Latest news with #RippleRoot
Business Times
05-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Business Times
Inspiring better lives
AS SINGAPORE celebrates its 60th year of independence, it's an opportunity to reflect on the places that shape daily life. From homes and offices to lifestyle precincts and conservation projects, Far East Organization has contributed to Singapore's evolving landscape by creating spaces where people live, work and foster relationships. One Holland Village offers a clear example of how Far East Organization's philosophy of creating spaces that promote community and a sense of belonging comes to life. Opened in late 2023, the mixed-use development blends Holland Village's historic charm with contemporary design, prioritising openness, accessibility and inclusivity – features that cater to the needs of a diverse community. This focus on building vibrant, inclusive spaces has guided the Organization through more than 780 developments. Its strength lies not in scale but purpose: to 'inspire better lives' by enriching communities and contributing meaningfully to Singapore's urban fabric. More than just buildings One Holland Village: Vibrant community, thoughtful design One Holland Village. Nestled in one of Singapore's most vibrant neighbourhoods, One Holland Village brings together different functions to enhance daily living. The residential component houses three concepts: Sereen, apartments for those who value tranquillity and well-being; Leven, low-rise, heritage inspired homes; and the well-appointed Quincy Private Residences, which sits atop the Quincy House serviced apartments. The office, retail and community zones were designed with both flow and flexibility in mind. The open-air layout, with gently scaled building heights, invites pedestrians to move through the space naturally, blending indoor and outdoor areas in a way that respects the rhythms of the neighbourhood. Public art installations by artists such as Jahan Loh and Ripple Root are part of a larger art trail incorporating art pieces displayed throughout the development, creating opportunities for visitors to engage with art as part of their daily experience. To bring the community together, the mall regularly hosts a wide array of events and programmes. These include seasonal highlights such as the iconic annual International Pet Day, Christmas market, family-oriented activities like bouncy castles and tenant-led performances, and collaborative community events with local government constituency offices. Visitors can also enjoy live music through regular busking performances supported by the National Arts Council, along with exclusive guest performances by international artistes. The Reserve Residences: Elevating everyday living The Reserve Residences & Bukit V. Set against the backdrop of Bukit Timah's natural landscape, The Reserve Residences is part of the integrated development that brings together nature, commerce and community in one thoughtful development. With direct access to Beauty World MRT Station and the upcoming Bukit V mall, this mixed-use precinct offers seamless connectivity while enhancing everyday convenience. The Reserve Residences comprises a wide selection of homes, from well-appointed one- to three-bedroom apartments to spacious four- and five-bedroom homes that cater to growing families and multi-generational living. Its commercial component, Bukit V mall, adds a vibrant dimension to the area with its curated mix of retail, wellness and enrichment tenants designed to meet the diverse needs of families and individuals in the neighbourhood. Public atriums, naturally ventilated walkways and terraced decks with lush plantings encourage interaction and movement, making the mall feel open, connected and alive. Woods Square: Rethinking the workplace Further north, located in the heart of the Woodlands Regional Centre, Woods Square is the first integrated commercial development in the area, a first-mover positioned to bring community-centric thinking to the workplace and supporting Singapore's northern transformation plans. Comprising four office blocks, including two Small Office Loft Office (SOLO) blocks, Woods Square offers offices for sale and lease. The SOLO units feature high ceilings and versatile layouts, catering to start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) looking for compact non-conventional workspaces. Woods Square is directly connected to Woodlands MRT Station (North-South and Thomson-East Coast Lines) and the bus interchange via Causeway Point, with proximity to key expressways and the future RTS Link to Johor Bahru. Nature is embedded throughout Woods Square, via rooftop pavilions, landscaped terraces, and a naturally ventilated atrium that promotes wellness and creativity. Amenities such as a childcare centre, gym, retail and F&B outlets further enrich the workday experience. Awarded the BCA Green Mark GoldPlus, Woods