SAVOR Magazine No.1

S-A-V-O-R Featuring fabulous alone moments. uncovers the personal and curious relationships we have when we are alone.

No. 1 May 2019

The lost art of solitude The Feature article post written by Leo Babauta

SAVOR Contents

Contents

Editor's letter

The letter from our editor

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Lift in the moment Pause Fest 2018 Motion Response Explore the alone story Creative Direction: Tereza Tan

True privacy in your living The private space defined by broken-plan living

Storytelling: Zack Chua Character Design: Dou Cheng 2D Animation: Jacky Lo, Dou Cheng

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Human - Chess (When I was alone) Explore the alone story

Photographer: Santarwat Chriendpradit

3D Animation: Edward Chiu Sound Design: Mount Audio

Little gallery

The lost art of solitude The feature article post written by Leo Babauta

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Show the little moment of aloneness 13

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SAVOR Editor's letter

Editor's letter Hello re aders !

Welc ome t o t he first issue o f S avo r m agaz in e.

No.1

To delight in a n d savo r t he al o n e m o m e n t s.

What’s the attitude on being alone? The sense of observing will expand to life, to place, and to yourself. Our magazine is based on the attitude of being alone, and the feeling, the lesson and the journey of storytelling from the perceptive of being alone. Notice tiny things in your life, and understand yourself better, then you become an observer also a loner.

We fo c us o n n o n - m a i n s t re a m fe a t ure s a n d fa s c i n a t i n g t h i n k i n g . Ta ke a n i n s i d e l o o k o n yo urs e l f w h e n yo u a re a l o n e, b e i n g i n s p i re d a n d s h a ri n g yo ur s p e c i a l a l o n e m o m e n t t o us .

We ap p e a l t o a nyo n e e n j oy i n g t h e i r t i ny beauty from the moments and living. It is like a s e l f - i n s p i ri n g p ub l i c a t i o n , s e e t h e t h i n g s yo u d i d n o t n o t i c e b e fo re. T h a t ’s wh a t ke e p s l i fe f re s h a n d i n t e re s t i n g.

I f yo u d o n o t k n ow h ow t o s t a r t e m b ra c i n g t h e l o n e l i n e s s , t h a t ' s f i n e, h e re w i l l b e yo ur b e gi n n i n g; a n d I f yo u a re a s o l i t ud e l ove r, p l e a s e fe e l f re e t o s h a re yo ur a m a z i n g t i m e t o us ! H o p e yo u w i l l l i ke i t !

Editor B a rb a ra We i

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True privacy in your living The private space defined by broken-plan living

Y

ou may have seen examples of – or heard about –

such as bookcases and screens. These subtle divides

the broken-plan living trend for a few years now. In

retain the spacious feel that open-plan living provides,

2015, Mary Duggan, a judge for the RIBA House of the

but also give a sense of separation, meaning people can

Year award, said the rise of technology was contributing

have their own space away from each other.

to the waning open-plan trend. Open-plan living was

allows light to flow has been the go-to approach for

living is the new alternative.

planning during the past few decades. It’s difficult to

'We're getting asked more for snugs, rooms with TVs

deny the benefits, from creating a sense of sociability,

or a space where people can go and watch something

to enabling multiple functions to be performed in the

on their iPad independently, rather than an open-plan

same area.

space,' Duggan told. The idea of broken-plan living was noted as an emerging design trend for luxury properties.

Broken-plan living is about the clever use of a

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Knocking down interior walls to form a space that

once the preferred layout for homes, now broken-plan

But there are drawbacks, with open-plan areas often proving difficult to heat, as well as potential noise issues. A new, versatile way of living is set to offer an

space. Distinct zones are created by the use of different

alternative, which still establishes connectivity between

floor finishes, split-levels and semi-permanent partitions,

rooms but offers privacy, too.

SAVOR True privacy in your living

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"Modern technology has consequences to our traditional living patterns and routines, and we are adapting to what is on offer. Like it or not, there is greater independence between family members and more out-of-sequence operations.

They need a suite of spaces to accommodate this, so our plans are starting to fragment."

Mary Duggan

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SAVOR True privacy in your living

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"It is an extraordinary revolution that has taken place in the last five years," said London-based architect Deborah Saunt of DSDHA. "People now want a kind of residence that can change to suit the needs of a family. It's a kind of inherent adaptability over time."

Deborah Saunt Saunt described this new trend as "flexible-plan" living, while

Duggan is one of the judges for

Mary Duggan of London-based Duggan

the RIBA House of the Year award.

Morris Architects referred to it as

Several houses on the 20-strong

"broken-plan".

The terms both describe a layout that might include snugs, studies and television rooms instead of large

shortlist boast the kinds of features she mentions, from comfortable and quiet nooks to dedicated media spaces.

