“Sometimes provocative, always innovative,” is how designphase dba describes Joris Angevaare’s creative direction. Angevaare graduated from the interior architecture programme at Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam and further enriched his credentials with a degree in business economics.

He answered Asia’s siren call in 2000 and joined designphase dba, one of Singapore’s most experienced interior firms, as a Design Director. Today, Angevaare is the firm’s Creative Director.

Angevaare’s expertise in balancing the creative and the pragmatic sides of the interior business has seen the firm’s portfolio flourish with projects spanning the globe, with a long list of accolades to match.

Can you share some thoughts on Singapore’s current creative scene?

Singapore is still a very young country that has made incredible progress in the last 50 years. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, basic survival needs have to be attained before moving up the pyramid to the self-actualisation needs at the top. Singapore is reaching the top of the pyramid, where after ensuring its long-term survivability, it is gradually encouraging creative and artistic work while developing an appreciation for the arts. These are typically signs of a society that is becoming fully matured.

These evolutions take time, and there are no shortcuts to establishing a matured creative scene. It is through continued enthusiasm from the public, support from the government, and education of our children that a fully fledged creative community can emerge.

What are some of the things that drive your practice?

At designphase dba, we pride ourselves on our creativity and ambition. These traits are what have made us successful in our operations since the early days. I also have a personal belief that my work must constantly grow in quality, which motivates me to conceptualise unique solutions for my clients. We are also looking to expand the company’s operations globally, using Singapore as our base. Through this expansion, we aim to seal our reputation as a world-class interior design firm.

What are you looking forward to seeing and experiencing during SGID17?

I look forward to engaging with my peers within the design community, and to sharing ideas with each other. It is through knowing the latest developments in the industry that we can see how the community is progressing.

I have been in Singapore for a while now, and have witnessed the growth of the design industry. As a SGID Ambassador, I hope to share my experiences, such as the challenges faced and the upcoming trends we have identified.

What did you enjoy the most at past editions of SGID?

I enjoyed the informal setting that makes it much easier to meet and be introduced to others. SGID is also an informative event that allows us to learn about new products and developments. It is through these informal networking sessions that great ideas can be born, and this makes SGID very exciting.

Catch Angevaare in our Design Conversation Series: ‘What Does “Luxury Hospitality” Mean Today?’ at the Sam & Sara Showroom, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road #11-02, from 3:00pm–3:45pm on 7 October 2017.

In this session, a panel of hospitality experts will explore the demands and expectations of the new consumer, and how notions of ‘luxury experience’ are being flipped and redefined. Click here to register!