You will have seen their designs without knowing it, but they’re a big part of your shopping experience. Futuristic Store Fixtures has value-engineered store design concepts for several well-known international retail chains both here in Singapore and all over the world for over 40 years.
Recently, they’ve also launched the very first flagship products in their newly-expanded home line, Futuristic Home. Under their belt are the Venator Gaming Desk and Diva Smart Table: smart furniture that not only looks good, but also boasts integrated technology. The Venator Gaming Desk, for instance, sports a sleek Thermofoil-coated tabletop with integrated wireless charging and stations for gaming accessories, while the Diva Smart Table features a Bluetooth speaker and lamp as part of its design.
![diva-smart-table-26-of-26](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/diva-smart-table-26-of-26.jpg)
We sit down and chat with David Low, CEO of Futuristic Home, about the inspiration behind the brand’s launch and what they hope to achieve.
Can you tell us more about the concept for Futuristic Home?
Futuristic Home was conceptualised during the circuit breaker last year. At that point, everyone was working from home and staying home, so we wanted to design furniture for that. As a team, we wanted to look at products that would be most relevant to the market and which we had the strengths to create and differentiate. Working from home is a trend that was accelerated last year, and we wanted to make sure we created furniture that would be relevant even post-pandemic.
At the same time, gaming and e-sports has been gaining traction for some time now, and we think this trend will continue. So we decided to create something for gamers – the Venator.
![venator-gaming-table-14-of-24-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/venator-gaming-table-14-of-24-1.jpg)
Can you tell us more about how the business started?
We are now part of the V3 group, but we were a family-owned business previously. Furniture has always been in our family’s blood. In the thirties, my grandfather came to Singapore from China, and set up a furniture shop in Upper Cross Street. From there, most of the family got into the trade. My uncle started Futuristic Store Fixtures in 1977, and I joined as an apprentice in 1979. Coming in was a natural choice for me.
![img_6086-copybw](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_6086-copybw.jpg)
What considerations go into the design of each product?
We try to create designs that are not so commonly found in the market, yet are able to blend into most homes. The finer details of the product also matter, like the seamless joints in the curve of the table.
Most people have the idea that luxury is expensive, but we wanted to challenge that by making it affordable. The price point has to make sense – not too expensive, but also justifying the craftsmanship and care that goes into each piece. Our pieces are versatile, like the Diva table which has a lamp and Bluetooth speaker integrated, helping to save space. The price that you pay is less than if you purchase all those different parts individually.
![diva-smart-table-21-of-26-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/diva-smart-table-21-of-26-1.jpg)
It’s also important to us that we design practical products. For the Venator Gaming Desk, for example, we had a focus group of gamers – both casual and professional – whom we consulted. Many of the features are thanks to their feedback. For instance, the tabletop has a Thermofoil finish, which is cool to the touch and helps to prevent overheating of their devices. Their feedback helped us to differentiate between the essential and “nice to have” features, so we can focus on what matters and make it more affordable.
![venator-gaming-table-8-of-24](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/venator-gaming-table-8-of-24.jpg)
Why did you choose to focus on tables as your first flagship products?
There’s already a wide range of chairs available, and tables present more opportunities for smart design. We’re planning to launch more products, like gaming accessories in the Venator series and a sideboard in the Diva series.
What’s your take on the future of smart design, especially in the Singapore market?
Smart design is all about combining and integrating technology into different kinds of furniture, like a table with Bluetooth speaker capabilities, or a wardrobe with a smart mirror. We see that trend coming. It helps to save space, which is especially important in homes where space is scarce.
![diva-smart-table-19-of-261-1024x682-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/diva-smart-table-19-of-261-1024x682-1.jpg)
Working remotely is also going to stay for a while. Where are the offices of tomorrow? They can be at home, they can be anywhere – so smart design for versatile workspaces is going to be the future.
For more information, please visit www.home-futuristic.com.