Driving into the basement carpark of Eden on an afternoon is like entering a cave – quite unlike the typical Singaporean experience of using the functional grey carparks ubiquitous in our urban jungle. Surprisingly, the air is not stuffy and the brown walls are clad with an undulating texture revealed by slivers of daylight from above.
When I mention this experience during my videocall interview with Thomas Heatherwick, he seems pleased. A carpark would appear an inconsequential amenity to many, but here we are talking to an eminent British architect who dreamt up the magnificent honeycombed Vessel in New York, two massive Google buildings in Mountain View, California, the Olympic Cauldron and a variety of cutting-edge projects in his native London. Also tasked with designing Changi Airport Terminal 5, the man is meanwhile set to unveil the 1000 Trees multi-use complex in Shanghai and the Little Island pier by the Hudson River in New York this year.
Preferring to call himself a designer, Heatherwick is known as a cross-disciplinary maverick who straddles the worlds of art, architecture and engineering. Nature and sculptural, organic forms are signature features of his works – and they are the defining traits of the Eden project that took a team of around 200 experts some five years to realise.
EMBRACING THE OUTDOORS
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2021 من Prestige Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2021 من Prestige Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
TRIUMPH OF IMAGINATION
Cartier’s latest limited-edition Tutti Tutti jewellery collection is a joyful expression of the house’s boundless creativity and commitment to pushing design boundaries.
Dancing on a Palate
Singapore is a haven for gourmets seeking the next must-visit food spots. Here are four that offer flavours from the region and beyond.
THE X FACTOR
Geely’s Zeekr X is an all-electric poweiimes of a compact SUV that packs plenty of Scandinavian charm into a sumptuous cabin.
MISSION TO ENGAGE
Filmmaker HE SHUMING crafts his stories of human connection with the aim of sparking the magic of cinema.
PORT OF DELIGHT
The Douro Valley, the home of port wine, offers more than just exceptional vintages. Here, visitors are immersed in centuries-old winemaking traditions, luxurious retreats and awe-inspiring landscapes.
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
The Paraiba tourmaline has become the gemstone du jour, a stunning showcase of electric blue and green capturing the hearts of their wearers. But what exactly is it about these vibrant gems that has caught the world's attention?
A House of Enchantment
Van Cleef & Arpels' Asia Pacific president JULIE CLODY MEDINA sheds light on the enduring popularity of the classic Alhambra, and why the jewellery maison is on a mission to share its savoir-faire with the widest possible audience.
Wonder in Every Moment
From a Santos-Dumont that tells the time backwards to the Reflections bracelet watch that mirrors a dial using a polished surface, Cartier's latest timepieces revolve around the theme of magic. Cartier image, style and heritage director PIERRE RAINERO shares more.
IN PERFECT HARMONY
breathes fresh life into one of its oldest watch families inspired by a classical design principle.
HEAVENLY HOST
Capella Hotel group president CRISTIANO RINALDI reveals what the World's Best Hotel Brand has in store.