Design Spectrum Presents ‘always’ Exhibition with over 50 Sustainable Designs Envisioning A Community that Thinks Beyond Green

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 29 November 2022 – Design Spectrum, the public-facing platform of Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), is proud to present a design exhibition titled ‘always’ from 22 November 2022 to 29 January 2023. As well as being one of the accredited events celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR, it is also among the series of thrilling events commemorating HKDC’s 20^th Anniversary under the theme ‘Design for Sustainable Community’. The exhibition explores the sustainable development of Hong Kong over the decades, how good designs have sprouted like seeds and driven significant impact on communities.

From a spark of awareness to a series of actions, our behaviour is gradually formed over time until it becomes part of a routine – and becomes our ‘always’. Likewise, it starts with a thought or an idea to make a positive impact on the environment. Curated by local designers Benny Au and Teresa Chan of miniminigallery, the ‘always’ exhibition explores sustainability beyond the material level from a new perspective, that can also be escalated to the spiritual, cultural and heritage levels of discussion. Visitors will get to appreciate our local creative power and learn how design can promote and inspire a continuous innovation process, ensuring the sustainable and prosperous development of the city.

From concept to practice, an integration of function and aesthetics, the power of ‘keep going!’ through dual-venue Exhibition

The exhibition’s spaces also well-present the fluidity and interchangeability of the concept ‘always’. Its first phase commences in Central Market from 22 November to 12 December 2022, followed by the second phase in PMQ from 15 December 2022 to 29 January 2023. These two distinct venues have brought a big challenge to the curatorial team regarding structural design: the durability of re-used materials, their transportability, the different sizes of the two venues and more. Kwok Yat Long and Law Chi Hin, who support the structural design of the exhibition, and the curator Benny said that ‘apart from the material selection, manpower as well as the exhibition setup process should be considered carefully. As both planners and exhibitors of the exhibition, we all share the same perspective towards sustainability.’

The exhibition uses flexible wooden panels that are easy to transport, allowing various three-dimensional geometric combinations that adapt to different spaces, to showcase a total of more than 50 exhibits. The structures are also easy to dismantle and transport – not only are they functional and aesthetically pleasing, but they epitomise the theme of the exhibition perfectly.

50+ Design Projects that Span Across Different Generations, Forms and Spaces

In today’s world, environmental protection is nothing new. Since the 1970s, the iconic rubbish monster ‘Lap Sap Chung’ has deeply rooted itself in the hearts of the people of Hong Kong, to express the local design community’s concern on the issue. ‘always’ will exhibit over 50 design projects, most of which originated from Hong Kong and were selected to characterise different generations, spaces, and serve different rungs of society. The projects are all made ‘tangible’ to preserve the important ‘intangible’ values behind, whether based on the designers’ ideas, creativity or messages they want to convey to individuals or communities. ‘always’ implies thoughts can influence behaviours and shape our daily practices. With the spirit of ‘breaking the old and creating the new’, exhibitors encourage collective thoughts and actions through design, connecting humanity and nature, and eventually creating a better community and future.

Posters: Effective Designs for Spreading the Seeds of Communication
The poster is one of the most direct and powerful tools for communication in graphic design. The curators have selected a total of 21 posters spanning from 1970s to 2010s from 12 renowned Hong Kong designers across generations to showcase at the exhibition. The designers made use of these posters to illustrate their unique insights on social issues, such as pollution and resource scarcity. Visitors can appreciate the evolving process of the design – from the seeding of ideas to sprouting growth, as it continues to raise awareness of sustainability issues in recent decades.

For the second phase of the exhibition at PMQ, young designers will be joining the show with their own posters, through which visitors can feel how the ideas of the past are passed down from generation to generation. These ideas will continue to spread and grow, and may bear different kinds of fruits in the future.

Let’s Sow the Seeds of Design – Join Workshops and Support Local Designers

From the end of November till January 2023, a series of concurrent events such as public guided tours, workshops and designer sharing sessions will be organised around the exhibition for public. We have invited Hulu Culture to host several sessions of cultural guided tours where participants will be led by experts to explore the old and the new architects in the city after visiting the exhibition to experience the historic development of Hong Kong. There will also be a joint event with PMQ Taste Library and Classics Anew providing multi-sensory experiences of taste and touch to the public. In addition, a parents-and-kids illustration workshop will provide more inspirations about environmental protection; and Hong Kong kintsugi master Mr Kenneth Lee will share his insights into the relationship between design and cultural heritage.

