Urban Salvation

Sustainability is contagious.
And to advocate, it’s my full-time job.

Not because it is trendy.
But because it demands consistency, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

I had the pleasure and honour of hosting Pritam Singh for a sharing session recently. Despite his demanding schedule, he took the time to sit down and go deep into a conversation that was honest, thoughtful, and very real.

We spoke about the roles we each play in society, from policy to ground realities and what it actually takes to build a resilient nation. Not just in theory, but in the everyday struggles, decisions, and responsibilities that people carry quietly.

He asked tough questions. He wanted to understand what it really means to survive in what many would call a “sunset industry.” He challenged assumptions and in doing so, challenged me too. Because sometimes, perspectives from policy and perspectives from the workshop floor don’t immediately align. But that’s where meaningful conversations begin.

To truly affect change, you need courage.
The kind of courage that brings you to the table with everyone.
To listen, to question, to share, even when perspectives are different.

Because change doesn’t happen in isolation.
It happens in conversation. In tension. In mutual respect.

Somewhere in between all of that, I asked him something personal, advice about family. A reminder that beyond our roles, titles, and responsibilities, we are all just trying to build something meaningful at home.

For me, craftsmanship has always been more than making furniture. It is about preserving knowledge, creating opportunities, and proving that work done with hands and heart still has a place in our modern city.

This work, sustainability, craft, building a more egalitarian society — was never meant to be carried by one person.

It takes all of us.

I’m still learning that.
Still carrying it.
Still showing up.

Today i forced myself to get out of my comfort zone.

I conducted a craft class right in the middle of the city, in the heart of Orchard, inside a mall, at the department floor of Metro. Not a quiet studio, not a hidden workshop, but a public space where people walk past, shop, and go about their day.

And that was exactly the point.
Craft doesn’t only belong behind closed doors.
It doesn’t only live in workshops filled with tools and sawdust.

Craft can exist anywhere, wherever people are willing to learn with their hands. In the middle of the noise, conversations started. People stopped, looked, asked questions.
Some were curious. Some were surprised. Some stayed and listened.

That moment reminded me of something important:
When you bring craft into everyday spaces, it becomes less distant and more human.

Many people think craftsmanship is rare or difficult to access. But sometimes, all it takes is placing it right in front of people, in places they never expected to see it.

Today wasn’t just about teaching woodworking. It was about showing that making things by hand still matters in our modern spaces.
A mall can become a classroom.
A retail floor can become a workshop.

A simple gathering can become a bridge between people and craft.
And honestly, seeing everyone holding the pieces they made, smiling, proud and curious. That is the real reason this work continues.
This is only the beginning. Craft belongs everywhere.

Special thanks to everyone who attended, including for this amazing opportunity to collaborate. Thank you.

For a limited time at Metro Paragon, I’ll be hosting a hands-on woodworking workshop where you can step into the world of the craft.

This session is for anyone who is curious — whether you love design, appreciate handmade work, or simply want to experience something real in a fast-moving world.

What you’ll experience:
• Introduction to the philosophy behind Urban Salvation
• Learn the fundamentals of woodworking
• Work with real tools and materials
• Understand sustainable furniture making
• Create and bring home your own handcrafted wooden coasters

Every participant will also receive a curated goodie bag and exclusive vouchers.
Seats are limited, and the sessions tend to fill quickly.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience woodworking from the inside — this is your chance.

Reserve your spot now and join us at Metro Paragon on 28 March.

Send a message or register before the seats at

Today I turn 37.

As I reflect on the journey, the only feeling that fills my heart is gratitude. Alhamdulillah.

I didn’t come from a privileged background or a clear pathway into design. What I had was curiosity, persistence, and a deep respect for working with my hands. I chose a path that many people overlook today, becoming a furniture designer and maker.

The journey was not glamorous. It was years of learning, mistakes, long days in the workshop, and believing that craftsmanship still matters in a fast-moving world.
This year, something happened that made me pause.

Seeing my work showcased at Metro Paragon was a moment I never imagined when I first started. What began as a small workshop dream has now found its place in one of Singapore’s most well-known retail spaces.

But more importantly, this journey reminds me that craftsmanship still has a place in our modern society. That working with your hands, building things with intention, and respecting materials can still create value, meaning, and opportunity.
None of this would be possible without the guidance and blessings of Allah SWT, and the many people who believed in the work along the way.

At 37, I feel a deeper sense of responsibility, not just to design furniture, but to advocate for craftsmanship, sustainability, and the dignity of skilled work.
The journey continues.

A good chair is an invitation.

An invitation to sit a little longer.
To linger over meals.
To turn quick moments into meaningful ones.

For a limited time 1 Feb — 31 May, all our chairs are on promotion, from rattan dining chairs to solid wood pieces shaped for everyday comfort. Each one is built with intention, designed to feel calm in the home, and made to support the quiet rhythms of daily life.

Whether you’re refreshing your dining space, setting up a new home, or simply replacing something that never quite felt right, this is a good moment to choose chairs that are meant to stay.

Come by the studio to sit, feel, and experience them in person or browse the collection online at your own pace.

📍 9006 Tampines St 93
🌐 www.urbansalvation.com

Because the best chairs don’t just fill a space.
They make people stay.