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Idea Transcript


THE

ASCENDAS MAGAZINE

N.01.13

ASCENT 16

THE DESIGN ISSUE

SHIPPING CONTAINERS REINVENTED

22 INNOVATIVE BUSINESS HOTELS

10 DESIGN REIGNS IN HELSINKI

CEO’ S M E S SAG E At Ascendas, design is one of our greatest tools for change and innovation. Just step into any of our properties, or our corporate office, and look at how we have created spaces designed to enrich the work lives of all who use them. That’s why, in this issue, we are excited to take you to World Design Capital Helsinki, where good design and architectural sensibility are built into everyday life and experienced by the everyman. Who would have thought that, one day, ubiquitous shipping containers would be home to hip restaurants, cool art spaces and even offices all around the world? At Ascendas, we’ve caught on to the trend as well – you’ll nd one of our tenants happily housed in one of these boxed spaces, serving coffee and deli snacks with style. And who says hotels are just for spending the night? At two of our business parks in Singapore and Bangalore, the hotels are networking and recreational hubs designed to juxtapose business with leisure in right measures. In Singapore, work on Fusionopolis Phase 5 – with Singapore’s rst-ever Work Office Home Office (WOHO) concept – is under way. That’s just one of several new exciting developments we have in store for this year. Design inspires us and we aim to inspire others through inventive design. If you have a story where design has made a difference in your life, do share with us at siak@ascendas. com. Happy reading and best wishes for a wonderful 2013!

[email protected]

THE

ASCENDAS MAGAZINE

N.01.13

ASCENT 16

THE DESIGN ISSUE

SHIPPING CONTAINERS REINVENTED

22 INNOVATIVE BUSINESS HOTELS

10 DESIGN REIGNS IN HELSINKI

PHOTO GETTY IMAGES LOCATION TRINITY BUOY WHARF, CONTAINER CITY 2, DOCKLANDS, LONDON

JA N / FEB/ M A R CO NTE NT S 04 THE HOTLIST Lifestyle news you should know about. 06 ASCENDAS NEWS Key local and global news highlights. 08 PROFILE Self-taught chef Jeremy Cheok talks about following his true calling. 10 DESIGN In Helsinki, design is anchored in everyday experiences. 16 SPACE Shipping containers are redening urban landscapes. 22 FEATURE Hotels at business parks offer networking opportunities, connectivity and leisure amenities. 26 MONEY Art is getting popular as a form of investment. 30 FOOD Coffee culture in Asia evolves. 34 TRAVEL TALES An Ascendas employee relives her volunteer trip to Sri Lanka. 36 @ ASCENDAS Events and happenings at our local and overseas offices. 40 ART SPACE As an avid supporter of the arts, Ascendas provides spaces for emerging local artists to showcase their creations.

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THE

ASCENDAS

22

MAGAZINE

N.01.13

ASCENT PUBLISHER

PUBLISHING AGENT

Ascendas Pte Ltd

SPH Magazines Pte Ltd

Crystal Seah

Caroline Ngui

Dennis Pua

Joanna Lee-Miller

Christopher Chan

Senior Vice-President & Head Group Communications

Anne Than

Senior Manager Group Communications

Joyce Wee

Manager Group Communications

Group Editor-in-Chief Group Editor

Managing Director

General Manager

Editorial & Creative

Sales & Client Management

Low Ching Ling

Kaz Lim

Senior Editor

Account Director

Jessica Leow

Stanley Gan

Editor

Winnie Fong Sub-Editor

Alex Goh

Creative Director

Stephanie Teo Art Director

[email protected]

Account Manager

Loo Pei Hwa

Assistant Manager Client Management Publishing Services

Alice Chee Manager

ASCENT is published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd (Registration No: 196900476M) for Ascendas Pte Ltd (Registration No: 198102209C). Copyright of the materials contained in this magazine belongs to SPH Magazines Pte Ltd and Ascendas Pte Ltd. Nothing in here shall be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written consent of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd and Ascendas Pte Ltd. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd nor Ascendas Pte Ltd and no liabilities shall be attached thereto. All rights reserved. Editorial enquiries should be directed to e-mail: [email protected]. While every reasonable care will be taken by the Editor, no responsibility is assumed for the return of unsolicited material. All information correct at time of printing. MICA (P) 114/05/2012. Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd (Registration No: 197801823M). For advertising enquiries, please e-mail [email protected].

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THE HOTLIST

Sleek Sensation Tech Style Just when you thought technology couldn’t get any groovier, designer Ravi Ratan comes up with arguably the coolest and handiest little product for businessmen and techies alike. These cufflinks come accessorised with a 2GB Flash drive and Wi-Fi hotspot abilities.

Waterfront dining in Singapore just got cooler with the opening of The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill. Located at One Fullerton, the establishment features a menu inspired by classic East Coast American cuisine. The uber-cool bar is a great watering hole for after-work drinks. #01-01 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, tel: +65 6438 0400, thepelican.com.sg

Available at cufflinks.com at US$250 (S$305) a pair.

Dali Retrospective

Quarry Attraction

Don’t miss this major retrospective of Salvador Dali, one of the greatest gures in 20th-century art. Centre Pompidou in Paris pays tribute to the highly skilled albeit unorthodox surrealist artist, who enjoyed basking in his own controversies and grandiose behaviour. Dali died of heart failure in 1989 at the age of 84. Exhibited pieces will include the artist’s most famous work, The Persistence of Memory, more commonly called Melting Watches.

After a massive six-year restoration project, the Shanghai Botanical Garden has unveiled the Quarry Garden. Last year, the American Society of Landscape Architects conferred the 4.26ha tourist hotspot, originally an inaccessible and dangerous piece of land, an Honor award.

Till March 25 at 19 Rue Beaubourg, Paris, tel: +33 144 78 12 75, centrepompidou.fr. Admission tickets of €9€13 (S$14-S$21) apply.

Shanghai Botanical Garden, 1111 Longwu Road, Shanghai, tel: +86 21 5436 3369, www.shbg.org

Text Joey Lee

Brick Art LEGO does not equal drooling toddlers and castles, especially when in the hands of New York-based Nathan Sawaya, winner of the Most Creative Unusual Artist award from the Society of Unique Artists. Deemed as one of CNN’s 12 Must-see Exhibitions, The Art of the Brick is currently making its South-east Asia debut in Singapore. See stunning displays of intricate sculptures made from thousands of LEGO bricks, including one of the venue – the ArtScience Museum. Till April 14 at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, tel: +65 6688 8868, brickartist.com. Admission tickets of S$8-S$15 apply.

Light, Lytro, Camera By capturing all the rays of light in a scene, the groovy Lytro camera unleashes new capabilities such as the ability to focus the image after the picture is taken. This pocket-sized camera boasts a powerful 8x optical zoom as well as an f/2 lens. Available at lytro.com/camera from US$399 (S$486).

