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A visit to riceLAB always ends on the third floor, and this is also where guests tend to spend the most time. Who wouldn’t, with more than 400 tile samples to choose from! Welcome to MATERIAL LAB, a space specially designed to provide everything you need to make your tile selection easier and more comfortable.

 No fluorescent-lit supermarket-style aisles here. MATERIAL LAB has been designed with the same tasteful aesthetics as the rest of the floors, with particular care paid to the lighting. Architect Kimberly Toh of Studiogoto worked closely with RICE to ensure that the general lighting is akin to natural daylight, and that each sample on the tiered racks can be seen clearly without overlapping shadows. This helps homeowners imagine how the tiles will look like in their homes in daylight.

An adjustable wall lamp at each self-help kiosk provides warm lighting to aid homeowners in visualising how the tile samples will look like under different lighting conditions.

If you’re planning for some areas in your home to be illuminated with warm light, there’s a tool for this as well! Bring the handy 20cm by 30cm tile samples over to any of the self-help kiosks, which are each fitted with a wall-mounted desk lamp emitting warm light.

Each kiosk also provides everything you need to make your tile selection a stress-free process. If you need a space to stash your bag, there are cubbyholes for this purpose. Also, rulers, pencils, and grouting colour options, even bottled water in case you get thirsty.

A metal sheet backs each tile sample and this allows you to attach it securely to the magnetic strip at the kiosk to stand the sample up vertically and pair it with your shortlisted floor tile. Scan the QR code found at the back of each tile sample to see catalogue images of the tile used in interiors.

Two of the cosy meeting rooms at MATERIAL LAB where you can have a quick pow-wow with your designer or significant other.

Head into one of the private meeting rooms if you need a quiet space to mull over your decision, to have a quick discussion with your interior designer, or just need some design inspiration! The meeting rooms are fitted out stylishly with tiles as well, so make sure you pop by to take a look.

If you need any assistance, your assigned RICE Material Planner and Consultant (MPC) will be on hand to answer any questions you have about tiles, and even dispense design tips! Upon request, they can also provide you with 10cm by 10cm tile samples to bring back with you if you need to continue your decision-making process at home. Your MPC isn’t just your guide through the different floors of riceLAB, they’re also your helpful solution provider on your tile selection process at MATERIAL LAB, and will follow-up closely till the tiles are installed – that’s a service guarantee from RICE!

Make an appointment to visit riceLAB by emailing them here or by calling 6692 1199. riceLAB is at 213 Henderson Road 01.03 Singapore 159553. They are open from Mondays to Fridays 10am to 7pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.