Raising the Standards
Space 2000 is changing the game when it comes to customised modular storage solutions, combining foreign technology with Filipino innovation
Storage space has always been a key factor when it comes to building homes. But the real challenge that many owners face is having storage solutions to suit their specific needs. For this, Space 2000 offers a number of customisable options crafted for various purposes.
“What you see in our showroom isn’t exactly what you’re going to get,” co-founder Florence Ko admits. “Here, we give our clients an idea as to the possibilities of what we can do for them, for their own spaces. All our products are built to their specifications as opposed to just buying things ready-made. I told my husband [Space 2000 founder William Ko] that we really had to change everything if we wanted to get our clients’ attention. It wouldn’t do to bring them to our other clients’ houses to see what storage solutions they could consider, so we really had to work on our showroom.”
Indeed, it is quite a showroom. Space 2000 occupies the mezzanine level of Furnitalia’s sumptuous BGC headquarters and the range on display is bound to get any homeowner’s imagination up and running. There are open modular shelving options that
would be an excellent addition to a bathroom. Glass-fronted cabinets seem perfect for a variety of workspaces from kitchens to offices. Wardrobes are cleverly hidden behind sliding doors that match the walls; some even have optional additions like racks for trousers or lighting that switches on when the doors are opened. There are even simulated layouts featuring cabinets built into the wall of a dining room where one can easily store glassware, cutlery, china, and even table linen. Items are laid out as if they were in an actual house; perhaps not in terms of dimensions, but it gives clients a better idea as to how their own projects may turn out in their homes.
But the showroom is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to the progress Space 2000 has made over the better part of 16 years. At its factory in Laguna, an expertly-trained team of engineers and machinists is continuously working on projects for discerning clients, including surface and storage solutions custom-fitted into a number of luxurious residences. Simultaneously, a group of in-house designers provide much-needed advice for clients with regard to the right design and finish for their products of choice. Ko is quick to point out that, while the materials and machinery used to craft their products are imported from Europe, Filipino innovation and creativity are the core of the enterprise.
“Think of it this way,” Ko suggests, “you may have cloth and know how to use a sewing machine, but can you turn that into a dress? In a similar way, people may know how to make furniture, but unless you have good ideas and the passion to keep refining these ideas, it won’t stand out.” Adherence to international standards is also a part of Space 2000’s formula for success. These cover everything in the manufacturing process from the selection of raw materials to the installation of finished products into clients’ homes. To keep up with these standards, Space 2000 is constantly evolving as the people behind it continue to develop ways to improve their products when it comes to durability, aesthetics, and functionality.
“Passion drives us to do the best that we can for our clients,” Ko says when asked as to what makes the company push the envelope when it comes to its products. “If you do not have passion, how can you move forward?”
It is a passion that can be seen in the hands-on approach applied by both Florence and William Ko when it comes to dealing with their clients from initial discussions to signing off on the finished project. It is the same passion which has driven the success of the Kos’ other endeavour, the furniture import business Furnitalia, for nearly two decades. It is something that speaks volumes of Space 2000’s emphasis on adhering to world-class standards with regard to function and design. Keeping this in mind, one would suppose that the next step is to bring the excellence of Space 2000’s storage solutions beyond local shores.
Ko simply laughs at the notion, but clearly states that it’s something to build on for the future. “Strictly speaking, we haven’t gone that far just yet,” she admits. “But, in truth, our goal is to bring Filipino products of exceptional quality to the world.”