Design Description:
MOD was commissioned to design the branding and spatial experience for RACE, a new robotic facility aimed at educating, and introducing robots into automating existing manufacturing industries. RACE intended to also feature a series of interchangeable modular robots as a key unique proposition.

BRANDING
Inspired by the concept of modularity, and influenced by aesthetics of precision and dynamism; the logotype is an expression of a complete form comprised of individual standalone parts.

SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
The brief for the laboratory space required flexibility to showcase a changing series of modular robots as well as be used for hands-on training and lectures. The laboratory needed to be a continuous open space, yet conducive for small clusters for hands-on training. Underpinning this brief, MOD also sought to create an engaging and future-forward spatial experience that denotes the idea of industrial automation and precision.

Upon arrival at the lift lobby, a vivid prelude to the laboratory space greets the viewer. A web of soaring white lines cut through the black space to create an anamorphic experience to disorient the floor from the ceiling. From the black envelope of the lift lobby, a custom oversized door pivots open to reveal a dramatic metallic faceted space, creating a contrast that is at once striking yet complementary.

For maximum flexibility to the space, MOD introduced a "second" skin - developed to seamlessly create a dynamic space by deconstructing the ceiling and wall planes into an array of dazzling facets. Each facet comprises stacked layers of hand-cut aluminium hollow tubing; rotating the direction of the tubes with every facet to create a bold multi-directional effect. The aluminium screen cladding also serves to cloak the necessary but unsightly mechanical and electrical services while allowing ease of access for operation. This skin was shaped in plan with enclaves for small group work clusters accompanied by separate access hatches to the services behind. The random sprinkle of custom LED strips serves to highlight the multi-directional panels with a cutting-edge aesthetic. Overall, the space provides a suitable future-forward backdrop to usher in an age of automation and robotics.

Client Testimonial:
“In our journey of working with MOD, we have nothing but compliments in the highest regard for them… they laid a strong conceptual branding foundation, wholly integrated with the interiors, provided thoughtful planning and detailed proposals at every turn, making it easy for us to make decisions. Their drawing packages were comprehensive, making costing and building processes clear and effective. They also displayed a real flexibility to respond to costing constraints. We received very positive responses from our stakeholders, government bodies and academic trainees, anchoring PBA in good stead in the robotics industry. MOD has played an important role in helping us in achieve commercial and brand reputational success. We are indeed glad to have MOD as our innovative and committed partner.”
— Derrick Yap, CEO, PBA Group

Awards:
Race Robotics Laboratory has won 12 international design awards:

1. Winner, Interior Architecture: Showroom, 2019 at iF Design Award, Germany
2. Winner, People's Vote: Learning Space of the Year, 2019 at Frame The-Great-Indoors Award, Netherlands
3. Finalist, Jury's Vote: Learning Space of the Year, 2019 at Frame The-Great-Indoors Award, Netherlands
4. Winner, Best Design Award, 2018 at IAI Design Awards, China
5. Finalist, Museum or Exhibition Space, 2018 at FX Design Awards, United Kingdom
6. Certificate of Excellence: Interior Design - Professional, Best Commercial & Retail, 2018 at A&D Trophy Awards, Hong Kong
7. Certificate of Excellence: Interior Design - Professional, Best Commercial & Retail, 2018 at A&D China Awards
8. Winner, Interiors: Commercial – New Retail Space, 2018 at APDC*IDA Design Excellence Awards, United Kingdom
9. Longlist, Small Interior, 2018 (out of 3,689 entries from 91 countries) at Dezeen Awards, United Kingdom
10. Finalist, Best Interior Project: Work, 2018 at Blueprint Awards, United Kingdom
11. Winner, Workplace, 2018 at BCI Asia Interior Design Awards, Singapore
12. Winner (1 of 6), Designs of the Year, 2018 at IIDA Interior Design Competition, USA

Jury Citation:
“A wonderful design for a tech learning space that uses materials to communicate its use. The fact that it can be transported and temporal adds to the complexity of the design.”
— IIDA Interior Design Competition, USA, 2018

“Amid Singapore’s drive for increasing productivity, and possible resistance to adopting new technology, RACE has done a commendable job increasing manufacturing companies’ motivation to embrace robotics technology. The future-forward tech vibe is palpable and the added challenge of being temporal and transportable, makes the design impressive.”
— BCI Asia Interior Design Awards, Singapore, 2018