Scribbles: 10 years, 10 projects.
This month we celebrate our 10th anniversary! In our latest notebook post, we’re thrilled to showcase ten projects that have defined our approach, ranging from private members' clubs, F&B venues and retail concepts.
Each endeavour serves as a testament to our dedication to crafting spaces that go beyond mere visual appeal or functionality; they encapsulate a seamless fusion of innovation with a profound sense of local identity.
Rockett’s Founder, Geila Daughtrey shares her thoughts:
1. Club Meatballs, Singapore.
Year: 2014
This project is where it all started. I will be forever grateful to our first client Charlie for taking a chance on a designer who had just quit everything to start up her own business - with all the naivety of someone who thought they knew what they were doing. To add to that, he was not afraid of colour (also a love of ours!) which comes through in the final design. Thank you Charlie!
2. 67 Pall Mall Singapore.
Year: 2022
Image: 67 Pall Mall Singapore. Rockett Studio.
This project was a true labour of love. The brief was to design a members’ club for wine lovers in Singapore that had the familiarity of the original club in London’s Mayfair, whilst being representative of its new Southeast Asian home. Two years and multiple COVID lock-downs later, I eventually walked into a space that we were immensely proud of, and I always enjoy visiting for a glass of bubbles. Today, we are even prouder to be working with the club on their expansion plans into Australia and Europe. Watch this space…
3. Burger & Lobster @ Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
Year: 2019
Image: Burger & Lobster at Raffles Hotel. Singapore. Rockett Studio.
Burger & Lobster at Raffles Hotel in Singapore was the brand's first venture into Asia. Similarly to 67 Pall Mall, they wanted to bring their signature London style to Asia. whilst being respectful to their new home and its culture. Our design mission involved maintaining the utmost respect for the enchanting colonial architecture that defines the Raffles Hotel and the South Asian culture of its location. Our first project was such a success for the UK-based restaurant chain that we have since worked with the team on over 18 restaurants across cities in Asia, the Middle East, UK, and Europe. World domination awaits!
4. PizzaExpress @ Duo Galleria, Singapore.
Year: 2016
Image: PizzaExpress @ Duo Galleria, Singapore. Rockett Studio.
We were appointed as the brand’s Interior Designer back in 2016, and we went to work with the team on nine restaurants across Asia. What I love about this brand is every restaurant is different, drawing influence from the neighbourhood in which each restaurant is located. On each site we have also worked with a local artist to further enhance that local flavour. Plus, I’ll never get bored of eating pizza.
5. Zanotta Sacco Bean Bag 50th Anniversary Design.
Year: 2018
I was thrilled Rockett was one of 10 Asian design firms selected to reimagine Zanotta’s iconic Sacco Beanbag for its 50th Anniversary Showcase supported by The DesignSingapore Council. Focusing on the design approach of ‘less is more’, our response (which we named ‘The Retreat’) was inspired by the elegant curves of a giant lotus pad on which the beanbag was to be nestled, offering a quiet isolated seat for meditation. A nook in the lilypad was included, to hold a cup of ceremonial tea. Sadly we didn't win, but we did have fun with an amazing bunch of designers.
6. Bistecca Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse, Singapore.
Year: 2018
Image: Bistecca, Singapore. Rockett Studio.
This is still one of my favourite projects - again, because of the team. I learnt so much from these professionals and I still use all of those learnings in all our projects to this day. I also enjoyed working on this project because I love renovating historic buildings; this century-old shophouse was a real beauty with so much history (and I’m sure many interesting stories!) hidden within its walls.
7. Bedrock Origin, Singapore.
Year: 2020
Image: Bedrock Origin Singapore. Rockett Studio.
In all honesty, sometimes the process of designing a restaurant can be long and stressful, and this project was one of those thanks to covid rearing its ugly head. But the frustrations we went through actually made the project better than I think any of us involved expected, and stepping into the newly designed restaurant when it finally opened filled me with pure joy.
8.The Disgruntled Chef at The Club Hotel, Singapore.
Year: 2015
This being the second restaurant of the same name by the highly acclaimed Chef Daniel Sia, the pressure was on. This is one of my much-loved projects because Daniel and his team had a keen interest in design quality and that gave us the chance to get really stuck into the details. We designed everything bespoke using hand-crafted materials, we engaged premium craftsmen and local artists to create a custom-designed restaurant that I am still very proud of to this day!
9. Little Farms, Singapore.
Year: 2017
The great thing about this project was being involved right from day one with a team that were (and still are!) so passionate about bringing fresh healthy food to Singapore. This meant we were able to work closely with the team to shape the company's branding, store design, and guiding principles from the outset. We went on to design their first four outlets, including their flagship store.
10. Wild Honey @ Marriott Hotel, Singapore.
Year: 2017
Image: Artwork for interior scheme, Wild Honey, Singapore. Rockett Studio.
Who doesn't love an all-day breakfast? For this project, we found ourselves immersed in the founders' passion for travel and culinary exploration. The design took a nostalgic dive into the bright lights and saturated colours of the kitsch amusement parks of Coney Island in New York City to create a casual and fun vintage feel for this restaurant - the third outlet for the hugely popular Singaporean brand.
We are super excited about the next decade of design - if you want to see more of our projects, visit our portfolio page.