Superfat is a vibrant design office working across art galleries, houses, commercial offices and retail spaces shaped "through investigations and explorations". More Space meets Weizhang Lin to talk about his studio and current projects, and the questions the team found themselves asking when redesigning their own workplace.
More Space: When did you launch Superfat and what’s the story behind the name?
Weizhang Lin: We launched Superfat back in 2012. Super Fat to us is a philosophy of living luxuriously. Fat in food is what give it flavour and richness. And we also apply that “fat” in the design of our homes. Just a little bit extra. Our Tagline is:
Live
Large
Live
Superfat
Please tell us about your design philosophy and the kinds of projects you take on.
The practice was founded with a focus on evolving spaces through investigations and explorations, as such we have not limited ourselves to a particular typology. Our works span typologies such as art galleries, retail concept stores, departmental stores, offices, hotels and food and beverage projects. The practice also has a particular interest in bespoke high-end residential homes as well as show flats for property developers.
What is the best thing that has happened to your studio this year?
The pandemic has forced us to really improve our communications. It also made us more empathetic and sensitive to our colleagues needs. As an office, I believe that drew us closer as a team.
"The practice was founded with a focus on evolving spaces through investigations and explorations, as such we have not limited ourselves to a particular typology."
Weizhang Lin, Superfat Designs
Superfat's Weizhang Lin has built a broad portfolio of projects he describes as not limited by typologies. Portrait of Weizhang Lin c/o Superfat Design.
Superfat was commissioned to design the Iskandar Jalil: Kembara Tanah Liat exhibition that showed the practice of ceramic art in Southeast Asia at the National Gallery Singapore. Photo c/o Superfat Designs.
One of the show apartment interiors for Reflections at Keppel Bay designed by Superfat Designs, here and following. Photos c/o Superfat Designs.
The Porcelain Origin boutique designed by Superfat Designs, here and following. Photos c/o Superfat Designs.
The Arcadia residence by Superfat Designs, here and following. Photos c/o Superfat Designs.
"Our team and our clients have become more aware of the impact and connection to their environment. A lot of our work now is shaped by that new awareness which places a premium on personal space."
Weizhang Lin, Superfat Designs
How have your client's needs changed?
The pandemic has shaped the way we traditionally use our spaces, both living and workplaces. Our team and our clients have become more aware of the impact and connection to their environment. A lot of our work now is shaped by that new awareness which places a premium on personal space.
Has 2020 also shifted your studio's approach to design?
One of the things we worked on as a practice during the pandemic was a rejig of our office layout. We are still exploring this and have yet to execute the changes, but as an office we asked ourselves these questions which I think most people are asking:
What do we need as a bare minimum for the office to operate?
How else can the office function?
Is there a better way of collaborating internally and with our clients?
Are the spaces in the office that we are used to still relevant going forward?
These questions are shaping the way we think of spaces. The pandemic will not be permanent, but it allows us to rethink how spaces can be used. To us it allows a distillation of the office to something more compact in function, but much larger in its role to bind and amalgamate the team.
Some of your favourite projects completed recently?
I really like our most recent double storey penthouse at Reflections by Keppel Bay for our clients at Keppel Land. It just had the most stunning views that I think you will struggle to find anywhere else in Singapore. Our interiors were sensitive to that and chose to complement not compete with the views.
And finally, what is keeping Superfat busy right now?
We are currently engaged in a retrofit of a local hotel, residential showflats, retail concept stores, offices and of course several residential homes.
Thanks Weizhang Lin, great to chat with you.
