Inside Singapore’s Most Atmospheric Plant Shopping Experience.

Singapore’s thriving plant retail scene welcomes a cutting-edge space with the opening of Soilboy’s flagship store in New Bahru. The project, designed by Silo, elevates the conventional plant shopping experience through thoughtful design and atmospheric storytelling.

Originally established as an online retailer for indoor houseplants and gardening essentials, Soilboy’s physical expansion marks a significant evolution for the brand. The new location builds upon the success of their first Thomson outlet, offering enhanced functionality and an expanded collection of curated houseplants.

“We wanted to create a warm, natural interior inspired by the earth and utilitarian details from farmhouses and countryside warehouses,” explains Keith Phee from Silo. The design achieves this through a carefully orchestrated interplay of materials – cold steel elements contrast against an innovative palette of natural materials, including cork, lime plasters, and modified concrete techniques.

The store’s lighting design plays a crucial role in delivering the intended atmosphere, with deliberately dim illumination creating an intimate, sensory-rich environment. This approach transforms the retail space into an immersive destination where both devoted plant enthusiasts and newcomers can explore the brand’s expanded offerings.

The project emerged during Singapore’s challenging construction climate, where labour and materials are predominantly imported. Despite these obstacles, Silo’s team delivered a cohesive vision through collaborative efforts with suppliers and contractors.

The renovation introduces multiple retail zones while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic that aligns with Soilboy’s established brand identity. This design approach provides a sophisticated backdrop for the store’s extensive collection of indoor plants, ceramic planters, and gardening accessories.

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Nature overflows into the living space while a central spiral stair connecting two floors is enclosed by a curved concrete wall, acting as an urban fragment of the city.

[Images courtesy of Silo. Photography by Khoo Guo Jie.]