A Mindful Kampong was a ground-up placemaking initiative by The Afternaut, developed in close collaboration with the Kampong Bahru wellness community. Rooted in a shared desire to strengthen neighbourhood ties, the project explored how wellness could act as a connective thread—bringing individuals together while drawing attention to the quiet charm of a little-known district.

The programme brought together practices spanning mind, body, and spirit—framed not as isolated modalities, but as interconnected entry points into self-awareness and community building.

Beyond the retreat itself, A Mindful Kampong functioned as a placemaking experiment: testing how thoughtfully curated experiences could foster social connection, encourage slower engagement with place, and reframe Kampong Bahru as more than a pass-through neighbourhood.

The project demonstrated how wellness, when designed intentionally, can become a tool for nurturing both individual wellbeing and a stronger sense of belonging within urban environments.