INSIDE 2022 Shortlist Released; RT+Q Architects Represents ASEAN

INSIDE World Festival of Interiors 2022 finally released its shortlist today, revealing 68 exemplary spaces from illustrious practices like Woods Bagot, Benedetti Architects, and M Moser Associates, and in diverse locations like Sydney, Mumbai, Istanbul, and Beijing. The festival hopes to host its first live edition in three years in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 30 to December 2, 2022.

In terms of ASEAN representation in this year’s list, there is a bit of a surprise as only one ASEAN homegrown firm, RT+Q Architects from Singapore, made it, a far cry from last year’s six studios (three from Thailand, with one apiece from Singapore, Malaysia, and The Philippines). For comparison, 11 shortlisted ASEAN entries made it to INSIDE 2019.

RT+Q’s traveling exhibit dedicated to Le Corbusier is shortlisted under the Temporary/Meanwhile Uses Category. Accompanying RT+Q for ASEAN representation is M Moser Associates‘ Singapore office, shortlisted under the Workplace (Large) Category for Dyson’s Global Headquarters in St. James Power Station.

INSIDE program director Paul Finch remarks on this year’s field of entrants: “We reviewed everything from the fabulous to the austere, and found much to admire. Trends in this year’s entries ranged from the small to the large scale and included the increasing deployment of wood in both structural and decorative ways; the use of spiral staircases to improve circulation; insertion of nature, including use of internal trees; and an increasing interest in the creative re-use of historic buildings, many of them industrial. 

“Many projects focused on the flow of users in the interior space, with use of lobbies, landings and stairs for social and learning engagement. This was accompanied by an interest in natural light, the blending of interior and external spaces, and the contrast between stylish design and furniture and raw construction materials evident in walls and ceilings. There was also ample evidence of an interest with display: corporate branding, exhibition space, retail offers (both real and virtual), and meanwhile (temporary) uses.”

Each shortlisted entry is to compete live during the festival, with 11 INSIDE category prizes up for grabs and one space to be crowned ‘World Interior of the Year’. Entrants will have the privilege of presenting their work to international judging panels filled with interior design luminaries like Olga Bolshanina, Linzi Cassels, James Grose, and Li Wan.

View the full INSIDE 2022 shortlist here.

INSIDE 2022 Shortlist

S e l e c t e d  E n t r i e s

Le Corbusier: The Travelling Exhibition

RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd
INSIDE: Temporary/Meanwhile Uses

Text from the designers: The Travelling Exhibition revolves around the built and unbuilt works of the icon of modernist architecture, Le Corbusier. As a tradition, each intern that comes through the office is tasked with making a model of a built or unbuilt project designed by Le Corbusier. Over the years, interns past and present, have added to the private collection. Due to the temporal nature of the exhibition and the need to bring the exhibits to multiple venues, custom pedestals were designed to accommodate flexibility and ease of assembly and transportation.

To address the challenges of multiple usages and frequent moving, sustainable materials were utilized – honeycomb boards that are lightweight, sturdy, and collapsible, allowing them to be flat-packed to save transport costs. Eliminating the need for glue or screws, the pedestals are made up of two main parts and locking components, allowing for ease of assembly, disassembly, and transportation. The pedestals allow for versatility in configuration to adapt to the unique spatial requirements of different venues.

With every venue, the exhibition adopts a different curatorial theme: Exhibition at NUS: Model Insights focuses on the different construction methods and techniques for building the unique forms and details of Corbusier’s built and unbuilt works. Exhibition at SUTD: Now Boarding: Le Corbusier focuses on geography, bringing the works of Le Corbusier from around the world to SUTD. Exhibition at NDC: LC101, features the works of Le Corbusier – ranging from Architectural to furnishings and artworks, making it accessible for all in the heart of town.

In this post-pandemic period of limited travel, the Travelling Exhibition aims to make the works of Le Corbusier accessible to a wider audience. The collection of Le Corbusier’s works forms priceless lessons for interns, architects, and the general public alike—today and in the future. •

Read the official announcement here.