East Meets West Renowned French artist Fabienne Verdier is set for his debut solo exhibition in Asia. From Jan 25 to March 9, you can see his distinctive works at Art Plural Gallery in Singapore. After a decade in China working with masters in traditional ink painting, the artist has developed a unique East-West style. Verdier works vertically, using gravity as a tool to enhance the transmission of the matter through movement. Art Plural Gallery, 38 Armenian Street, tel: +65 6636 8360, artpluralgallery.com

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ASCENDAS NEWS

ITPC building accorded LEED Gold status

Ascendas to co-develop tech park in Johor

India International Tech Park Chennai (ITPC), Ascendas’ joint venture with TIDCO, has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certication. Phase 2 of the Crest building is the rst multitenanted development in India to be certied LEED Gold under the new version of the standard. The certication, for the category Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (EB: O&M), recognises Ascendas’ achievements in sustainability, green development and operations. Built in 2007, the Crest building is one of three buildings at ITPC, and offers 730,000 sq ft of Grade A office space. It is the latest award for the innovative park. ITPC’s rst phase, the Pinnacle building, was awarded the LEED Silver certication in September 2011. The award by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) was for the EB: O&M category. LEED, designed by USGBC, is a pre-eminent programme for the design, construction and operation of highperformance green buildings.

Malaysia Ascendas is set to co-develop an integrated eco-friendly tech park in Malaysia. On Oct 23, 2012, Ascendas entered a joint-venture agreement with UEM Land Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary of UEM Land Holdings Berhad, to develop the 210ha park in Nusajaya, one of  ve agship zones in Johor’s Iskandar Malaysia. Ascendas will hold a 60 per cent stake in the joint venture. Ms Chong Siak Ching, President and CEO of Ascendas, said: “We are excited to be involved in one of the largest and most ambitious development projects in South-east Asia. This joint venture extends our presence in Malaysia and offers an opportunity to share our experience in building environmentally friendly integrated business space with vibrant work-live-play elements that Ascendas is renowned for.” Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Singapore’s

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, and Malaysia’s Datuk Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, graced the signing ceremony. Located in Gerbang Nusajaya, the development has a projected investment value of RM3.7 billion (S$1.5 billion). The freehold tech park is the closest industrial site to the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link checkpoint, and will be well linked to major international airports and seaports. The fully landscaped park will support myriad industries, including electronics, food processing, precision engineering, logistics and warehousing. It will also feature lifestyle amenities including food and beverage outlets, and tness and retail facilities. The proposed development is expected to take place in three phases over nine years, with the launch of Phase 1 JOINT VENTURE SIGNING targeted to be in the last quarter CEREMONY of 2013.

Groundbreaking ceremony for Fusionopolis Phase 5 Singapore Ascendas and Mitsui & Co Ltd celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of Fusionopolis Phase 5 on Nov 5, 2012. The iconic new development in the heart of Fusionopolis in one-north will be Singapore’s rst Work Office Home Office (WOHO) concept, which merges readymade facilities with exible spaces that cater to office, living and lifestyle functions. Designed to appeal to individuals and businesses in the infocomm technology and media industries, the WOHO concept will complement the operations and business growth needs of these companies, offering 2,690 sq m of exible spaces. Each unit (measuring 32 to 96 sq m) will suit two to six employees comfortably. With the exibility to customise and congure these spaces for

Ascendas/Fraser’s new hotel opens at Changi Business Park their work and living needs, WOHO tenants can enjoy a unique work environment that nurtures the spirit of creativity and innovation. Ms Chong Siak Ching, President and CEO of Ascendas, said: “Fusionopolis Phase 5 is the sixth project that the Ascendas Group will undertake in one-north, totalling our stable of quality business space here to close to 210,000 sq m. We will have three buildings in Biopolis, one in Mediapolis and two in Fusionopolis. We will be able to offer our customers across various industries – life sciences, IT and media – innovative, integrated spaces that we hope will inspire their employees to excel.” Fusionopolis Phase 5, which costs an approximate S$370 million, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Singapore Capri by Fraser, Ascendas’ collaboration with Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd, officially opened on Sept 7, 2012. Adding to Ascendas’ growing hospitality portfolio, the hotel residence – located at Changi Business Park – combines the facilities and services of a hotel with the comfort and convenience of a full serviced residence. The unique hotel concept is designed to meet the 24/7 needs of today’s tech-forward travellers. It is located within walking distance from Changi Expo and  ve minutes from Changi Airport. The BCA Green Markcertied development uses high-efficiency lighting and water waste minimisation systems, and incorporates environmentally responsible purchasing policies, and reuse and recycle practices.

08

PROFILE

Love at rst bite

Although he has never been to a formal cooking class, Jeremy Cheok gave up a career as a materials scientist to pursue his rst love – cooking.

At 27, Jeremy Cheok already wears multiple hats. Not only is he a chef and co-director of a bespoke private dining outt, he is an instructor at kitchen supplies superstore TOTT’s cooking studio, and a culinary writer with a cookbook under his belt. But ask Jeremy, and he will tell you he simply wants to be known as a food enthusiast. He says: “Thanks to local culture, cooking and food have always been part of my life.” Interestingly, Jeremy has never attended a formal cooking class. He picked up his kitchen skills by helping out his Peranakan

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Text Lediati Tan Photography Winston Chuang

grandmother, pounding rempah (spice paste) as she whipped up delectable dishes, and also from working at a chicken rice stall and restaurants during the school holidays.

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Self-taught chef Jeremy Cheok’s unique take on classic favourites.

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OKB, Jeremy’s new venture, includes a bakery and private dining facilities.

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YOUNG TALENT The rst proper meal Jeremy recalls cooking (aside from instant noodles) was steak with curry sauce when he was in Primary 5, made for a neighbour using McDonald’s curry sauce as a base. When the neighbour’s mother asked Jeremy for the recipe, he could not oblige as he had simply improvised using ingredients in his fridge. Buoyed by this experience and his family’s support, Jeremy honed his culinary skills. During his national service stint, the cooking enthusiast met two passionate foodies, and they started cooking for their rugby teammates. Requests from friends and families poured in, and the trio turned their informal sessions into a paid sideline, which evolved into private dining outt JAM. In 2009, while on an internship in Vietnam, Jeremy, then a third-year materials science undergraduate, realised that life in a lab was not for him. “It was a bit too repetitive and I felt that I needed something a little bit more challenging,” recalls Jeremy.

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A DIFFERENT PATH Upon returning to Singapore, he focused on making JAM a more professional outt. He also started a supper club; it was at one such session that Jeremy met an Ascendas employee, who was so impressed with the food that she invited JAM to cater for the company’s boardroom lunches. As the working relationship developed, JAM started catering for other Ascendas functions. Jeremy’s contemporary interpretations of South-east Asian dishes have wowed clients, who include the Facebook team in Singapore, and the CEO of an insurance company with a standing reservation on New Year’s Eve. Herbs and spices like coriander, Thai basil and laksa leaves feature in his sauces and avour bases. Crowd favourites include beef served with a gula melaka glaze, roasted pork with chilli apple chutney, and a modish lotus root soup – a puree soup that tastes like cream of lotus root. Serving anything from family-style meals to seven-course plated dinners, he describes JAM’s culinary style as “openly experimental”. He says: “We try to cater to people’s requests because that’s what private dining is about – customising and fullling bespoke requests.” From yachts to the rooftop of a factory in Little India, Jeremy has cooked in just about any kitchen imaginable, and has become adept at cooking in less-thanideal conditions. Jeremy recalls how he once had to steam creme brulee instead of baking it as the oven was out of order. He has also adapted his menus to feature more food that can be prepared ahead of time. Together with new partner Estelle Chey, an ex-auditor and graduate of culinary arts school Le Cordon Bleu, Jeremy set up a permanent base for JAM in Kampong Bahru last July, followed by a bakery a month later. Jeremy half-jokes that with the new venture, OKB (which stands for One Kampong Bahru Road as well as “our kind of bakery”), he has added two new titles – “dishwasher and slave” – to his resume.

