Inside Singapore's design studios – Fahrenheit

Named after the book Fahrenheit 451, Mel Yeo launched the studio in the late 1990s with a friend from university and a passion for exploratory design projects. Today, Fahrenheit has a reputation for beautifully detailed residential interiors Yeo describes as “serene" with "a sense of inner peace".

More Space: When did you launch Fahrenheit and what’s the story behind the name?

Mel Yeo: Fahrenheit was started in 1998 by two friends who had just graduated from architecture school. We were young and idealistic, and keen to open a studio and embark on interesting and exploratory design projects. I always wanted a studio name that was memorable and sounded professional. While brainstorming for a name and glancing around the room, I saw on my bookshelf Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and got fixated by that jacket cover. I thought it was quite an appropriate name with Fahrenheit being a scale of measurement. At that moment I could visualise the word in a font that would make a great logo… it also just sounded cool.

Please tell us about your design philosophy and the kind of projects you like to take on.

While I am not sure that it can be called a design philosophy, I have always tried to ensure that our work is thoughtful, honest and intelligent. The spaces we create must also be engaging, not only focusing on how it looks, but also how it feels when experiencing the space.

A huge portion of our work is residential projects for private clients, real estate developers and funds that range from large bungalows and villas to small apartments. Whatever the scale, we always strive to show thoughtfulness and authenticity in our work, creating spatial experiences that satisfy the user. While the focus is somewhat similar for our hospitality projects, the added challenges of having additional stakeholders in a project, and catering to different users, make these projects more interesting and challenging.

"I have always tried to ensure that our work is thoughtful, honest and intelligent... spaces we create must also be engaging, not only focusing on how it looks, but also how it feels when experiencing the space."

Mel Yeo, Fahrenheit

Mel Yeo photographed in the Space Furniture showroom in Singapore. Portrait © Chino Sardea.

Mel Yeo photographed in the Space Furniture showroom in Singapore. Portrait © Chino Sardea.

Inside the Fahrenheit studio in Singapore. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

Inside the Fahrenheit studio in Singapore. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

The home office of the Senibong Cove Isola Grandeur villa in Malaysia designed by Fahrenheit. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

The home office of the Senibong Cove Isola Grandeur villa in Malaysia designed by Fahrenheit. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

The finely detailed interior of the Senibong Cove Isola Grandeur villa expresses Yeo's philosophy of

The finely detailed interior of the Senibong Cove Isola Grandeur villa expresses Yeo's philosophy of "thoughtful, honest and intelligent spaces". Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

Inside the St Thomas show apartment in Singapore, here and following, designed by Fahrenheit. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

Inside the St Thomas show apartment in Singapore, here and following, designed by Fahrenheit. Photos c/o Fahrenheit.

"I think a more crucial consideration is to create homes that are serene and provide a sense of inner peace."

Mel Yeo, Fahrenheit

What is the best thing that has happened to your studio this year?

While the last one and a half years has been tough, I took great comfort in the resilience of the team and the ways they have risen to the challenges.

Has your approach to design shifted?

Yes, 2020 has changed the way we live, socialise, consume and work. Boundaries have become blurred and homes need to be truly multi-functional. Residential space has to be flexible so that working and schooling performances are not adversely impacted. However, I think a more crucial consideration is to create homes that are serene and provide a sense of inner peace. With the chaos in the outside world, homes must be able to soothe the anxieties people have and become a true sanctuary for body and mind. Now more than ever, design has to help address this new reality and help alleviate the anxieties that users have when interacting in built environments. We have to really consider not only the aesthetics of a space, but the users’ physical and mental wellbeing.

What are are you busy working on now?

We are currently working on apartments and houses, some show apartments for a developer, and a new conceptual design for a food hall. With the pandemic situation ever evolving, the challenges of making the concept relevant through the forseeable future becomes our chief priority. I am also hoping that some of our overseas hospitality projects that were shelved last year can resume once travel restrictions are eased.

Thanks Mel, great speaking with you. 

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