Design In Print 8.4 - designFUTURE

M C I ( P ) 0 0 9 / 0 8 / 2 0 1 6 | VOLUME 8 NUMBER 4 | 2017 SINGAPORE | W W W . D P A . C O M . S G

DELIGHTFUL. SMART. SACRED.

IN

IN

I N DEPTH

S ight

FAÇADE OR FICTION

Pers o n

DESIGN TREKKING

Design creates culture; culture shapes values; values determine the future.

Canadian Robert L. Peters’ linear observation of the relationship between design, culture and future is well encapsulated. Interestingly, it still holds true today. While the onset of the digital age fuelled by rapid advancements in smart technology has dynamically evolved the way design, culture and future intertwine; it has not eroded the values that chart future design. And, it must not.

Amidst the digital rush, we remain mindful that it is humanity that makes for purposeful design and therefore, meaningful spaces. The question at large then is: How should the architect of today navigate the waters of tomorrow? Thus, as we wrap up a year of jubilee, it is apt to turn our focus towards the future in this final edition of our DP50 Design in Print series, with a special report of our inaugural DP50 Design Future Conference. Building on its dialogue on Future Design, we have also turned the spotlight on some of DP’s young talents and dug deep to further address issues of technology, culture and architecture as well as how DP is positioning itself to cope with challenges and demands of the industry.

DP recognises that the impact technology and Big Data have on the way communities live and interact is steadily changing the way spaces function within the built environment. In this vein, data and technology must therefore, become an integral part of our design and approach. This begins with the use of BIM to streamline our design processes. Simultaneously, the setup of platforms such as designGATE and designSHARE are enabling efficient transfer of knowledge while typology research groups are tapping into Big Data to further inform our design methodology and improve our design approach. This is all part of DP’s greater strategic thrust to harness the strength of its 8 specialist services and global network of strategically located offices so as to deliver holistic, well-calibrated and localised design solutions.

50 golden years, 50 more to come – Our preparation today will be our successes tomorrow. Armed with the tenacity, flexibility and diverse capability, DP is evolving to meet the challenges ahead without compromising our commitment to excellent people-centric design. It is our hope that you will find this issue as insightful and inspiring as it has been for us.

Angelene Chan Chief Executive Officer

c on ten ts 04-06 U P D A T E S DP50 Exhibition DP Inspire Awards 2017

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07-09 B R I E F

01 Raffles Girls’ School 02 Millennium Hotel London Mayfair 03 Poly Grand Mansion 04 Sanya Sports Centre 05 The Skyview 06 Saigon University of Management and Technology 07 Aquila

10, 21 I N D U S T R Y 01 Two DPians in URA’s 20 under 45 02 London Design Awards 03 SILA and Skyrise Greenery Awards 04 SIA Design Award 05 ARCHIFEST 2017 06 TAID In'tl Design Forum

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11-19 D E P T H

Delightful. Smart. Sacred.

A New Venustas Designing Transportation Hubs for the Future Tech and the City Future Cities. Sacred Spaces.

20-21 I N S i g h t Façade or Fiction

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22-33 P E R S O N

Design Trekking

D e si g n

i n

P r i n t

Team

EDITOR IN CHIEF Angelene Chan | CONTENT Toh Bee Ping, Luenne Choa, Vanessa Lim, Belle Chung, Josy Koh, Nicol Ng | GRAPHICS Fu Tingting, Loh Yew Cheng, Lee Hui Yee | PHOTOGRAPHERS Bai Jiwen, Pocholo Mauricio, Yong Hock Seng

updates |

THE L ATEST HAPPENINGS IN DP |

A COMMON LINE | ONE GLOB AL STUDIO AN EXHIBITION TRACING DP ARCHITECTS’ 50 YEARS OF DESIGN JOURNEY DP Architects launched its first monographic exhibition, titled A Common Line | One Global Studio, at The URA Centre on 11 August.

The seven-week exhibition, officially opened by Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong, traced DP’s architecture journey over the last five decades within the context of Singapore’s architectural history as well as the firm’s global projects. The firm’s works were presented through some 2,000 never-before-seen architectural drawings displayed in chronological order, showcasing the breadth of DP’s portfolio; 37 reconstructed models, some larger than typical building models, investigating the practice’s design methodology by typology; a specially commissioned wall-sized

illustration by local illustrator and DPian Lee Xin Li which presented DP’s works as a collection of ‘cities within a city’; and an interactive visual display that customises Augmented Reality technology to offer visitors an immersive visual experience of two key urbanscapes, Orchard Road and Marina Bay. The launch was held at The URA Centre and attended by over 300 invited guests including members of the architecture, building, construction and real estate industries, as well as members of government agencies and planning bodies that inspire and regulate the development of the built environment.

Over a year in the making, the exhibition encouraged members of the public to query the function of architecture and urbanism, and rethink conventions. It also inspired conversations as visitors relate memories of the spaces they have interacted in.

This exhibition – part of the line-up of events celebrating DP Architects’ 50th anniversary – will travel to Kuala Lumpur where it will be held at the PAM Centre and open to public from 28 January to 22 February.

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APART FR OM BEING RETR O SPECTIVE, THIS E XHIBITION PR OMP TED VISITORS TO QUESTION THE EVOLVING R OLE OF AR CHITECTURE AND URB ANISM.

FACING PAGE: A COMMON LINE | ONE GLOBAL STUDIO, DP ARCHITECTS' FIRST EXHIBITION. FROM TOP LEFT (CLOCKWISE): DP ARCHITECTS’ SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF DP50 EXHIBITION NG SAN SON EXPLORES THE INTERACTIVE VISUAL DISPLAY WITH MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MR LAWRENCE WONG | MINISTER WONG ADDRESSES THE CROWD AT THE OPENING OF THE DP50 EXHIBITION | A SECTIONAL MODEL OF GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX, ONE OF 37 SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED MODELS | DP ARCHITECTS’ SENIOR MANAGEMENT | TOP VIEW OF THE EXHIBITION BANNERS SHOWCASING SELECTED WORKS COMPLETED BY THE FIRM | OVER 2,000 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS PRESENTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

updates |

THE L ATEST HAPPENINGS IN DP |

DP INSPIRE AWARDS

2017

I N S P I R E D BY D E S I G N

DP INSPIRE AWARDS 2017 DP Architects launched its first design award earlier this year and the inaugural winners were announced at the DP50 DesignFuture Conference on 10 October. Aptly named The DP Inspire Awards, the annual programme is part of the group’s designFirst initiative.

Aimed at inspiring DPians through design, it recognises the efforts of DPians pursuing architectural excellence and innovative solutions.

Nineteen short-listed entries competed in two categories – Design of the Year and Research & Innovation. The judging panel comprised external industry experts – Dr Hossein Rezai and Mr Rene Tan, President’s Design Award winners in 2016; Ms Tay Suan Chiang, arts and design correspondent of The Business Times; and Mr Tomohisa Miyauchi, senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore.

The winner of the Design of the Year prize is Cada Cuba Huele Al Vino Que Tiene, a wooden installation for the architecture and design festival in Logroño, Spain. For its “juxtaposition of light, shade, void and solid, as well as creation of spaces the public interacted with”, the team was awarded a $15,000 study trip. Two projects tied for second prize: RBG Pavilion, the technicolour urban installation for Archifest 2016 and GoodLife! Makan, a community kitchen designed for the elderly. Each team was awarded a $7,500 study trip. Additionally, honourable mentions were given to the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Project Bus Stop, a prototype bus stop that redefined the commuting experience.

The winning project of the Research & Innovation category with a $10,000 study trip is the proposed design for Forest Green Rovers Football Stadium. The project was commended for “sinking the stadium into the ground… repurposing the stadium into a community space, and the embedding of cutting edge and explorative environmentally responsive elements.”

DP Hospitality App, an in-house application developed for architects, and Looking through the Prism, a geometric installation exploring optics, received honourable mentions.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: WINNER OF THE DESIGN OF THE YEAR AWARD, CADA CUBA HUELE AL VINO QUE TIENE. (FROM LEFT) MR TOMOHISA MIYAUCHI, DR HOSSEIN REZAI, MS TAY SUAN CHIANG, MR RENE TAN MADE UP THE JURY PANEL. THE JURY CONDUCTING THE FULL DAY OF JUDGING FOR THE TWO AWARD CATEGORIES. DP INSPIRE JUDGES MR MIYAUCHI, DR REZAI AND MS TAY GAVE THEIR CITATIONS AND ANNOUNCED THE WINNERS. WINNER OF THE RESEARCH & INNOVATION AWARD, FOREST GREEN ROVERS FOOTBALL STADIUM.

in brief |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

01 R a f f l e s G i r l s ’ S c h o o l BRADDELL, SINGAPORE

Situated along Braddell Road, the new campus of Raffles Girls’ School comprises two teaching blocks, student and staff facilities (The Galleria and Amphitheatre), a library block, multipurpose and indoor sports hall, and a performing arts centre. The campus’ seamless synthesis of the public and private zones presents a welcoming and communally inclusive learning environment.

