d+a | Issue 128 • 2023

75 Once an old warehouse, the newly renovated White Jacket office is now a unique, soulful and vibrant space that celebrates local artists and culture. Text by Sasha Gonzales Photos by White Jacket art atwork Earthing Way, by Aeropalmics, is a mural that overlooks the main work area. It is an abstraction of the steps that line the river along Clarke Quay. When multi-award-winning interior designer Patricia Ho Douven first set foot in an old warehouse in Singapore’s Central Business District, she knew that she had found the perfect space for her new studio and office. She wanted a place that was one-of-a-kind and in which the works of homegrown artists could be viewed and appreciated. She also wanted to be able to curate unique interior experiences for everyone who walked through the studio, and the warehouse’s open plan allowed her to do just that. As she toured the expansive property, she envisioned “a series of interconnected and layered spaces that fostered a sense of intrigue and wonder among visitors as they moved through each room”. Seven months later, the White Jacket office opened its doors and Ho Douven’s vision was finally brought to life. The soulful and vibrant space, which celebrates local artists and the communal spirit of public housing estates in Singapore, features bespoke furniture, statement lighting, and locally produced paintings and murals that are carefully curated by Ho Douven and her team. In 2022, the White Jacket office picked up the Best in Workspace Design award at the Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDS).