October 9, 2009 | Broadcast | Events
Sri Lanka’s “budget” architect
Chelvadurai Anjalendran has made a name for himself by designing buildings using cheap materials and traditional construction techniques, while incorporating vernacular elements. (Honestly, that doesn’t mean I’d label him ‘budget’.)
In an age of high speed broadband, it is not so fashionable to talk about vernacular architecture anymore. After all, what excuse does an architect now have for remaining stuck in the past except perhaps for sentimental reasons? Of course, if all architects thought this way, the world would be one large homogenous mass of concrete, steel and glass. So it is fortunate that not all architects do.
Sri Lankan architect Chelvadurai Anjalendran says: “All vernacular architecture is important, as it has corrected related built forms climatically and culturally over the years. This is a vast reservoir of often environmentally friendly building knowledge which can no longer be ignored.”
via Arthur Sim, at The Business Times Online
On Chevadurai Anjalendran:
Anjalendran studied architecture at the University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka) and University College London. After brief spells in the offices of Geoffrey Bawa and Surath Wickremasinghe, he opened his own office on the verandah of his mother’s Colombo home in 1982. Since then he has completed over a hundred projects including private houses, commercial and office buildings, and schools. His most significant work to date has been the series of projects undertaken for SOS Children’s Villages International over a period of fifteen years, which have included orphanages in Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Anuradhapura, schools, retirement homes, and training centres. Anjalendran has also functioned as a key commentator and has contributed behind the scenes to all of the major publications on Sri Lankan architecture that have appeared over the past two decades. He is highly regarded as a teacher and has lectured widely in India and Pakistan as well as in Sri Lanka.
Anjalendran will be giving a talk during the Singapore Archifest ‘09 Forum on October the 19th at 2:30pm
For registration and information, visit Archifest.sg
September 30, 2009 | Broadcast | Events
Upcoming Archifest Forum:
Focusing on the theme Architecture for Humanity, this year’s forum will feature a lineup of renowned international and local speakers:
19 & 20 October 2009 (Monday & Tuesday)
9.30am – 5.30pm (Registration starts at 8.30am)
Drama Centre, National Library Building [Map]
Forum Presenters:
| Day 1 – 19 October, Monday | |
| Liu Thai-Ker, Singapore | |
| Patama Roonrakwit, Thailand | |
| Thomas Kong, USA | |
| Li Xiaodong, China | |
| Massimiliano Fuksas, Italy | |
| Day 2 – 20 October, Tuesday | |
| Aamer Taher, Singapore | |
| Chevadurai Anjalendran, Sri Lanka | |
| Jacques Ferrier, France | |
| Tam Nguyen Chi, Vietnam | |
| Ben van Berkel, The Netherlands | |
November 26, 2008 | Features | Q&A
A chat with Fernando Menis
This is part of our coverage on Archifest 08, produced in collaboration with SA magazine. For a more detailed coverage of Archifest 08, check out issue #247 of SA Magazine with articles written by our very own FFW writers. Also, For more, check out www.fivefootway.com/tag/archifest.
Despite presenting his works in his non-native language, established Spanish architect, Fernando Menis, still effortlessly charms the audience with his architectural works. Menis’ work conveys a sense of tension and energy, negotiating the seemingly conflicting relationship between the built form and the landscape in an effortless manner. This is perhaps a reflection of an architect who truly believes that every building is inextricably intertwined with the site where it is located.
Menis has always felt it essential for designers to think carefully about the environment, something which he emphasized a lot in his presentation during the Archifest 08 Forum. To him, the importance of striking a balance between the human desire and the environment isn’t something new but rather something that is becoming more necessary given today’s context.
Context is everything
When one looks at Menis’ works for the very first time, one would tend to associate his works with terms such as landscape sculpture, texture exploration and symbolism. However, the building is merely the architectural resultant of a design and construction processes instead of being the design intention itself. Like the person Menis referenced numerous times during the forum -“Le Corbusier, Le Corbusier, Le Corbusier†- he is very much concerned about understanding the space, its users and everything related to the site. Ultimately, his designs revolve around creating interactions between his building and the environment, both man-made and natural. This results in an architectural design which is unique to its context, standing within a community where design decisions are caused and at the same time affecting the surroundings.
Architect + People= Architecture
Menis believes in “thinking like a local architectâ€. This means finding out as much as possible, about the place, its history, culture, landscape and lifestyle and with these information, Menis attempts to design buildings that in some ways, contribute something back to the society and hopefully fulfills some dreams.
“Listen. Listen to the people. Find out about what they want as well as their dreams†- Menis
Unlike others who might prefer to focus on the larger scale; Menis’ research involves more tangible information such as human circulation and behaviour which perhaps provide an explanation to the charm of his works. His works are not just functional buildings but rather, places where people can find their small little dreams and delight within it. In a world filled with spaces that can get rather generic and monotonous, such architecture gives hope by bringing enjoyment and delight to spatial experience.
Inspiration
We then asked Menis which architect inspired him most, he pondered upon the question with the conclusion that it was hard to find an answer. He described, “It is like a dessert. There are many layers, one over another. It is difficult to know which layer is more important. Perhaps it was my father.”