Although the discrete building blocks enjoy unique identities, they are unified via a single central arc, The Galleria. It forms a clear and simple circulation spine encircling the heart of the campus, The Amphitheatre. This circular spine functions as a main viaduct that distributes people, mechanical services, water and IT lifelines throughout the campus. The staff facilities situated on the highest level of this arc overlook the various campus zones and allows for easy monitoring of activities and students.

02 M i l l e n n i u m Hotel London Mayfair

03 P o l y G r a n d M a n s i o n GUANGZHOU, CHINA

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM The redesign of Millennium Hotel London Mayfair, located at Grosvenor Square in central London, aims to rebrand the already well-recognised hospitality property as an exclusive, premium five-star hotel.

The project spans the architectural scope (RIBA stages 0 to 7) and includes the refurbishment of all front-of-house interior spaces – guestrooms, mono and duplex suites, restaurants, bars, a gym and spa, a ballroom, meeting rooms and reception spaces; as well as its external façade that fronts the prominent Grosvenor Square behind Bond Street station.

The hotel is targeted to re-open in mid-2019.

Located on Pazhou Island, Guangzhou, Poly Grand Mansion, is a high-end residential development flanked on all sides by prominent city markers, including the Pearl River, in addition to an abundance of scenic resources, history and commercial atmosphere. The project comprises two typologies – luxury residences and serviced apartments; the former consists of an elite riverfront apartment tower, four riverfront apartment buildings and 17 premium condominiums, while the latter is made up of eight apartment blocks integrated with a kindergarten and neighbourhood amenities, and facing a commercial street. The architectural style is a modern reinterpretation of Art Deco, designed at two different scales. Across the Pearl River, the development appears as one solid architectural sculpture.

Up close, the massing is proportioned at human scale, and the façade detailed to create a distinct character and exude grandeur.

in brief |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

DP ARCHITECTS 5 0 Y E A RS S I N C E 1 9 6 7

04 S a n y a S p o r t s C e n t r e SANYA, CHINA

Published in conjunction with DP Architects’ 50th anniversary, this book tells the story of Singapore’s biggest architecture firm through its works over the past 50 years, curated within the context of Singapore’s architectural history and the firm’s global projects. Available at bookstores in November.

Sanya Sports Centre, conceived as the sports and entertainment hub of Hainan Island, is a 68ha project designed to attract world-class sporting events to the popular tourist city of Sanya. An extension of Luneng Sports Park, the development includes a 20,000-seat arena; a soccer training centre capable of hosting up to 10,000 spectators, a 3,000-seat water-sports centre, mini sporting themed parks, health and sports hotel, and a waterfront F&B zone along the canal running south of the site. A Green Sporting Corridor serves as a central spine across the development, connecting to the existing sports park and leading to the beach of Sanya Bay. The highly efficient land-use proposal accommodates the amenities within a 34ha master plan, freeing up half the intended site for future development. The concept proposal for Sanya Sports Centre was an entry for a design competition.

OTHER BOOKS ABOUT DP

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05 T h e S k y v i e w HYDERABAD, INDIA The Skyview, located in Hitec City, the main district with technology parks in Hyderabad, comprises two identical 21-storey towers of 139,400sqm each. One tower is a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The development has five basement parking floors and two podium floors with the office above.

Taking advantage of the site’s uneven topography, a drop-off under the buildings’ footprint and a two-level lobby were introduced to create a grand arrival experience. Above the lower vehicular drop-off is a pedestrian-only amenity space with F&B offerings, outdoor seating areas and landscaped spaces. To mitigate excessive solar heat gain, a double-skin system of triangular sunshades provides shading while creating an arresting façade.

in brief |

Located along Ba Cua River in Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon University of Management and Technology provides a dynamic learning environment for a new pedagogic model of interdisciplinary and collaborative learning. In line with the university’s focus on innovation and creativity, the non-linear design creates opportunities for interaction and collaboration between students and faculty. The academic facilities are connected through a seamless network of organised spaces and paths. Faculties are not housed within individual buildings but distributed and overlapped across the connecting blocks; the blurred boundaries promote interaction between the different disciplines.

Classrooms, meeting spaces and laboratories are designed to be adaptable to address the evolving requirements of the university.

07 A q u i l a BENGALURU, INDIA

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

06 S a i g o n U n i v e r s i t y o f Management and Technology HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Located in the Bagmane Constellation Tech Park, Aquila is a single building of 60,400sqm comprising three basement parking floors, three podium floors and nine office floors. Sited near the entrance of the tech park, Aquila is conceived to be a landmark of the development. With the entrance close to a busy traffic junction, the building lobby’s level was strategically raised six metres above the main road; the circulation path draws the traffic up and away from the external roads thereby allowing for a calmer environment away from traffic noise.

With almost half the office tower suspended on three rows of striking V-shaped columns, a richly landscaped open vista is created, sheltering the arrival lobby. Sky terraces break the visual bulk of the building and allow more meaningful breakout spaces for the upper floor offices.

INDUSTRY |

AWARDS & EVENTS |

U R A’ S 2 0 U N D E R 4 5

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TWO D PI ANS IN LIST OF YOUN G AR C HIT ECT S TO WATCH

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Two DP Architects projects in Europe – a proposal for the Forest Green Rovers Football Stadium and the urban art installation Cada Cuba Huele al Vino que Tiene for the Logrono Architecture and Design Festival in Spain – have been awarded the Silver prize in the inaugural London Design Awards, organised

by DRIVENxDESIGN. This multidisciplinary design award recognises creativity across an extensive range of categories. In the Architecture – Proposed category, The Greenfield: Forest Green Rovers Stadium was commended for its aesthetic, functional, technical and social considerations; while Cada Cuba Huele al Vino que Tiene was awarded for its innovation under the Pop-Up, Installation, Play, Exhibit & Set Design category.

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SEAH CHEE HUANG

DP Architects director Mr Seah Chee Huang and senior associate director Mr Ng San Son have been selected to showcase their portfolio of works as part of the 20 Under 45 initiative organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Held every six years and now in its third edition, the initiative selects 20 young and accomplished architects aged 45 and below, based on the merit of their professional achievements and contribution to the architectural discourse in Singapore.

Mr Ng was the lead architect for Civil Service Club at Changi and River Safari as well as the current revitalisation of Downtown East.

Passionate about inspiring future generations of architects, he serves as adjunct design tutor at the NUS School of Design and Environment, as well as a mentor to tertiary students in various industry-related programmes and events.

The 20 Under 45 exhibition opens on 1 Dec 2017 at the URA Centre with Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong as the guest of honour, and will run until 31 Jan 2018. A publication has also been launched in conjunction with the exhibition.

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DP GREEN WINS

SIL A AN D SKY R I S E G R EEN ERY AWAR D S DP Green has received recognition at two recent landscape design awards – the Singapore Landscape Architecture Awards conferred by the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA) and Skyrise Greenery Awards by National Parks Board.

DP Green’s schemes for D’Resort at Downtown East and Dulwich College received the Merit Award at the 11th Biennial SILA Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner held at Raffles City Convention Centre, on 8 September; while the eco-community garden at Our Tampines Hub received the Skyrise Greenery award, under the Special Award (Educational Institutional) category, held at Singapore Expo on 9 November.

The awards honour the best landscape designs in the country and promote innovative greening solutions in urban developments.

NG SAN SON

DPians since 2003, both Mr Seah and Mr Ng have been actively involved in the design and planning of notable projects in Singapore. Mr Seah has completed several inclusive community projects including Singapore Sports Hub and Our Tampines Hub. He also spearheaded Project Bus Stop, a social experiment that re-imagines bus stops as meaningful social nodes; and Goodlife! Makan, a refreshing take on the elderly activity centre typology. He is a key driver of DP Architects’ design initiatives that focus on enhancing design competency. He serves as the first vice president of the Singapore Institute of Architects, and as an adjunct tutor at NUS Department of Architecture since 2006.

DP BRINGS HOME

LONDON DESIGN AWARDS

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RHIZOME HOUSE WINS

SIA D ESIG N AWA RD Rhizome House, a light installation created for the Amsterdam Lights Festival, has been awarded the Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Award in the Special Category – Overseas, one of four design awards given this year. Mediacorp Campus, a collaboration with Maki & Associates of Japan, received honourable mention under the Special Category – Others. The award showcases the best designs in the local architecture profession and aims to heighten the general public’s appreciation of good architecture. The award ceremony was held on 5 October at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. more Industry news on page 21

IN DEPTH |

SPECIAL FEATURE |

DP50 Design Future Conference

FROM LEFT: KEITH BREWIS, CHAN HENG CHEE, ANGELENE CHAN, FUMIHIKO MAKI, CHAN HUI MIN AND ERWIN VIRAY.

