In 2021, the brunt of owning property turned bullish simply because of what economists termed the supply and demand factor. On the supply side, it meant that Singapore saw labor shortages and on the demand side, low-interest rates meant a cheaper price of borrowing which will, in turn, lead to more inflation. In Reddit speak, it meant that “HDB prices in Singapore are like stonks in the US. It only goes up.” More importantly, what does one make of shrinking HDB sizes: a paltry 110 square meters as opposed to 120 in the nineties and 123 in the eighties.
The three men behind KERNEL+ — a sub-line of KERNEL helmed by Jason, T Y Zheng of ACRE design consultancy and Melvin Keng, principal architect of Kaizen Architecture — however, believes that there is still room for good design in smaller ones: “design that is problem-solving, thoughtful, detailed and most importantly, possesses high aesthetic qualities.”
KERNEL+ strikingly stands out against the sometimes tepid waters of the sea of furniture. It looks closely at the lifestyles of the local community. “When Covid hit, this made our resolve stronger to create a collection that helps transform any home into an office and back again”, says Jason. It addresses that a piece of furniture should not just exist as a piece of bric-and-brac in one’s home (“Furniture stops being human-centric when it becomes entirely about form-making; when the end-user is not part of the thought process.”). Most importantly, however, it addresses the scale and size of the abodes we have to abide by now (“For Kernel+, it was important the components within the flat pack configuration were slender, conveying a slim and elegant aesthetic; whilst still maintaining reasonable structural integrity.).
Denne historien er fra February 2022-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra February 2022-utgaven av MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Win Metawin Is Unlike Anything That Came Before
RIMOWA’s Original Bag pictured on the cover alongside Win Metawin is unlike anything that came before it. Crafted with the same sensibilities as the suitcases in the house’s Original collection, its compact and on-the-go form is a step ahead for disruptors in their own field. Like Win the lexicon of his generation it is only human for him to yearn for more, and that is what sets him apart from his peers. In an exclusive digital cover for September 2024, Men's Folio speaks to the actor on being more than just the moment.
All The Right Notes
Modern legends are always striking. Forged out of passion and ambition; being tempered with traits of humility and softness - these blend of singularities are what it takes to be intoxicating. Now what happens when one bottles that into a fragrance? Now redesigned to be even more straightforward, Montblanc Legend Blue returns as a fresher, woodier iteration to affirm the superlative that has always been theirs.
Bright Skies Ahead
Bright Vachirawit strips it down in an exclusive interview that explores his future fashion and music endeavours.
It Goes Back To You
Plush against the bustle of Paris’ Champs-Elysées district, the latest Berluti campaign stands out for its simplicity. Sans buzzy copywriting and ornate composition, the French maison’s latest campaign finds its edge in the elementary via the spotlight it lends to the pure craft that binds its designs and certifies its luxury stronghold.
All Roads Lead To England
For Spring/Summer 25, the Celine man is a professed Anglomaniac paying homage to the aristocratic high society of 1920s England a paradoxical vision of imperial grace and youthful hedonism.
Business Means Business: Cathay Pacific
With the return of flights, and the additional of new ones, there is little reason to doubt that doing a stopover in Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific to any destination in the world from ASEAN is the best decision one might make in their lifetime. Plus, its concrete Business and Premium Economy Class offerings, and worldrenowned lounges in HKIA makes travelling on the Hong Kong-based airline with a stopover an experience, rather than a chore.
Star in the Sky
After delays to the initial planned opening, Singapore's tallest rooftop bar - Nova - is fully operational. Men's Folio spoke to general manager Wayne Lee a week before the Formula One weekend about the bar's unique offerings, secret off-menu and more.
Sherry Crescendo
The Glendronach reaches new heights with its Raise Expectations” rebranding, setting a new standard for excellence both in taste and presentation to usher in an exciting era for whisky connoisseurs.
Coastal Delights
Revel in traditional elevated Italian cuisine at Limoncello Restaurant, helmed by chef and owner Fabio lannone, who aims to bring a slice of Amalfi Coast to your table.
Old is Gold
With the third edition of Jaeger-LeCoultre's The Collectibles capsule collection launching in Singapore, Men's Folio spoke to product marketing and heritage director Matthieu Sauret about the highlights and finer details of the vintage-focused collection.