Menis shared with us that his father was interested in model and clock making and as a child, young Menis was taught to make his own toys. That could be the reason why his design process involves more model-making than sketches. Or perhaps as he adds, it might be because he could never sketch well.
And when it comes to giving advice and inspiring younger architects and designers, he quipped,
“Work very hard. Love the work you are doing.â€
For the full interview, see Issue #247 of Singapore Architect Magazine.
November 25, 2008 | Digests | Reports
Archifest 08: The Summary
This is part of our coverage on Archifest 08, produced in collaboration with SA magazine. For a more detailed coverage of Archifest 08, check out issue #248 of SA Magazine with articles written by our very own FFW writers. Also, For more, check out www.fivefootway.com/tag/archifest.
If you’ve blinked in October then you’ve probably missed Archifest 08. This low-key event which took place during that entire month included events which mostly architects, designers and architecture-enthusiasts in the know attended. The highlight, which left most participants discussing, however, was the two day Forum at the National Library. A variety of speakers from all over the world like Jo Noero (South Africa), Gerard Reinmuth (Australia), Andrew Maynard (Australia), Fernando Menis (Spain), Ken Yeang (Malaysia), Richard Hassel (Singapore), Poh Siew Fatt (Singapore) and Madhura Prematilleke (Sri Lanka), presented their take on this year’s theme of Man + Environment.
Using their works to exemplify their perspective on the theme, young architects shared the platform with more experienced ones to discuss their practices’ stand on topics like the S-word and architecture itself. Overall, the discussions were delightful and provocative enough to get students in the audience nodding and oh-ing at each other. Gerard Reinmuth subversively questioned the credibility of the supposed green architecture of today, Andrew Maynard’s self-depreciative eloquence of cheeky architecture that works tickled and awed everyone while Jo Noero’s firm social beliefs put to shame the bourgeois architect in me; the speakers were expressive individuals that held comprehensive and explorative views which made listening to them, both enlightening and entertaining.
Dr. Hitoshi Abe with his medal. Posing with him are the Asian-head for Getz and the president of SIA
FFW and SA managed to acquire for itself the privilege of some one-to-one time with some of the architects. A full article of the interviews and forum will be featured in next month’s issue of SA. We have portfolios on five architects from the forum and Dr. Hitoshi Abe, winner of this year’s SIA-Getz Award. The architects that we interviewed were Gerard Reinmuth of Terroir, Jo Noero of Noero Wolff Architects, Madhura Prematilleke of Team Architrave, Andrew Maynard of Andrew Maynard Architects and Fernando Menis of Menis Architects. Their portfolios reveal their take on the theme ,their modus operandi as architects and their advices for newbie architects.
Also, do remember to check out our coverage of the other events that made up Archifest 08 such as Architours , the forum nd also the other Fringe Events. For in detail coverage, make sure to get a copy of Singapore Architect’s magazine issue 247 out on magazine stands in December 2008.
November 16, 2008 | News | Reports
Architours - Night Tours
This is part of our coverage on Archifest 08, produced in collaboration with SA magazine. For a more detailed coverage of Archifest 08, check out issue #248 of SA Magazine with articles written by our very own FFW writers. Also do check out FFW’s Archifest related articles here.
Architours was started in 2007 with the intention of promoting discourse on the relationship between architecture and society and also to cultivate an appreciation for good design. This year, Architours return with more visits to various places with architectural significance in Singapore including Biopolis at One-North, Wessex Estate, Lasalle College of the Arts and the Marina Barrage.
The Night Architour is a new addition to the tour line-up where ‘tourists’ are not only brought to visit various architectural spaces in the evening but one that included visiting various architectural offices and gallery spaces before the tour is brought to an end with a round of drinks at various bars. In particular, the visit to the architecture firms provided a rare chance for the public to come into contact with the inner workings of those who shape the built environment where the ‘tourists’ were given a glimpse into the architects’ design processes and also an introduction into how projects are being executed and realized.
Inside Zong Architect’s Office
Those who came for the tour were mostly architecture students who are interested in experiencing and understanding architecture beyond the texts and lectures. Also present were architects from abroad who seek to understand Singapore’s architecture scene a little bit better and making up the rest of the entourage were members of the public who were not from the design field but curious about it. Perhaps what was most impressive and a pleasant surprise was the fact that some of the ‘tourists’ had specially flown in from overseas to attend the Archifest forum and tour and this is an indication of the positive impact of Archifest in the larger context.
The crowd was generally shy but definitely keen to understand the lifestyles of these individuals whom we call architects. Fortunately, the architects who were in the various offices managed to give a warm welcome to the visitors and they were also open in sharing their experiences, personal views and visions of their firms. The architects were also forthcoming in sharing some limitations about the architectural scene such as the level of details and bureaucracy required for local projects. To give an illustration, one architect mentioned that a local small-scale residential project needed a minimum of 4 typical-sized black folders while only 1 typical-sized folder is more than enough for an overseas middle-scale project.
