FIND –Design Fair Asia, the key marketplace for furniture, interiors and design, returns to Singapore Design Week from September 21-23 at Marina Bay Sands over 18,000 sqm of exhibition space. Over 15,000 visitors, 500 international brands, 50 international speakers during the Global Summit and an array of young emerging talent showcases are expected at the upcoming event.
The high calibre line-up of speakers at the summit will unite leading voices from over 50 market makers, acclaimed professionals and design studios spanning ten Asian countries as well as France, Italy, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and USA.
One noted speaker is Hemanshu Parwani, principal, owner and CEO of Olson Kundig Architects (US). He is a visionary leader who combines design innovation with effective strategies to foster the firm’s growth. From shaping Olson Kundig’s strategic initiatives to managing day-to-day operations, his 30 years of expertise guides every facet of the company.
Having worked with distinguished brands including Aman, Montage, and Four Seasons, his impact on the architecture, engineering, and construction industry is undeniable. With a focus on creating built environments that restore and enhance ecosystems, he embodies the spirit of sustainability. His expertise will undoubtedly captivate the audience, igniting a broader conversation on shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.
During a fireside chat on Sept 21, Parwani will be sharing more on the concept of Regenerative Architecture. Here, he briefly explains what this means: “Regenerative architecture is about approaching projects in a thoughtful way that pushes beyond typical understandings of sustainable design, contributing to both vibrant buildings and vibrant communities. Design from a regenerative perspective actively seeks to do good.
“Architecture is not a monolith; ultimately regenerative architecture represents a holistic view of design, extending beyond a project’s built environment to deliberately engage with and invigorate the surrounding environmental, cultural and community context.”
To Parwani, materiality is an important consideration, and thoughtful selection helps a building to feel that it is distinctly of its place. “Sourcing materials locally also cuts down on the distance they have to travel, reducing the environmental impact of shipping while supporting business and craftspeople within the community,” he advises. “Methods of construction, such as strategic demolition and the ability to repurpose or recycle construction waste, are part of regenerative architecture as well. It all adds up to meaningful buildings that help foster liveable, thriving communities.”
We ask him if it’s possible to make our homes more regenerative, and says it’s wholly dependent on the unique conditions and characteristics of the project site. “Natural systems provide the building blocks for our designs. Homes may be sited to capture natural daylight and passive ventilation, for example. Planted green roofs or restored native landscaping provides a vital ecosystem and stormwater management strategy. Efficient systems complemented by solar energy harvesting or water collection further reduces the impact of the architecture on its site and ensures homes perform at a very high level,” he explains.
Parwani also shares that in recent years, he’s observed growing interest in converting existing office buildings to housing. “It’s an exciting opportunity to engage with the local context, often an urban environment, and expand residential offerings without needing to remove what’s already there. We’re seeing clients engage with that idea at a wide range of scales and markets.”
Register here for the Global Summit. Although a B2B event, FIND – Design Fair Asia will offer B2C goers an opportunity to discover unique interiors for their own home spaces on the last day of the event.
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