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DESIGN

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One of Helsinki’s most iconic monuments, the sculpture – a tribute to composer Jean Sibelius – sparked a lively public debate on art.

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The stunning Helsinki Central Railway Sation serves about 20,000 passengers every day.

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Text and photography Yong Shu Hoong Images Getty Images

C A P I TA L I S I N G ON GOOD DESIGN EVERYDAY CREATIVIT Y ABOUNDS IN HELSINKI, THE CURRENT WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL.

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DESIGN

Helsinki resident Piritta Maavuori cycles to work. On the journey from her home in Kulosaari to her citycentre office, the 44-year-old passes by Arabia, where a ceramics factory of the same name was founded, and Suvilahti, where a cluster of photographers, artists, writers and other creative professionals call a former energy production facility home. All around Piritta, design informs and inspires. “For me, design is a way of making visible the meaningful things in our life – and also making them accessible,” says the audio book producer. For that, Piritta lives in the perfect city – Helsinki is the 3 current World Design Capital (WDC). The biennial title, conferred by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, honours the city’s revitalisation and innovative design of urban spaces, and the impact of design on its citizens, economy and way of life. In fact, in conjunction with its stint as WDC, Helsinki held 100 design-related exhibitions and 300 projects in 2012. About 600,000 people live in Helsinki, the biggest city in Finland, which has a population of more than  ve million people. Helsinki is the third WDC, after Turin in Italy (2008) and Seoul in South Korea (2010). Piritta affirms that she is surrounded by distinctive Finnish design in her everyday life, from forest-inspired wall ornaments in the restaurant where she lunches, to book covers by famed illustrators Mika Tuominen and Marjaana Virta, as well as illustrations by designers Elina Warsta and Laura Valojarvi. On a recent trip to Helsinki, this writer saw uniquely Finnish design in every aspect of life in the capital – from a large steel sculpture in a public square and

artistically painted tabletops at a sidewalk cafe to glass panels with food-related motifs found in a supermarket. The late Alvar Aalto, one of the world’s key gures of modern architecture, summed up Finnish design philosophy best: “There is only one rule that holds fast in architecture: Build naturally. Don’t do anything stilted, don’t do anything unnecessary. Everything that is superuous becomes ugly with time.” His philosophy of minimalistic style and use of functionalism can be glimpsed throughout Helsinki, from grand structures to practical facilities. Finlandia Hall, a concert hall and congress wing built in 1971, boasts a distinctive white facade covered with Carrara marble. Restaurant Savoy, which opened in 1937, showcases Alvar’s signature clean lines with inspiration drawn from nature, while Stockmann department store’s Academic Bookshop boasts large sky-lit windows and Carrara marble slabs. DESIGNED FOR LIFE

In Helsinki, good design and architectural sensibility play signicant roles in everyday lives. The functionalistic style of the city’s Olympic Stadium and General Post Office – both completed in 1938 – is particularly striking. The Senate Square area also contains ne examples of neoclassical architecture, such as Helsinki Cathedral and the Government Palace, which Carl Ludvig Engel designed in the 1800s. A major theme for WDC 2012 was Open City, where ordinary citizens got involved with the development of their living environment. Their dedication towards incorporating design into their lives has won Helsinki praise for safety, a high standard of living and a reliable metro system. In British magazine Monocle ’s Quality of Life survey last year, Helsinki was named the second most liveable city in the world, after Zurich in Switzerland. According to the magazine, Helsinki is “a city where good ideas quickly come to life”. Another prominent example of how city life is continually being enhanced by

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The General Post Office off ers postal services and insights into the city’s rich architectural heritage.

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Senate Square has hosted a wide range of events, from concerts to snowboarding competitions.

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DESIGN

Top Helsinki sites for Finnish design

Make your rst stop the Design Museum, which has a collection of 75,000 Finnish design objects that include Nokia phones, furniture, lamps and glassware. Finnish Form, the museum’s permanent collection, looks at different aspects of Finnish design – from craft and fashion to industrial design – between the late 19th century and the present day. A free Design District Helsinki map guides you towards interesting boutiques, interiors stores and handicraft and jewellery shops. Gain further insights at shops such as Nounou Design, founded by designer and glassmaker Anu Penttinen, and Artek 2nd Cycle, which sells vintage Artek furniture like the Stool 60 by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto. Architecture fans should not miss Helsinki’s Central Railway Station, designed by world-famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen (1873-1950). Its art nouveau granite facade, complete with statues and a green copper roof, dates back to 1919. Among the newer architectural gems, LPR Architects’ Helsinki Music Centre stand out for its design, which exemplies a considered approach to combining copper surfaces, forms and systems. The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Steven Holl Architects, features galleries with curved and oblique walls. It is a must-see for those keen to explore Finnish 8 and international contemporary art.

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Helsinki’s Design Museum boasts the country’s denitive collection of local works.

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The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art is a sublime study in curves and architectural uidity.

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The Central Railway Station’s distinctive features include a clock tower and statues holding spherical lamps.

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The Helsinki Music Centre’s exterior was deliberately kept simple to allow its more varied and dramatic interior to wow visitors.

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The Kamppi Chapel of Silence features an eye-catching curved exterior and a skylight along the ceiling’s edge.

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At Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, design is seamlessly woven into the travel and service experience.

Images Jussi Tiainen (Design Museum), Corbis (Music Centre)

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design is the Kamppi Chapel of Silence, which is instantly recognisable by its curved windowless wooden structure. Built as one of WDC 2012’s projects, this meditative space at Narinkkatori Square offers harried Helsinki residents a moment of quiet reprieve from the daily grind. As an ode to design, Helsinki Airport recently unveiled a special tent located at Gate 11. It houses a showcase of new design innovation, with accompanying sounds of the Finnish wilderness. Outside the tent, visitors can while away the time on park benches around whitewashed wooden tables. WELL-DESIGNED SERVICE

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Aside from physical structures and objects, there is a similar push to incorporate design into Finnish 10 services and systems, as emphasised in the WDC 2012 theme, Embedded Design. Mr Arja Suominen, Senior VicePresident of Corporate Communications and Corporate Responsibility at national airline Finnair, says: “We think of the whole customer experience from the design point of view, and how we can serve our customers according to their needs.” From Ultima Thule glasses designed by Finnish houseware company Littala for the airline, to the deployment of appropriate colours and music, good design translates to a seamless operation. In another triumph for functionality and simplicity, Finnair replaced a pouch with a brown paper envelope to contain the eye shade, socks and ear plugs given to its business-class passengers. The inconspicuous envelope reects another WDC 2012 theme – The New Role of Design – which emphasises the importance of sustainable development in Finnish design philosophy. “There is a trend of moving away from branded luxury to natural luxury,” says Mr Suominen.

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SPACE

Text Shweta Parida Images Getty Images, Shinkenchiku-sha, Joseph Burns, Eric Zepeda

THINK

INSIDE THE ACROSS CITIES, SHIPPING CONTAINERS ARE BEING REINVENTED AS RESTAUR ANTS, MALLS, ART GALLERIES AND WORKSPACES.

