Cosentino Panel Discussion Explores Wellness Through Design

Wellness has become one of luxury’s most coveted commodities. 

Cosentino, the Spanish manufacturer of premium surfaces for architecture and design, held a recent symposium at its showroom that examined a question becoming increasingly relevant to contemporary living: how can design help us live better? Moderated by Matthew Lim, founder and principal of Matthew Lim Associates, the discussion brought together Bryan Loo, founder and CEO of Loob Holding, Diane Chia, executive director of Millenia Village, and Ar. IDr. Wong Hui Yi, director of Design Matter. Each speaker offered a distinct perspective shaped by their own work in architecture, hospitality, and community wellbeing.  

Throughout the conversation, one notion stood out as particularly resonant: the idea that the most memorable spaces are the ones that leave behind a lasting sense of calm and connection. However, as Wong observed, wellness begins before we even step inside a room. “It starts the moment we approach a place—the journey, the arrival sequence, the first impression, the transition from the outside world into a different state of mind,” she explained, describing how projects such as Hanami Urban Spa-scape were curated to gradually calm the mind and soften the senses. As opposed to focusing on individual design features, Wong explained that wellness is experienced as a journey. 

Loo, contrastingly, approached the discussion from a more personal perspective. He characterised the home he collaborated with Lim as a retreat from the bustle of the business world, a sanctuary beneath frangipani trees and to the soothing soundtrack of the quiet lapping of water. His emphasis was not on spectacle, but on atmosphere. He remarked that “texture mattered more to me than colour… things that hold your attention without shouting,” describing a palette of natural stone, timber, and soft textiles chosen to create a space that “breathes instead of one that performs.” Meanwhile, Chia drew upon her experience developing an assisted living community through Millenia Village, arguing that the most meaningful environments are those that “meet you where you are, not where the designer thinks you should be.”

Perhaps the defining sentiment of the evening came when Lim observed that “wellness is not a room or a feature—it is the overall feeling a space leaves with you after spending time in it.” This remark neatly encapsulated the discussion’s broader philosophy. Luxury is no longer expressed solely through material possessions, but in spaces that encourage us to cultivate wellbeing, foster connection, and build community.

This ideology also reinforced Cosentino’s own approach to design. The speakers reflected on how materials contribute to elements beyond aesthetics, like durability, comfort, and the rituals of daily life. By the end of the evening, the discussion had expanded beyond private residences to consider public areas and local communities. The panellists also touched on the broader responsibility of design, suggesting that wellness should not be an amenity reserved for the minority, but an everyday consideration woven into our spaces.