# Asian Watercraft-Inspired Furniture Tommy Cheong Designs the Sampan Furniture Range By Amy Duong | Published 2025-07-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sampan References: [behance.net](https://www.behance.net/tommycheong)  Drawing inspiration from traditional Asian sampan boats, Tommy Cheong’s [modular Sampan benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/agni-modular) translate maritime heritage into contemporary public seating for Singapore’s Holland Village. Carved from [slatted Tembusu wood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silva-collection), the benches feature oiled tops that evoke classic boat decks, paired with lacquered metal sides in terracotta red or ocean blue, celebrating the area’s cultural diversity. Crafted with care using [traditional woodworking techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formwork-collection), the benches come in three sizes to accommodate varied public spaces. The furniture is carefully designed in a way that comes together organically like a swarm; it can be clustered for social interaction or spaced for solitude. Their boatlike profile invites rest, reflection, and conversation—symbolically honoring Holland Village’s role as a multicultural gathering place and reinforcing connections among passersby Image Credit: Tommy Cheong ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 43% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Cultural Fusion Furnishings:** Furniture designs that incorporate elements from diverse cultural heritage offer unique aesthetic experiences that challenge traditional market offerings. - **Modular Public Seating:** Introducing modular elements within public seating allows for flexible arrangements that cater to varying social dynamics in communal spaces. - **Sustainably Sourced Materials:** Utilizing sustainable materials such as Tembusu wood in furniture production aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Furniture Design:** Innovative furniture design that draws inspiration from diverse cultures presents opportunities for distinguishing new product lines. - **Urban Planning:** Enhancing public spaces with modular and culturally significant seating solutions offers new approaches to urban development and community engagement. - **Sustainable Manufacturing:** The push for environmentally responsible manufacturing methods gains traction through the adoption of sustainably sourced materials in production. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Traditional Chinese-Inspired Wavy Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wave-collection.md) - [Upcycled Teak Minimal Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallel.md) - [Teak Wood Outdoor Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saltholm.md) - [Cross-Cultural Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kensaku-oshiro.md) - [Comprehensive Wooden Outdoor Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-outdoor-furniture1.md) - [Chinese Tradition-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolo-collection.md) - [Wooden Textural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corrugated-furniture.md) - [Hammock-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palmera.md) - [Sleek Collectible Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ateiler-pendhapa.md)