Design firm HBA’s portfolio spans projects around the world, from London to Los Angeles.

Here in Singapore, the firm recently oversaw the refurbishment of Amara Singapore, a project undertaken by Studio HBA partner Joris Angevaare.

Catching up with Angevaare at the refreshed hotel, we get to see firsthand the philosophy and process detailed by HBA’s Co-CEO Chris Godfrey. There’s a decidedly Singaporean inspiration, underscored by lobby tiles that resemble those from nearby coffeeshops and bar decorations that mimic air-conditioning units in the neighbourhood’s back alleys.