Sugarfree - Sweetness Reimagined

Project idea

START-UP INNOVATIVE HUB FOR
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS – [RE-THINK] SPACE DESIGN TO CREATE (Semester 03 Studio Project)

We were tasked with designing a Start-up Hub for any chosen entrepreneurs’ community. We had to project the type of start-up visually with great in-depth research and understanding of the needs of spaces/activities as well as exhibit manners for this HUB to guide our design and to ensure the space effectively communicates the space narrative.

Project description

Blending Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), modern innovation, and dessert culture, the project explores how healthcare spaces can be reimagined as calm, inclusive, and approachable. Sugarfree proposes an anxiety-free environment for diabetics of all ages, encouraging preventative healthcare through curiosity, comfort, and community without judgement. The core concept of Sugarfree relies heavily on the lotus blossom that directly shapes the spatial organization of the space, following a vertical narrative of Root → Stem → Blossom.

The ground floor serves as the public-facing heart of Sugarfree, where wellness is introduced as a casual and welcoming experience. Visitors are guided through sensory elements such as the reflexology garden, free-flow tasters, and visible kitchen windows that frame health as approachable and familiar. At its core is the Lotus Health Kiosk, where non-invasive health screenings and consultations take place beneath a lotus pond–inspired ceiling. Natural materials, calming water sounds, and soft lighting reduce the anxiety often associated with healthcare spaces. On weekends, the ground floor transforms into a sugar-free dessert hub, allowing visitors of all ages to enjoy nourishing alternatives without stigma.

The first floor represents the blossom of the lotus, functioning as a quiet research and entrepreneurship hub. Here, entrepreneurs and student practitioners gather to analyse health data collected below, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine knowledge with modern technology to develop innovative, sugar-free products. The space balances collaborative lounges with secluded quiet zones, including a contemplative area that blooms directly above the Lotus Health Kiosk. Soft pink hues, curved forms, and filtered light encourage focus and creativity, while support spaces such as a pantry, printer area, and balcony provide comfort and flexibility for extended use.

Technical information

The building's existing construction consists of a steel reinforced concrete frame, an introduces new, non-invasive architectural insertions by adopting a lightweight and adaptive construction strategy. Secondary steel and aluminium framing systems are used for suspended elements such as the lotus ceiling installation and vertical light features, allowing flexibility and minimal structural impact. Demountable partitions, timber framing, and semi-transparent panels enable spatial adaptability while maintaining privacy where required. Materials including timber, stone, ceramic tiles, and glass are selected for durability, hygiene, and ease of maintenance. Upgraded MEP systems support wellness, kitchen, and research functions, with energy-efficient lighting and concealed services ensuring the technical systems remain unobtrusive within the overall spatial narrative.