Square was designed as an 'Office in the Park,' reflecting the Organization's approach to sustainability and placemaking. According to a Knight Frank survey, there is a growing preference for shorter commutes, lifestyle integration, and decentralised office locations. With over a third of respondents naming Woodlands as Singapore's most exciting regional centre to work in, the development stands out as a strategic and future-ready workplace investment. Honouring the past, reimagining the future Aurea: Redefining iconic urban living Golden Mile Singapore (Artist's Impression). As part of the Golden Mile Singapore mixed-use development, the 45-storey residential tower Aurea represents a bold vision for next-generation city living. Rising alongside the conserved building, The Golden Mile, an iconic landmark known for its distinctive Brutalist architecture, Aurea showcases how contemporary design can respectfully build upon heritage while offering forward-looking urban lifestyle in a transformative precinct. With 188 exclusive units, Aurea offers panoramic views of the city and bay, sky gardens and a full suite of lifestyle amenities across three lushly landscaped levels. These include private dining spaces, tranquil lounges, pools and a gym. Drawing from the character-defining elements of the original Golden Mile Complex, such as the oculus windows, strong linear bands and the 'Hanging Gardens' concept, Aurea thoughtfully reinterprets these features through its shared spaces and facilities; elevating liveability and wellness with its Bungalows in the Sky. Aurea is seamlessly integrated with The Golden Mile via a link bridge, forming part of a visionary mixed-use development designed to support a vibrant and well-connected urban community. The Golden Mile will be conserved and refreshed as a commercial component featuring strata offices and medical suites, and a developer-managed retail mall, bringing together the essentials of work, health and leisure in one well-connected destination. As part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s Community/Sports Facilities Scheme (CSFS), an Architecture Centre will be established within The Golden Mile to celebrate the past, present and future of Singapore's built environment. This new public venue will promote awareness of Singapore's architectural and built heritage and serve as a learning space for residents and visitors alike. Golden Mile Singapore is a joint venture between Perennial Holdings Private Limited and Far East Organization. Enabling communities, beyond properties Chef X: Turning passion into opportunity Chef X Launch in April 2024. Far East Organization's belief in nurturing communities goes beyond bricks and mortar. With initiatives like Chef X, the Organization offers home-based chefs the opportunity to learn and grow their culinary ambitions, while delivering a vibrant dining experience for the community. Launched in April 2024, Chef X supports aspiring chefs, many of whom began cooking from home during the pandemic, by providing a short-term commercial restaurant residency of 4 or 8 weeks. This real-world experience allows them to test their culinary concepts, build operational confidence, and engage with diners. Agape Services: Empowering everyday lives Agape Services. Far East Organization's commitment to community includes creating opportunities for those often overlooked. Through its social enterprise, Agape Services, the company supports vulnerable job seekers including ex-offenders and persons with disabilities with meaningful employment in roles like cleaning and laundry services. By equipping them with practical skills and renewed confidence, Agape Services reflects the Organization's belief that community-building must be inclusive. And each empowered life shows that a business can do well by doing good. Always evolving with Singapore Marking 60 years of Singapore's independence, Far East Organization's journey mirrors the nation's own evolution. Its developments, ranging from heritage revivals to lifestyle hubs and decentralised commercial centres, have contributed to shaping both the city's skyline and its communities. Looking ahead, Far East Organization remains committed to shaping spaces where communities flourish, and where people can live, work and connect for generations to come. Building for the future FAR East Organization's approach to sustainable, community-driven development: Inclusive design: Developments like One Holland Village are open, inclusive and welcoming, with thoughtful amenities that reflect evolving lifestyles and encourage community interaction. Heritage renewal: Developments like Aurea and The Golden Mile blend iconic architectural elements with contemporary liveability, preserving identity while enabling progress. Decentralised growth: Woods Square supports Singapore's strategy to grow vibrant regional hubs, reducing commute and promoting live-work balance in the heartlands. Green strategies: Designing for natural ventilation, landscaping and biophilic design creates cooler, healthier and more liveable spaces. Art and culture integration: Public art installations foster daily engagement and contribute to the vibrancy of Singapore's cultural landscape. Spaces for everyday life: From flexible workspaces and community areas, developments are designed to meet evolving lifestyle needs. Empowering people: Initiatives like Chef X and Agape Services reflect a commitment to inclusive community building. Far East Organization's key milestones 1960: Founded by the late Mr Ng Teng Fong, establishing a foundation for decades of contribution to Singapore's built environment. 