Singapore

Delightful.

Smart. Sacred.

DP50 Design Future Conference: A dialogue on future cities, architecture and design with global thought leaders In celebration of its 50th anniversary, DP Architects looks back at our built heritage to postulate what lies ahead for architecture and the profession in the next 50 years. In this fourth industrial revolution, the wave of technological disruption and ‘uberisation’ of services has drastically transformed the way we live, interact and experience our cities. It is also set to change the way we design and practise architecture.

Questions on how the future of design and urban environment will develop, and what the architecture and architect of the future will be formed the focus of the firm’s inaugural DP50 Design Future Conference. Held on 10 October at the MES Theatre at Mediacorp, the conference brought together global thought leaders and distinguished figures in the architectural fraternity. They include keynote speakers Pritzker Prize winner and founding principal of world-renowned Maki & Associates, Mr Fumihiko Maki; and Chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Ambassador Chan Heng Chee.

Joining the dialogue were guest speakers the distinguished Mr Keith Brewis, a partner at Grimshaw Architects and Ms Chan Hui Min, a director at DP Architects. From the impact of technology and trends in mobility to sustainable design, and aspirations of cities and communities, we bring you insights into the imminent issues and challenges facing our built environment today.

IN DEPTH |

SPECIAL FEATURE |

DP50 Design Future Conference

A new venustas Beauty meets delight: Fumihiko Maki on “A Humanism of Empathy” Reported by Belle Chung

Modernism began in the late 1800s and until the 1970s, architects co-existed in the sphere of Modernism as it became a large clout of information and socio-cultural influence. Today, in the Age of Digitalisation, it is widely agreed that though the heroic age of Modernism has passed, it has yet to truly end. Shifting into what has been loosely termed the Post Modern age, this current era may be, like Realism following Romanticism, both an extension and an exhaustion of a revolutionary period.

Cast into the open sea, the architect finds himself asking: What next? There is no definitive answer nor directive in the game of prediction. Questioning what, when and how change will occur remains largely speculative. Globalisation, digitalisation and increased mobility are rapidly evolving the way we live, work, play and interact. Responding to this, architectural trends are dynamically fusing and disconnecting with one another to create new norms.

In the face of constant change, perhaps the wiser question is: What has and will remain? In his presentation, A Humanism of Empathy at the DP50 Design Future Conference, the esteemed Mr Fumihiko Maki held that as form evolves and the architect searches for new expression, he must not lose sight of the core civic purpose that architecture serves. This dynamic push and pull between expression and purpose will give rise to what he termed a “new venustas”. With reference to recent projects by Maki & Associates as examples, Maki identifies the swells that will in turn, guide the next generation of architects as they venture into unchartered waters.

From the Aga Khan Museum (2014) in Toronto, Canada and The Bihar Museum (2018) in Patna, India to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – The Media Lab Complex (2009) in United States of America (USA) and Tokyo Denki University (2012), Japan to the 4 World Trade Centre (2014) in New York, USA and the Kaze-no-Oka Crematorium (2017) in Oita, Japan, a common thread lies across each of these built environments: the

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TIME IS AN ARCHITECT’S DESIGN COMPASS AND DELIGHT THE EXPRESSION OF HIS ARCHITECTURE. TOP: THE RENOWNED PRITZKER PRIZE WINNER AND PRINCIPAL OF MAKI & ASSOCIATES, MR FUMIHIKO MAKI SPEAKING AT THE DP50 DESIGN FUTURE CONFERENCE, HELD ON 10TH OCTOBER AT THE MES THEATRE, MEDIACORP CAMPUS. RIGHT: CONCEPTUALISED WITH THE LARGER NY COMMUNITY IN MIND AND SANCTIFIED

BY FAMILIARITY AND DELIGHT, THE 4 WORLD TRADE CENTER IS A MODERN ARCHITECTURE THAT NOT ONLY EPITOMISES WHAT A “HUMANE ENVIRONMENT” ENTAILS BUT ALSO POINTS THE ARCHITECT OF TODAY IN THE DIRECTION OF A NEW VENUSTAS.

excursions. Despite some three decades between Hillside Terrace and Tokyo Denki University, civic – that which is local and communal – continues to form the heartbeat of the built environment; albeit with a greater demand for seamless spaces and increased connectivity.

This demand, perhaps, comes as a response to the onset of the digital age. Amid changing times, Maki posits that the “humane environment” must not only incorporate community but also be sanctified by familiarity and delight. Architectural design then, is increasingly “about encounter – an interaction between light, sound, people and the individual”.

civic. All are characterised by its capacity for communal interactions and ability to connect persons to local environment.

Defined as that which is local and communal, civic forms the heartbeat of these architecture; and at the height of modernism, they are what Maki referred to as a “humane environment”. He clearly illustrated this with an early project, Hillside Terrace (1969 – 1992). A residential complex that stood in the heart of Tokyo, it is celebrated “not for beauty or excellence, but for its integration of [community corridors] and spaces within the architecture and Tokyo City”. Incorporated with great sensitivity, these spaces encourage communal activities. Clearly zoned yet open, these civic spaces subtly meld the development with the larger urban fabric of Tokyo, allowing tenants and the city to become one large body politic.

Fast forward to 2012. Tokyo Denki University, like Hillside Terrace, is emblematic of its space and time. Without borders and fencing, it effectively extends its community spaces to the public as well. Flowing seamlessly with the city’s streetscape, the beauty of its architecture is articulated in the communal activities that it has helped to facilitate.

Here, students gather in study groups; members of public host street fairs and nearby kindergartens utilise its open space for lunch

Herein, he draws the 4 World Trade Center (2014) in NY, USA as example. Sleek and iconic with its reflective façade, the design is primarily symbolic. Built on ground zero site of the September 11 attack, 4 World Trade Center is an allegorical memorial paying tribute to the souls that unfortunately expired in this area. By building upon the experience of the city, it channels a sense of familiarity.

Simultaneously, its reflective façade mirrors the beauty of the city; thereby allowing end-users to delight in it. At once sensitive to the culture, people, experience and memories of the city, 4 World Trade Centre effectively joins and contributes to the larger urban, emotive fabric of New York. More poignantly, it points us in the direction of a “new venustas” where Time is an architect’s design compass and Delight, the expression of his architecture.

Maki explains that this is because Time as “a mediator between city and architecture offers fertile ground for personal memories and experiences. It is, therefore, the final judge of architecture.” The relationship between space and architecture has therefore evolved with time. Increasingly, there will be “no differentiation between the interior and exterior”; and while space will continue to “accommodate a given function”, it will also “generate new uses”. Taking this into consideration, the concept of venustas that once drove aesthetics must be re-examined and perhaps, re-defined. After all, if Time breeds memories and experiences, and Space its breeding ground; then it is “space – not form – that fosters Delight for people”. Charting the way ahead, future architecture therefore, must be a sensitive balance of form (beauty) and space (delight); a new venustas.

THE DESIGN OF “NEW URBANISMS” WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING, CHARACTERISED BY A STRONGER DRIVE FOR MOBILITY.

TOP: MR KEITH BREWIS OF GRIMSHAW ARCHITECTS SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE DESIGN OF TRANSPORT HUBS AT THE DP50 DESIGN FUTURE CONFERENCE. LEFT: THE SOUTHERN CROSS STATION IN MELBOURNE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CITY AND URBAN FORM.

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IN DEPTH |

SPECIAL FEATURE |

DP50 Design Future Conference

Designing Transportation Hubs for the Future Connectivity and Community: Keith Brewis on “Our Relationship with Mobility”

Since the beginnings of the industrial revolution and our corresponding reliance on carbon-fuelled technologies, the development and design of “the city” has been closely related to our demands for mobility and connectivity. In many instances, movement behaviours – particularly via the motor car – have distorted our perspective of urban planning. The very earliest ports and stations provided a utilitarian relationship to each particular mode of transit, and whilst they were strategically sited they provided little more than a point of arrival or departure to each town. Today, however, the role of the transit centre is evolving fast, and as well as providing an obvious focus for density, the rapid advancement of our relationship with digital technologies are changing our ideas of connectivity. In his presentation, Our Relationship with Mobility, at the DP50 Design Future Conference, Mr Keith Brewis suggested that transport hubs will take on a new, more complex role and outcome in the years ahead.