For instance, the Stackyard house

lounges. Split-level floors and sliding

in Norfolk by Mole Architects keeps

partitions are among the other features

its living room separate from the

being used by architects to help divide

kitchen and dining room, and also has

more open spaces.

a separate study. While the Flint House

"Broken-plan is a term we are using

in Buckinghamshire by Skene Catling

a lot at the moment," she continued. "It

de la Peña includes a grotto-like space,

deliberately challenges open-plan living,

as well as a separate library and study.

encompassing all family activities and

The increasing number of people

allowing them to function in tandem."

choosing to work from home is playing

But there is still a demand for grand

a big part in the way houses are

kitchen and dining spaces, featuring

designed, with the dinner table no

large countertops well-suited

longer being the obvious work space for

to entertaining large numbers of guests,

many residents, added Duggan.

said Duggan. "The idea of having big theatre rooms where families can cook and eat and talk are a constant part of

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the sequence," she added.

"Every space should lend itself to liveability." Saunt added.

SAVOR True privacy in your living

"The end of open-plan living?

Where did you get that from," He hasn’t heard of broken-plan living, he says, "but it's clever. I like it a lot. If you mean a more complex open plan, I would agree."

Charlie Luxton His own ground floor has no doors but distinct areas for cooking and eating, lounging and, finally, a snug. He puts one of those into nearly every house he designs. "It's all about interconnected space, not one big space," he says. "Texture is the key word: steps, wide spaces, narrow spaces, different ceiling heights, different colours, different wall finishes."

Lots of people also want "a little 'dirty' kitchen" he says.

"I think there's a bit more awareness of open-plan living having its challenges acoustically," he said. "We often find ourselves persuading our clients out of it."

London architect David Mikhail Mikhail first noticed the trend several years ago. When working on affordable housing scheme Clay Fields in Suffolk, all 26 residents were offered a choice between having an open-plan living space, or inserting a wall between their living and dining rooms.

"Much to our surprise, they all chose to put the wall in," the Mikhail Riches co-founder told Dezeen.

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To p T i ps On How To B re ak Up A n ' Op e n ' S p ac e

Pendants For Glamorous Dining.

1. Position Key Identifiable Fixtures Like Kitchen Islands

8. Glass Panels And Glass Walls Are Fantastic At Providing

To Mark The Start Or End Of A Kitchen.

A Clear Separation.

2. Use Sofas To Create Linear Divisions.

9. Sliding And Pocket Doors That Can Be Closed When

3. Open Shelving Units Are Another Great Linear Divider

You Want To Create Privacy, And Opened When You Want

– Either At Mid-Level Or Low Level. The Key Is Not To

To Be Part Of The Action.

Go Up To The Ceiling With Them.

10. Designing In A Door In Front Of Sinks, Toasters And

4. Just One Step Down To A Lower Or Upper Level Can

Cookers Can Hide An Entire Kitchen From Sight.

Create A Completely Different Sense Of Zone.

11. Sunken Seating Is A Great Throwback To The 70S And

5. Define Zones With A Change In Floor Materials Or The

A Brilliant Way To Create A Different Vibe In An Open

Use Of A Rug On A Hard Floor.

Plan Space.

6. Use Different Colours Or Textures To Instantly Create

12. Clever Fold Out / Fold Away Tables And Desks For

A New Mood Or Area.

Kids To Play Or Work.

7. Lighting Plans Can Dramatically Alter The Mood Of

13. Of Course There Are Some Downsides To Open Plan

A Space Too. Use Down Lights In A Kitchen, Low Level

Living So My Advice Is To Really Consider The Way You

Mood Lighting In Sitting Areas And Chandeliers And

Live Before Committing.

"People are moving away from the vision of open plan – the sort of loft-living open plan where everything is floating around in a great big industrial space," "The fashion for loft living has subsided," he told Dezeen. "People definitely want articulation of space."

Founder of WT Architecture William Tunnell 12

SAVOR The lost art of solitude

"All great and precious things are lonely."

— John Steinbeck 1902– 1968 : East of Eden

The lost art of solitude Post Written By Leo Babauta

You don't need to be a monk to find solitude, nor do you need to be a hermit to enjoy it.

S

olitude is a lost art in these days

seeking solitude can actually be

get me wrong: I love being with

of ultra-connectedness, and

quite healthy. In fact, there are many

loved ones, and walking with a

while I don't bemoan the beauty of

physical and psychological benefits

friend or watching the sunset with

this global community, I do think

to spending time alone.

my wife or reading a book with my

there's a need to step back from it

Some of my favorite activities include

child are also among my absolute

on a regular basis.

sitting in front of the ocean, still,

favorite things in the world.

