Wong Eng Geng
Photographer, Designer Researcher, Experience Designer, Writer, Adjunct Lecturer, 


A designer whose profound passion for photography informs his distinctive approach to research. A graduate of the National University of Singapore’s Division of Industrial Design, he leverages photography as a potent storytelling medium, capturing the essence of people and environments while seamlessly merging the worlds of photojournalism and design. 

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while with brief.

Seahorse: Scaling New Standards for Migrant Worker Dormitories in Singapore


client
Dormitory Association Singapore Limited (DASL) and Meet&Co2023

role 
Design Research
Strategy
Industrial Design
project context
Project Seahorse began with an ambitious vision: to elevate dormitory living standards for Singapore’s migrant workers while keeping solutions financially feasible for dormitory operators. 

Partnering with Dormitory Association Singapore Limited (DASL) and Meet&Co, a furniture manufacturer, we set out to redesign dormitory furniture that meets the daily needs of residents and aligns with the practical concerns of dormitory managers and business stakeholders.


Striking a middle ground between welfare and practicality.Our research with dormitory stakeholders uncovered a balancing act between maintaining affordable living spaces and delivering improved quality. While operators understand the importance of a positive living environment, making such upgrades economically viable is a significant barrier. Many owners are open to small changes, but only if they come with minimal cost and disruption.




A general concenses from the dormitory management community is that they the cost effectiveness and ease of maintaince are non-negotiable, esspecially when it comes to managing large dormitry where they are scaling by the thousands.
The solution: modular furniture that fits the budget, and the space.
In response, we recommended a modular approach to bed design, allowing Meet&Co to create furniture that dormitories could adapt gradually. By modularising beds and accessories, dormitory operators could purchase add-ons and enhancements instead of fully replacing furniture, giving them a cost-effective way to introduce new features while staying within budget.


First, we focus on bringing the barrier of entry down. Selling new beds at a base price, built and design with the intention being upgraded down the road with modular accessories. 

This allows dormitories owners to slowly upgrade their beds across the years as they allocate budgets to it. 

There is also an opportunity for resisdences to upgrade their beds if they choose to purchase different accessories.






Making compliance a core selling point.Compliance with regulatory standards is crucial for dormitory furniture, so we made it a central aspect of Meet&Co’s offering. With DASL’s endorsement, Meet&Co could position its furniture line as both regulatory-friendly and optimised for dormitory living. This emphasis on compliance became a unique selling point, strengthening trust and easing concerns for potential buyers.




Accessible furniture solutions for all.Recognising that purchasing decisions happen at both the management and individual levels, we shaped Meet&Co’s strategy to target dormitory operators as well as employers and migrant workers themselves. By setting reasonable prices for accessories, Meet&Co could appeal directly to residents who often take personal steps to make their spaces more comfortable. This dual focus aimed to enhance dormitory living while keeping upgrades affordable and accessible.



Rolling out change, one bed at a time.Project Seahorse isn’t just about redesigning dormitory furniture; it’s about setting a new standard for what these spaces can become. By providing scalable, business-aligned solutions, we’re paving the way for dormitories that support residents’ well-being without compromising business viability.


Project Seahorse concluded in 2024.

DASL and Meet&Co moved forward with the stratagy and furniture are now being sold to dormitories in Singapore and hostels in China.