According to Brewis, in the last 200 or so years, transport hubs have been designed in a utilitarian way to primarily deal with a “transactional” approach to mobility. The larger terminal buildings emerged to celebrate movement and arrival by evoking a romance of travel and a corresponding sense of identity – their strong, civic-standing coupling with their original purpose. Stations and airports quickly became understood thresholds between cities, where the visitor first encountered a “new place”. And so, to a degree, the termini served as emblems for their region or nation, whilst providing connection for trade, commerce and cultural exchange; bringing economic value to each sea, land or air-port.

Brewis reminds us that originally the great train stations, and later airports and aviation hubs, were industrial “cathedrals” of their era – symbolising economic wealth, status and a nation’s identity.

The private motor car threatened all of this, and in many parts of the world during the second half of the twentieth century, our relationship with public transport was diminished and devalued.

However, within the last two decades, the emergence of new electronic and digital technologies, in parallel with the demand to avoid the burning of fossil fuels, is redefining what these hubs are. Connectivity

is no longer limited to physical mobility and person-to-person contact.

Today, real-time interactions and encounters can take place virtually on digital platforms within a newly created cyber-space. In addition, these platforms offer commercial exchange instantaneously and remotely; the need to meet and travel will possibly become secondary and so the utilitarian form of transportation might too become less dominating.

Instead new models of connectivity, in parallel with the emergence of new behaviours set by the millennial and post-millenial generations, bring with them a sense of a borderless encounter, which will translate into a revised urban architecture especially near transport hubs. Over the next decade, what Brewis termed “new urbanisms”, will emerge. It will attempt to resolve an updated people-space dynamic around the world.

So how will these “new urbanisms” differ? Brewis suggested that our reliance and obsession with mobility will actually accelerate, and that transport hubs will not only provide for the commuter or traveller but will also become complex centres for the communities for which they act centrally to and influence. The concept of transit will evolve and expand to become powerfully performing mixed-used venues that encourage and embrace a more diverse range of communal and commercial activities, many of them temporary in nature. Aesthetically, the changing concepts of connectivity will also result in a greater blurring of physical built boundaries. Driven by a digitally-motivated demand for seamless connection, public and private realms will merge; indoor and outdoor will meld so that the built environment will become a more integral part of the larger urban fabric. Functioning as forums, marketplaces and places of commodity, transit hubs will play a bigger role to contribute to the socio-economic realm of the city. They will no longer be an urban commodity, but will instead become centres of knowledge and exchange. This will be true of the airport as much as the train station.

The attitudes of future generations towards transport, city life, mobility and connectivity will determine how transport hubs will evolve and be shaped. With this in mind, it is quite likely that driven by community demands for convenience and interaction, these hubs will evolve from monumental, single buildings to smaller structures with greater inter-connected nuclei.

IN DEPTH |

SPECIAL FEATURE |

DP50 Design Future Conference

Tech & the City Chan Hui Min shares perspectives on the urban built environment in an increasingly techenabled world Reported by Vanessa Lim

Evolution of Digital Disruption The history of urban civilisations has always been closely related to technological advancements of the time. In the past few decades, the exponential rate of advancement in technology and digitalisation has also caused rapid changes to the lifestyles of urban dwellers. The ubiquitous connectivity in the Internet of Things, the rise of machine learning, robotics and cognitive system have changed the way that goods are made and services delivered to urbanites.

The experience of the city has become increasingly fragmented due in part to emerging tech-enabled trends, such as sharingbased businesses, mass customisation and autonomous vehicles. As these trends become more mainstream, what will be their impact on the city? How can the city enhance its role as a venue for social cohesion and community bonding hubs to cope with the rapid growth in city populations?

Speaking at the recent DP50 Design Future Conference, Ms Chan outlined the impact in four key areas where the urban built environment will evolve due to these tech-enabled trends;

Retail E-commerce has been evolving from a phenomenon of convenience to deliver experiences beyond what is offered in physical stores, such as Virtual or Augmented Reality experiences and personalised merchandise only available through online purchase. At the same time, real estate trends have indicated that retailers are beginning to move away from holding large brick-and-mortar stores.

Logistics As e-commerce has gained market share, so has the demand for rapid delivery and as a result the need for decentralised warehousing and fulfillment facilities within cities will also grow.

Transportation With the increase in ride-sharing and the rise of autonomous vehicles, self-driven cars will be on the decline. Buildings in the USA where ride-sharing is prevalent has seen the need to provide dedicated areas for ride-share pick ups and drop offs. Parking structures will need to be designed for flexibility in order to cope with gradually decreasing demand and to be converted to other uses.

Healthcare In order to cope with increased demand for healthcare services especially in cities with an ageing population, many cities are starting to adopt tele-health to reduce cost. As this trend matures, routine non-emergency healthcare needs will be taken care of via telehealth; and healthcare support embedded within communities will grow.

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Technology influences the field of design and architecture in two ways. Firstly, design processes are enhanced. Buildings and cities can be calibrated to respond to more complex environment and localised design solutions. Secondly, this challenges design professions to produce work that engages nature, users, technology and the built environment as integral parts of a single spatial ecosystem – and enter a broader debate, formulate new ideas, and test innovative directions.

As DP Architects leverages on automation aggressively, the firm takes steps to couple existing and new platforms to standardise a flexible architecture model that drives efficiency and reduce costs, and push forward its designFIRST thrust.

teleei-

INTERNET-ENABLED WHENEVER YOU GO

smart-

Chan highlights the transformation of the conventionally separate civic facilities to a superhub as a phenomenon in the urban built environment that may be a result of lifestyles becoming more fragmented through technology. The community spaces are becoming more experiential and transformed into nodes of multiple functions. The design of Our Tampines Hub explores the new concept of intensification, optimisation and integration.

OVERCOMING DISTANCE AS A BARRIER

RISE OF THE INTERNET

self-

Technology has also made it easier to engage end-users. Citing Our Tampines Hub as an example where social media platforms were harnessed to engage more than 15,000 residents during the design stage of the project, as well as 12 stakeholder agencies. The result is a superhub offering enhanced sports facilities, with a host of additional functions such as a town square, a regional library, a hawker centre, performing arts theatre, a myriad of communal activity spaces, art and dance studios, lifestyle and food and beverage offerings – all within a single development.

TELEGRAPH TELEPHONE TELEVISION TELEFAX

Architects are pursuing new frontiers with computational design techniques, where designs can be enhanced by more advanced simulations. Drawing from DP’s recent portfolio of works, Chan illustrates her point with Rhizome House. This lighting installation was constructed from over 1,300 individual pieces and transformed with mesmerising multi-coloured lights that engage the human imagination. Its construction was an exercise in digital fabrication.

Grasshopper for Rhinoceros was used to parametrically generate the geometry and assembly sequence, allowing rapid prototyping and iterative design to optimise parameters like structural stress, perforation and seam geometry. Rhizome House’s technological feat is the embodiment of art, science, humanity and nature – and the crossroads between nature’s creativity and human design. Through the adoption of simulation technologies and the creation of linked design tools, the abilities of the architect are extended.

E-COMMERCE E-BUSINESS E-MAIL E-GOVERNMENT E-BANKING

In the face of these evolving tech-enabled trends, how does this affect architecture and the profession?

IPAD IPHONE ICLOUD

New Frontiers

SMART BUILDING SMART CITY SMART NATION SMART GRID

Across the building and construction sector, there is an emerging trend for Integrated Design and Delivery of construction projects enabled

by BIM technology; and in Asia, there has been an increasing demand for pre-fabricated pre-finished construction (PPVC) that requires integrated project delivery. This trajectory represents the accelerating change that is redefining the practice of architecture.

ARCHITECTS ARE PURSUING NEW FRONTIERS WITH COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN TECHNIQUES, ADAPTING AND EVOLVING WHERE NECESSARY.

SELF-DRIVING CARS SELF-CONFIGURING NETWORKS SELF-AWARE ROBOTS SELF-HEALING SYSTEMS

Construction

CONNECTIVITY BIG DATA INTERNET OF THINGS (loT)

MACHINE LEARNING ROBOTICS COGITIVE SYSTEMS

Evolution of Digital Disruption over the past few decades

FACING PAGE: MS CHAN HUI MIN, DIRECTOR AT DP ARCHITECTS, QUESTIONS THE IMPACT OF TECHENABLED LIFESTYLE TRENDS ON THE URBAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND HOW IT CREATES A NEED FOR SOCIAL NODES FOR COHESION AND COMMUNITY BONDING IN HER PRESENTATION, TECH AND THE CITY.

IN DEPTH |

SPECIAL FEATURE |

DP50 Design Future Conference

Future cities.

Sacred spaces.

Chan Heng Chee on “Asia’s Future Cities: Sustainable, Liveable, Lovable” Reported by Josy Koh

What after urbanisation?

