Renovation

“Given the kind of work we do, it’s very nice to have no distractions. You hear maybe the ocean, maybe the wind, maybe nothing.” —Gabriel Ramirez, resident

grooves and pits that seem appropriate to the rugged surroundings. No part of the house is drywall, which Sheine describes as a kind of crutch—the material of last resort.

To avoid interrupting the long, sloped ceiling, Sheine and Millar decided there would be no lights mounted in it or on it. Instead, swing-arm fixtures— two by Serge Mouille, the others by David Weeks—are mounted on the walls. And when he serves dinner at night, Ramirez lights a pair of hurricane lamps on the large, black walnut dining table. As for the rest of his furniture, Ramirez relied as much as possible on built-ins, including a thickly upholstered bench that runs the length of the living room and is a perfect place to stretch out with one of his many architecture books. Though he may be working remotely, “in the end,” Ramirez says, “Sea Ranch is all about relaxing.”

Sea caves on the property forced the architects to split some of the living space into a 483-square-foot guesthouse (above). It has similar built-ins and is outfitted with a reproduction rotating sconce by Serge Mouille and rugs by Stephanie Odegard (opposite).

All Senses to The Nature

The growing concern about the nature and how the world evolve due to human negligence has lead Yu Sing and his firm Akanoma into a series of exploration towards the relationships between nature and architecture.

The awareness grow inside Yu Sing

mind as a person and professional architect who share idealist path of providing more affordable house for his clients. He understands that nature brings a great deal of influence when it comes to architecture and man made built environment. The use of natural material from surrounding the site would be a friendly gesture toward nature. Hence, the design part of the process plays a crucial transition to deliver a satisfactory result for the client. This is also becoming an eye opener process for the clients to give more appreciation to what nature can provide.

The habit of how the people build their house is already shifted into a modern transaction between workers and contractor. What used to be the work of community in a vernacular way is no longer exist. This brings out the question in Yu Sing mind. “There are so many traditional houses in Indonesia which truly belong to the local climate and surroundings, but can we learn anything from them? We should be able to see its conection with surroundings and local resources,” says Yu Sing.

As an architect, he always try to engage a closer bound between human and their nature. He will never stop convincing the client to understand the good ideas behind a decision to use material available around the site. Having to preserve one tree in the site is also a responsible start to be more friendly with the earth. If possible he advise the client to plant wood plant or fruit plant which will last years, but to some extend this notion as responded in positive way.

The interconnected relationship between nature, culture, and architecture attract his attention. “I observe the interdependence correlation between culture, architecture, and the nature surrounding them. The nature preservation turns out to managable when the human

Photos courtesy of Yu Sing and Akanoma Yu Sing design a work station in order to be able to work by the nature and having the trees as a scenery. He uses all senses to understand the nature including explore with the taste of fresh green vegetables he can grow in his garden.

still has the need toward the nature. “ By observing traditional houses and villages, Yu Sing sees the three big part, settlement, farm;included fishery and agriculture, and forbidden forest. This is where traditional lifestyles always mantain a balance relationship with the surrounding.

When he build his studio, Yu Sing also concern how his building invade a minimum part of the land. it leaves a big part of the land and gives him opportunity to do simple farming and make the surrounding of the studio looks green. This is the proof that his concern doesn’t stay within the boundaries of the client’s projects, he extend the concern into his lifestyle and how he sees the life. While in his never ending quest on what to learn from the nature, his design will remain an eye opener and a new experience with nature for his client.

Timeless Ardor

Taken from the Italian phrase that means ‘pure form,’ the Jakarta-based Indonesian retail store, Formapura, embraces classic craftsmanship with modern manufacturing in an assortment of timeless designs.

Text by Anindia Karlinda Photo by Mohammad Nuhrizal

“It all started with a simple form product and a simple vision”. Behind the creation of the Formapura retail store back in 2013, the power of two siblings is in play – Janice Tjioe as Principal Designer and Isabelle Janvlyn as Managing Director. Having gained experience through their manufacturing facilities since 1983 in developing furniture products for the international market, and in collaboration with commercial operators, developers and chain stores worldwide, they strive to fulfill not only the volume of production, but also to maintain solid, longlasting relationships with their customers. Their vision is to combine authenticity and a passion for classic craftsmanship with the efficiency and capabilities of modern manufacturing, while also providing a full range service of interior design and interior build for residential and commercial projects. “We find beauty in the fine details around us, and we wish to design and manufacture furniture that leads to a simple way of gracious living everyday because the most gracious shapes come from the human hand,” says Janvlyn. “Our furniture is made-to-suit, made-tolast, and made especially for each home owner.”