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SPACE

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Cargo containers might be more synonymous with ports and transporting freight around the world, but the latest demand for sustainable, low-cost and efficient spaces has turned these giant clunky metal boxes into statement-making structures. Representing a new urban way of life, shipping containers are being turned into emergency shelters, pop-up retail and food outlets, mobile art galleries, residences and workspaces. While some might say that they are symbolic of a city’s globalisation needs, others make a compelling case for its ecologically driven usage. “It gives us an opportunity to recycle something that people would not usually think of as building material,” says a spokesperson for London-based Mexican restaurant Wahaca, which

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recently opened a temporary outlet in the city’s edgy and vibrant Southbank neighbourhood. “It gives us the opportunity to use the fabric of our building to talk about sustainability, which is a core part of our brand.” The pop-up outlet, designed by Softroom Architects, will move to a new location this summer. Closer to home, Ascendas, Asia’s leading provider of business-space solutions, echoes similar sentiments. With a strong mandate for creating sustainable spaces, it is not surprising that Paprika, a cafe at Ascendas’ corporate office at Science Park II, is housed in a shipping container. “The recycled container is a manifestation of our ChiQG concept, which stands for cost effective, human-centric, interactive, quality and green,” says Mr Lim Swee Hong, Assistant Vice-President,

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Built using shipping containers, Japan’s architecture rm Daiken-Met is a movable office.

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Cultural organisation Platoon Kunsthalle’s multi-use cultural hubs have added to the creative buzz in Berlin and Seoul.

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London’s pop-up mall Boxpark is great for shopping and hanging out.

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Development Planning and Design. Being one of the busiest port cities in the world, Mr Lim notes that Singapore has an abundant supply of these containers – a ready solution when time is a constraint. He elaborates: “Projects are always on a tight timeline, so being readily available has its advantages. Containers provide the option of immediate shortterm space while permanent buildings are being constructed.” In Japan, Gifu-based architecture rm Daiken-Met developed the idea to use shipping containers as an office, after its landlord agreed to lease the land parcel on the condition that the rm build a “simple office that could be broken easily“, says architect Yoko Nunomura. “We designed this movable office and told our landlord that we could move anytime. The landlord revealed to us that

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if we had not come up with this option, he would have preferred to convert the space into a paid public car park.” “CARGOTEC TURE” TAKES SHAPE

Portability and mobility give shipping containers an edge over more permanent concrete structures. “Cargotecture” is now a part of urban cityscapes. In London, there are utilitarian live/work studios of Container City in the Docklands, and popup mall Boxpark in Shoreditch. Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural organisation with outposts in Berlin and Seoul. Dedicated to Asian subculture, Platoon Kunsthalle Seoul is made up of 28 stackable cargo containers. The cultural organisation aims to create a dynamic space where emerging Korean and foreign artists can display their creative talents. “Putting the shipping containers in the

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SPACE

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middle of the city is metaphorical – it reminds us about how connected and intertwined the world is,” says founder Christoph Frank. “The architectural concept is centred on temporary land usage and mobility. “In megacities, land prices are increasing very quickly so, for cultural projects to stay visible in the city centre, this is an excellent chance to occupy, albeit temporarily, free spaces with a mobile container building.” The organisation is now looking into “shipping” Platoon Kunsthalle to Singapore, Mexico City and Moscow. In New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art recently commissioned LOTEK studio to design a pop-up studio out of shipping containers, while the museum prepares to move its headquarters.

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Shipping containers make a strong architectural impression on urban landscapes. Case in point: Del Popolo, a mobile pizzeria in San Francisco, housed in a 20ft container, came about after its owner Jonathan Darsky failed to nd a traditional restaurant space. “I also realised a traditional truck would not work in keeping with my goal to build an ‘open’ kitchen featuring a wood-red brick oven,” says Jonathan. He also wanted to follow in the footsteps of legendary architect Mies van der Rohe and limit the barriers between the kitchen staff and diners. The sleek mobile outlet, which comes with a glass-enclosed exhibition kitchen, has become a cult xture in San Francisco – for its delectable pizza as well as fascinating design.

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While the main reason for the popularity of cargo containers as commercial spaces is the lack of affordable options, increasingly big names are embracing the trend as a nod to pop culture prevalent. International coffee chain Starbucks, for instance, has opened a new outlet in Seattle, Washington, made out of four shipping containers. Some designers and architects argue that a container’s boxy structure and xed dimensions do not allow for much variation in its oor plans, since the dimensions are xed. But Christoph opines: “The structural limitations, in fact, present the most interesting challenge in spatial planning for these boxy structures.” Designed by the US-based chain’s in-house architects, the structure adheres to LEED green building standards

and emphasises reduction of energy use. While pushing the envelope of environmental design in retail, the drivethrough cafe imbibes the same trendy appeal seen in its brick-and-mortar stores. Leveraging on the pop-up phenomenon that is fast becoming an integral feature of big cities, shipping containers promise to transform sustainable architecture that appeals to a large number of people and serves more than one purpose. As one of the new icons of modern architecture, shipping containers carry enormous potential to reinterpret the lexicon of the urban landscape. Mr Lim aptly summarises: “There is nothing stopping these containers from becoming permanent xtures. They have the added advantage of being portable, so they can be ‘permanently mobile’.”

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Paprika cafe, located at Ascendas’ corporate office, exemplies the company’s belief in sustainable design.

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Restaurant meets recycling at London’s Wahaca pop-up outlet in Southbank.

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Mobile pizzeria Del Popolo, housed in a 20ft shipping container, is a cult  xture in San Francisco.

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F E AT UR E

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MIXIN G WO RK A N D P L AY HOTELS LOCATED WITHIN BUSINESS PARKS DOUBLE UP AS NET WORKING HUBS WHILE REMAINING CONNEC TED TO THE REST OF THE CIT Y.

Text Celine Lim Images Capri by Fraser, Aaron Pocock

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Gone are the times when business travellers would retire to cookie-cutter business hotels, indistinguishable from one city to the next, after a long day. Hotels at business parks are becoming increasingly better integrated into their built environments and more thoughtfully designed, affording business travellers more than just a place to lay their heads at night. Take the distinctive Vivanta by Taj hotel in Whiteeld, Bangalore, located within India’s International Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB). The brief to the architectural team, WOW Architects and Warner Wong Design, specied that the 200-room establishment should be designed to provide an “optimal environment for networking opportunities”. Mr Wong Chiu Man, the rm’s cofounder and Managing Director, reveals that his team set out to redene Vivanta as a “contemporary sociocultural lifestyle hub” for the community at ITPB as well as the population of the fast-growing suburb of Whiteeld. But the team had to abide by a low-building-height restriction and high prescribed site coverage, where the building area was to account for a large percentage of the total plot area. In addressing these two constraints, the team developed a unique “mobius-strip” design for Vivanta that broke away from the “conventional palace-like structures” ubiquitous to India’s hospitality landscape. “The transformation of the building into a landscaped form invites the use of the hotel as an urban park, providing a genuine social space for the larger community of the emerging tech park,” says Mr Wong. Spaces to promote social interaction were created both within the hotel and beyond. Food and beverage outlets seamlessly integrate with outdoor public spaces, ensuring a constant mix of hotel

guests and IT professionals attending social functions held at the hotel. PRIME POSITION

Located at the entrance to the ITPB, Vivanta is well placed to function as a gateway between the business park and the developing city around it. The hotel has developed a must-see reputation among the technologically savvy who frequent this part of Bangalore and blog about the exciting happenings in their community. Mr Wong observes: “In spite of the security wall built around the property, it does not have the enclosed, ‘fortress’ feeling that many exclusive hotels have. Rather, it has become a communal space where hip, young Indians congregate for business or drinks. There is a delightful buzz that suggests an open and more inclusive society.” At Singapore’s Changi Business Park, Capri by Fraser – co-owned by Ascendas – similarly caters to young business travellers. Hotel guests tend to work in the information technology and support management elds, or are MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) sector participants attending events held in the nearby Singapore Expo Halls. Travellers of the iPad generation get to experience an extensive range of facilities and customisable services, along with the comfort and convenience of a full serviced residence. Here, guests have the complete freedom to rest, relax and 3

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Located within India’s International Tech Park Bangalore, Vivanta by Taj’s captivating design and facade capture the changing face of business in the vibrant city.

