Charlene Chin
(a writing portfolio)
I observe, perceive, and capture the essence of things.
Here's some of my work:
I wrote about real estate in my last role as a journalist, so you'll see most of that here. This ranges from macro trends in the sector, architecture and design, to property features.
You'll also get to see some of my earlier work on public sector, which covers the realm of tech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and education.
(These were published in a series of newsletters, and distilled the insights, learnings and challenges in public service delivery so governments in Asia Pacific could learn from them.)
Read on!
Quaint home on Happy Avenue East seeks ‘right’ owner
On Happy Avenue East, off Macpherson Road, there is a home that peeks over its two-storeyed neighbours. Adorned with a red roof, gently curved, the house boasts a facade of floor-to-ceiling windows on the first and attic level, and a brick exterior on the second floor. “Very unassuming”, is how Eric Chiam, owner of the home describes it.
Hmlet, diversified
Ergonomic chairs and desks have lately stolen the limelight of furniture. The demand for having the right posture while typing on a keyboard has been high, and Hmlet Furniture can attest to that. The Eames Desk Chair, for instance, which costs $9 a month, is sold out. So is its counterpart, the Bradford Study Console featuring a wild oak veneer, at $15 a month.
From property to nursing, Lee gives life her best shot
Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb 14, was not a romantic one for Ashley Lee. Instead of celebrating the occasion with her husband and three children, Lee had spent a full day at a Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) course, refining her skills to resuscitate adult and infant victims.
The View From Israel – How to Build A Startup Economy
How do you build a strong startup ecosystem? Teach your children to challenge authority. That’s what worked for Israel.
“‘Chutzpah’, is very unique to us”, shares Yael Rubinstein, Ambassador of Israel. Citizens are instilled with the habit of questioning their superiors since young. Parents, for instance, are more interested in the questions their children ask in class, rather than their exam marks, she says.
Ascott takes on co-living
with lyf
Ascott has acted with boldness for its first co-living venture. Unlike other hospitality properties, residents at lyf Funan will be greeted by the sights and sounds of a laundromat foaming and frothing to the cycle of soiled laundry. “No hotel, no serviced apartment, no co-living space actually puts a laundromat in front, at the entrance,” says Tan Gan Hup, lyf chief and assistant vice president for brand & marketing, digital innovation and lyf at The Ascott Ltd. “But then again – why not?”
Revealed: Singapore’s plans for 2050
Peter Drucker once said that the best way to predict the future is to create it, and Singapore has taken this to heart. Departments across government have built dedicated ‘horizon scanning’ units for assessing future trends, and shaping their policies to plan ahead.
How Malaysia halved patient waiting times
How did six people cut Malaysia’s hospital waiting times by 50%, and cancer treatment time from four months to one? More doctors, perhaps? Or more hospitals?
No — the Ministry of Health cut waste, re-engineering processes to make them as efficient as possible. GovInsider caught up with Dr. Nor Akma bt Yusuf of the Hospital Management Services unit to find out more.
Go ahead with Airbnb-type rentals, if 80% of your neighbours agree
The Singapore government is seeking public feedback on a new policy that will allow Airbnb-type rentals only if 80% of all residents in the development agree to it. The proposal covers private apartments and condominiums but excludes HDB flats.
Making hospitals more like hotels
Holidays are a blast. You get to explore foreign places, meet new people, and stay in hotels – if you don’t run on a shoestring.
And perhaps in the future, hospital visits will be like a short hotel stay. Certainly, Francis Fan – tech director for Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) – a healthcare-IT firm under the Ministry of Health – believes in this vision.
Four things you should know about Design Thinking
What is the best design in the world? Is it a stealth jet, or a supermarket trolley that doesn’t wobble? The answer is simple: it depends on who you’re designing something for.
Good design is about making every part of a service work better for people. This is particularly true for public services. Like every other object, they must be carefully designed to ensure they are effective.
What can failed megaprojects teach government?
The Boston Big Dig was one of the most complex tunnels built in the U.S. It boasts a few engineering firsts, and had to be constructed under an existing highway, rail lines, and around the city’s subway system.
But it was rife with problems at the start, seeing design flaws, escalating costs and schedule overruns. The tunnel faced leaks after construction, killing a woman after a section collapsed.
Four things you should know about agile procurement
You’re craving a scrumptious meal after a long day at work. You’re picturing a cooked dinner, rather than a shopping list of ingredients.
That, in essence, is agile procurement – a new way that governments are purchasing technology. Public servants purchase a desired outcome, acknowledging that the recipe may change to meet citizens’ tastes.
Writing well is simply thinking clearly.
Advertorials
(when I get commissioned to write on a select topic)
AAG taps tech to build 2,700-strong team, close deals speedily
When a computer crunches troves of data, its machinery purrs, sometimes the only indication that it is hard at work. But underlying that is a complex ecosystem of distinct parts, each relying on others to function: The processor acts as the central nervous system, ensuring each activity runs well; the RAM determines the speed at which each event unfolds; while the motherboard functions like a home,
accommodating all the components.
The Apex Achievers Group, better known as AAG, operates much like the computer system: A well-run, intricate web of components.
Sansiri’s endgame: offering impeccable after-sales services
While many other developers focus on marketing properties, drawing buyers in with the unique strengths of each asset, Sansiri begs to differ. The Thailand-based, award-winning real estate developer prides itself on being the country’s only fully-integrated property developer, providing an extensive array of after-sales resources, which include leasing and resale management, brokerage advice, and residential maintenance services.
Prized chance to buy into Martin Modern’s exclusive units
For those to whom patience is not a virtue, a number of exclusive, move-in ready units are on the market at Martin Modern. Nestled within the Robertson Quay in District 9, the 450-unit luxury development is the only project slated for completion within the Core Central Region (CCR) by June this year.
Reach for the stars at The Antares
One of the brightest stars in the galaxy, The Antares illuminates the night sky with its distinctive red radiance, a magnificent sight to behold. Inspired by this fiery red alpha star, The Antares, developed by consortium FSKH Development is set to be a rising star at Mattar Road in District 14.
Enjoy unrivalled connectivity at Midtown Modern
Acquiring a home is rarely just about the state of its four walls — location is also paramount. Once Midtown Modern is completed in 2025, the development is set to add further vibrancy to the Beach Road enclave. Situated along Tan Quee Lan Street, the luxury project will be right above Bugis MRT Interchange, offering residents seamless connectivity to the whole of Singapore.
Living at Meyer Road, a confluence of prestige and convenience
It has worked out well for those who have moved to the Meyer neighbourhood. At a time when travel has been limited by ever changing restrictions, people, cooped up at home, have found the need to immerse themselves in nature. And the Meyer enclave offers such a respite: “It’s just an underpass away from the East Coast Park which has great recreational features — beaches, cycling and running paths, cafes and restaurants,” says Jeff, who relocated from New Zealand to Singapore seven years ago and has stayed in the greater locale ever since.
A Snap in Time
Shot on iPhone