What made you open Formapura?

Researching the strong demand for fine furniture in Indonesia, especially in the Jakarta area, we found that many of the furniture boutique retailers provided imported brands of furniture, coming from other parts of the world, with a pricy tag. We believe that our brand can be a bridge to homeowners who love to accent their homes with locally-made, long lasting pieces with a more affordable price tag.

What is Formapura’s design and style?

Intrigued by the history of traditional American elegance and style, Formapura expresses the integrity of modern form and function with classic details and proportions, refined design and expert craftsmanship. We also personalize every customized piece of furniture with special finishes, techniques and treatments. We add custom hardware, combining multiple finishes, or even altering overall dimensions. We design and execute one-of-a-kind, inspiring pieces to suit our customers’ tastes in the palette of their choice.

What kind of customer can we expect to see at Formapura?

Formapura appeals to all, from professionals residing in hip and modern vertical living environments, to expatriates who appreciate Indonesianhandmade products, to new homeowners looking for made-to-last pieces within an affordable luxury budget, as well as many prominent developers, architects, and interior designers in Indonesia.

In terms of designing new products, what are you focusing on?

We focus on each customer’s personal vision of timeless style, and deliver it through our hand-crafted, solid and upholstered goods. As Formapura strives to provide fine wood furniture, which is made to satisfy the client’s needs, we ensure that it remains true to the inspiring assortment of designs, furnishings, and classic craftsmanship, through the efficiency of modern manufacturing.

What can you share about your newest products?

In this fall season, we extend a nod to mid-century modern and sleek shape with our new Bixby Collection – Bixby Etagere, Bixby Stool and Bixby Armchair – through an illusion of light furnishings with the compatibility of comfort, form and function. Meanwhile, for the newest Bixby Pedestal, we found that a void of color filled by thoughtful details, beautiful forms, and luxurious textures would combine not only timeless design but also the modern solution of a gracious function-efficiency piece.

What other ideas are you looking to implement in Formapura?

In the upcoming future, Formapura will highlight neutral tones derived from environmentally-conscious natural materials with extensive organic form and details; a unique collection with plenty of personality derived from traditional American heritage.

In your opinion, what makes for great design?

A great design is a re-born interpretation of the aspirations of a timeless yet revolutionized style movement throughout a valuable timeframe. Uniquely one of a kind, the great beauty of a design is taking history as a part of its foundation with a twist for modern functional needs.

The main actors behind Formapura retail store, Isabelle Janvlyn and Janice Tjioe (opposite, top) . Formapura Interiors & Furnishings showroom (opposite, below) shows a rich variety of products, from their best-selling one, the Klismos Bench (far bottom), the Carrie armchair in orchid colour (below, left), to their newest Fall collection, the Bixby Étagère (below, right).

GO FIND IT!

FORMAPURA INTERIORS & FURNISHINGS

Jalan Senopati No.75 Jakarta Selatan 12110 +62 21 2942 8723 +62 21 2942 8722 formapura.co.id

SPECIALTY: Affordable luxury with American Modern casegoods and upholstered pieces. TOP SELLING ITEM: Klismos Bench and Kate One & Half Chair. BEST DEAL: Bixby Étagère and Bixby Armchair. COOLEST FIND: Carrie armchair in orchid colour.

Suspended Reality

Occupying a historic shophouse in Singapore, this fragrant boutique offers an extensive collection of India’s best handcrafted products.