Inside Union Architect’s Office
There are plenty of urban legends that revolves around the architect being a workaholic but this tour showed a different side to this. Beyond architecture, architects are truly passionate about the creative process and enjoying life. The tour introduced us to the sharing sessions organised by these architectural practices for their staffs to take a break from the monotony pace of daily workload - inviting them to engage in brainstorming sessions and taking idea generation as a form of exercising their minds. And of course, these creative souls indulge in a round of drinks occasionally; one that is best shared with their friends at an architecturally interesting space.
Mingling with the archi-tourists.
Perhaps it might be worthy to consider touring the various construction sites that continue to operate through the night around the island in a future edition of Architours. This could then give a glimpse into the importance of keeping a construction site going 24-7, why certain construction can only be done at night and also to understand the complexities of working in such conditions.
Nonetheless, Architours is a key fixture in the Archifest calendar and judging from this year’s edition of it, we believe that it will continue to be so next year. The tours play a key role in advancing architecture by giving a glimpse into the world of architecture - lowering the barriers of understanding and appreciating it for the public. Ultimately, armed with a better understanding of how the built environment is shaped, it will allow us to further appreciate the city that we live in.
Schedule of Tour:
Week 1 - 3 & 4 Oct: National Libary Building (Start), Designers’ Offices: DP Architects @ National Stadium, Union Designs, Old School @ Mt Sophia, zArch Collaborative and Night & Day Bar + Gallery + Friends, National Library Building (End)
Week 2 - 10 & 11 Oct: National Libary Building (Start), Designers’ Offices: Ministry of Design, MKPL Architects, Union Designs, Old School @ Mt Sophia, zArch Collaborative and Night & Day Bar + Gallery + Friends, National Library Building (End)
Week 3 - 17 & 18 Oct: National Libary Building (Start), Designers’ Offices: Arc Studio Architecture + Urbanism, Union Designs, zArch Collaborative, Old School @ Mt Sophia, and Night & Day Bar + Gallery + Friends, National Library Building (End)
October 14, 2008 | Profile | Reports
Fernando Menis
This is part of a special series of articles profiling the speakers at Archifest 08 Forum which will be held on the 16 & 17 October 2008 at the Drama Centre @ NLB, Singapore. To find out more, click here for everything Archifest 08 on FIVEFOOTWAY.com or go to the official website.
Spanish architect, Fernando Martin Menis was born in 1951 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He studied architecture at ETSAB and in 1981, he formed a team with architects Felipe Artengo Rufino and José MarÃa RodrÃguez Pastrana Malagón which was to be known as Artengo, Menis, Pastrana Architects (now known as AMP Arquitectos)
In July 2004, Menis started his own studio: Menis Arquitectos and since then, Menis has brought his studio to prominence with projects such as that of the Cuchillitos de Tristan Park, a project of 55 social housing units in La Laguna, Tenerife and also the rehabilitation of Agulo and Vallehermoso’s historical town centre on the island of La Gomera. Menis is also a visiting professor where he leads workshops and lectures in Europe.
Much of the architecture of Menis is inspired by the clear, powerful landscape of Tenerife. Menis proposes architecture that is needed by the environment and he has been quoted as saying that when he thinks of a new building, he considers its plasticity as a unified work which begins from its form. He thinks about the program’s functionality, defining the work’s potential to evolve and grow.
Fernando Menis is an architect with humanity as his primary focus. In an interview about the NEXT-GENE20 project in Taiwan , Menis says, “Architecture is about emotions. It should make people express themselves more easily,” he noted. For the project, Menis took inspiration from the rocks with many holes that were made due to the strong winds along Taiwan’s coastline and subesequently designed a device to produce energy from the wind. Menis was also inspired by his trips to Taiwan’s ancient temples, saying that “the usage of the colors gold, black and red in the temples [I visited] also gave me a lot of ideas.”
He also adds that “A conciousness of the place adds to all these Concepts because the project is designed with respect for the situation and the environment. The project aims to create a sustainable house which consider the orientations, the winds, the sun, the light; the project not only lies inside the nature but it understands it also, works with it and does no harm to it.â€
We at FIVEFOOTWAY are certainly looking forward to Fernando Menis’ presence in Archifest 08 and we hope to pick his brains on exploring the complex relationship of Man and Environment which encompasses context, genius loci, history, culture, economics, and technology. With his sensitivity to the environment as he crafts his architecture, we think that Menis will have something special to offer the audience in the Forum.
Further
Menis Arquitectos
Next-Gene 20
October 11, 2008 | Event | Reports
Helar Festival 2008
Helar (ngahelar) is an expression that comes from Sundanese language. It refers to the act of expressing our self to gain attention from the others. This term is also rooted from the Sundanese culture, indigenous ethnic group in the western part of the Java Island in Indonesia.
When the dutch first came to Bandung, they might never would’ve thought that Bandung would grow into one of indonesia’s most notable city. The low temperature, the mountainous landscape, the intimate scale of northern bandung, made this 166 km2 city once known as “paris van java” . Now, decades after the dutch departed, Bandung is struggling to maintain it’s colonial legacy, but more importantly, it has managed to find its way in creating a new legacy for it’s future generations.