Drawing attention to megacities, these metropolises, with populations over 20 to 30 million, are drawing larger population than ever. Chan attributes this to the cities’ function as generator of social capital, talent, buzz and entrepreneurship. In 2016, 17 of the 31 megacities were in Asia.

Six of the top ten largest cities are in Asia: Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai Mumbai, Beijng and Osaka. Seven of the top ten largest cities in the world will be in Asia. What are the challenges that will be faced in Asia’s future cities?

Will we deurbanise or will there be a full urbanisation? These are questions that Henri Lefebvre, a French Marxist philosopher and sociologist, discussed in the early 70s. His stand: there will be total urbanisation. It goes unsaid that total urbanisation is a major transformation. Thus, the more urgent question is: How can we make cities function better and, most importantly, cope with the massive population?

With the stream of job-seeking internal migrants, cities has seen a disparity in income levels. This inequality will continue to rise unless social policies are fashioned to mitigate it. Technology will be more efficient; coupled with the automation of processes, jobs will continue to be reduced. A myriad of existing problems, such as climate change, environmental and noise pollution, and housing deficiency would be further exacerbated. These ultimately lead to lower standards of living. Some examples that are currently occurring in Asia include the slums in Mumbai, haze in Beijing, smog in New Delhi and traffic congestion in Jakarta.

Addressing the issue in her presentation Asia’s Future Cities: Sustainable, Liveable, Loveable at the DP50 Design Future Conference, Prof Chan Heng Chee put it into perspective: “Are we going to live in heaven or are we going to live in hell in future cities?” With the rapid urbanisation in Asia, it is not enough to look at how Asia’s future cities can be sustainable and liveable; it is vital that they are also loveable. After all, with a city that is loved by all, its dwellers would ensure the sustainability and liveability of it.

CIties Growth 2015-2025 Lar ges t AS E AN c i t i es i n 2 02 5 a n d g row t h r a t e f r o m 2 0 15 62.3%

16

60.8% 54.5%

14

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12

10

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37.5%

31.5%

30.7%

8 27.4%

28.8%

27.6%

27.3%

27.3% 24.3%

6

22.0%

22.0% 17.4%

21.9%

21.1%

22.2%

21.0%

19.2%

18.2%

16.9%

4

12.7%

2

18

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AFTER ALL, A CITY IS A REPOSITORY OF MEANINGS AND MEMORIES CONTRIBUTED BY THOSE WHO LIVE IN IT.

How do we overcome these problems to sustainability and liveability?

Chan believes that lovability is the key.

TOP: AMBASSADOR CHAN HENG CHEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE LEE KUAN YEW CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE CITIES IN THE SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL, SPEAKING AT THE DP50 DESIGN FUTURE CONFERENCE.

First distinguishing between sustainability and liveability, she used the Brundtland Commission to explain that sustainability is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. On the other hand, liveability is about pragmatism; it focuses on the immediate, tangible conditions and interventions. A liveable city requires planning and government investment in public goods such as infrastructure, public transportation, parks, provision of clean water and sanitation.

In order to achieve the sustainability and liveability of a city, it is crucial to create an attachment to and love for the city. Being lovable is important because it expresses the affective dimensions of the dweller towards the city. After all, a city is a repository of meanings and memories contributed by those who live in it. While officials, architects, urban planners and urban designers may be involved in the moulding of the cityscape, it also takes writers and artists to provide their interpretation of it.

48.7%

33.9%

32.1%

29.2% 25.6%

25.4%

24.9%

24.7% 21.2%

20.2%

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Da N an nd g ar La m p Za un m g bo an ga Ci ty Ta sik m al ay a Sa m ar in da Ce bu Ci ty Jo ho rB ah ru

DATA ACQUIRED FROM: UNITED NATIONS WORLD URBANIZATION PROSPECTS: THE 2014 REVISION. 2015 2025 Change

Thus, cities must have “sacred spaces”. Sacred is not exclusively a religious idea but rather refers to a secular sacred space. It is important that people have their own sacred spaces that tie them to their city; many New Yorkers named The Cloisters, Central Park and Battery Park as their sacred space. It is the sacrosanct and social quality of these spaces that engender opportunities to intuit personal connections with the city, giving the city its soul and making it a lovable place to be cherished and protected.

INSight |

INTEGRATED DESIGN |

FAÇADE or FICTION A peek into the future of building envelopes

By Mathieu Meur

I have a confession to make: I am an inveterate science-fiction fan. I particularly enjoy reading the grand masters of the genre from the 1950s to the 1980s, the likes of Frank Herbert, Philip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov. What fascinates me is the authors’ power of prediction.

Many of their descriptions of the future have become today’s reality.

Let’s dive into a similar exercise, albeit at a much smaller scale, and take a peek at what the future likely holds for building façades.

It doesn’t take great powers of foresight to see that building envelopes of the future will need to be highly sustainable. Sustainability will likely come in a number of flavours. Firstly, the materials incorporated into the façade will themselves need to be sustainable. Many materials currently used in building envelopes, such as glass, aluminium and steel, are infinitely recyclable. However, their production from raw materials can consume as much as 20 times more energy than producing them from recycled materials. Progressively, these components will increasingly be manufactured from recycled components, possibly even from the building envelope of demolished buildings.

One of the fascinating aspects of peering into the future is that it often brings us right back to the past. After decades in oblivion, vernacular design strategies are likely to make a strong comeback, blended with modern materials and updated construction techniques. Our forefathers had invented ways of dealing with the common issues relating to building envelopes, such as air and water infiltration, harnessing natural daylight, and conserving heat.

These had been refined over the centuries, to be promptly forgotten thanks to an abundance of cheap energy from fossil fuels. In times of greater respect for nature and diminishing raw materials, designers are bound to look back at these vernacular approaches to design, further enhancing and modernising them to turn them into future building envelopes.

Over the past few years, tremendous efforts have been put into developing more clever ways of using building envelopes to generate energy from sustainable sources. While photovoltaic panels are undoubtedly the most common of these techniques, many others have

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BUILDING ENVELOPES WILL INCREASINGLY BECOME ADAPTIVE, NO LONGER STATIC OR REQUIRING ACTIVE HUMAN INTERVENTION TO ADAPT TO EVOLVING NATURAL CONDITIONS also been tried or at least conceptualised, including kinetic façades leveraging wind power, bio-façades using photosynthesis to produce natural gas, etc. With the increasing scarcity of energy from fossil fuels, the use of building façade to generate energy seems inevitable.

Already, solar panels for space exploration offer more than twice the efficiency of consumer panels. With increasing demand for ever more efficient panels, research will undoubtedly come up with breakthrough photovoltaic technologies. Piezoelectric façade – which generate electricity from the minute flexing of their materials from wind – does not exist now, but they could be developed in the future. We can also imagine high-efficiency phosphorescent coatings for the façades, which would reduce or eliminate the need for street lighting. The façades would store solar energy during the day, and slowly release it at night.

Building envelopes will increasingly become adaptive, no longer static or requiring active human intervention to adapt to evolving natural conditions, as is currently the case. On overcast days, they would let more daylight in, and dim down on brighter days. Trickle vents in façades could be linked to indoor sensors, and open automatically when CO2 or contaminants exceed certain levels within the building. Similarly, heat exchangers can be built within cladding

INDUSTRY |

05

AWARDS & EVENTS |

D P PA R T I C I PAT E S I N

A R C H I F E ST 2 0 1 7 Archifest returned this year with a new theme, Building Agency, to invite creative co-production and establish collaboration between various institutions and communities. DP Architects, in full support of the festival, engaged in various Archifest events held across multiple venues in Singapore from 4 to 15 October.

DP Architects’ CEO Ms Angelene Chan, director Mr Seah Chee Huang, senior associate director Mr Sanson Ng and design intelligence manager Mr Vignesh Kaushik; DP Design director Mike Lim; and DP Green director Yvonne Tan were invited to present and participate in different events relating to their respective field within architecture.

‘SMOG-EATING CONCRETE’ CLEANING THE AIR OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AS IT PASSES THROUGH ITS PORES.

DPA also supported the popular Architours, providing guided public tours to DPA’s awardwinning Sunray Woodcraft Construction Headquarters, Singapore Dance Theatre and the newly completed Our Tampines Hub. In addition, DP Architects was the winner of the first Great Architectural Bake-off in Singapore. The team’s meticulously constructed durian-flavored cake in the shape of the iconic Esplanade Theatres on the Bay beat seven other architecture firms’ tasty creations to score a sweet victory.

KINETIC FAÇADE GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM WIND ENERGY.

panels, reducing the need for HVAC ducts and large AHUs. Research is even being focused on new façade materials that will be able to clean or filter the atmosphere free of pollutants. Such technologies are just starting to emerge, and are currently prohibitively expensive, and so limited to a few niche projects. With improving technologies and increased demand, I am convinced that they will become commonplace.

