Curated by the visionary team at Singapore-based PLUS Collaboratives, the Re-Route Festival is taking over Orchard Road, running now to October 6. This second edition, named Re-Route: Orchard (RR), builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event in Little India during Singapore Design Week 2022. This year's festival invites visitors into a unique storytelling adventure themed "Be Here Now."
Exploring the Heart of Singapore
Re-Route: Orchard aims to deepen our appreciation for Singapore’s iconic shopping belt through the lens of innovative design. The festival embraces the concept of adaptive reuse, where historical structures are transformed for modern functions. Attendees can expect installations that illustrate how design evolves to address today’s needs—expanding well beyond architecture to encompass programming and the behaviours that shape our experiences of place.
Present Moments, Future Visions
Under the banner of "Be Here Now," RR delves into how design reflects our past while inspiring future innovations. One of the highlights is a playful giant mascot named Charrdo, representing Orchard Road's rich heritage while looking ahead to exciting innovations.
Jody Teo, Acting Director of Marketing Communications and Programming for the DesignSingapore Council, says: “Design shapes our spaces and connects communities. With Orchard featured as one of this year’s key design districts, we’re thrilled for festival-goers to witness how design is intricately woven throughout the experiences offered along this iconic road.”
A Celebration of Design for All
As a key feature of Singapore Design Week 2024—centered around the theme "People of Design"—Re-Route between series of curated experiences, installations, and design activations that ignite curiosity and foster discussions on adaptability.
In partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, the festival aims to transform Orchard Road into an exciting lifestyle destination that offers more than just shopping. Guo Teyi, Director of Retail and Dining at the board, emphasizes, “It’s crucial for stakeholders to curate unique lifestyle experiences catering to diverse visitor interests. Re-Route showcases Orchard’s vibrant history while looking to the future.”
How to Join the Experience
Re-Route: Orchard features both free activations and ticketed events. Tickets for workshops and other activities can be purchased on the Re-Route website, granting access to enriching insights from collaborating creatives such as Nikko Pascua and The Projector, among others.
Nostalgia Play: A Whimsical Dive into the Past
Step into the lively atrium of Far East Plaza and experience Nostalgia Play, a vibrant homage to the colorful aesthetics of the 80s and 90s. This interactive installation features nostalgic playground structures that invite both children and adults to engage with the iconic designs of a bygone era. As you slide and explore, immerse yourself in vivid colors and playful elements that celebrate our shared memories and sense of place.
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Chairs Reimagined: Where Function Meets Fun
Don't miss Chairs Reimagined, a creative exhibition that reinterprets the classic Kopitiam chair through imaginative modifications. This showcase highlights the fascinating relationship between design and utility, inviting visitors to participate in a playful guessing game that reveals the ideas behind these transformed pieces, each reflecting social behaviours and the evolving needs of our communities.
Street Fashion: Rain Ready
Dive into the future of fashion at Street Fashion: Rain Ready, where Raffles Design Institute students present innovative designs inspired by Orchard Road’s history as an open canal. Led by esteemed curators like Daniel Boey, these young designers unveil garments that blend style with functionality, providing fresh insights into addressing environmental challenges. Their creations envision clothing that adapts to a watery environment, illustrating how fashion can evolve in a changing world.