Lines of independent clothing company, the sprawling factory outlets, and creative talents that seem endless provides a glimpse into Bandung’s future. The once tranquil and peaceful Bandung has now turned into a city of inspiration which is thriving economically . People from Jakarta would spend their weekends in Bandung to shop in the factory outlets and to taste the fine cuisine of west java, or to simply escape from their routines in the cool air of Bandung mountains. Truly, Bandung is now one of Indonesia’s most attractive and creative city.
The Helar Festival 2008 is Bandung’s biggest creative event. It is a month packed with more than 30 creative events showcasing the city’s best talents and assets. From the re-cycled bottles gallery under the Pasoepati flyover (Bandung’s only flyover bridge) to Kickfest (the biggest indie clothing line event in indonesia). From designing a new “angkot” (the name of bandung’s public transportation) to an international architecture seminar. Whether it is art, architecture, music, fashion, graphic design, extreme sport, The Helar Festival brings out the best of Bandung’s creative community together.
This event was initiated by the Bandung Creative City Forum, as a long term strategy to develop a sustainable creative economy platform in Bandung. This forum also initiated a branding strategy development and building networks as an effort to establish Bandung as a creative city that can compete globally. This event is like the validation of the creative community in Bandung. After years of existence without the support from government, Bandung’s creative community has now reach a status of establishment and have obtained the support that they’ve been looking for all this years.
To Indonesia, Bandung has always been a unique city of it’s own. Jakarta is probably the biggest and most populated city, but Bandung has always been the romantic and inspirational one. A city that gives most of it’s citizens the ability to look at chances and that small crack of opportunity, and later bust it open and turning it into something bigger than they thought it could ever be. This event is the proof of how Bandung’s creative community, that spreads across the city, could gather up and made an event that is the pilot project for creative city in eastern asia.
With an annual plan at hand, The Helar Festival will surely get bigger and better over time. Hopefully through it’s quality and determination, The Helar Festival could act as a catalyst for many other cities to follow the same path, in making the best of their potentials.
October 6, 2008 | Event | Reports
ARCHIFEST 08- What to expect
ARCHIFEST 08 officially kicks off on 6th October 2008 and we are here to tell you what you can look forward to in the month-long festival.
Exhibitions
There will be a whole lot of exhibitions happening at the main venue of Archifest 08- National Library, Singapore. . FIVEFOOTWAY suggests that you spend a good 1 to 2 hours there, looking at the various works on display. Here are the highlights.
- 9th SIA Architectural Design Award
- SIA-NParks Skyrise Greenery Awards
- SIA-Hunter Douglas “Eco Friend Awardsâ€
- SIA-Philips Green Innovation Award
- SIA-Getz Architecture Prize
- Student Exhibition by Singapore Polytechnic
- Man+Environment Showcase
- Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) District Exhibition by URA
Architours
This year, Architours travel to Biopolis at One-North, Wessex Estate, Lasalle College of the Arts and Marina Barrage. When the sun goes down, tours will continue to several architects’ offices to get an insight into how our built environment is conceptualized, ending off with drinks at various bars.
This is a ticketed event and most of the tours are already fully booked so you got to be quick to be part of it!
For more information, visit http://archifest.sg/architours.html. For ticketing, go to www.sistic.com.sg
Forum
The highlight of the whole Archifest 08. Happening on the 16th and 17th of October at National Library, this forum features the theme “Man + Environment†and re-examines the relationship of Architecture with the Environment. Speakers line-up include Richard Hassell of WOHA, Andrew Maynard (Australia), Fernando Menis (Spain) and more.
After the forum, don’t miss the networking party at Naumi Hotel to have an informal chat with the speakers and also catch up with some old and newer friends!
For more information, visit http://archifest.sg/forum.html.
Fringe Events
There are more than 20 Fringe events in this year’s Archifet 08! The fringe events range from workshops and seminars to photography exhibitions to screening sessions. As a matter of fact, we (5ft Creatives) will be showcasing a NEW episode of our Emerging Architecture Studios series at the National Library throughout the whole festival!
We think that there is something for everyone in this year’s line-up of fringe events. Check out the calendar, take your pick and visit/get involved in a few of them and see what the theme Man + Environment truly means to you! See the whole list of events on http://archifest.sg/fringe.html
FIVEFOOTWAY.com coverage
FIVEFOOTWAY.com is proud to be the official online media of ARCHIFEST 08 and here’s what you can expect from us.
News Updates
Supplementing the official newsletter and the official website, FIVEFOOTWAY.com will be broadcasting the latest news updates from Archifest 08. To see all posts on FIVEFOOTWAY related to the festival, click here.
Speaker Profiles
FIVEFOOTWAY will be posting a special series of articles, profiling the various speakers at Archifest 08 Forum. We will give you a quick initiation to these talented designers, highlighting their design philosophies and key works and perhaps send you to a link or two for further reading.
Interviews
We’ve planned special interviews with the various forum speakers, award winners and organisers of Archifest 08. We think it will be a brilliant series of interviews and you can expect these to be online in October and November.
