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scents of dao

over the last 5,000 years, the teachings of shen nong, the father of eastern restorative herbal medicine, have been crafted into a precise methodical philosophy centred around the body’s balance and free-flowing energy systems.

adopting these learnings into the modern day, scents of dao was formed.

just as the moon circles the earth and the earth the sun, human bodies are energy systems that abide by the act of diurnal living. scents of dao unites two key elements, the sun and the moon, characterised through the merging of the two chinese symbols to become an anchor for day to night rituals that create natural harmony in our cyclical lives. this is the practice of balance and the discipline of opposing forces which create a harmonious tranquillity to our natural state.

to practice scents of dao, is to pay tribute to the healing properties of nature.

photographs by: vita mak & judy chen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

goodman westlink

echoing the rugged beauty of its verdant surroundings, substance’s interior work for goodman westlink is an exemplar for sustainable, modern logistic centres. the spatial concept is anchored on usability, flexibility, and integrity, enabling it to deftly respond to diverse users, from office executives to truck drivers, from visitors to valued clientele.

taking after the organised systems that power logistics, we methodically excavated and repurposed the resources available at our location. wood is reborn as structure and furniture; soil and minerals from the land transform into terrazzo and stucco that clads floors and walls. striking a delicate balance between industry and nature, a living workspace emerges — one that aims to give as much as it takes.

hinting at crown shyness — a fascinating phenomenon where tree crowns delicately avoid touching — our brand identity for greenroof signifies a canopy of intertwining paths, reflective of how our spaces find rooting and inspiration in its natural context.


the ravine

 

nestled within the heart of ubud’s forests, a space intertwines architecture, nature, and culture to form a residential landmark that transcends the boundaries of the natural and the man-made. named after the steep gorges that shape the area, the ravine captures the reverence of bali for its landscape, standing as an offering of gratitude towards the culture that has breathed it into existence.

the beauty of this secluded abode sits in its layers – intricately designed architecture with a foundation of brick, stone, and concrete softening into wood, bamboo, and leaves. every line and shape pays homage to balinese craftsmanship, with bespoke furniture and lighting inspired by the silhouettes of the region’s heritage of wood carving and traditional instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the library

as a curated library of vast automotive treasures, it is designed with the intent of strengthening the thread that cultivates the avid spirit for driving. fuelled with endless motion and the purest exhilaration, this place introduces an aura of stillness. capturing moments of excitement within a split second and honouring it in all its glory.

home to priceless cars and memorabilia, we aim to celebrate its air of history and unfold the fruitful narrative within. this notion has formed the backbone of our design approach and has allowed us to communicate the beauty of automotive design into the details of the space. inspired by the mechanical nature of cars, we have opted to engineer the space with mobility design in mind. each component and part that has been fittingly integrated within, can be easily assembled and disassembled to the user’s whim. deriving an unparalleled level of modularity, while maintaining an exquisite fit and finish.

our vision was to package this without losing the level of immersion we were seeking for. so we ventured out and experimented with materiality to craft a hall of infinite reflections, utilising polished stainless steel panels to create a visual journey that seamlessly plays with light and forms. exemplary of our attention to detail, we proceeded to recognise what is fundamental to the essence of a car. with cabinetry handles inspired by the ones adorned on a zagato and lounge chairs that pay homage to the ferrari dino, our design creates a platform to preserve the beauty of the past and celebrate the emotions of the future.

the rambler

named after goodman interlink’s unique and strategic location in the rambler channel, the rambler is a new take on café design, offering a refreshing space for customers, their workers and their guests to meet, socialise and recharge.

the selection of natural elements is a stark contrast to the industrial building the café resides in. a warm palette of materials interspersed throughout with timber wrapped around to nourish the soul and breathe life into the space – echoing the feel of a haven across day and night. the use of blue hues through a gradient of hand-glazed ceramic tiles reflects the lull of water and washes over with an air of contemplation.

origin shangri la

a station is the crossroads of millions of lives that intersect and pass within seconds, a point of convergence harbouring exchanges and ruminations; beginnings and endings. located in the original outlet of shangri-la in singapore, origin epitomises the hotel’s legacy, and honours south east asian produce. the existing arches carved into the space reminisced of station platforms and presented a befitting structure for execution. as diners travel through the bar, main dining, and private dining areas, they are taken on an evocative journey from the ticket counter, grand hall, platform, and finally to the intimate carriage. the curvatures mirrored in the interior and campaign furniture, in combination with the kinetics sculpture at the bar, guide visitors through a rhythm of travel.

fukuro

after a long day of work, wearied salarymen of tokyo trail back to the comforting glow of izakayas, where they take refuge and unwind with food, drinks and uninhibited conversations. echoing these nocturnal waterholes, fukuro embodies a mystical ambience, whilst exuding a warmth that sparks spirited interactions between visitors. as a messenger of the night and a protector from hardship in japanese symbolism, the owl icon manifests the outlet’s identity. the profusion of wood crafted by simple carpentry oozes an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for visitors to indulge in a spin on a quintessential japanese experience.

the fleming

we were tasked to redesign and rebrand the fleming hotel, originally opened in 2006. a new take on the architecture, interior, products, and identity transformed the fleming into a 66-room boutique hotel that is a true reflection of hong kong. occupying a building from the 70s’, the hotel stands in wan chai close to victoria harbour front. the multilayered design concept draws inspiration from the location and history, leveraging Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and 70s’ industrial era to create a cultural, social and efficient character. one landmark that embodies these three elements is the star ferry — having connected people across the harbour for over a century, it is a piece of hong kong’s collective memory and identity. the star ferry, a unique and elegant icon of Hong Kong’s past and present, became the foundation for every design detail, including the custom designed furniture and lighting. nostalgia is further evoked by colours and scents: Carmine reds and bottle greens — hues seen on the hull of Hong Kong’s ferries, fishing boats, delivery trucks, and temples —and apothecary-inspired toiletries and custom aroma of sandalwood and amber notes, to deliver an authentic sense of place.

Identity

khromis

like a prism dispersing monochromatic light into a spectrum of colours, khomis is a catalyst for transformation. each frame empowers the individual to reveal a whole palette of emotions and personalities. resembling a pair of glasses, the logo is also an expression of refracted light paths. the interior uses mirrors to create reflections and perspective, manoeuvring light to display the product in the best possible way. a touch of wood warms up the interior, along with the coffee bar in the corner, creating a comfortable atmosphere for a multi-sensory experience.

paradis

inspired by haitian vodou, paradis takes its cues from the haitian goddess of the moon: mawu. the mesmerising mystique of a lunar eclipse is seen throughout the space, from subtle hints across the restaurant’s branding, to the custom-made lighting fixtures fitted throughout the space itself. it caters specifically to creatures of the night, taking visitors from dinner service through to cocktail hour, and onwards through the wicked hours of the early morning.

rich greens and earthy browns are at the base of the interiors, balanced with a striking gold finishes throughout. on the walls, visitors find a reflection of their own animalistic desires, with hand-painted murals intricately drawn directly to the restaurant walls — each so delicately drawn as if they were created by the priestess herself.

at the centre, the low-slung ceiling encompasses visitors in a warm embrace, while the brass, soft woods and rattan straw details create a sense of discovery that could – until now – only be found in the outdoors.

Interiors