In fact, Western culture tends

contemplating … walking, alone with

But solitude, in these days

to equate a desire for solitude

my thoughts … disconnecting and just

as much as ever, is an absolute

with people who are lonely, sad,

writing … finding quiet with a good

necessity.

or have antisocial tendencies. But

novel … taking a solitary bath. Don't

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" I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.

We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers." — Henry David Thoreau

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SAVOR The lost art of solitude

The Benefits Of Solitude

T

he best art is created in solitude, for good reason: it's only when we are alone that we can reach into ourselves and find truth, beauty, soul. Some of the most famous philosophers

took daily walks, and it was on these walks that they found their deepest thoughts.

There are many more benefits, but that’s to get you started. The real benefits of solitude

cannot be expressed through words, but must be found in doing.

Spac e To Un win d,

Solitude gives you an opportunity

problems when you're distracted by

And Fi n d Pe a ce

to discover yourself and find your

incoming information, regardless

Solitude allows you to reboot your

own voice. When you're part of a

of whether that information is

brain and unwind. Constantly being

group, you're more likely to go

electronic or human.

"on" doesn't give your brain a chance

along with what the group is doing

to rest and replenish itself. Being by

or thinking, which aren't always

We G e t To Kn ow Ou r s e lve s

yourself with no distractions gives

the actions you would take or the

Solitude can enhance the quality of

you the chance to clear your mind,

decisions you would make if you

your relationships with others. By

focus, and think more clearly. It's an

were on your own.

spending time with yourself and gaining a better understanding of

opportunity to revitalize your mind and body at the same time.

S pace To Crea t e

Tim e Fo r Thou ght

who you are and what you desire

Solitude provides time for you

in life, you're more likely to make

to think deeply. Day-to-day

better choices about who you want

Solitude helps to improve

responsibilities and commitments

to be around. You also may come to

concentration and increase

can make your to-do list seem

appreciate your relationships more

productivity. When you remove as

as if it has no end. This constant

after you've spent some time alone.

many distractions and interruptions

motion prevents you from engaging

as you can from your day, you are

in deep thought, which inhibits

T i m e To R e f l e ct On W ha t We ' ve

better able to concentrate, which

creativity and lessens productivity.

Do n e, A n d L e a r n Fro m I t

We Fac e Ou r De m o n s , A n d

Q u i e t H e lp s U s To A p p re ci at e

will help you get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

D e al W it h The m

T he S m a l le r T hi n gs T ha t G e t

I so lation From The In f lu e n c e s

Solitude helps you work through

L o s t I n T he R o a r

O f O the r Hel ps Us To F in d Our

problems more effectively. It's hard

O w n Voice

to think of effective solutions to

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Despite knowing these benefits, it can be a challenge to find time alone in a world that seems to never sleep. Here are a few ideas to help you find more time to spend with yourself.

Disc onnect

H o l di n g Yo ur s e lf U p

Set aside some time each day

( C l o s e Yo ur Do o r / U s i n g

to unplug from all the ways you

H e a dp h o n e s )

connect with others. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off your Internet.

Turn off your TV. If you use your computer to create, such as writing, then write without all the bells, dings,

How to Find Solitude You start by disconnecting.

This can be done in your office, by shutting the door and/or using headphones and the calming music of your choice. If possible, let coworkers know you can’t be

and beeps that come along with

disturbed during a certain block

being connected to the Internet,

of your day. Or it can be done at

close your browser, and shut down

home, by finding a quiet space,

every other program used to

shutting the door if you can, or

connect with others.

using headphones. The key is to find

Disconnect from email, from

a way to shut out the outside world,

Facebook and Twitter and Instagram,

including co-workers or those who

from forums and social media, from

live with you.

instant messaging and Skype, from

It's simple, but can be very

news websites and blogs. You'll be

effective. A client who owns

amazed at how much more you can

a community-based magazine puts

get done when you're not distracted.

a sign on her door when she wants alone time. The sign reads "I'm

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Get Up Or Ge t In Ea r ly

editing or writing. If the police are

Wake up a half hour or an hour

here, the office is on fire, or George

earlier than everyone else in your

Clooney calls or stops by, you can

house, and use that time to create,

interrupt me. If not, please hold

produce, problem solve, meditate,

all questions until my door opens."

or whatever makes you happy. This

She said that she decided to put

strategy also works if you can get to

up the sign after she realized that

work before everyone else arrives,

her presence in the office was a

and the phones begin to ring.

stimulus for questions. "Whenever I

SAVOR The lost art of solitude

was in the office," she said, "it

or even just a couple of times a

O t he r T i p s

seemed like there was one question

month, commit to spending lunch

1. Tr y Tak i n g A Q ui e t , R e la x i n g

after the next. I was constantly

with yourself. Walk. Sit in the sun

B a t h Fro m T i m e To T i m e.

getting interrupted, and it was hard

outside. Go to a park and eat. Enjoy

2. C u r l U p W i t h A G o o d N ove l.

to get my work done. Then I noticed

the time you have alone.

