macau, supplying fabrics within a short lead time; the Fleming Hotel Hong Kong, which involved the supply of custom designed fabrics; and the Excelsior designed by Atelier H in Hong Kong, where the company was involved with the renovation of the presidential suites. Coltex has also developed a good working relationship with AFSO, working on projects which include Andaz Singapore, The Villa La Coste in Provence and the St Regis Hotel in Hong Kong.
Cally Chan, Coltex Furnishing, said:
“We enjoy being involved in the development stages, creating new concepts with our clients. We are happy to provide our services and design products we can all agree on.”