Event Reports
Our writers will be there to participate and cover the events so you can look forward to a comprehensive coverage of the ceremonies and exhibitions. Also, this year, we are collaborating closely with Singapore Architect’s magazine to provide coverage of the various events in Archifest 08. So, expect to see some of online-offline integration of the various event reports.
Photos
Our writers will be on site and we will be taking plenty of photographs to share it with you. But more importantly, if YOU have photos, do share it with everyone. Either email it to us OR upload it to your blog/Flickr/Picasa and send us the link and we will compile it all to share with everyone!
So now you know what to expect for Archifest 08, see you around!
October 6, 2008 | Profile | Reports
Andrew Maynard
This is part of a special series of articles profiling the speakers at Archifest 08 Forum which will be held on the 16 & 17 October 2008 at the Drama Centre @ NLB, Singapore. To find out more, click here for everything Archifest 08 on FIVEFOOTWAY.com or go to the official website.
When Andrew Maynard was just starting out his practice, he dropped “hello” cards in letterboxes, with a business card attached, in areas where he knew people shared a similar ideology with him to get some projects. This is of course not necessary anymore as today, Andrew Maynard’s practice is perhaps one of the most sought after practices around the world.
Named in Wallpaper Magazine’s Architects Directory, an “annual guide to the world’s most innovative practices”, Andrew Maynard’s design practice is quickly becoming recognised as an emerging force on the architectural scene. Since Andrew Maynard Architects was established in late 2002 it has been recognised internationally in media, awards and exhibitions for its unique body of built work and its experimental and conceptual design polemics.
In 1996 Andrew Maynard received a Bachelor degree in Environmental Design from the University of Tasmania and in 1998 he graduated with honours in a Bachelor of Architecture from the same University. In 1998 with friend Stephen Mees, Andrew won the Graphisoft international design awards for the design of The Devil’s Ballroom.
On his practice’s website, he writes that he “spends half of his time undertaking architectural commissions and half entering design competitions”. Maynard explains in an Archinect interview that he uses these competitions to explore a number of issues that he wants to explore without the confines of client and budget. Also, these projects tend to encapsulate the kind of architecture that he is interested in promoting, marketing and doing.
It also goes without saying that much of Andrew Maynard’s work has captured the attention of the media which he admits helps to generate more work for him. Established design magazines such as Wallpaper and Pol Oxygen have all featured him in their publications and are constantly looking out for what he will create next.
“Maynard’s work offers a flash of illumination toward the next generation of smart, compact, elegant home design. Each project begs a long, awe-inspired look and makes the future look like a very nice place to live.”
Inhabitat
Beyond being the media darling, Andrew Maynard is perhaps the manifestation of an architectural environmental activist of the 21st Century. It is perhaps rightly so that one of his most (in)famous project is the design of a treehouse structure, the Global Rescue Station. Maynard’s design is attached semi-permanently to the trunks of three trees and acts as a shelter for protestors during their demonstrations. Not only that, this Andrew Maynard brainchild also takes out anything beneath or around it if a logger dares to cut down its supports.
The Global Rescue Station initially emerged in the midst of opposition to clearcutting in Tasmania’s Styx Valley Forest. The first iteration consisted of two platforms roped into the canopy of a single gum tree (affectionately named Gandalf). Maynard has since advanced his protest design strategy to create the concept for GRS Generation 2, which uses far more refined methods and materials to create a bi-level shelter replete with solar panels and sleeping quarters.
Other that the GRS, Maynard has also been exploring prefab solutions in his designs, resulting in projects such as the BOB, a mobile house for the future and his entry into the VicUrban Affordable Housing Competition. Andrew Maynard’s imaginative exploration into creating architectural solutions in response to various environmental issues resulting in projects such as the Poop House makes him one to watch in this year’s Archifest Forum. With the theme Man + Environment, we can expect Maynard to share some of the thought processes and ideas behind these brilliant projects and perhaps offer us inspiration on how to explore this complex relationship between man and environment. After all, this is the man who ‘dismisses sustainability as a theme’ but simply ‘the right way to do things’.
FIVEFOOTWAY.com will be conducting a special interview with Andrew Maynard which will be online in late Oct/early November. Meanwhile, do check back for more profiles of the Archifest Forum speakers coming up over the next few days.
FURTHER READING
Official Website- Andrew Maynard
October 3, 2008 | Broadcast | Events | News
ARCHIFEST 08: Fringe Events
ArchiFest Exhibition
6 – 24 Oct 08 . 10am – 9 pm daily (with 24 Oct closing at 6pm) . The Plaza, National Library
A collection of exhibitions will be held at the Plaza of the National Library, featuring award-winning works from various architectural competitions as well as internationally acclaimed urban designs.
5ft Creatives will also be presenting a special episode of our “Emerging Architecture Studios” series at the exhibition. So, do come down and check it out!
