{"id":15166,"date":"2026-01-13T14:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T06:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/descholars\/?post_type=nus-news&p=15166"},"modified":"2026-02-04T09:27:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T01:27:04","slug":"de-scholars-visit-the-standard-exploring-the-art-and-intent-of-hospitality-design","status":"publish","type":"nus-news","link":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/descholars\/news\/de-scholars-visit-the-standard-exploring-the-art-and-intent-of-hospitality-design\/","title":{"rendered":"D&E-Scholars Visit The Standard: Exploring the Art and Intent of Hospitality Design"},"content":{"rendered":"

The D&E-Scholars recently had the privilege of visiting\u00a0The Standard, Singapore<\/em>, for an engaging and insightful session that offered a rare behind-the-scenes look into the hotel\u2019s distinctive design philosophy and spatial innovations.<\/p>\n

Arranged by Prof Joshua Comaroff from Department of Architecture, NUS and hosted by Mr Colin Seah, Founder and Director of Ministry of Design (MOD)<\/em>\u00a0and the creative mind behind The Standard\u2019s interiors, the visit guided D&E-Scholars through the property\u2019s guest rooms, commercial spaces, and public areas. Throughout the tour, Mr Seah shared valuable insights into the creative process, design intent and practical considerations that shaped the hotel\u2019s distinctive character from concept to completion.<\/p>\n

The session began with an introduction to the\u00a0historical and cultural context\u00a0underlying The Standard\u2019s architectural and aesthetic identity. It also highlighted how the brand is to be kept as close as possible to The Standard in New York, including through design features such as the floor-to-ceiling windows that mirror the New York property\u2019s distinctive openness and urban connection. Mr Seah illustrated how heritage and brand storytelling informed key design elements, most notably the\u00a0reception counter\u00a0featuring a built-in terrarium that reflects The Standard\u2019s playful and experiential ethos.<\/p>\n

As the tour continued, D&E-Scholars learned about the\u00a0design considerations and spatial constraints\u00a0that influenced the project\u2019s final layout. Mr Seah explained how limited space can inspire inventive solutions, highlighting that each feature in the guest rooms serves multiple functions to achieve creative efficiency and visual harmony.<\/p>\n

In the restaurant Kaya, The discussion also showcased how tropical influences\u00a0were thoughtfully woven into the interiors, such as the\u00a0woven fabric wall design\u00a0adorned with vibrant floral motifs. The embroidered flowers, handmade from textured fabric that protrudes slightly from the wall, add both dimension and warmth. This detail was carefully calibrated with greater density introduced higher on the wall to preserve longevity, while anticipating that guests may feel drawn to reach out and touch the fabric out of curiosity, turning interaction into an element of design appreciation.<\/p>\n

The D&E-Scholars extend their sincere appreciation to\u00a0Mr Colin Seah\u00a0for his generous sharing and to\u00a0Prof Joshua Comaroff\u00a0for coordinating the enriching visit. The experience offered invaluable insight into how thoughtful design can transform constraints into creative opportunities, blending cultural storytelling with modern hospitality to shape spaces that are purposeful, engaging, and inspiring.<\/p>\n

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Neon-lit arched infinity mirror<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Terrarium at reception desk with hidden details<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Embroidered flowers handmade from textured fabric at Kaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Twisted sculpture in pet-friendly hotel garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tour of the hotel room interior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The Standard Singapore has garnered 17 international design awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Winner, The Social Space, 2025 at INDE Awards, Australia<\/li>\n
  2. Winner, Interior Design, Hospitality: Hotel and Resort, 2025 at Built Design Awards, Switzerland<\/li>\n
  3. Winner, Hotel, 2025 at FX Design Awards, United Kingdom<\/li>\n
  4. Winner, Excellence in Interior Architecture, 2025 at German Design Awards, Germany<\/li>\n
  5. Luminary, Best in Hospitality Design, Hotel Communal Space, 2025 at Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA), Singapore<\/li>\n
  6. Gold, Best in Hospitality Design, Hotel Communal Space, 2025 at Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA), Singapore<\/li>\n
  7. Gold Winner, Hotel Space, 2025 at Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards, Hong Kong<\/li>\n
  8. Gold Winner, Hospitality Interior Design for Hotels & Resorts, 2025 at IDA Design Awards, USA<\/li>\n
  9. Silver Winner, Hospitality Interior Design for Restaurants, 2025 at IDA Design Awards, USA<\/li>\n
  10. Silver, Best in F&B Design, Restaurants, 2025 at Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA), Singapore<\/li>\n
  11. Silver, Hotel, 2025 at FRAME Awards, Netherlands<\/li>\n
  12. Finalist, Restaurant, 2025 at AHEAD ASIA Awards, Singapore<\/li>\n
  13. Finalist, Hotel, 2025 at AHEAD 100 List, United Kingdom<\/li>\n
  14. Finalist, Lobby Upscale, 2025 at Gold Key Awards, New York<\/li>\n
  15. Finalist, Restaurant Upscale, 2025 at Gold Key Awards, New York<\/li>\n
  16. Honoree, Hotel, 2025 at ID Best of Year Awards, New York<\/li>\n
  17. Longlist, Interior – Hotel & Short-Stay Interior, 2025 at Dezeen Awards, United Kingdom<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The D&E-Scholars recently had the privilege of visiting\u00a0The Standard, Singapore, for an engaging and insightful session that offered a rare behind-the-scenes look into the hotel\u2019s distinctive design philosophy and spatial innovations. Arranged by Prof Joshua Comaroff from Department of Architecture, NUS and hosted by Mr Colin Seah, Founder and Director of Ministry of Design (MOD)\u00a0and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":282,"featured_media":15169,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"news_category":[],"class_list":["post-15166","nus-news","type-nus-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nD&E-Scholars Visit The Standard: Exploring the Art and Intent of Hospitality Design - 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