DESIGN DISTRICTS
This year, SDW will introduce Design Districts as a key highlight of the festival. Each district reflects the unique character and charm of its community and offers a wealth of immersive design experiences within walking distance.
To kick off this new festival offering, SDW 2023 Design Districts will span three key precincts – Bras Basah.Bugis, Marina Bay, and Orchard Road.
Head to the Events page for more programme listings as we near the launch of SDW 2023. For now, make note of some of the events to look forward to in our Design Districts. See you there!
BRAS BASAH.BUGIS
Bras Basah.Bugis
Feel the pulse of Singapore design in the island’s original arts, heritage, and design district. Take in the neighbourhood’s unique architectural blend as you traipse between SDW’s specially commissioned showcases of design innovation and impact: Playground of Possibilities at the National Design Centre (NDC, curated by BLACK), FI&LD at LASALLE College of the Arts (curated by Lekker Architects), and School of Tomorrow at Selegie Arts Centre (curated by Kinetic Singapore).
Also not to be missed are the Design Futures Forum at the Drama Centre (National Library Building), the Future Impact: Homecoming Showcase at NDC, and partner events at LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Stamford Arts Centre, and Raffles City – as well as special activations at participating retailers and cafes.
Follow our vivid green wayfinding for an overall district experience curated by Jackson Tan of BLACK, and join the community in a district-wide Friday Late experience on 22 September!
EVENTS
MARINA BAY
Marina Bay
Take in design’s big gestures as well as its fine grain in the iconic Marina Bay district. FIND – Design Fair Asia will transform the halls of the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre into the ultimate design marketplace with the latest furniture, interiors, and design brands from around the region and the world. You can also catch a huge line up of design speakers at the FIND – Global Summit. Don’t miss EMERGE @ FIND for the much-anticipated second run of the Dsg-initiated showcase of Southeast Asian design talent, curated by Suzy Annetta.
There’s plenty more to see and do in the bay. Take a glimpse at design’s possible futures at the Red Dot Design Museum’s exhibition of the 2023 winners of its Red Dot Award: Design Concept. Head over to the ArtScience Museum for a peek into the workspace of the first ArtScientist-in-Residence, Cesar Jung-Harada – a designer, environmentalist, educator, and entrepreneur who is tinkering with ways to reinvent sea transport and exploring new sources of power.
Complete your design district experience with a stroll over to Gardens by the Bay for an exhibition by LASALLE College of the Arts students, as well as a design trail through the gardens.
EVENTS
ORCHARD ROAD
Orchard Road
On and around Singapore’s most famous shopping boulevard, you’ll find exciting design retail experiences during SDW – and much more. From the latest cutting-edge material explorations by Sony, to the new Wunderground space presenting design forward lifestyle brands at Emerald Hill, there’s no shortage of the new and creative to indulge in.
Want to know how design can transform the banking experience? Take a tour at OCBC Wisma Atria. Interested in ‘phygital’ modes of learning in the Web 3.0 space? Then join Nanyang Polytechnic’s Metaverse Lab at DesignOrchard. While you’re there, check out the Singapore Fashion Council’s showcase of ‘Made with Passion’ brands, as well as NextOfKin Creatives’ whimsical toys made with recycled chopsticks. And there’s plenty more in the district!
For some a quiet respite, visit library@orchard and marvel at the latest crop of recipients of the President*s Design Award. You’ll leave with a satisfying appreciation for how good design makes life better.