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With its chic decor and seamless spaces, Vivanta provides the perfect setting for networking.

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Vivanta’s outdoor spaces, which include a tanning lawn, are especially popular with travellers.

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F E AT UR E

recharge according to their individual lifestyle needs. Mr Tony Ang, Managing Director of Aedas Singapore, which designed this unique hotel-residence says: “The hotel’s customers tend to be very open to interesting hospitality concepts. We wanted to break the mould of a business hotel. We designed Capri to be hip but not over the top. It’s playful, refreshing and casual.” And every element at Capri is high on the “hip” quotient: There is an eclectic mix of installation art in the lobby, bathrooms come with rain showers and cool Malin+Goetz amenities, and meeting rooms are tted with the latest seamless technology to make discussions a breeze. Active guests can work out anytime at Capri’s fully equipped 24/7 gym. They can also intensify their water workouts on the state-of-the-art hydro treadmill, then lay back and relax to the rocking motion of an EZ Hammock – the latest concept in poolside lounging. Even the mundane duties associated with staying in a serviced residence are lifted from drudgery: Spin & Play, Capri’s launderette, offers different types of play ranging from Nintendo Wii and XBox Kinect to board games. Laundry and laughs, anyone? To create a seamless transition from the business park to the hotel, retail

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Capri by Fraser caters to travellers who work and play to a diff erent beat.

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Seamless technology is incorporated throughout Capri.

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Capri’s lush landscaping mirrors the green surroundings of Changi Business Park.

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State-of-the-art  tness facilities at Capri cater to those looking for a workout.

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and commercial outlets dot the building. Changi City Point – Ascendas’ joint venture with Frasers Centrepoint – offers travellers an arts arena and a rooftop garden. Both Capri and Changi City Point feature food and beverage outlets, as well as meeting spaces that are easily accessed by non-hotel guests. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

Landscaping is also used to “soften the impact of the surrounding office buildings”, says Mr Ang, who notes that Changi Business Park itself has an abundance of green and open spaces. “The idea was always to be free-owing and uid, where spaces merge, and guests and visitors can move about freely.” Hotel guests who have the time to explore further aeld will nd that Capri is a short walk from Expo MRT station, which connects business travellers at Changi Business Park to the rest of Singapore.

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MONEY

BUYING ART AT T H E RIGHT PRICE ART IS INCREASINGLY REGARDED AS A BONA FIDE SOURCE OF INVESTMENT. WE SPEAK TO EXPERTS TO MATCH QUALIT Y WORKS TO DIFFERENT BUDGETS.

Ask any art expert for their top tip on investing in art, and you are most likely to hear “buy what you like”. While that is certainly sound counsel, it is also true that most art buyers will have one eye on the price tag. Ideally you can acquire art that not only has the potential to appreciate in value, but which can also be appreciated for its aesthetic beauty. However, investors are increasingly looking at art purely as an alternative investment. “There are people who are fed up with the stock market, and that they are not earning money elsewhere, so art is an

alternative,” says Jonathan Macey, Senior Art Broker of art investment rm, Art Futures Group. But in terms of earning a return on your investment, the safest route – as with most other markets – is to stick to the tried and tested. “A blue chip will always be a blue chip. Economies can collapse, but there will always be a higher margin of safety with established names,” says Howard Rutkowski, co-founder of art consultancy Fortune Cookie Projects. This means avoiding fads and sticking to globally known names.

Text Francis Kan Images Getty Images, Zhao Rehui, Jumaldi Al

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VALUE GEMS

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Under $10,000 A cheap piece of art does not necessarily mean it is of lesser quality than a more expensive one, and a lot of good work can be had at this price. While major pieces of prominent artists will be out of reach, their drawings, like those of British sculptor and Turner Prize winner Richard Deacon, may not be. This will add some star power to your collection for a relatively modest investment. Another route for the budget-constrained is to identify up-and-coming artists who have shown some evidence of their potential to rise to greater heights. This might mean getting coverage in respected art publications or having exhibited widely. A handful of Singaporean artists fall into this category, and buying one of their works will give you the added satisfaction of supporting local talent.

Establish your budget, identify the best art names you can afford, then nd the most valuable pieces from these artists that are within your budget. For the more adventurous, or perhaps those whose purse strings are a little tighter, seeking out lesserknown artists who are attracting global attention is another strategy. For newcomers to the world of art investing, we have put together a few artists, whose works are likely to give you the best bang for your buck depending on your budget and, hopefully, look good in your living room too.

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Psychedelic colours, patterns and repetition feature in renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s creations.

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Photographer Zhao Renhui’s quietly haunting images are increasingly popular among art collectors.

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ZHAO RENHUI (PHOTOGR APHY )

A local artist fast gaining prominence abroad, he was a winner of the UOB Painting of the Year Award in 2009, and the National Art Council’s Young Artist Award a year later. More signi cantly, he has started to gain recognition abroad for his works which, interestingly enough, appear through a platform known as the Institute of Critical Zoologists (ICZ). According to ICZ’s website, its projects aim to “improve the practice of zoology and contribute conceptual

advances to our knowledge and understanding of zoological studies”. To put it simply, it is an investigation through photography of how humans view animals. The institute was selected by Beijing- and Hong Kong-based independent curator and scholar Pauline J Yao for her Best of 2010 list in the respected international publication Art Forum. Renhui has exhibited in London, Paris and Seoul. Last year, he showcased his works in Singapore alongside artists from the prestigious Royal Academy.

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MONEY

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MID-RANGE FINDS $50,000 -$200,000

At this price range, more interesting works come into play, including those by top Indonesian artists like Jumaldi Al, who are fast establishing themselves as names in the art world worth investing in. Investors with a bigger war chest are looking at the prospect of adding signicant pieces by major artists to their collections. These would include creations by top British contemporary artists such as Tracey Emin, whose neon pieces can be purchased for around $200,000. TR ACEY EMIN (MULTIDISCIPLINARY )

She is part of the group known as Young British Artists or Britartists, which emerged in the late ’80s. The outspoken artist was a nominee for the prestigious Turner Prize in 1999, when she exhibited My Bed – an installation that consisted of her own unmade dirty bed with used condoms and underwear.

In December 2011, she was appointed Professor of Drawing at the UK’s prestigious Royal Academy, an independent institution founded in 1768 and led by eminent artists and architects. She was also selected to produce a poster and limitededition print for last year’s London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

TOP-TIER INVESTMENTS $250,000 -$500,000

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Turner Prize nominee Tracey Emin’s confessional style is reected in My Bed – an unmade version in its embarrassing glory.

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The works of Japanese legend Yayoi Kusama have inuenced the likes of pop artist Andy Warhol.

