Hack Kopitiam is a social care research project spear-led by Forest & Whale and Lien Foundation. The strategic care framework activates the coffeeshop as an inclusive model of community care through its stakeholders—managers, runners, hawkers, social workers, designers and artists—creating a social purpose for care advocates in the coffeeshop space to help reduce elder isolation within the community.
Commissioned by
Lien Foundation
Friends of HK
SkillSeed Resilience Trail Leaders
Queenstown Kakis
Collaborating Schools
Design for Social Futures program, LASALLE College of the Arts, University of Arts Singapore
Student Talent Development Program, Special Projects Unit,
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of Arts Singapore
Partners
Kim San Leng Coffeeshops
Lian Hua Coffeeshop
Montfort Care
Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
Kebun Baru Spring RN
Kebun Baru Precinct
Lian Hua Coffeeshop
Montfort Care
Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
Kebun Baru Spring RN
Kebun Baru Precinct
Exhibitions
Ageless Stories
Community photography of how we might age with agency
Earl Lu Gallery
University of Arts Singapore
2026
Hack Kopitiam
A showcase of our collaboration with socially engaged art and design graduates from NAFA, as part of the inaugural Healing Arts Festival.
Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries I & II
University of Arts Singapore
2025
Hack Kopitiam x NAFA GRAD SHOW
Five NAFA graduates showcase their final year projects completed in collaboration with the seniors in the Hack Kopitiam community.
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
University of Arts Singapore
2025
Press and Media
‘Hello, uncle!’: Students help the elderly in coffee shops plug into social care system
Straits Times
2024