1960s-1990s: Played a pioneering role in Singapore's private housing market and progressively expanded into commercial, retail, and hospitality sectors. 1999-2023: Garnered 14 FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards for outstanding projects including Far East Square, Oasia Hotel Downtown and Silversea. 2019: Launched One Holland Village Residences for sale. Its pet-friendly mall, offices and community spaces opened in late 2023. 2020: Completed Woods Square, the first integrated commercial development in Woodlands Regional Centre, supporting Singapore's decentralisation plans. 2023: Launched The Reserve Residences, an integrated development in Bukit Timah anchored by the upcoming Bukit V mall and transport hub. 2024: Introduced Chef X at Clarke Quay Central, providing aspiring chefs a platform into the culinary world through short-term residencies. 2025: Announced the conservation and transformation of The Golden Mile and its adjacent new residential tower Aurea, bridging heritage and future-oriented design.
Time Out
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Dame: Gorgeous sunlit café in a museum serving hearty brunch with a local twist
Ever walked out of an exhibition feeling strangely exhausted? Gallery visits can be overstimulating at times, which is why museums now make it a point to have 'quiet rooms' for visitors to reset. The folks behind Dame seem to have taken that idea and ran with it, which is why this new café in the National Museum of Singapore is the calm, considered space that it is. Think soft colour tones, natural textures and a warm, unhurried vibe. The menu follows suit – no culinary theatrics here, just comforting brunch faves with a thoughtful local twist. The sun-drenched main dining atrium steals the show, with natural light filtering in through the glass-panelled high ceilings. But if the café gets busy, there's also an adjacent dining area that's just as cosy, with a takeaway coffee stand in the following room. It's easy to pass off the interiors as Scandinavian-inspired, but it turns out the owners of Dame wanted to incorporate subtle Southeast Asian touches in the use of rattan fixtures and dried rice stalks throughout the space. Even the menu is beautifully designed – courtesy of local artist duo Ripple Root. We order the hua tiao chiew clam linguine ($22), the café's take on a classic vongole, amped up with a good douse of Chinese rice wine for added depth and flavour in the broth. The pasta lands just past al dente, not without intention, though. This level of doneness – neither firm nor overly mushy – caters to those who might find true al dente a tad undercooked. It goes the same for the other pasta dishes on the menu, including the black pepper crab linguine ($25), tomato penne ($18) and creamy mushroom carbonara ($20). There are also new additions to the brunch list, like the smoked salmon rosti ($22) and P.P.B. (pulled pork eggs benedict, $19), both served with perfectly done poached eggs. The latter sees smoky, well-seasoned pulled pork with a lemon hollandaise sauce, and it even swaps out the usual sourdough base for fluffy brioche bread (read: no more struggling to cut through sourdough slices that just won't budge). We make a mental note to return for the Teochew porridge platter ($18), served with a medley of condiments like braised pork belly, otah and mustard greens assembled in a bamboo basket. To cater to different diets, Dame also offers two gluten-free options on the menu – the grilled prawn and mango salad ($22) with a chilli coriander lime dressing, and its signature Kerabu bee hoon ($22) with tiger prawns, sakura shrimp and sambal belacan. Vegetarian options are aplenty as well. Meanwhile, there's the constant waft of coffee coming from the charming sage-green coffee bar. The menu covers all the regular espresso-based drinks, made with beans from the local favourite Common Man Coffee Roasters. You'll also find a solid selection of juices and smoothies (from $6.50), house-made coolers like chrysanthemum lemonade and lychee lemongrass ($7.50 each), and teas from the Singaporean heritage brand The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. (from $5). Find out more about Dame here.