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A piece by Indonesian artist Jumaldi Al , who grew up in a family of poets, but is now one of Yogyakarta’s bestknown artists.

With this kind of budget, the question is not what top-quality artworks you can buy, but whether galleries are prepared to sell them to you. At the top tier of the market, artists and galleries prefer to sell to museums or reputable private investors, as they know the works will be exhibited and well taken care of. The last thing they want is to sell a piece to a buyer who then ips it for a quick prot. If you are new to collecting, build up a relationship with a gallery by buying smaller works rst. A quicker route is to engage the services of an art consultant, who can help make the right introductions to gallery owners and speed up the process. If you succeed in gaining the trust of gallery owners, you are staring at the prospect of buying pieces by legendary artists, such as Japan’s Yayoi Kusama or Indian-born sculptor Anish Kapoor.

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ART INVESTMENT 101

1 YAYOI KUSAMA (MULTIDISCIPLINARY )

One of the art world’s major stars, she has created conceptual works that have inuenced pop art luminaries like Andy Warhol. Major retrospectives of her work have been held at the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and Tate Modern. In 2008, Christie’s New York sold a work by Yayoi for

$5.1 million – a record for a living female artist. Famed for her polka-dotinspired works, she worked on a line of Louis Vuitton products in 2011, which included leather goods, ready-towear, accessories, shoes, watches and jewellery. While her pieces from the ’60s and ’70s are out of range even at this budget, her sculptures are available at this price point.

Do your homework View as much as art as you can to develop a collector’s eye. Museums, galleries and art fairs are the most obvious avenues. Educate yourself further by speaking to people in the know, such as gallery owners, museum curators and, of course, the artists themselves. Buy from the right channels Buying at an auction may seem glamorous and exciting, but it may not be the best option. Auction houses charge a high commission, so purchasing from galleries can be cheaper and can off er you a broader range of options. Beware of extra costs It’s not just the price tag on the artwork itself that you have to consider, but the costs of maintaining it. From the moment you buy a painting, there are carrying and holding costs that are essential to keeping your investment safe. Be patient Art is not as liquid as many other assets, so be prepared to hold your investment for the long term. Auction houses may not put up an artwork for sale if it has appeared at an auction in the past two years. Holding artwork for around  ve to seven years is usually necessary to see a decent return on your investment.

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FOOD

N O T YO U R AV E R A G E J O E FROM MICROLOT BEANS TO A SIPHONBREWED CUP, ARTISANAL COFFEE IS ON THE BOIL IN ASIA. The year was 1996. Grunge was still hip, Oasis was playing on the radio and Seattle coffee chain Starbucks had just opened its rst store in Singapore. Then, espresso was a novelty and ice-blended frappuccino a cool treat to local coffee lovers more used to Nanyang-style kopi-o. These days, it’s siphon-brewed coffee, the nest Arabica beans and micro-roasteries that have coffee lovers on a real high. Welcome to the burgeoning gourmet coffee culture in Singapore and, indeed, much of Asia. “Singaporeans are very particular about the quality of their food and beverage,” says Keith Loh, founder of Oriole Coffee, which has three outlets. “The rise of gourmet coffee is part of that – a resurgence of quality in coffee.” Opened in 2009, Oriole Coffee is one of the local pioneers of the gourmet coffee movement in Singapore, known as the Third Wave and one that has taken the world by storm, from New York to Melbourne. In modern coffeespeak, the First Wave refers to the rise of freeze-dried coffee after World War II. The Second Wave, says Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold, started in the 1960s through the rise of huge coffee chains such as Starbucks, which opened its rst outlet in 1971 at Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. Today, the coffee giant has close to 17,000 outlets

Text Joyceline Tully

in 55 countries including China and Indonesia. The Third Wave is the rise of the artisanal coffee (a term that rst surfaced in 2002) – think small-batch freshly roasted beans, hand-pulled espressos and singleorigin coffees, savoured in boutique coffee shops. These small independent coffee joints have sprouted up in Asia to give coffee drinkers nuanced variety in their java habit – including Singapore (Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar, Liberty Coffee, Nylon Coffee Roasters and Strangers’ Reunion), Hong Kong (Rabbithole, Barista Jam and Knockbox Coffee Company), Malaysia (Artisan Roast Coffee and Whisk) and Thailand (Ristretto). Mike Fung, owner of Rabbithole in Hong Kong, says: “The Asia speciality coffee market has grown dramatically in the last two to three years. That’s not just happening in one or two markets but almost throughout Asia.”

Images Vee Chin, Rabbithole

BREWING A SIGNATURE ST YLE

Some of these independent artisanal cafes boast their own in-house microroasters, while others offer single-origin beans and signature house blends. Some, like Toby’s Estate and 40 Hands, serve fair trade coffee, using ethically sourced beans. “Such beans usually go hand in hand with top-quality beans and production methods. I buy from roasters that have ethical business practices at the core of their organisations,” says Harry Glover, co-owner of 40 Hands. “They have several agents travelling the world 12 months a year, sourcing and purchasing

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Nylon in Singapore attracts a steady stream of java lovers drawn to its bespoke blends.

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Hong Kong’s Rabbithole off ers home brewing workshops.

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Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coff ee Bar is one of Singapore’s grooviest artisanal coff ee joints.

FOOD

top-grade and sustainably produced speciality coffees.” As a sure sign of how cool coffee has become in Singapore, there are even pop-ups like Henry Congressional, which serves Belgium beers alongside speciality coffee from Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar, the Robertson Quay cafe that roasts its own beans; and Liberty Coffee, a wholesaler that opens on an ad hoc basis (opening hours are announced on its Facebook page). “Singapore is in a huge growth phase where the market is still evolving and maturing,” says Harry. “It has taken a lot from the Australian scene, but is now really forming its own identity.”

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Photos Vee Chin, Liberty Coffee, 40 Hands, Alvinn Lim

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COMPLEXITIES OF COFFEE

These days, good java is like good wine. It’s all about the avours of the beans, unique to specic terroir, and brought to their full potential by careful roasting and blending. Says Liberty Coffee’s co-owner Pauline Tan: “We use traceable, current crops of ne varietals from leading coffeeproducing countries such as Guatemala, Brazil, Ethiopia and Bolivia to produce slow brews and single-origin coffees. We love the nuances inherent in quality, microlot coffees.” Oriole, too, follows the harvesting seasons and offers 10 types of beans – from around the world including Brazil, Indonesia, Rwanda, Costa Rica and Kenya – which are roasted in-house then blended for maximum avour. As in wine, singlevarietal and estate beans are highly prized by the connoisseur. “You look for balance, aromas and intensity,” Keith explains. “You want both clarity and complexity in avours.” Unlike wine, however, a java x is still largely affordable by all standards. That is, unless one goes for the top of the range kopi luwak . A cup brewed from these beans can set you back by as much as £50 (S$98). It is, however, a matter of acquired taste – kopi luwak is made from the beans of coffee berries that have been eaten by the civet cat, passed through its digestive track and then defecated. This traditional Indonesian favourite is now also farmed in Vietnam and the Philippines.

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In Singapore, many artisanal coff ee joints like Smitten are roasting their beans in-house.

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40 Hands procures ecologically sound and ethically sourced beans for their speciality brews.

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Fans of Liberty Coff ee look out for its ad hoc opening hours, announced on its Facebook page.

