http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/arch...product-design
Published July 27, 2012
Ong & Ong expands into product design
Architecture firm makes inroads into designing and selling stylish merchandise
By glenn choo
[SINGAPORE] Home-grown architecture firm Ong & Ong Group, which celebrated its 40th anniversary at Shangri-La Hotel this week, has morphed into a conglomerate of sorts with a three-prong expertise in design, engineering and management. This includes having expertise in architecture, landscaping, interior design, engineering and more.
Still, the best is yet to be. Product design, which includes designing and selling a host of lifestyle items, is the company's latest baby.
Group executive chairman Ong Tze Boon, 43, said that "it is about buildings and more, and together you create a lifestyle", commenting on his company's rapid expansion into the new areas.
These include working with navel architects to design a 100-foot luxury yacht.
The company has made inroads into both designing and selling stylish yet affordable merchandise, such as watches and T-shirts.
Under the brand name O+, the merchandise is designed in-house by the environmental branding team.
BT understands that other household items and even home scents are on the cards.
For now, the products can be bought via e-mail at [email protected]. However, an online store is expected to be up by the end of the year with possibly standalone boutiques in the near future.
Prices thus far have remained affordable with T-shirts going for $20 and watches for $30.
"For the person living in the house, we are looking at designing his experience living in an Ong & Ong-designed home - the clothes that he wears, the tableware he eats from, the toiletries he uses, even the scent of his home - that is essentially the rationale behind going into product design," said Joanne Tan, the director of communications at Ong & Ong.
Over the years, the company has spread its wings overseas, including to far- flung places such as Mongolia. Expansion into Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Philippines are also on the cards.
Ong & Ong has also moved into the publishing business with its publications arm, 360º Review, endeavouring to bring out books that will be authoritative voices in areas that the company has extensive experience.
The first book, entitled Conserving Domesticity, was released earlier this year.
The company aims to distribute the books globally.
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