Mike Lim,
director of
DP DesignCollaborative and
interdisCiplinary approaCh
People are the core of DP’s
philosophy – whether they are
end users, industry partners,
clients or contractors.
Collaboration is what makes
up our cultural DNA, so our
ability to listen, understand
and execute was a definite
advantage.
From the design concept to
the delivery, it was a familiar
but nonetheless exciting
collaborative process. It involved
three of DP’s specialist arms –
DP Architects, DP Design and DP
Green, our landscape architects.
Together, we function as a
multidisciplinary design studio
that offers an interdisciplinary
approach. What this means is
that communication channels
are always open between our
teams. As interior designers
and interior architects, this
open engagement enables us to
understand the aim of the larger
architectural scheme and allows
our designs to complement the
purpose of the space.
Key to the suCCess of
large-sCale projeCts
Each development we have
been involved in has a function
unique unto itself. For example,
OTH is an integrated sports
and community hub for the
residents of Tampines, while
Resorts World Sentosa is an
integrated resort that features
hyper-mixed uses on a mega
scale that serves to boost
Singapore’s tourism industry.
The Dubai Mall and Abu Dhabi
Tower similarly function as
destinations in themselves for
Middle Eastern tourism, but the
basis of all these projects is that
the spaces are intended for the
people, albeit for different end-
user groups.
Their success then lies
in how they were designed
with the end users in mind.
What is fundamental in this
is how our design takes into
consideration the site and
cultural relevance, and this is,
in turn, articulated through
design detailing and nuances.
For example, various sections of
the OTH library were designed
to relate to specific age groups
of readers, while The Dubai
Mall has four differentiated
shopping “streets” that each
cater to their respective target
consumers and deliver uniqueretail experiences. The choice
of material and application of
textures then plays a key role in
realising these spaces.thoughts on the designer
of the year win and words
for aspiring interior
designers
I am honoured by the
recognition. My hope is that
this will inspire and encourage
my fellow designers to strike
out and compete in the
international arena. To young
designers, I would say: Stay
passionate about what you do.
Be humble and open to learning.
Be relentless in your craft.