The latest posts from STUDIO NvS’s Instagram feed.

Our second renovation of the workspace for hedge fund headhunters Principle Partners opened with a lively celebration at the end of March. The workplace took its inspiration from the heritage setting, warming the space with rich terracotta floors accented with Asian artworks. Meeting rooms were created to provide private spaces for calls and interviews, an escape from the distractions of work-from-home.

Construction has begun on our luxury river lodge for Songtsam near the Burmese border. Designed as both a standalone resort and a waypoint on a driving tour around Yunnan, the property of 7500m2 houses 48 generously sized guest rooms placed to enjoy views across the river to mountains.

Recently returned home with her family after almost a decade in Australia, our Client sought to bring the antipodean lifestyle to her duplex apartment. In a fantastic position overlooking Telok Kurau Park and the river, the penthouse lent itself to indoor/outdoor living. A dining table was placed permanently on the expansive deck, and a new sectional sofa oriented to the view. The enclosed kitchen was opened to connect with the living space, and the adjacent bomb shelter fitted out as a butler’s pantry. Both levels of the apartment were freshened with bright paint and new curtains.

We’re delighted for our clients at Songtsam who have again been recognised in the Conde Nast Traveler Gold Awards. Songtsam Shangri-la Linka has been named one of the top ten hotels in China, 2022! We are currently working on a master plan for the hotel, increasing the number of guest rooms at the iconic property and introducing new guest experiences along the Tea Horse Trail.

Whatever the location, beachside, mountain top or city edge, the design explorations that shape a resort remain the same.

The Gentle Vet, established by Dr Kelly Yeo, has opened in Tanjong Katong. The animal hospital includes a welcoming lobby lounge, spacious consultation suites, surgery, x-ray and lab. Colours are ‘natural neutral’ accented by parrot wallpaper, a reference to Dr Kelly’s training in Australia.

We’re delighted to be working with Mutts & Mittens again. Sam and his team have collaborated with Studio NvS on many animal welfare-related projects, capitalising on our unique experience in veterinary and zoo facilities and our social responsibility focus.

We’ve completed the developed design for luxury river lodge near the Burmese border, in collaboration with Huasen Design Institute from Kunming. Designed as both a standalone resort and a waypoint on a driving tour around Yunnan, the property of 7500m2 houses 48 generously sized guest rooms placed to enjoy views across the river to mountains.

Working internationally, we are often in a position of designing in a place that is not ‘our’ place, where we must quickly develop a deep and respectful understanding of the local landscape, built culture, spirituality and economy.

A startling piece in New Scientist reports that in 2020 humanity’s creations outweighed the biosphere for the first time. The article describes the literally massive increase in man-made stuff in the past century.

The Singapore Architect Issue 20 - Order has been published. The magazine, journal of the Singapore Institute of Architects, features a cover story on the New State Courts written by Fiona Nixon. Fiona was delighted to review this outstanding building by Serie and CPG, enjoying unprecedented access to the courts on a tour led by the architects.

We’re looking forward to receiving our copy of Leon van Schaik’s new book ‘Doing, Seeing; Seeing, Doing’. Leon is of course a member of the studio NvS family (literally!) but he was also a great influence as our architecture professor at RMIT. Leon’s new book explores how our personal spatial histories effect our design, a topic of keen interest to studio NvS as we create settings that birth new histories and cultures.

We’re delighted to have designed another project for our friends at Mutts & Mittens. Sam and his team have worked with Studio NvS on many animal welfare-related projects, capitalising on our unique experience in veterinary facilities and social responsibility interests.

Planning permission has been granted for our luxury river lodge near the Burmese border, designed as both a standalone resort and a waypoint on a driving tour around Yunnan. This is the fourth resort Studio NvS has planned for the owner/operator Songtsam. Each responds to the unique landscape and cultural context of its location in the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau.

RDTX Place, in Jakarta’s CBD, has opened for business. Fiona and her team were delighted to work with RDTX and branding consultants Wordsearch on the interiors.

A German Professor’s work on walking teaches us to look for clues in existing conditions and to recognise the embedded wisdom of accumulated actions.

As our team make their first overseas forays via two weeks of enforced rest in foreign hotels, we speculate on the future of travel.