Working as architects, master planners, interior decorators and product designers, Singapore-based architectural agency WOHA has become a household name since it was founded by Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell in 1994. Their built projects ranging from apartment towers and luxury resorts to mass-transit stations and educational institutions across the Asia-Pacific region include the Parkroyal on Pickering hotel and office, Oasia Hotel Downtown, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, School of the Arts, Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Intercontinental Sanya Resort and The Met Bangkok apartments. With developments currently under construction in Singapore, India, China, Taiwan, China, Australia and Indonesia, they seek each time to create humane and sustainable environments at all scales that enhance a sense of community and achieve density yet improve amenity.

WOHAbeing Turtle chair

While working on various schemes over the years, the duo often couldn’t find furniture that reflected the building’s design concept and the regional climate and lifestyle, so they ended up designing the furniture and accessories themselves. This eventually led to increasing numbers of requests from the people who used these objects – oftentimes guests at their hospitality projects – to purchase a chair or table. Thereafter, they finally decided to take this part of their business into high gear.

The WOHAbeing Bintan collection is now being produced by Porto-based furniture manufacturer Wewood

 

Wong and Hassell then launched their new design brand WOHAbeing, unveiling six collections comprising 39 items of furniture, lighting, rugs, tableware and bathware, which are developed with five partners. Four of them are headquartered in Singapore – Apaiser bathroom specialists, Industry+ dedicated to producing contemporary design products by Asian creatives, fine china brand Luzerne, and The Rug Maker manufacturing bespoke carpets and rugs – while lighting company WonderGlass is based in London. Now two of those collections are being manufactured, distributed and retailed by Portuguese joinery brand Wewood, so rather than the usual model of a European brand making furniture in Asia, the tables have been turned with a Portuguese manufacturer producing pieces conceived in Singapore. Designing for broad audiences, the architects were influenced by the places and cultures they hold dear, and each collection showcases a unique personality.

 

WOHA and WOHAbeing cofounders Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell

 

 Hassell says, “For us, the essence and spirit of WOHAbeing comes down to three things: creating delight, being thoughtful and being meaningful. We want our pieces to put a smile on someone’s face, to be a delightful addition to their space, something that gives people a good feeling when they see it and use it. Thoughtfulness is something that applies to all aspects of our objects: the way they are designed to be not just esthetically pleasing but also comfortable, of high quality and durable, and the way they are made from sustainable materials by craftspeople in safe working conditions. Our pieces mean something to us, to the makers that use their craft to produce them, and they find meaning when they enter people’s lives and become a part of their homes.”

 

 

(Source：forbes.com）