Time slows down inside this charming boutique retail in Singapore Occupying a carefully renovated heritage shophouse, The Sandalwood Room offers a curated selection of fine crafts, which run the gamut from home décor and tableware to jewelry and textile, as well as other cultural curios and novelties, sourced mainly from India. The shop is a brainchild of two ladies; entrepreneur Jayashrree S. Mani and retail consultant Mathangi Srinivasamurti. Chennai native Mani has been a regular visitor to Singapore for over 20 years before she decided to share her love for “all things beautiful” by opening a shop in a heritage shophouse which had formerly housed a curry shop. The space is now a feast to all senses. Fragrant sandalwood scents the air, shelves of exquisite and colourful products line the walls, and friendly staffs smile behind the counter constructed from ornate Indian swings. And at the back of the shop is a small gallery dedicated to display the work of a chosen artist. We’ve caught up with the founder herself to find out more about this room that suspends reality. GO FIND IT!

THE SANDALWOOD ROOM

You describe The Sandalwood Room as a place for ‘retail recreation’, tell us more about that.

All of my life I’ve been so busy until a few years ago. I made shopping lists, had a mental image of what I might pick up, ran into a store in between appointments and chores, scrambled to pick up something within my budget and charged back to the day’s to-do list. I am not advocating that we all set aside huge chunks of our schedule to shop at leisure; but as I grew older I realized that there is a deep sense of pleasure in meandering through a store, in just holding and feeling things. And it’s not just the act of

Photos courtesy of Sandalwood Room buying, but the smell and warmth of a familiar store space, meeting the store staff – especially when they have been there for awhile and know your tastes – that relaxed me a lot. Now the word ‘retail therapy’ suggests that I am ill, yet I may just be tired, stressed and need a few minutes of the big T – time out. I don’t like the sound of retail therapy; and I thought it through and realized that what I am talking about is retail recreation. If therapy is about feeling more cheerful, recreation is about becoming any number of things while enjoying oneself – more exhilarated, mentally recharged or calmer! And this is how I would like The Sandalwood Room to be perceived.

Why name the shop The Sandalwood Room?

I think of element that is very Indian, and sandalwood is the top of that list, when you smell sandalwood you think of India, we use them extensively in our ceremonies. It is also have an antiseptic quality, and adding to that sandalwood has become an increasingly rare and precious commodity – did you know that to cut a sandalwood tree you need government’s permission now? We have an actual sandalwood piece inside the store, and we keep it on one of the swings we use to construct the counter.

How would you describe the shop’s collection, and what’s the biggest challenge in bringing them to Singapore?

We bring artistic works that are unique even in India. We source from original creators who give a contemporary twist to traditional ideas; their creations will be unique and each piece will be exclusive. These are not mass marketed products, these are hand crafted, limited collections, which are only available from the designers. The most challenging part of sourcing these products is locating the suppliers whose products resonate with market needs and our taste; and then the logistics at the supplier’s end.

Tell us more about some of the brands you have in the shop.

We work with designers from across India – Delhi, Jaipur, Chennai and a lot of rural areas where craftsmanship is still alive, but perhaps not thriving. Many of the designers who supply us aim to sustain these craftsmen. To name

Formerly a curry house, (opposite, top) this heritage shophouse now houses the finest of Indian craftsmanship. Owner Jayashrree S. Mani (opposite, bottom) leaning on shelves displaying Anokhi’s handmade quilts. Ishika ceramicware (top) blends traditional motifs with contemporary shapes. Handmade toys (bottom) displayed on the counter that is constructed from Indian ornate swing.

a few: Anokhi from Jaipur, Shrujan from the Kutch region, Gujarat, Maya Bazzar from Maharashtra, Ishika ceramic ware that is Indian inspired but produced in Srilanka, Temple Jewellery from artisans from South India. Part of the concept involves a ‘pop-up’ retail corner in which craft and couture items, artefacts and accessories will be cycled on a short term basis.

What’s next for the Sandalwood Room?

Wooing the market! Establishing the clientele base.

76 Prinsep Street Singapore 188663 +65 6883 2369 +65 9786 5896 thesandalwoodroom.com.sg

SPECIALTY: Indian handcrafted home décor and accessories with contemporary twists. TOP SELLING ITEM: Stuffed animal plushies, Rema Kumar’s sari collection. BEST DEAL: Anokhi’s quilt, hand-crafted from organic cotton dyed with vegetable dyes. COOLEST FIND: Pillows stamped with traditional illustrations, Kanchan Chander’s wearable arts.