Message from Design Director: New Year, New Beginnings

What a refreshing start to the New Year!

Kyoob-ID is pleased to announce a couple of initiatives for this year, one of which is to stay more connected with our stakeholders – our clients, suppliers, and more. We'll be doing this through a bi-monthly blog such as this, and an e-newsletter that will be disseminated every quarter. On these mediums, we'll share about our latest project updates, recent industry insights, staff interviews, and corporate news such as events and happenings. Through these, we hope that you can stay abreast of what's happening.

Our emphasis, as a commercial interior design set-up, has always been on design and creativity. Thus this year, more than before, we'll strive to showcase our works in Singapore and beyond. This means participating in design competitions and events and getting our name out there.

Helping the community is an endeavor we value and support. This will go on. Near the start of March, we participated in the OCBC Cycle 2012 among many others in "The Challenge (39km) Race", where proceeds will go to selected charity organisations. And on 21 March, Kyoob-ID will participate in the "Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament 2012", an event that seeks to raise funds for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

We'll also stay committed to our employees, and continue to nurture and provide an environment for their creativity and growth. Other than work-related courses and training such as skills upgrading, employees also get to attend relevant industry exhibitions and workshops relating to buildings, work safety, and the environment. For our staff to gain exposure to all facets of design and build, they are encouraged to take a pro-active role in site meetings and discussions.

Improving lives at the workplace is Kyoob-ID's mission, and we'll carry on doing it with passion. We love to hear from you. If you've anything to share with us, do send us a note: admin@kyoob.com.sg.

Michelle Goh, Design Director

Project Update: Fun in Learning

The design and build project of SATS (Singapore Airport Terminal Services) Learning and Development Centre was completed in August 2011. Developed as a training centre for SATS' host of businesses, it was launched as MySpace@Changi to fuel the imagination and passion for learning and most importantly to create a space that users can call their own. In the same vein, the design concept developed by Kyoob-ID utilises vibrant imagery, fun furniture & layout and inspirational wall messaging to rejuvenate and recharge one's quest for continual learning and development.

To depict SATS as a "living company", the metaphor of a mighty river and its stately flow is used and illustrated in a gigantic wall mural at the Pit stop/discussion area. Throughout the space, SATS corporate branding is illustrated richly in its corporate red and circular icons that abound from recessed lighting features and wall graphics to round-shaped seating. To further reinforce SATS identity, its four core values – Trust, Excellence, Collaboration, and Innovation – are highlighted and described in a "value wall mural" and also respectively reflected in created motifs and distinct colours in the rest of the training rooms.

Some of the project challenges Kyoob-ID faced include the non-compliance of building regulations such as escape routes and door sizes at the existing space. These were subsequently addressed and rectified in our new space designs. Kyoob-ID also turned around the designs of the space to incorporate SATS' new corporate identity midway through the project. Because the design and build works were carried out at an existing premise where staff were working, construction works were carefully planned for during and after office hours with minimum disruption.

Company Activities: Ride For A Cause

On 4 March, Kyoob-ID joined thousand others for the OCBC Cycle Singapore 2012 at East Coast Park. Proceeds of the race will go toward two beneficiaries – the Singapore Children's Society and Dover Park Hospice.

Participating in "The Challenge (39km)" category, the Kyoob-ID team started at 6.30am for a grueling but fulfilling ride that ended around 9am. This is the second time we participated in the OCBC annual race. Other than for a community cause, Kyoob's participation was also for the purpose of corporate bonding over sports activities.

Says Kyoob-ID's visualiser, Wendell Ocampo of the race," It's very challenging. You need to be fit to join such an event." Adds Rannie Gozun, CAD designer: "It's good and fun. We're doing this for charity, and it's great for staff bonding as well."

Well, with so much fun, you can expect to see us at the next OCBC Cycle Singapore in 2013!

Company Activities: A Word with Kyoob-ID's CAD (Computer-aided Design) Designer Rannie Gozun

One of the main designers of Shine Auditorium for Rock Productions, Filipino Rannie Gozun has been working in Singapore as a CAD designer for the past four years. Before Singapore, 38-year-old Rannie has honed his design skills elsewhere – in the Philippines and Middle East – where he spent for more than eight years. Married with two young children, the soft-spoken designer talks more about his involvement in the Shine Auditorium project and his views of the design industry in Singapore.

1. What is your role in Kyoob-ID?
A CAD designer who is responsible for the preparation of construction drawings for each project.

2. What motivated or inspired you to be a designer?
Constantly learning new things in the design industry motivates me as a designer.

3. Tell us more about your involvement in the Shine auditorium project.
From the very start, I was involved in the site measurement and verification to provide the Shaw Tower's building base plan. Then, I was involved during the concept design development phase. Subsequently I worked on the detailed drawings for the auditorium construction and monitored its build-up. Finally, I assisted in final site inspection for the project handover.

4. Which is your most memorable project in Kyoob and why is it so?
It has to be Shine Auditorium. It's challenging because firstly, the building is old thus there are no electronic drawings available. Thus we had to take detailed measurements and from there made verifications for our base plan. Secondly, it's not a conventional corporate design. Therefore, many specialists were involved from acoustic paneling/ ceiling, mechanical and lighting to sound system.

5. Having worked in Singapore for so long, are there any culture shocks or differences you experienced so far?
Yes, during my initial months here. The languages Singaporeans speak are Mandarin and Singlish. At first, it's difficult for me to understand because they speak too fast in Singlish. The foods here – Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, and Indian – are all so spicy. Filipino foods are located only in Lucky Plaza. But generally, Singapore is a nice country. It's clean and has good transport system, and good governance.

6. How do you find the design scene in Singapore as compared to Philippines for instance?
Design wise, it's just the same. But the interior design scene in Singapore is faster paced.