What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design Week

Back for its second year, this year’s edition of Singapore Design Week (SDW) has been extended to 13 days with plenty more exhibitions on the cards.

With the entire nation in SG50 mode, it’s only fitting that one of the headlining exhibition for this year’s edition of Singapore Design Week (SDW) is Fifty Years of Singapore Design. This permanent exhibition will showcase how the design scene in Singapore has evolved over the last five decades with the use of over 200 design artifacts and there’s also fun trivia about local design to be had—like how the idea of the plastic stools found in coffee shops came about.

That aside, there’s also going to be 60 events, activities and tradeshows happening from Mar 10-22 at the National Design Centre and various locations across the island. Don’t have time for all that? Here is our essential list.

, What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design Week
Design Stage 2015

Design Stage
This partner event of design week is the first of its kind in Asia and focuses on Asian designers. It brings together designers, collectors, galleries, curators, critics and industry people, providing a platform for collaborations across genres spanning architecture, interior and even jewelry. Mar 3-Jun 4

SingaPlural
One of the main events of Singapore Design Week 2015, SingaPlural celebrates design (including architecture, urban planning, interior, graphic and fashion design) through a host of installations, exhibitions and talks. The main focus will be on the design process, from conceptualization to making and selling. Mar 10-15

, What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design WeekMaison & Objet

Maison & Objet
The famous French design trade event returns with an expanded selection of chic, quirky furniture from a seemingly endless list of international exhibitors. Highlights include Designer of the Year and Rising Asian Talents, as well as the Interior Design & Lifestyle Summit. Mar 10-13

, What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design Week
New British Inventors: Inside Heatherwick Studio; credit: Iwan Baan

New British Inventors: Inside Heatherwick Studio
Feast your eyes on over 110 works from famed British designer Thomas Heatherwick’s Heatherwick studio. Best known for designing the London 2012 Olympic Cauldron and the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010, you’ll also get to rub shoulders with Heatherwick himself who will be giving a lecture on all things architecture related. Mar 11-Apr 12

Kampong Spirit Workshop
You’ll get to try your hands on creating street furniture and fixtures both from the past and present in this hands-on prototyping workshop held by design consultancy ChemistryMar 17

PechaKucha Night
This informal event first took place in Japan and now, it’s been held in over 700 cities worldwide. It gathers creative-types who give presentations in a 20×20 format, meaning 20 images and each for 20 seconds. Mar 19

, What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design Week
Art After Dark

Art After Dark
The third edition of Gillman Barracks’ bi-monthly party comprises the joint openings of several galleries, extended opening hours and F&B pop-ups. Plus, in conjunction with Singapore Design Week 2015, there’ll also be outdoor film screenings. Mar 20

, What to catch at this year’s Singapore Design Week
Design Trails

Design Trails
This free shuttle service kicks off at National Design Centre and travels around the city, making pit stops at places like designer’s studios, charming concept stores and other design-related spaces. Mar 21-22