klapsons, The Boutique Hotel was introduced in Singapore in October 2009 and was naturally inducted as a member of Design Hotels. Purpose built and aimed at redefining the utilitarian function of commercial buildings, klapsons is the first in Singapore to construct a hotel property as an annex to an office building in the central business district. Spearheaded by Jit Sun Investments, the design of the property was conferred to contemporary design forerunner William Sawaya of Sawaya & Moroni. The boutique hotel combines five-star hospitality services with leading edge contemporary design sensitivities, and is conceptualised to provide an exclusive experience for business and leisure travellers.

“With klapsons, The Boutique Hotel, we saw the opportunity to bring a new, refreshed perspective to the meaning and experience of a business hotel. Keeping pace with the dynamicity of Singapore’s changing landscape, the hotel is set to redefine commercial spaces, in particular the perception of these spaces, and inject revived vibrancy to the hotel sector in Singapore,” said Mr Adrian Lee, Director of Investments, Jit Sun Investments.

“This project sparked off so many ideas with its potential. We were very excited when we were approached to undertake the project. We felt the owners were very brave in their approach but most importantly that they understood and appreciated design. After seeing what Singapore had to offer, we wanted to set a new standard in hotels in terms of design and functionality. Design is about working with constraints through a practical thought process. I think what we were able to achieve is testament to design,” said William Sawaya, Sawaya & Moroni.

From sketch to reality
The task of creating a fluid integrated hotel extension to the adjoining office block was riddled with numerous architectural and design challenges. Testament to the hotel's philosophy of challenging and pushing benchmarks, the transformation saw the introduction of organic forms, shapes, clever colour play and the reinterpretation of structural function and material use, particularly in the public spaces of the hotel.

Greeting guests upon entry to the hotel is a handcrafted five-meter in diameter stainless steel sphere that functions as the reception and guest check-in point. Overhead, the three-tiered organic ceiling illuminates the hotel lobby with an infinite gamut of ambient hues to arouse feelings of stepping into another space. Strategically placed, the iconic "Moraine bench by Zaha Hadid together with celebrated furniture pieces such as the “Maxima” armchair, “Leggy Peggy” chair, “Ribbon” chair and Klapsons; coffee tables by Sawaya and Moroni add dimension to the rest of the space. To top it off, a wall of industrial wire mesh used in conveyer belts and air filters discretely screens the passage to the guest rooms.