Visitors can also check out the DS Pop-up at Spectrum (Shop 116) in Central Market before or after the exhibition! The shop features a variety of local design goodies, and is definitely a go-to spot for picking the best gifts for Christmas and the New Year!

Hashtag: #DesignSpectrum #HKDC #always #gooddesign

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Deals for Non-Travellers Not to Be Missed

Kicking things off for non-travellers on iShopChangi are the Christmas sitewide vouchers and exclusive promotions. Not an iShopChangi shopper yet? Now’s the season to join with an exclusive upsized voucher for new sign-ups. Lock in the discount codes below and cart out your favourite products at a steal!

*Product exclusions and other T&Cs apply.

Snap up sitewide deals this Christmas over a broad category of products, from beauty to home appliances. Non-travellers can expect great savings on beauty and health products like the Estée Lauder, with a specially curated Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme Beauty Set sold at S$118.99 (41% off the usual price of S$201). Accompanied by the Kinohimitsu Bird’s Nest Gift Set 8’s, retailing at S$99 (42% off the regular S$169.70 retail price), non-travellers can partake in the upcoming festive revelry with healthy, radiant skin.

Spice up the festive get-togethers with the Compendium Spirits “Palate” Miniatures Set. Inspired by local flavours, this sampling set will stun your guests with its intriguing flavours at only S$79.20 (10% down from its usual price of S$88). Retailing at S$59.90 (57% off the usual price of S$139), the c is set to fill the air with the scent of a warm breakfast. A perfect addition to the kitchen in and out of the festive season.

Don’t miss out on the 12.12 sitewide vouchers either, where you can pick up holiday exclusives like Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion Ultimate Blockbuster Set (Sakura Ferment) retailing at S$301 (58% off the usual price of S$680). If not, the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Festive Gift Pack at S$139 (18% off the usual price of $169) could make an excellent liquor set to bust out during the festivities.

Advent Month Flash Deals to Catch for Travellers

Travellers not only have flights to catch – with sitewide vouchers going up to 20% off, it’s time to fill your carts with tax and duty-free goodies at incredibly unbelievable prices. What’s more, there will be a five-day Christmas flash sale at the beginning of December! Check out the codes below to grab huge discounts on your favourite buys.

*Product exclusions and other T&Cs apply.

From spirits to skincare, travelling iShopChangi shoppers can expect a wide range of deals to choose from! Look forward to shaving 5% off premier whiskies like the Martell XO B 40% 1000ml, which retails at S$452.20 after a 5% off from the usual price of S$476. Another highlight for travellers is the sought-after Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro — a must-have now that it is going at S$35 (30% off the usual price S$50).

A Celebration for Both Travellers and Non-Travellers

Both travellers and non-travellers can further enjoy a birthday exclusive 15% off voucher and up to 3% rebate with a Changi Rewards membership. A S$5 Welcome Voucher awaits for new signs up on Changi Pay too.

Travellers may place their orders between 30 days in advance and up to 12 hours before flying, and pick up their purchases from the Collection Centres across the departure halls of all terminals at Singapore Changi Airport. Alternatively, provide a Singapore residential address for delivery. Till 31 January 2023, they can also redeem 20% off at checkout, with no minimum spend, capped at S$20, with the code <REVENGE20>, which can be applied up to two times.

Non-travellers can cart out at duty-absorbed prices on iShopChangi and have their items delivered to them for free when they spend at least S$59 and provide a local residential address for delivery.

Hashtag: #iShopChangi

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About iShopChangi

iShopChangi was launched in 2013 as an extension of Changi Airport’s promise to deliver greater comfort and convenience to travellers in its suite of airport retail offerings. Passengers can browse and purchase tax- and duty-free products across all terminals between 30 days to 12 hours pre-flight on the e-store – and choose to collect their items at Collection Centres within departure, upon arrival or have them delivered free in Singapore. Providing easy access to over 30,000 products across 900 brands and exclusives such as Changi First product launches, the site has since received global recognition with its award for Best Website – Retail Customer Facing at The Moodies: the Airport and Travel Retail Digital Media Awards 2018. In early 2020, the e-commerce store started to retail a selection tax- and duty-absorbed products to Singapore-based residents without the need to fly.

