December 22, 2021
Dear readers,
The world has changed dramatically over the last few years, and we now live in a society where a state of flux has replaced the sense of certainty, stability, and familiarity that people were used to. As some would say, we are living in an increasingly VUCA world, an acronym which stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous, as explained in this Harvard Business Review article. As evidenced by the global pandemic the past two years, the future is certainly getting more difficult to foresee and predict.
And yet, despite the pandemic and its challenges, humans have again and always, risen to the occasion. The pandemic has become a catalyst for change while presenting to us the opportunities to steer the world towards sustainability, resilience, and flexibility. In response to the pandemic, we realised the fragility of the world and humans focused their efforts on green sustainable systems, breakthroughs in science and technology and adapted to new living and working styles, including the adoption of digital and virtual means. We are thriving in a state of turbulence.
I am in awe of the human capability to overcome adversity. Every time a challenge is presented, we emerge a little stronger and a little smarter, together. Through respecting humanity, caring for others, this "human-oriented value" is the secret ingredient that has enabled us to overcome and achieve.
As part of an organisation that has been around for 130 years, we recognise this approach of "human-oriented value" to be key in our design endeavours. As humans adapt rapidly to the changing world, the built environment must also change with us. Thus, it is our jobs as thinkers, designers, and engineers to create for this change. Upon deeper reflection, "human-oriented value" is what has allowed us to overcome the challenges of the past and is the guiding principle for present and future developments.
With the recent launch of our website, we hope it can server as a platform to share our insights in design and our exciting projects in which these design philosophies and principles have manifested in physical form. It is a testament of our commitment to producing high-quality, timeless design works, and professional consultation services. Why we design and how we design, is summarised succinctly and accurately into our philosophy - "A Heart for Design" - a reflection of our values and beliefs.
Our philosophy centres around designing for people.
We aim to enrich the lives of individuals and foster close client relationships.
We hope to shape meaningful spaces for social interactions and communities.
We encompass sustainable principles and advanced technologies into present and future living, to leave a gift that will benefit generations to come.
We hope to continuously contribute positively to society for many years to come. We hope you will join us on our journey.
As this year comes to a close, I wish everyone a joyful end of year season filled with warmth and cheer.
Sincerely yours,
Isamu SUGENO
Director / Head of Singapore Office