Another direction that façades are likely to take is that of connectedness.

Pretty much everything nowadays is becoming connected, and façades are unlikely to be left behind. Façades of the future will be controllable right from one’s smartphone, to override automatic adaptive behaviours, for instance; or to pick a colour scheme for night lighting.

While these insights into future façades are still a long shot from the ethereal but extremely high-performance force fields of Star Trek, I have good hope that these will come to pass within my lifetime.

Mathieu Meur is the director of DP Façade. He is passionate about façade design and has over 17 years of experience in the industry at the top consulting firms in the world.

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D P D M I K E L I M S P E A K S AT

TAID INT’L DESIGN FORUM

TAID Interior Design International Forum T-TAIPEI 2017, organised by the Taipei Interior Design and Renovation Business Association (TAID), was held at the Taipei W Hotel on 20 October. Mr Mike Lim, DP Design (DPD) director and Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Institute of Technology’s SP Design School Advisory Committee, was invited as a keynote speaker to present a talk on ‘Green Building & Space of Humanism’.

In his keynote address, Mr Lim highlighted the factors affecting urban living today and as it evolves, postulated that designers carry the duty of curating and designing social-minded spaces. He encouraged designers of today to re-look at the conventional equation of form and function that has been governing design to date. Points on the response towards human design, green building and building a rich emotional temperature of the indoor space were also raised.

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

D P IN T ERV I EW

DESIGN TREKKING Interview by Belle Chung

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IN PERSON puts DPians in the spotlight where they answer questions about themselves, their interests and their perspectives on the profession.

T h e f u t u re o f d e s i g n i s a n u n c h a r t e re d l a n d o f t h o u g h t s , s t y l e s a n d t h e o r i e s co m m i n g l i n g i n re s p o n s e t o a n a g e o f ra p i d d i g i t a l i s a t i o n , i n c re a s e d g l o b a l i s a t i o n a n d e s c a l a t i n g co n n e c t i v i ty. N av i g a t i n g t h e ro a d l e s s t rav e l l e d re q u i re s t h o s e w h o a re a l i t t l e c a u t i o u s a n d a w h o l e l o t a d v e n t u ro u s . I N P E R S O N p u t s o u r y o u n g , a s p i r i n g a rc h i t e c t u re a s s o c i a t e s a n d e xe c u t i v e s i n t h e s p o t l i g h t t o b r i n g y o u a g l i m p s e i n t o t h e t h o u g h t p ro ce s s e s t h a t g ov e r n t h e i r w o r k a n d t h e i r p e rce p t i o n o n Fu t u re D e s i g n .

LEFT TO RIGHT (STANDING): INDRA KARSONO, ARJUN ROSHA, ELAINE THIAN, CHIO WEN TIAN, ZIC CHEN, RAYMOND PURWANTO, DANIEL PO, BRIAN CHENG, ACHMAD MAULANA AND AILEEN KOH. LEFT TO RIGHT (SITTING): DAWN CHEN, KYLE FULTON, JOE KRENTZ, HO WAI KIT AND LOW SI NI.

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

1

INDRA KARSONO PROJECTS: I-Village, a mixed-use project in Tangerang, Indonesia.

1 2

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On why architecture. Longevity of career.

On his creative process. It’s like a game of soccer. In order to score a goal, you have to keep moving and passing the ball to teammates. Brainstorming sessions can be an effective way to get creativity going.

They are also a conscious way to pull in ideas and try all sorts of permutations until a useful one emerges.

On Digital Utopia and the Megacity.

Architecture should be mindful of digitalenabled lifestyles without losing sight of the socio-cultural fabric of society.

The former incorporates utilities that can improve lives while the latter forms the expression of your architecture. In this vein, as the megacity evolves and pushes at its seams, the architect will find himself dealing with a social issue.

As a designer, it is then essential to focus on space creations for people, ensuring more sustainable social interactions and a fostering a sense of belonging between people and the built environment.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. People – a space is not a place without people’s activities and attachment.

Thus, beyond form and functionality, architecture must be concerned about how people use and respond to space.

On the architect’s challenge. Keeping up with the rapid evolution of technology and its widespread impact can be daunting.

However, we should and we must, in order to shape the built environment of tomorrow.

On DP and design authenticity. Never design for design’s sake, DP has always been committed to a quality of design excellence that is both aesthetically pleasing and more importantly, purposeful, adds value and long-lasting. Today, we remain dedicated to our work, integrating existing context with client briefs to produce well-thought designs for the future.

Future Design is self-sustained, humancentred shared spaces.

2

AILEEN KOH

PROJECTS: Our Tampines Hub, Thomson Community Centre (A&A), HeartWare Office.

On why architecture. It’s a profession with empathy, where every action has an immediate impact on the user; and the potential to be a social leverage to empower its users and make a change line by line, brick by brick.

On her creative process. I call it Generative Resistance – a mix of endless curiosity and challenging of norms, all while working within a team to persistently advocate meaningful spaces for people.

On Smart Cities and a Digital Utopia. The way new technology is disrupting human perception, interaction and movement is interesting and exciting! However, while Smart is seductive and almost convenient, it should be used as a means to an end. The human touch and the appreciation of humanity beyond the digital realm remains critical. And architecture, I believe, is the bridge.

On the Megacity. A necessary evil in the 21st century. Oddly, humanity is what makes it palatable to be living in one. We are the

3

JOE KRENTZ PROJECTS: Redwood Interiors Factory & Headquarters, Singapore; a hotel & office tower in Melbourne, Australia.

On why architecture. Essentially, it was a financial solution to an education problem. The University of Kansas School of Architecture was developing a “fast-tracked” programme that allowed students to finish a 7-year programme in 5 through a highly focused curriculum, which resonated with me. Architecture is one of the few careers – and probably the only profession that will have one understanding Southeast Asian coral species one day and geo-political undercurrents of post-Soviet states the next; the breadth and capacity for one to learn in this field of work is unmatched. And that’s why I stayed.

On his creative process. It’s the life of

energy and our energy is the heartbeat of the city.

On the one thing paramount to architecture today. Humanity.

What is the tallest building, the longest bridge, the largest city, the Internet of Things without Man believing it, utilising it and connecting with it? Nothing.

On the architect’s problem. The defensive human mind vs. the highly connected, tech-savvy world.

On DP and design authenticity. It has been and always will be our ethos. Hence, we have manifested design excellence and authenticity through a spectrum of core setups. Intimate multidisciplinary collaboration by growing our key subsidiaries enables us to better serve our clients through holistic solutions; constant renewal of our people through DP Academy keeps the company updated and in sync with latest design trends and solutions in the world.

Future Design is boundless, tenacious and collaborative.

FUTURE DESIGN IS DATADRIVEN DATA...WE MUST MOVE OUR UNDERSTANDING, DEFINITION AND MARKET OF SPACE DESIGN PAST TRADITIONAL TYPOLOGIES. - Joe Krentz

an oft frightened puffer fish: moments of insight and clarity punctuated by a seemingly paralyzing rigid and systematic process and response.

On Smart Cities, a Digital Utopia, Mobility, the Megacity and Cradle-to-Cradle Design. The ability to integrate data into systems of all kinds – namely infrastructure – will certainly allow humankind the capacity to grow and connect in ways previously unimagined. However, just because we can, does not necessarily mean we should.

On the one thing paramount to architecture today. I think it’s moving our understanding, definition and market of space design past traditional typologies.

On the architect’s problem. How do we achieve a similar professional impact in a world where institutions become more digital, offices more remote and buildings more automated? Is there a need for us?

On DP and design authenticity. Positioning, teamwork and drive. DP is focusing on attracting clients that need our scale and capacity (our biggest strength) in the same way we need them. By collaborating with world design leaders, we are able to engage on world renowned projects while exploring our own interests, investing in designFIRST, and competing on the world stage, pushing DP’s own design brand.

Future Design is data-driven data.

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

4

H O WA I K I T PROJECTS: Dubai Creek Harbour Retail District On why architecture. Circumstantial.

On his creative process. Not an art form; it is simply driven by creative problem solving.

On the Megacity. The megacity is conceptually brilliant, potentially limitless.

But then again, only so much urbanisation can happen before a city feels more like fetishism than it practically needs to be.

Sensible urban planning and well distributed green is key. Case in point: NYC. On Mobility. I have recently moved into the city centre after thinking through some of the issues I had with my lifestyle. The

by-product of this is that I have been using a bicycle as a primary form of transport for most parts. And frankly, I think if more people cycle, the world might actually be a better place once you re-consider the benefits of cycling as a primary form of transport – physical and mental well-being, energy sufficiency, general environmental awareness, universal access awareness… You get the drift.