URA Presents: Singapore 1:1 (Island) Exhibition
3 – 26 Oct . 10am–9pm. Promenade Level 7, National Library
Singapore has been likened to a 1:1 scale, life-sized gallery of architecture and urban design. “Singapore 1:1 Island” highlights our nation’s architectural and urban design uniqueness through a selection of architectural projects completed island-wide, outside of the city centre , over the past four decades.
BCA Gallery Tour
3 – 31 Oct . BCA Academy of the Built Environment
BCA Gallery is a showcase of the development of Singapore’s built environment. The four key pillars of an excellent built environment, namely, safety, quality, sustainability and friendly, are highlighted collectively in this multi-sensory treat of interactive exhibits, model showcases and pull-out panels.
Visitors to the BCA Gallery will experience an interactive journey of Singapore’s building development through the years and gain insights into BCA’s integral role in shaping a safe, sustainable, high quality and friendly built environment now and for the future.
All tours to the Gallery are guided and prior tour arrangement is necessary. Please call 6248 9930 or email to bca_gallery@bca.gov.sg for arrangement on guided tours.
Exhibition of 2008 Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Architectural Heritage Award winning projects
4 oct – 14 nov . URA Centre
The exhibition showcasing the 7 projects that have received the URA Architectural Heritage Awards this year will be held at The URA Atrium, for one and half months from Saturday, 4 October 2008 till Friday, 14 November 2008. The Awards is an annual event to recognise national monuments and conservation buildings that are well-restored and to encourage owners, professionals and contractors to pay particular attention to quality restoration.
SINGAPORE SUPERGARDEN – Leave a Comment!
10 Oct . 7.00–8.30pm . The Plaza, National Library
Come be a part of SINGAPORE SUPERGARDEN – the Singapore Pavilion in the 11th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition 2008! SINGAPORE SUPERGARDEN is a converging point for young Singaporean designers across a mélange of creative fields, engaging in conversations about design and architecture.
Get inspired to contribute your conversation! In this sharing session, understand how the curatorial lead for SINGAPORE SUPERGARDEN explored this ecosystem of design thoughts and how you can join in. Please visit www.supergarden.sg for more information. Attendance by registration, by 8 Oct, to sabrina_lau@mica.gov.sg
ArchiFest presents Outdoor Screening: e2 Design Series
11&12 Oct, 18 – 19 Oct (Sat & Sun). 7–9pm . The Plaza, National Library
An interesting outdoor screening, ArchiFest is pleased to showcase the documentary series e2 Design Series. Narrated by Brad Pitt, the series explores ideas, initiatives and drivers of change in the world of sustainable architecture. This special outdoor casual screening also brings back an episode from season one, featuring Malaysia architect Dr Ken Yeang and his work on the National Library Building.
Light Up Ninja Jr!
11 Oct . 5-8pm. Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Light Up Ninja Jr! is a workshop-style event, organised during ArchiFest, for the young ones aged between 4-13 years old, to play and explore with light, inviting children to share an experience in creating illumination in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden with simple hand-made lighting equipments. Organised by The Lighting Detectives within Lighting Planners Associates (LPA), the workshop will be conducted by Mr. Kaoru Mende, Principal of Lighting Planners Associates and Leader of Lighting Detectives.
Attendance by registration only by 8 Oct, due to limited capacity. Please email the name of attendee (child), age, contact person’s name and telephone no. to archifest@sia.org.sg
For more information on Archifest events, go to www.archifest.sg or check out all the posts on FIVEFOOTWAY.com about archifest by clicking here.
October 3, 2008 | Broadcast | Events
ARCHIFEST 08: Forum Programme
The two-day Archifest 08 Forum brings together a stellar lineup of speakers who will be addressing the challenges of Man and our environment. How the architects practice can make as much difference to the built environment as their talents, tastes or tendencies. Featuring a panel of carefully-selected speakers who will be engaging the audience in a lively interchange of ideas, the Forum will have an upbeat, broad and suggestive take on the topic “Man+Environment”.
Programme
Day 1 | 16 October, Thursday
1. Morning Refreshments before start of Forum
2. Mr. Lee Kut Cheung | RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd | Singapore
3. Mr. Jo Noero | Noero Wolff Architects | South Africa
4. Lunch
5. Mr. Gerard Reinmuth | Terroir | Australia
6. Mr.Madhura Prematilleke | Team Architrave Chartered Architects | Sri Lanka
Day 2 | 17 October , Friday
1. Morning Refreshments before start of Forum
2. Mr. Richard Hassell | WOHA | Singapore
3. Dr. Ken Yeang | TR Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd | Malaysia
4. Lunch
5. Mr. Andrew Maynard | Andrew Maynard Architects | Australia
6. Mr. Fernando Menis | Menis Arquitectos | Spain
7. ArchiFest Party hosted by Swarovski, at Naumi Hotel
Click here for details on the speakers biography and programme.
September 29, 2008 | Broadcast | Jobs
Archifest Fringe Event: Design My place workshop facilitators needed.
Design My Place Workshop is back! It is a fringe event held in conjunction with Archifest 2008. We are looking for a group of passionate and energetic facilitators/volunteers to lead a group of secondary school students involved in the workshop.
