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9th Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) Awards

By Adib on May 26, 2008

The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) announced the recipients of the 9th SIA Architectural Design Awards recently. The Awards recognizes the achievements of SIA members in their pursuit of architectural excellence and motivates architects to push the boundaries with innovative solutions. SIA hopes to imbue architects with the relentless mindset of continually achieving greater heights, leading to the vision of Singapore architecture being acknowledged as world class standards. The Awards also aim to heighten the appreciation and patronage of good architectural design from both the architectural fraternity as well as the general public.

The judging panel comprised of industry professionals Mr Tai Lee Siang, President SIA (Chairperson); Professor Wong Yunn Chii, Head Department of Architecture NUS; Mr Mok Wei Wei, W Architects Pte Ltd; Mr Randy Chan, ZONG Architects and Dr Erwin Viray. Submissions of the 9th SIA Architectural Design Awards are evaluated based on attributes such as Appropriateness, Response to Climate, Sustainability, Originality/Innovation, Sensitivity to Context, Elegance of Construction and Attention to Detail.

19 Jalan Elok, CHANG Architects (Best Project Below S$1 Million Construction Cost)

2Q Bishopgate, Chan Sau Yan Associates

Alleyway House, Formwerkz Architects

A total of 7 Design Awards and 14 Honorable Mention are awarded in 6 categories, with two new awards,
“Best Project Below S$1 Million Construction Cost� and “Building Of The Year�.
1. Category: Residential Projects
Design Award

Honorable Mention

2. Category: Commercial Projects
Design Award
The Chedi, Kerry Hill Architects in association with Tandem Architects

Honorable Mention
Aramsa Spa, Formwerkz Architects
3. Category: Institutional Projects
Design Award

4. Category: Industrial, Transport & Infrastructure Projects
Design Award
Stadium MRT Station, WOHA Architects
Honorable Mention

5. Category: Interior Architecture
Honorable Mention
Bodhi Art Gallery, SCDA Architects Pte Ltd

6. Category: Others (Urban Design, Retrofitting, Conservation etc)
Honorable Mention

FiveFootWay congratulates all the winners of the Awards and is pleased at the range of projects that have been recognized. In particular, the new categories suggests a broader view of the Architectural scene in the country. It is also fair to say that the criteria set out for this awards is perhaps a reflection of what the SIA believes to be in the realm of ‘good architecture’. What is clear is that the awards recognize technical excellence and beauty of architectural tectonics. But perhaps, a couple more could be added to that list.

1- Architecture and Society
Beyond the delight of the building as a physical entity, the value of architecture perhaps comes with its users who inhabit and use the buildings- giving the building some soul and then turning a space into a place. Good buildings are those that are well used and bring delight to its users and this should perhaps be considered for future awards.

2- Quality of Critical Architectural Thinking
There is value in thinking about the deep questions about architecture. Those that question the very nature of architecture, exploring the very act of making architecture , dissolving and reinterpreting of what we think we know about this elusive thing called ‘Architecture’. It is these forward thinking architects that jolt us out of our comfort zone and open new boundaries in Architecture and FFW believes, they should be rewarded.

Adib is the co-founder of 5ft Creatives and he loves to walk on the FIVEFOOTWAY.

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