On Sustainable Design. That said, ESD should be the basic consideration that we all take regardless of project type and scale.

They should not be played up as some kind of special feature or design concept in any project. They are the fundamentals.

After all, we, as human beings, have the responsibility to consider for the well-being of Mother Earth.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. Empathy. We are responsible for creating places for people to fall in love with.

On the architect’s problem. Understanding that there are bigger problems in the world than which shade of white to use.

On DP and design authenticity.

Comprehendivistic design perspective (Buckminister Fuller is still relevant) paired with the true grit needed to run and execute projects.

Future Design is understanding the problems.

5

ELAINE THIAN PROJECTS: Changi Airport Terminal 5 Competition Bid, Parksuites and Redwood Interiors Factory & Headquarters, Singapore.

On why architecture. I have a scientific and logical mind, but am artistic and fun-loving at heart.

Architecture is an outlet to fulfil my natural inclinations and aspirations in a holistic manner.

On her creative process. Organised data collection with creative problem solving and a reasonable dose of frivolity!

On a Digital Utopia. I find it meaningful to embrace and harness technology and its integration to continually improve our everyday rituals and sequences.

On the Megacity. We live in cities of sameness yet are faced with issues of unfamiliarity and anonymity. How do we keep our rootedness while maintaining each city’s vibrancy and uniqueness?

On Mobility. Mobility in today’s context is concerned with social connectivity, and how it is changing our way of life and interaction. More so than ever, transportation and ease of movement are becoming major themes in architecture; cities will need to make provisions for and incorporate them.

On Sustainable Design. It is no longer merely an additional option but a prerequisite for all the work that we produce.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. While we embrace technology and all its advancements, it is crucial to retain a personal and humanistic approach towards design and practice.

On the architect’s challenge. The biggest threat for architects is the increased accessibility to sources of architectural knowledge and expertise from outside the industry. That only means that we should continuously innovate more to remain relevant!

On DP and design authenticity. The Changi Airport T5 competition team was a good manifestation of DP’s aggregation of teams with differing strengths. While working together, we cover all bases, learn from each other and sharpen the skills that we are individually inclined towards. The collective attitude of integrity and excellence is then translated into authenticity in our design and client interactions.

Future Design is openness, collaboration and authenticity.

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4

6 THERE ARE BIGGER PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD THAN WHICH SHADE OF WHITE TO USE.

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- Ho wai kit

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CHIO WEN TIAN PROJECTS: Downtown East Phase 2C and HometeamNS Clubhouse Khatib.

On why architecture. The pursuit of that deep sense of pride and fulfilment through creation since childhood steered me towards architecture. The challenges of architecture to shape the environment and inspire human experience through purposeful and delightful spaces give a sense of purpose.

On his creative process. It’s a puzzle cube – every piece serving its purpose, reinforcing each other to form the beautiful whole through a subtle order.

On Smart Cities, Digital Utopia and the Megacity. It works in a loop where form follows interaction. The activation of the public spaces through the multitude of digital and physical interactions between users and the elements of the urban city

will generate massive public behaviour data.

This in turn, redefines how future architects design buildings and public spaces.

Megacities from emerging economies will also undergo major retrofitting and transit to Smart Cities.

On Sustainable Design. This will be the precursor to creating a Smart City, where smart buildings are able to monitor and regulate energy consumption and efficiency.

On Mobility. A new age of digital tech; a new age of convenience. Decentralised satellite towns with mixed-use sustainable buildings may become the identifiable traits of a Smart City where pollution, traffic congestion and noise pollution are minimised.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. Architects must not indulge too

much in our own creations and neglect the evolving needs of end-users. It is paramount that we stay current, keep abreast of latest technologies and evolve our design methodology to stay ahead and relevant. Our building designs and cityplanning must be future-ready.

On the architect’s challenge. Lack of understanding of Big Data and how it can affect the way we design.

On DP and design authenticity. The key to design authenticity in DP relies on design leadership, formation of design teams and design discourse. By having clear design vision and strategies from our design leaders, teams with clear role-allocations play to the strength of individuals and participate passionately in design discussion.

This not only yields greater design productivity but also products of innovation and authenticity that define DP’s consistency.

Future Design is intuitive, empathetic and integrated.

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

ARCHITECTS MAY DELVE DEEPER INTO THE CONCEPT OF “FLUID SPACES” WHERE FORM AND FUNCTION ARE NOT ONLY INTERTWINED BUT ALSO TRANSITIONAL

8

- Raymond Purwanto

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ARJUN ROSHA PROJECTS (IN KUALA LUMPUR): Tun Razak Exchange Lifestyle Quarter, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Low Yat Plaza Master Plan.

On why architecture. I spent my formative years in India. I had witnessed the prevalent poverty and squalid living conditions. As the country developed and transformed, the impact that the changing built environment had on my quality of life was palpable. I was, thus, drawn to architecture; desiring to become a small part of the fraternity that helps shape lives.

On his creative process. It’s a multifaceted approach that encompasses understanding rationale behind the vision and aspirations of the client, curating an emotional spatial experience for end-users and ascertaining an appropriate response to the larger built environment.

On Smart Cities and a Digital Utopia. A physical manifestation of the internet as we know it, into the built environment, where

28

the need for space segregation may cease to exist. It will possess an experiential quality customised to each individual.

On the Megacity and cradle-to-cradle design. Design innovation will take cue from biomimicry so that building material usage also considers the lifespan of an architecture and its capacity for self-sustainment. More land conscious, our traditional urban sprawl with scattered suburban cities may move into an upward growth.

On Mobility. The future city is selfnavigating and walkable. In this space and time, movement is vertical and driving a recreation, rather than a necessity.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. I believe it is the understanding of User-Experience (UX) design, which is

determined by the architect’s ability to infuse character and retain a sense of place.

On current oversights. Redevelopment of urban fabric overlooks the underlying social fabric and resilience so that neighbourhoods and districts begin to lose their essence and become gentrified.

On DP and design authenticity. There is a paradigm shift in the industry towards smart buildings, integrated building systems and reduced carbon footprint. This has largely led the design thrust towards building efficiency and achieving modularity. DP is constantly evolving by learning and understanding these systems, using them as tools to innovatively design within this framework.

Future Design is a marriage of usability, accessibility and sustainability.

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RAYMOND P U RWA N T O

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LOW SI NI PROJECTS: Paya Lebar Quarter, GuocoLand Beach Road and Hong Kong Sky City.

On why architecture. For the challenge it presents. Architecture is constantly evolving, it creates endless encounters and opportunities to challenge ourselves daily.

On her creative process. It’s all about free thinking. Let loose and allow the ideas to flow with the sketch.

On Smart Cities, Mobility and Digital Utopia. The data-driven design solutions will combine with smart technology to allow us to explore never-before-seen virtual worlds, creating new sensory environments. It will also change the direction of urban planning.

Mass transit network designed for future city moves towards car-free precincts, integrated transportation and land use, driverless vehicular and more pedestrianised streets.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. In this age of digital technology, we will witness urbanisation take place at an increasingly rapid pace; hence, a keen sense of scale is crucial in managing the growth of megacities.

On the architect’s challenge. Sense of scale with the increase of plot ratio within the city. The architect must not be intimidated by the sheer size of the development and remain rooted in his purpose to create meaningful spaces that promote intimate relationship between public areas and human interaction, by proposing a design that is sensitive to the human scale.

On DP and design authenticity. We must keep abreast of trends while tapping into the capacity of technology to streamline our design processes and push design innovation so as to deliver smart and experiential designs.

Future Design is a combination of social intelligence and awareness powered by limitless collaboration.

PROJECTS: Changi Airport Terminal 5 Competition Bid; Trans Corp projects in Indonesia.

On why architecture. It is the balanced territory between my two loves – art and science (physics); and I’ve been hooked on architecture since.

On his creative process. It is much like drawing someone’s face without knowing exactly how he or she looks like. It involves a lot of sketching, discussion and self-critique; and along the way, it requires good and collaborative teamwork to find the best possible design solution.

On Sustainable Design. Sustainable buildings have to be carefully planned right from the start rather than inject them with expensive add-on technology at the later stage.

On Smart Cities and Mobility.

Advancement in smart technology is an unavoidable wave that will continue to affect the way we live and interact. Architects may delve deeper into the concept of “fluid spaces” where form and function are not only intertwined but also transitional.

On the Megacity. The larger the city, the greater the marginalisation of communities, especially those who live below the poverty line. Architects have the capability and social responsibility to contribute time and propose better living environment for the marginalised.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. Courage. The intent of architecture is for the betterment of human life and as architects, our work must be innovative yet grounded in this purpose, even if it means reexamining a client’s brief or regulations.

