It was while apprenticing as an architectural associate that Georgina Foo first studied interior design. She took to the practice like a duck to water. “I became fascinated with shaping spaces in detail, and how material, light, and texture converge to make people feel and live,” she recounts.
In 2022, she co-founded spatial design studio Gin&G. Apart from providing interior design services for residential and commercial properties, the firm is also a research laboratory for experimenting with materials as she regularly uses waste by-products such as glass, stone offcuts, recycled plastic, and bio-organic materials to create thoughtful built environments.
When pairing materials, Foo considers both their environmental impact and their sensory experience. This typically involves a reimagination of conventional high-carbon footprint materials with locally- or regionally-fabricated alternatives to create spaces that are both distinctive and responsible, she says.
Gin&G does not adhere to a particular style as it believes spaces are inspired by people who inhabit them. Its projects include Fura, Staygold Flamingo, and Curious Creatures Ion Orchard and Great World.
One of Foo’s biggest obstacles in running an interior design studio in Singapore has to do with how a saturated market and low barriers to entry have made clients come to expect free designs or fully-rendered concepts during initial consultations. But Gin&G doesn’t adhere to these expectations for one simple reason. “We operate as a design consultancy, charging a fee for our design work because conceptualisation is a collaborative process developed over months of understanding a client’s lifestyle, needs, and aspirations,” Foo explains.
“A well-considered design cannot be produced at the first meeting. In addition, our approach ensures that the final outcome is thoughtful, bespoke, and meaningful.”
Georgina Foo on fair compensation for good work
The lack of receptivity to experimenting with local or unconventional materials also poses a challenge; she has found most clients and industry partners to be apprehensive about experimenting with new, untested materials or construction methods. It is only through education and dialogue that they are able to step out of their comfort zones and appreciate innovative design solutions.
As a spatial designer, Foo advocates for spaces crafted with intention. Homes, she avers, should offer pause, foster reflection, and celebrate joys, passions, and families. “They should be purposefully designed spaces that grow gracefully with those who inhabit them.”
She also champions sustainability, which is central to Gin&G’s approach. While the practice can seem daunting at times, she notes, it can be achieved in small, purposeful steps rather than as an absolute.
“Sustainability is inherent in thoughtful design. We encourage clients to invest in high-quality, timeless pieces and create spaces that endure rather than settle for short-lived solutions.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Ed Harland
Hair Jenny Lee, using Organethic Pure Care
Makeup Rina Sim, using Chanel Beauty
Photography assistant RJ Teo