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Keith Loh of Oriole Coff ee, one of the forerunners on Singapore’s gourmet coff ee scene.

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When it comes to a good brew, the coffee bean is only half the story. Up next is matching the beans to the preferred brewing method, whether drip lters, French press, siphons, or espresso machines with formidable-sounding names like Speedster and The Slayer, arguably the most coveted piece of machinery on the market for espresso geeks. As Patrick Tam from Hong Kong’s Knockbox Coffee Company points out, the degree of involvement in speciality coffee preparation exceeds that of other gourmet beverages. “We select the origin, roast, brew and serve,” he says. “With wine, you select the wine and decide how long you decant it; with tea, you seldom see the teahouse owner picking his own leaves.” BARISTA’S MAGIC

GOURMET COFFEE FAVOURITES SINGAPORE

Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coff ee Bar 150 Tyrwhitt Road cshhcoff ee.com Liberty Coff ee 131 Rangoon Road eepurl.com/n4i8z (to sign up for mailing list) Nylon Coff ee Roasters #01-40, 4 Everton Road nyloncoff ee.sg Oriole Coff ee oriolecoff ee.com Smitten Coff ee and Tea Bar #01-11 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay facebook.com/SmittenCafe Strangers’ Reunion 37 Kampong Bahru Road facebook.com/ StrangersReunion 40 Hands 78 Yong Siak Street 40handscoff ee.com

MAL AYSIA

Artisan Roast Coff ee 4 Lor Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur artisanroast.com.my Whisk G139 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1 Lebuh Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya facebook.com/whisk.kl HONG KONG

Barista Jam G/F, 126-128 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan baristajam.com.hk Knockbox Coff ee Company G/F, 21 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok knockboxcoff ee.hk Rabbithole 2/F, 26 Cochrane Street, Central rabbitholecoff ee.com THAIL AND

Ristretto 73 Nak Niwat Road, Latphrao, Bangkok ristrettocorp.blogspot.com

Indeed, Asian coffee lovers are opening their eyes to new brewing methods, where everything counts – from the temperature of the water used (never boiling water as that burns the grinds) to the extraction (a few seconds too long or short can alter the taste signicantly). To help budding baristas and coffee lovers navigate it, and as a sign of the growing appeal of gourmet coffee, there is now a plethora of barista courses, cupping (tasting) sessions and appreciation classes for amateurs and professionals. Singapore’s Highlander Coffee Academy, for instance, offers everything from coffee appreciation seminars for beginners to intensive professional workshops. Coffee Connection in Kuala Lumpur runs latte art and espresso classes. For the latest in home brewing know-how, including advice on choosing a home espresso machine, Hong Kong’s Rabbithole offers the Home Machine Workshop. Even as Singapore and the rest of Asia ride the Third Wave, coffee enthusiasts and industry watchers are already talking about the Fourth Wave in Australia and the US, where baristas unleash their creativity to take your cup of joe to new heights. Cold-lter press coffee, anyone? It is only a matter of time before Asia gets a taste. Watch this space.

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TR AVEL TA L E S

Building homes and hope A lack of construction experience did not stop Cindy Koh, Ascendas Vice-President of Customer Service and Solutions, from building houses for the homeless in Sri Lanka.

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When Cindy Koh learnt of a volunteer trip to Sri Lanka to build houses for the less fortunate, she seized the opportunity. With no expectations and building experience, she headed for Negombo in July 2012 on a soul-affirming journey with Habitat For Humanity. Why did you go on this trip?

I worked in the public sector previously, and have always liked the idea of doing good for the community. When two of my friends mentioned the volunteer trip, I decided to go for it. The 14-day trip was organised by the US branch of Habitat for Humanity, a group dedicated to building affordable homes for low-income families. A local philanthropist had donated 1ha of land to the community, and Habitat For Humanity proposed building 23 houses for the homeless in the area. What were the other volunteers like?

There were 13 in our group, with the majority from the US and Canada. It was a very diverse group – we had retirees, teachers and even a personal assistant for a celebrity. One thing that really caught my attention was the age range of the volunteers – from 20 to 68. What challenges did you face?

The lack of modern amenities was a big shock for me, as I’m a bit of an urbanite. We

Text Drew Pan Images Cindy Koh

stayed at a two-star hotel away from the site. There were no toilet facilities at the site, so I consciously watched what I ate to avoid getting the runs. Luckily, we had clean food, which was usually curry, delivered from a nearby local restaurant called Jolly Good. We ate a lot of curry (laughs)! It was more of a challenge for the Americans, who were not used to spicy food. They often packed their own sandwiches. What was the community there like?

We constructed the houses in an area called Paththayan Watta or Centipede Estates, named because when water pumps were rst installed, centipedes came out with the water. The poor get multiple day jobs, but nothing is secure. For the past 12 to 15 years, these 23 homeless families have banded together to look out for one another, while living in shacks or whatever they could nd.

Because the families might not make enough money for food, each lot is big enough for a vegetable garden and there are plans to teach them to farm. Each family will be presented with a jackfruit tree, which produces fruit year round. Was it all work and no play?

We went sightseeing and visited UNESCO World Heritage sites in areas such as Goa, Sigiriya and Kandy. We also visited an elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. It was so amazing to see the elephants bathing and playing in the river. Now that it is over, how do you feel about the trip?

I came back looking very dark with many tan lines, but I have no regrets. My friends

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Volunteer Cindy Koh helped to build 23 houses for the homeless in Negombo.

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The diverse group was motivated by a common goal – to help the local community.

How did the locals react to your group’s efforts?

They were really appreciative. On our rst morning, there was a welcoming ceremony with candles, tea, rice cakes and bananas. We were very touched by their hospitality and gifts. One woman, who identied herself as a would-be owner, was very visibly happy and proud. Another woman cooked lunch for us.

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Without any experience, how did you help build these homes?

A separate team had already been there earlier to lay the foundation for the homes. Our group was responsible for putting up the rst nine layers of brick for each home. Initially, the masons, or “professionals” as we called them, would lay the bricks and we the volunteers would only apply the cement. But, by the third day, they entrusted us to lay the bricks. It was very hard work, as we were moving the bricks and rocks by hand. There was not a single truck or wheelbarrow, so we moved the bricks and rocks by forming a daisy chain. What are the houses like?

Each house has three rooms, with enough space for another two rooms in the future.

and I were actually talking about planning another Habitat For Humanity trip. I would like to go to Nepal as I have not been there. It is all about seeing new things and being exposed to new cultures while doing good. But I am not sure if I am ready for somewhere where I would have to live in a tent! Would you consider yourself an outdoor person?

I like the great outdoors, but the weather in Singapore is not really conducive for a lot of outdoor activities. When I was living in Washington DC, I would go white-water rafting and hiking.

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Some of Sri Lanka’s top sites which Cindy visited, including an elephant sanctuary in Pinnawala and Lion’s Gate in Sigiriya.

36 Last year, 2012, ended on a high note for Ascendas’ local and overseas offices. We round up the signicant events.

Singapore

Cyber makeover

Get the latest Ascendas updates via our new and improved Twitter account, @AscendasSpace. Keep abreast of the latest news, market information and lifestyle suggestions in regional cities that bear the company’s footprint. Ascendas has also launched its Spacetobe Facebook Fan Page, which features the latest news and posts.

Great turnout

Ascendas’ third Sports @ International Business Park event, held from Oct 11 to 12, had a turnout of 212 attendees. Creative Technology emerged champions in the archery competition as well as the intercompany relay run at this annual event.