What is the workshop about? Design My Place is a workshop for students, organized by Really Architecture [re:act],to induct the youth into the mysteries of architecture and urban design. The students will be studying a neighborhood area in Singapore and come up with designs that will help improve the area. These suggestions could form a resource and become an ideas-bank from which the authorities might consider translating into actual projects, empowering the youths to take initiatives, and making positive changes for the community.
As a facilitator, you should be energetic coupled with a pleasant disposition or an infectious personality. You should enjoy working and relating with youths. Those with an architectural background are preferred. People with design related background could be considered as well.
Facilitators’ Info Session …… 6 Oct 2008, 7pm
Facilitators’ Training … 18 Oct 2008, 9am – 7pm
Workshop Dates … 24 – 26 Oct 2008, 3 full days
We still need more workshop facilitators!
If you’re keen to volunteer, pls drop me an email. You’re invited to attend the Info Session on 6 Oct to find out more about the workshop and your roles as a Workshop Facilitator.
For more, contact Jenny at 9878 7753
September 13, 2008 | Broadcast | Events
ARCHIFEST 08 Fringe event update: The BCA Gallery
BCA (Building Construction Authority) Gallery is a showcase of the development of Singapore’s built environment. The four key pillars of an excellent built environment, namely, safety, quality, sustainability and friendly, are highlighted collectively in this multi-sensory treat of interactive exhibits, model showcases and pull-out panels.
Visitors to the BCA Gallery will experience an interactive journey of Singapore’s building development through the years and gain insights into BCA’s integral role in shaping a safe, sustainable, high quality and friendly built environment now and for the future.
The BCA Gallery is a free tour targeted at students and working professionals, and has 4 zones for visit with each zone featuring interactive and sophisticated exhibits.
- Zone 1 - Dimensions of Growth
- Zone 2 - Building for Safety and Excellence
- Zone 3 - Towards Our Vision
- Extended zone – Outdoor gardens
For Archifest 08 in October, BCA will be having an open house for the gallery month of October. In addition, BCA Gallery will also be open on Saturday for visitors. The tour of the BCA Gallery takes approximately an hour. All tours to the Gallery are guided and prior tour arrangement is necessary.
Please call 6248 9930 or email to bca_gallery@bca.gov.sg for arrangement on guided tours.
Operating details:
The tour hours of the BCA Gallery are :
Monday to Friday (3-31 October) | 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.00pm, 3.00pm & 4.00pm
Saturday (only in the month of October) | 4 Oct, 11 Oct and 25 Oct | 9.30am & 11.00am
For more details on the Gallery, please log on to http://www.bca.gov.sg/BCAGallery/bca_gallery.html
Click here for more information on Archifest 08 from FIVEFOOTWAY.com
September 11, 2008 | Broadcast | Events | News
ARCHIFEST 08: Architours Open for registration
ARCHIFEST 08: Architours is now open for registration.
The hugely popular ArchiTours returns again through 3 weekends in the month of October. In keeping with the overall theme of Man+Environment, the tours will be split up into 4 distinctly themed routes, each dealing with a different aspect of Singaporean Architecture presented in a fun and engaging way.
Some locations Architours will be visiting include Biopolis at One-North, Wessex Estate, Lasalle College of the Arts and Marina Barrage. When the sun goes down, tours will continue to several architects’ offices to get an insight into how our built environment is conceptualized, ending off with drinks at various bars.
Ticketing Information
Tickets can be purchased via SISTIC at www.sistic.com.sg or via SISTIC hotline at +65 6348 5555.
All tours start and end at the National Library. Find out more.
September 11, 2008 | Broadcast | Events
ARCHIFEST 08 Forum: Open for registration
FORUM: MAN + ENVIRONMENT
16 & 17 Oct 08 | Drama Centre @ National Library
The ARCHIFEST 08 forum is now open for registration!
The ArchiFest Forum 2008 will be discuss the theme MAN+ENVIRONMENT, inviting professionals, academics and students of the architecture field to re-examine the relationship of Architecture with the Environment.
This complex relationship encompasses context, genius loci, history, culture, economics, and technology to the growing concern about the role of Architecture in the degradation of our environment that could contribute to global warming, climate change, displacement and alienation. These are clear and present issues facing many countries all over the world. It is therefore befitting and timely to adopt the theme “MAN+ENVIRONMENTâ€, for this year’s ArchiFest 08, to drive home the point for balancing mankind’s needs and the environment.
Speakers include:
Andrew Maynard (Australia)
Gerard Reinmuth (Australia)
Fernando Menis (Spain)
Ken Yeang (Malaysia)
Pok Siew Fatt (Singapore)
Richard Hassell (Singapore)
Jo Noero(South Africa)
Madhura Prematilleke (Sri Lanka)
Two days of discussion, exchange and networking awaits you at ArchiFest Forum 2008.
TICKETING INFORMATION
Catch the Early Bird Discount between 1 Sept – 1 Oct and enjoy special discounts off every ticket bought!
Attendees will be accredited 8 CPD points.
