KAMPONG JAVA LAUNCH EVENT
TRANSFORMING AN EMPTY SPACE IN 3 DAYS
THE CHALLENGE
The National Arts Council (NAC) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) approached us with a unique challenge for the launch of a row of five restored heritage properties at 52 to 56 Kampong Java Road. The goal was to showcase the potential of these spaces to potential master tenants and the creative community by occupying empty rooms and conducting art workshops. The key challenges included:
Short Preparation Time: We were given just three weeks to plan and three days to set up before the launch event.
Preservation of the Space: No drilling or permanent alterations were allowed as everything had to be reinstated the day after the event.
Budget Constraints: We had to work within a specific budget, ensuring cost-effective yet impactful solutions.
THE SOLUTION
Our approach focused on creating a vibrant, lived-in artistic atmosphere that would resonate with the creative community and potential tenants. Here’s how we transformed the space:
Workshops
UV Resin and Gel Plate Printing Workshops: These workshops were selected for their quick execution and the ability to produce visually appealing results. Participants could create resin pieces and prints that looked good and provided a hands-on experience of what the space could offer.
Space Transformation
Workshop Room:
We filled the walls with numerous gel plate prints, giving the room a colorful and dynamic look.
Main Corridor:
We used our blue and pink LED sign to light up the area, creating a cool and inviting vibe.
To add more color, we bought different colored vinyl stickers, cut them into random shapes, and stuck them on the walls.
LED Light Stands:
We purchased four LED light stands with color-changing capabilities. These were used to adjust the room colors, adding to the cool artistic ambiance.
Art Studio Space:
We created paintings and drawings on large sheets of newsprint, filling the walls in a cost-effective way. This made the room feel like a true art studio.
We also bought canvases to paint on during the event, demonstrating how the space could be used as an artist studio.
THE RESPONSE
The efforts put into transforming the Kampong Java space were met with overwhelming appreciation:
NAC's Approval:
The National Arts Council loved the transformation. Our setup was the first space they brought the Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, Edwin Tong, to during the launch event.
Media Highlight:
The space was so well-received that it was used as the backdrop for media interviews with the Minister, and it also featured heavily in the Minister's social media post on Instagram as well as the National Arts Council's Instagram post.
It was also picked up by the local Chinese news outlet and an article was published featuring Arterly Obsessed.
Art Collector Interest:
An art collector visited and requested to purchase all the paintings displayed in the art studio space, indicating the high quality and appeal of the work.
Workshop Enjoyment:
Participants enjoyed the art workshops and were impressed by the creative use of the space.
Positive Feedback:
A member of the Strategic Communications department at NAC mentioned that our space made her feel happy, underscoring the emotional impact of our design.
CONCLUSION
The Kampong Java launch event was a resounding success, showcasing how thoughtful, budget-conscious design and engaging workshops can transform a space and leave a lasting impression. Our ability to quickly adapt and creatively utilize the space within given constraints demonstrated our expertise in delivering impactful branding and design solutions.