Healthy Lifestyle Week

Ascendas’ much-anticipated Healthy Lifestyle Week was held from Sept 3 to 7. A total of 997 tenants from 53 companies participated in various activities including a bazaar, blood donation drive, seminars, workshops, inter-company activities and group exercise classes. The highlight was the Road Relay event involving 52 teams. The defending champions from DSTA sealed a repeat victory.

Bowled over

The Ascendas Bowling Tournament, held on Nov 10, experienced an overwhelming response. Originally planned for 30 teams, the event welcomed a total of 37 entries. The teams bowled their way to the

top spot at Safra Mount Faber. Mr Chia Nam Toon, Group Assistant CEO of Corporate Services and Group Chief Financial Officer, presented the prizes to the winning teams from CB&I Singapore, DSO and Saipem.

India

Tech a break @ Chennai

CEO Night

Ascendas IT Parks, The V, CyberPearl and aVance Business Hub held the annual CEO Night event in Hyderabad in October. Over 300 guests and their families spent a relaxing day unwinding at a lush, luxurious resort.

Connect 2012

International Tech Park Bangalore hosted its annual CEO Night on Oct 26. Held at Vivanta by Taj, the event was hosted by Mr Thomas Teo, CEO of Ascendas India. Guests were entertained by Prince Dance Group, the winners of India’s Got Talent 2009.

Festive joy

It was a month of fun and merriment as Ascendas Park Square Mall at International Tech Park Bangalore held its Festival of Joy event from October to November. During

the highly anticipated festive extravaganza, shoppers were treated to special performances leading from Dushera up to the Diwali festival, shop-and-win contests, and an international food carnival.

International Tech Park Chennai and CyberVale IT Park organised the popular annual Sports Meet from Sept 6 to 7. Over 1,500 Park employees from 45 companies participated in a range of inter-company activities including carrom, football, volleyball and brisk walking. It was a close contest, but Intelenet Global Services India lifted the Champion’s Trophy after emerging victorious in most of the competitive categories. Capgemini India and Olam Information Services were the rst and second runners-up respectively.

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@ASCENDAS

Talent time

International Tech Park Bangalore celebrated Livewire 2012, the Park’s annual cultural festival, on Sept 7. Into its ninth year, Livewire saw more than 450 contestants from over 20 IT rms compete in categories like Singing, Dancing, Musical and Theatre. After an intense yet entertaining competition, the trophy went to First Advantage Off shore Services.

China

Business forum

Helping hands

Ascendas and the Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Federation Charitable Trust came together for the sixth consecutive year to honour 10 individuals who have tirelessly contributed towards the welfare of differently abled individuals from the state. The Ascendas Excellence Award,

initiated in 2007 as part of its community engagement efforts, has recognised the talent of 75 special individuals since its inception. This year’s recipients included parents, individuals and associations. The awards were presented by Mr K. Ramanujam, IPS, Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu.

The Acendas China Business Forum on Oct 30 was a resounding success. Over 100 top-management executives from Ascendas, GE, Siemens, Philips, Standard Chartered Bank, Oracle, DBS Bank and Huawei participated in the forum, which was held at the Ritz Carlton Pudong in Shanghai. Mr Wong Wing Kien, CEO of Ascendas China, delivered the opening speech, while Mr Aylwin Tan, Chief Customer Services Officer, presented the keynote speech. Ms Chong Siak Ching, Ascendas President and CEO, said: “In China, the need for quality infrastructure to support companies in highervalue-added sectors is driving demand for new business park projects and commercial buildings over the past few years. Ascendas has diversied our product offering from industrial facilities to suburban integrated business parks and downtown office buildings to meet the needs of our customers. We still believe in the huge potential that this country offers to the world, across industries and businesses.”

Mid-autumn fun

A four-day mid-autumn programme was held at Ascendas Xinsu to enhance tenant and customer relations as well as foster team cohesion. Participants ocked to Xinsu Industrial Square from Sept 26 to 29 for a series of fun activities, including a Guess the Lantern Riddle. The tenants gave the event a solid thumbs-up.

Singles carnival

Love because of Flavor, a singles carnival, was held at the Ascendas Plaza on Nov 11. Famous cuisine brands such as Uminosachi Japanese food, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Costa Coffee offered yummy fare. Single young people gathered in the hopes of nding their true love, to enjoy interactive games, and to savour the delicious treats.

Environmental advocate

In October, Dalian Ascendas IT Park received the Dalian Environmental Promotion award from the Publicity Department of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee and the Dalian Environment Protection Bureau.

Fire Safety Week

Cycling fun

Ascendas Innovation Hub in Xian held a fun bicycle race from Oct 25 to 26. The event, attended by more than 60 employees from 20 tenants, saw three teams emerge winners after four rounds of friendly competition.

SingaporeHangzhou Science & Technology Park launched its Fire Safety Week from Nov 7 to 13 to educate park tenants on re safety awareness. A re drill was held on Nov 9, the national Fire Safety Day. Demonstrations of resafety equipment usage were held during the week-long programme.

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ART SPACE

Old Pine Tree by Lee Gil Rae

Korean artist Lee Gil Rae’s Old Pine Tree, located at Capri by Fraser (co-owned by Ascendas), captures the vitality and dynamism of the Singapore hotel. The stunning artwork is an unforgettable meeting of exquisite shapes.

Partner with ANZ. Together we achieve. SGD143 MILLION

SGD50 MILLION

HKD1,400 MILLION

SGD50 MILLION

Bridge Loan & Senior Secured Fixed Rate Notes Ubitech Hub Pte Sole Bookrunner & Lead Manager

Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes Cambridge Industrial Trust Joint Lead Managers and Program Arranger

Secured Term Loan & Revolver Fortune REIT Joint Mandated Lead Arranger & Bookrunner

Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes FCL Treasury Pte Ltd Sole Bookrunner & Lead Manager

2012

2012

2012

2012

SGD300 MILLION

SGD200 MILLION

SGD200 MILLION

SGD400 MILLION

Project Development Loan UOL Group Limited (Katong Regency) Mandated Lead Arranger

Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes Ascendas REIT Joint Lead Manager

Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes CapitaCommercial Trust Joint Lead Manager

Revolving Credit Facility CDL Properties Ltd (Republic Plaza) Joint Lead Manager

2012

2011

2011

2011

HKD3,800 MILLION

AUD158 MILLION

AUD65 MILLION

Secured Term Loan & Revolver Fortune REIT Joint Mandated Lead Arranger & Bookrunner

Buy Side Advisor for Acquisition of Oaks Hotels & Resorts Minor International M&A Advisor

Senior Secured Term Loan Oaks Sole Financier

2011

2011

2011

As a leading bank to the real estate sector and a Top 5 Corporate Bank in Asia*, ANZ is well positioned to deliver solutions for our clients across debt capital markets, syndicated loans, cash, risk management and mergers and acquisitions. Our real estate specialists combine in-depth industry knowledge and insights drawn from 40 years of our banking heritage in Asia to add value to your business.

When you partner with ANZ, you partner with a bank that understands your industry and your business to help you achieve your goals. To find out how we can help your business, please contact: Rohit Mohindra, Head of Real Estate, South East Asia [email protected]

anz.com.sg *Greenwich Associates Large Corporate Banking Survey 2012 © Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) 2012 ABN 11 005 357 522

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