3. I f Yo u ' re M a rr i e d W i t h Ki ds ,

that on the days I was working on a

A s k Yo ur S p o u s e To G i ve Yo u

story outside the office, my phone

S c he du le S o li t u de

S o m e T i m e Of f To Be A l o n e,

hardly ever rang, even if I was out

Try a regular time each day when

A n d T he n R e t u r n T he Favo r.

the whole day. Apparently, whatever

you’re disconnected or mark off

M a ke I t A R e gul a r S w ap.

questions came up somehow got

time in your day planner or calendar

handled without me. It made me

for spending alone with yourself. If

4. G e t I n t o Wo r k E a r li e r, A n d

realize that just by being in the

you can make time for all the little

Wo r k I n Q u i e t .

office, I was a magnet for questions.

extras you fit into your day, like

5. C o n s i de r L i m i t i n g T he

So I put up the sign, and it works like

stopping at Starbucks, have a nice

S t re a m .

a charm."

cup of tea, or picking up something

6. Tr y Sitting Still, And Focusing

at the mall, you can schedule time in

On Yo ur B re a t h A s I t C o m e s I n

your calendar for solitude. It doesn't

A n d G o e s Out . A s Yo ur M i n d

Gettin g Away My favorite way to find solitude,

have to be long. Any time that

Wa n de r s To T h o ught s O f T he

actually. Get out the door, and enjoy

you can spend alone with yourself

Past And Future, Make A Patient

the outdoors. Take a walk, find a

to reboot, meditate, focus, relax,

N o t e O f T h at , T he n G e n t ly

park or a beach or a mountain, find

create, produce, and/or think deeply

R e t u r n To Yo u r Bre a t hi n g.

a quiet coffee shop, find a shady

is better than no time.

spot to rest. People watch, or nature watch.

Also, you can use your lunchtime.

Don't spend your lunchtime working at your desk. Don't spend it running errands. And if you regularly go out to lunch, don't think that it always has to be with others. Once a week,

"The great omission in American life is solitude; not loneliness, for this is an alienation that thrives most in the midst of crowds, but that zone of time and space free from outside pressure which is the incubator of the spirit."

17 — Marya Mannes, author and critic

Sometimes standing in crowded feels lonelier than standing alone Human - Chess (When I was alone) 18

SAVOR Human - Chess (When I was alone)

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When you stand alone close your eyes or look outside The ground / location / place will going crazy such getting bigger Human - Chess (When I was alone) Photographer: Santarwat Chriendpradit

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SAVOR Human - Chess (When I was alone)

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SAVOR Human - Chess (When I was alone)

It's about a journey of an individual's life.

Is life a loop afterall?

Lift in the moment

Pause Fest 2018 Motion Response 23

journe

indivi It's confronting to step into the unknown.

Reassurance or validation is sought from anywhere we can find it; at least for that bit confidence to move forward. Building on experiences, exploring new environments, adapting to the unfamiliar, all becomes part and parcel of progress. https://vimeo.com/254069548

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Creative Direction: Tereza Tan Storytelling: Zack Chua Character Design: Dou Cheng 2D Animation: Jacky Lo, Dou Cheng 3D Animation: Edward Chiu Sound Design: Mount Audio

life

SAVOR Lift in the moment

ey

idual's

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But what if it all gets too much? Finding yourself and fitting in, compromise and keeping up?

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SAVOR Lift in the moment

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S o m e t i m e s yo u j us t n e e d t o p u ll yo ur s e lf o u t o f i t , ap p re ci at e t he p e o p le a ro u n d yo u, a n d e n j oy eve r y m o m e n t .

B e cau s e li fe s ho u ld be m o re u p li f t i n g.

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SAVOR Lift in the moment

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Do you need some time on your own Do you need some time all alone Everybody needs some time On their own Don't you know you need some time all alone

Sometimes I need some time on my Own Sometimes I need some time all alone Everybody needs some time On their own Don't you know you need some time all alone Guns N' Roses - November Rain

SAVOR Lifestyle

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SAVOR Little gallery

Little gallery

Show the little moment of aloneness

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SAVOR Little gallery

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S-A-V-O-R Featuring fabulous alone moments. uncovers the personal and curious relationships we have when we are alone.

No. 1 May 2019

The lost art of solitude The Feature article post written by Leo Babauta