The Flexi Group merges the Hive, Common Ground and The Cluster to create a portfolio of 45 locations across 12 cities and 9 countries in the Asia-Pacific region

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 29 November 2022 – The Flexi Group is launching as the largest operator of flexible workspaces in Asia-Pacific, merging regionally-recognised brands the Hive, Common Ground and The Cluster under one umbrella.

With this merger, The Flexi Group will boast a portfolio of 45 locations across 12 cities and 9 countries – including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Japan – as well as offer holistic membership solutions for businesses of all sizes, ranging from typical coworking memberships to full-service enterprise and white labeled management solutions.

This first merger, in a series of planned consolidation activities, is supported by investment from Singapore-based Catcha Group and Malaysia-based Emissary Capital. It is also a step in the direction of an IPO that will enable The Flexi Group to consolidate the region’s flexible workspace industry through M&A and to lead the future of work in Asia Pacific- and beyond.

Chris Edwards, CEO of The Flexi Group, states: “We are delighted to launch The Flexi Group as the leading provider of flexible workspaces in the Asia-Pacific region. The pandemic has changed the way the world works, with businesses of all sizes shifting their workplace strategies towards flexible solutions, employee wellbeing, and collaborative spaces, and we are excited to be at the forefront of that trend.”

Unlike other flexible workspace companies, The Flexi Group has an asset-light approach to its real estate ventures, partnering with landlords on joint ventures instead of taking on large and unwieldy rental agreements. Their landlord partners in Asia include Chinachem Group in Hong Kong, Petronas in Malaysia, Central Group in Thailand, Ortigas in the Philippines and Hirsch and Faigen in Australia – with more to come in the next few months.

Chris states: “We work with some of the leading landlords in the region who see flexible workspaces as a natural evolution of their business. They work with us to help engage the tenants in their buildings, offering them access to best-in-class events, flexible work solutions and bookable meeting and event spaces. Asset owners can also unlock revenue potential as our partners see increased returns of up to 30% vs a traditional lease structure”

Along with their landlord partners, The Flexi Group will continue to expand their three unique brands the Hive, Common Ground and The Cluster across the region with multiple new locations set to open in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore over the next 12 months.

Chris continues: “Our multi brand for a multi-demographic approach is unique in the region. This strategy gives us the opportunity to partner with landlords across a variety of asset classes across Asia and Australia. With our multiple brands targeting a different market segment across a variety of industries, we will see exponential growth and are forecasting to grow by up to 100 locations in the next three years.”

Note to editors:
For more information on The Flexi Group: https://www.theflexigroup.com/
Click here for high-res imagery, including spokesperson portrait.

Hashtag: #TheFlexiGroup

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About The Flexi Group

Founded in 2022, The Flexi Group is a rapidly expanding collection of leading Flexible Workspace operators in Asia. Spread across 45 locations in 12 cities, and with over 15 years of experience in designing, operating and scaling workspaces, we are the region’s largest operator. The Flexi Group is expected to be headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Please visit https://www.theflexigroup.com for more information.

About the Hive

Creating beautiful workspaces and hosting best-in-class events since 2012, the Hive is Asia Pacific’s widest, boutique workspace network, carrying 21 locations in 7 countries. Aiming to deliver the ultimate Hive experience, the Hive has formed a creative community to inspire members to build deep, lasting connections, whatever their industry, role or location.

Please visit https://thehive.com/ for more information.

About Common Ground

Since its launch in 2017, Common Ground has redefined premium flexible workspaces, building a powerful business network of like-minded thought leaders across Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. It is home to an ecosystem of diverse resources, personalities and ideas and predominantly focuses on larger multinational corporations.

Please visit https://commonground.work for more information.

About The Cluster

Established in 2010, The Cluster is among the pioneers of hospitality driven work and event spaces in Australia. Located in commercial and business city centers, The Cluster has earned a reputation for its flexible, spacious, and luxurious workspaces.

Please visit https://thecluster.com.au for more information.