Roy Teo lives and breathes collaboration. The Mill Group, which he founded to bring multi-disciplinary collectives together, is proof of this. Situated in Jalan Kilang Barat, the six-storey structure could be mistaken as Batman’s home, with its amalgamation of Art Deco and Gothic architectural influences. Housing a creative coalition of creative, art and design entities, it’s been rebuilt from its original structure, which used to be a rice mill — hence its namesake.
Teo’s design consortium comprises interior design firms Kri:eit Associates, Splendor, The I.D. Dept (the interior design company behind the Concourse Skyline Penthouse) and XXII Century. Each specialises in their own niche styles, and has been instrumental in the dynamic interiors of luxury homes in sought-after addresses such as Marina Bay, Nassim Hill and Cairnhill. Prior to rebuilding The Mill, the real estate graduate even hosted a pre-demolition bash where Singapore’s artists and creatives came together with urban works in an ode to storied spaces.
The 2011 Patron of The Arts award recipient is no stranger to building relationships with the big guns in the design scene, being a regular at the annual Salone del Mobile in Milan. In fact, the designer for The Mill’s new building is none other than James Adams, who also designed the iconic Art Deco structure, Parkview Square. A process that took three years, The Mill’s now a space that resembles what you’d find in New York’s Meatpacking District. Housing other names such as bespoke menswear tailor Kevin Seah, art gallery Laaab and fine carpentry by Minimo, The Mill has hosted events for Singapore Design Week, and continues to be a space for like-minded folks to interact, collaborate and shape the future of Singapore’s creative scene.
