Roy Teo

At the helm of not one but four boutique interior design consultancy firms, designer Roy Teo is one busy man. The consortium consists of Kri:eit Associates; Splendor; The I.D. Dept; and XXII Century, and each specialises in their own niche styles, housed in a collective creative space called The Mill.

A recipient of the 2011 Patron of The Arts award (from the National Arts Council), Teo sees design as having an inherent power to create multi-sensory experiences, thus eliciting positive energy and emotions. The constant search for the best materials, products, and artisans keeps him busy, as does the pursuit for perfection. “To me, interior design presents a fascinating combination of two normally distinct entities – engineering and artistry,” says Teo.

One of his latest projects is a Marina Bay Residences unit designed by Kri:eit Associates, which melds old world European opulence with state-of-the-art modernity. He tells us more about the power of design, and what makes something truly iconic.

Asia Tatler: How does design have the power to positively influence society beyond mere aesthetic value?
Roy Teo: As a designer, I have the power to determine whether you feel empowered, serene, or even intimidated when you walk into a home depending on how I’ve designed its elements to evoke these emotions in you. It is in our nature to react to our environment, be it conscious or not, and therein lies the power of design. Designing interiors allows me a way to enhance a person’s disposition or mood via the atmosphere of a space; even give them a platform/base to feel good about themselves or more energised and motivated to accomplish things.

AT: What drives you to keep creating?
RT: Passion, really. And the belief that the ultimate design will never truly be achieved. Even though perfection might be unattainable, it still acts as a guide for betterment, thus the striving to come closest to perfection as one can, to take the best that exists and make it better. And if it doesn’t exist, to then create it. Because of that, the striving is never-ending as the boundaries are endless.

AT: What is your power tool of choice at work?
RT: Communication tools, without a doubt. They are almost a necessity these days for growth and success – be it a smart phone, laptop or video conferencing facilities – and it’s all about developing ways to maintain great interaction and communication between parties, especially when it comes to understanding and meeting the needs of our clients.

AT: Who or what do you consider to be icons of power?
RT: I feel that monumental designs are iconic, powerful. Designers and creators come and go, but it is their designs and creations that live on. Take the Charles Bridge in Prague or La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, for example: traditional structures that have withstood the test of time, epitomising greatness and grandeur. These edifices have surpassed being timeless, they have achieved monumental status, and that to me is better than coming up with some new tech toy any day.

AT: If you could choose to have one superpower, what would it be?
RT: The ability to control time! There’s so much I would love to accomplish, see, or experience during my lifetime – if I only had the time to do it all.