PRICES
NON SIA MEMBER - Early Bird Discount (1Sept–1Oct) =$225 / Normal = $250
SIA/BOA/CIJC/ARCASIA MEMBER - Early Bird Discount (1Sept–1Oct) =$200 / Normal = $225
STUDENT - Early Bird Discount (1Sept–1Oct) =$75 / Normal = $100
ArchiFest Package Discount: Buy 5 passes, get the 6th FREE!
To see all posts about ARCHIFEST on FIVEFOOTWAY.com, click here.
September 11, 2008 | Broadcast | Events
ARCHIFEST 08:Exhibitions, Forum, Architours and Fringe Events.
EXHIBITIONS
6-26 Oct . various locations
A collection of exhibitions will be held at the Plaza of the National Library Building and Hort Park, featuring award-winning works from various architectural competitions as well as internationally acclaimed urban designs. Exhibitions will be launched on World Architecture Day, 6 October 2008. Find out more.
FORUM: MAN + ENVIRONMENT
16 & 17 Oct 08 . Drama Centre @ National Library
The two-day Archifest 08 Forum brings together a stellar lineup of speakers who will be addressing the challenges of Man and our environment. How the architects practice can make as much difference to the built environment as their talents, tastes or tendencies. Featuring a panel of carefully-selected speakers including Fernando Menis (Spain), Jo Noero (South Africa) and Andrew Maynard (Australia). Find out more.
ARCHITOURS
3–5, 10–12, 17–19 Oct (Fri–Sun) . Various locations . ticketed event
The hugely successful Architours returns again through 3 weekends in the month of October. In keeping with the overall theme of Man+Environment, the tours will be split up into 4 distinctly themed routes, each dealing with a different aspect of Singaporean Architecture presented in a fun and engaging way.
Some locations Architours will be visiting include Biopolis at One-North, Wessex Estate, Lasalle College of the Arts and Marina Barrage. When the sun goes down, tours will continue to several architects’ offices to get an insight into how our built environment is conceptualized, ending off with drinks at various bars. Find out more.
FRINGE EVENTS
Various locations
A myriad of fringe events for all ages: Over the month of October, grab good reads at the NLB, get the little ones involved in re-thinking lighting for the environment with Light Up Ninja Junior, attend the Design My Place Workshop for JC students, be wowed by 112 works by 28 award winning photographers at My Favorite Place Photography Exhibition, and many more! Find out more.
To see all posts about ARCHIFEST on FIVEFOOTWAY.com, click here.
August 16, 2008 | Broadcast | Events
Singapore’s Archifest 08- Coming in October 2008.
A month-long festival celebrating architecture and the built environment is due to return for a second year after the successful event held for the first time last year.
This October, Look forward to a myriad of exciting events including Exhibitions, Forum, Architours and other Fringe Events at the Archifest. Be inspired by the gallery of the year’s best architectural projects; learn from watching the presentations of a stellar line-up of world-renowned architects; get up-close with some iconic and very interesting buildings on a guide tour. The festival is a public event packed with architectural-related activities and happenings for all to participate in.
The theme “Man + Environmentâ€provides a focus for Archifest 08, as the stage is set for us to re-examine the relationship of Architecture with the Environment. This complex relationship encompasses context, genius loci, history, culture, economics, and technology to the growing concern about the role of Architecture in the degradation of our environment. With clear and present issues facing many countries all over the world, Archifest 08 aims to present the challenges in balancing man’s needs and the environment.
Organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), Archifest 08’s main events will be featured at the festival hub at the National Library Building at Victoria Street. Archifest 08 is an initiative supported and co-funded under theArchitecture and Urban Design Excellence (A•UDE)Promotion Programme by the UrbanRedevelopment Authority (URA), and sponsored by BlueScope Steel and Johnson Suisse Bathroom Solutions.
The highlight of the festival will be the two-day Archifest 08 Forum: Man+Environment on 16 & 17 October. The Forum brings together a stellar lineup of speakers who will be addressing the challenges of Man and our environment. Featuring a panel of carefully-selected speakers including Fernando Menis (Spain), Jo Noero (South Africa) and Andrew Maynard (Australia), the Forum will have an upbeat, broad and suggestive take on the topic “Man+Environment”.
Official Archifest Website
For the full coverage of Archifest content on FIVEFOOTWAY.com, go to www.fivefootway.com/tag/archifest-08
August 16, 2008 | Partnership
Official Online Partner of Archifest 08
Archifest 08 is Singapore’s 2nd Architectural Festival and this year, it revolves around the theme of Man+Environment. Happening in the month of October 2008, it will feature a line-up of tours, exhibitions, talks, forum and a range of fringe activities.
Organized by the Singapore Institute of Architects, the main aim of the festival is to provide a platform to breed a vibrant design culture, and consequently a design conscious society, by encouraging and guiding the general public and design professionals of all fields to interact in a fun and free atmosphere.
FIVEFOOTWAY.com is proud to be the official online media for this event and we will be bringing you the latest news about Archifest 08 and more! Also, you can expect a little 5ft touch into Archifest with Adib who is part of the Archifest Committee.
For more check out the official website or check out OUR coverage and special content via www.fivefootway.com/tag/archifest-08
