Chongqing Design Shines Globally! Ten-Story Theatre Space Wins 2024 SG Mark Awards | Insights

Chongqing - The Ten-Story Theatre Space, designed by Steven Yu and his Chongqing Light Industry School team, recently won the prestigious 2024 Singapore Good Design Awards (SG Mark), as announced by the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS).

In an interview with Bridging News, Yu, the founder of Chongqing Yunma Brand Design Consultant Co., emphasized the importance of international recognition for the design industries in both Chongqing and Singapore. He also shared his design philosophy, highlighting the award's cross-cultural impact.

Steven Yu from Chongqing Light Industry School is also the founder of Chongqing Yunma Brand Design Consultant Co. (Photo/Steven Yu)

The Ten-Story Theatre Space integrates Chongqing's mountainous landscape with the symbolic structure of an ancient Greek amphitheater, creating a multidimensional space that blends functionality, immersive interaction, and artistic aesthetics. 

Yu explained that the concept was to dissolve the barriers between everyday life and theater, returning the essence of drama to its audience by intentionally blurring the lines between performer and spectator.

This versatile venue is designed for salon gatherings, play readings, and immersive theater experiences to create a dynamic cultural hub for urban youth and drama enthusiasts.

Yu added that the Ten-Story Theatre Space has evolved into both a professional drama venue and a public cultural space in Chongqing, attracting more theatergoers and serving as a key gathering place for urban youth and drama lovers alike.

The Ten-Story Theatre Space has hosted children's plays like "The Tail of the King of the Forest" and the drama "House of Bernarda Alba."  It has also launched a youth theater incubation camp, which provides young theater groups and amateur drama enthusiasts with opportunities to perform and learn. 

Ten-Story Theatre Space. (Photo/Steven Yu)

Driving cultural exchange in Chongqing and Singapore's design sectors 

The SG Mark, established by the DBCS in 2003, recognizes outstanding innovation, functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability achievements.

"This award not only celebrates the work of designers and brands but also affirms their contributions to advancing the design industry and enhancing the quality of life," Yu stated.

Yu highlighted that the SG Mark recognition underscores Chongqing's unique strengths. The city's distinctive geography and rich historical and cultural heritage provide ample inspiration for innovative designs. Furthermore, Chongqing's designers prioritize practical, user-centric approaches that meet consumer needs.

Interior photo of the Ten-Story Theatre Space. (Photo/Steven Yu)

He believes this international recognition will strengthen cultural exchanges between Chongqing and Singapore while elevating Chongqing's global profile as a design hub, fostering greater collaboration between designers from both regions.

"For recipients, the SG Mark represents both honor and responsibility, driving them to continue innovating and positively impacting society," Yu added.

He also noted that international awards like this will allow more people in Singapore and around the world to discover and appreciate Chongqing's cultural richness, further promoting the integration of Eastern and Western cultures.

(Ma Manlin, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)