On problems with architecture. I think it is about speed. Architecture requires a long time to realise an idea. Perhaps, by embracing digital fabrication in our design processes will enable us to streamline methodology, focus on innovation, shorten delivery time and reduce cost.

On DP and design authenticity. Prioritising learning and collaborative inter-team work across multiple disciplinaries have allowed DP to stay on top of its game.

Future Design is improving human life.

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

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DANIEL PO PROJECTS: Paya Lebar Quarter, 231 Pasir Panjang and Changi Airport Terminal 5 Competition Bid. On why architecture. Growing up, arts & craft was my creative outlet; tinkering and understanding how things work has always fascinated me.

In this vein, architecture fits the bill. Here, I’m doing something designrelated yet grounded in the logic and physics of the world.

On his creative process. It’s a bunch of tangled wires! The ideas and answers are in front of me; but it takes a while to disentangle.

On Sustainable Design. My belief is that policy-making focuses too much on the development and neglects the development’s environment, leading to over policing of otherwise creative sustainable design solutions. In an ideal world, we'd be less concerned with checking boxes for a platinum certification; and instead stay true to the spirit of contribution for a more compatible and cohesive cityscape.

On a Digital Utopia. The IoT is today's goalpost, maximising the use of harvested data to improve our time and resource efficiency. I believe the core tenet of designing cities for the next generation is driven by what would make their digital footprints and identity more interconnected with the built environment.

On the Megacity. The digital age has made the world seem smaller, yet our cities are reaching farther. When we finally find the balance between both mediums, I think we'd find ourselves shaping the endless sprawl into smaller concentrated knowledge-based clusters.

On the architect’s challenge and the road ahead. We are kings of spatial programming, yet so uninvolved with digital programming.

When designing for the future, architects can no longer limit our expertise to just understanding spaces; just as we have mastered pen on paper, we too should master the tools and technologies that will shape new architecture.

On DP and design authenticity. It's great that we have systems and programmes like designSHARE and typology research for gathering collective knowledge, and the full range of disciplines under one roof working within the BIM ecosystem. As client expectations grow, I believe these office initiatives contribute towards the desire of working smarter and faster with more accuracy and control over our own designs.

Future Design is neural generative modelling.

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DAWN CHEN PROJECTS: Dubai Creek Harbour Retail District.

On why architecture. It cares in a beautiful way.

On her creative process. I liken it to magic – the wonder of turning something dreamy into materiality.

On the Digital Utopia and the Megacity. The expansion dynamics of digital spheres and urbanscapes are in tandem. Increasingly, our virtual environment is a growing ubiquity that seems to diminish our physical one. Rethinking megacities, it is important that architecture does not lose touch with the human touch.

On Cradle-to-Cradle Design. More so than before, designers need to respect the finite quantum of resources and appreciate its infinite value in our design approach, process and product.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. Humanity. It breathes mobility and enables the built world through the way of life.

On problems with architecture. Inhumanity. It could collapse spaces as it marks people and places with indifference.

On DP and design authenticity. While DP aspires to provide welltailored design solutions to our global clients, we must continue to exercise integrity in authenticity and move with clarity.

Future Design is lots more magic.

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KY L E F U LTO N PROJECTS: Redwood Interiors Factory & Headquarters, Singapore; and hotel & office tower in Melbourne, Australia.

On why architecture and his creative process. I like to think of architecture as an embodiment of empathy. I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of others and imagining how I could improve their experience of the built environment.

On Digital Utopia and the Megacity. The increased layering of the digital/virtual upon the actual/built environment allows space to function beyond its physical constraints; thus, architecture can no longer be thought of in unequivocal terms. Instead, we must come to terms with an architecture that is fluid and reflexive.

On Cradle to Cradle Design. C2C design in architecture necessitates the understanding of complex systems across many disciplines, something which can only be achieved through the commitment of the entire team – architects, engineers and clients.

On Mobility. Whether small-scale personal EV’s or Elon Musk’s ‘Car Skate’ tunnels, mobility will continue to shape our built environment.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. An openness towards new ideas and technology, which will continue to blur the definitions of public/private space, ownership and typology.

On the architect’s challenge. The growing distance between the architect as designer and architect as constructor in the face of ever shortening design and construction periods, financial margins and globalisation.

On DP and design authenticity. DP is courting specialisation through the use of typology experts while rejecting the silo through open critique sessions and encouraging cross pollination between design teams, studios and disciplines.

Future Design is a post-carbon, digital craft.

DP IS COURTING SPECIALISATION THROUGH THE USE OF TYPOLOGY EXPERTS WHILE REJECTING THE SILO THROUGH OPEN CRITIQUE SESSIONS AND ENCOURAGING CROSS POLLINATION BETWEEN DESIGN TEAMS, STUDIOS AND DISCIPLINES. - Kyle Fulton

IN PERSON |

DP INTERVIEW |

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ZIC CHEN PROJECTS: The Light City Development in Penang, Malaysia.

On why architecture. I’ve always been a man of few words and drawing has been an avenue to help express my thoughts. Naturally, I gravitated towards architecture upon entering university.

On his creative process. As a discipline in itself, my creative process in architecture is characterised by focus and self-control.

On a Digital Utopia and the Megacity. Connectivity beyond the physical realm will soon render each of us a global citizen. This is a seemingly daunting realm for architects; but it does present an exciting platform for a cross pollination of ideas with other design disciplines.

should not only incorporate it in their work but actively embrace it in their very lifestyle.

On what the architect must be. A T-shaped individual – adaptable and possessing a curiosity across other disciplines yet rigorous in your specialised field.

On problems the architect faces. The notion that our knowledge base may be somewhat limited. With technology changing the way businesses operate, we need to be more speculative and focus in specialised services to distinguish oneself.

On Mobility. In this vein, mobility is a game-changer that will affect our conventional models of design. The architect must be optimistic and embrace change.

On Sustainable Design. No longer a fad but a given, designers

On DP and design authenticity. Keep up-to-date on current trends so as to offer clients timely advice to value-add and enrich their projects.

Future Design is design beyond architecture.

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THE ARCHITECT MUST BE. A T-SHAPED INDIVIDUAL – ADAPTABLE AND POSSESSING A CURIOSITY ACROSS OTHER DISCIPLINES YET RIGOROUS IN YOUR SPECIALISED FIELD. - Zic Chen

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ACHMAD MAULANA PROJECTS: Various projects in Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Oman.

On why architecture. It was something I got into at the advice and encouragement of my eldest brother. He knew I was good at drawing and enjoyed it. I got into Architecture in University and the rest is history.

On his creative process. Beyond aesthetic dimensions, I’ve learnt that architecture involves a lot of problem-solving. So the creative process is like an adventure to an undiscovered place. We know our goal and we have a map, but it is not a reveal-all. Obstacles along the way will call for problemsolving and it is all an experience to discover the treasure.

On Smart Cities and the Megacity. The smart city isn’t necessarily a megacity; but the megacity most definitely needs to be smart. I come from Indonesia and am well aware of the problems the megacity faces.

In conceptualising sustainable systems and infrastructure, the underlying issues shouldn’t be oversimplified.

On the Digital Utopia Technology will make urban planning more effective and efficient. However, compassion, love and respect are characteristics of good architecture that cannot be resolved by algorithm alone.

On one thing paramount to architecture today. Profundity. Architecture today is a data-driven solution. Therefore, study the issues and analyse the data; but take care and time to delve deep into your imagination, lose yourself in your thoughts and ask questions – the right questions; only then will the architect identify the real issue.

On current limitations in the industry. Technology. Our industry may not progress as quickly as info-tech; but good architects have the industry visionary capabilities and technology is our tool. Add imagination and adaptability to the equation to produce architectural products that are adaptable.

On DP and design authenticity. Design authenticity is not determined by the final product but by authentic processes. This is because good design is a result of collective ideas and team effort. Leveraging our One Global Studio platform allows us to achieve authenticity in our design.

Future Design is equality, adaptability and resilience.

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BRIAN CHENG PROJECTS: NUS Concept Master Plan and Our Tampines Hub. On why architecture. There is something beautiful about the logical rationality of a space well put together that I enjoy.

On his creative process. The process is complex and difficult to distil into a singular formula. There is a clear science behind it; yet, to repeatedly follow a prescriptive recipe would make for bland results.

So it’s about constantly pursuing means to improve and produce ever more interesting solutions.

On Smart Cities and a Digital Utopia. Our limitation in rationalising the complex nature of how we live has restricted design to prescribed rules and practice standards for a long time. However, we are starting to see Big Data being harnessed to improve city infrastructures and affect urban planning. Such exciting advancements allow our industry to push towards more responsive, tailored, performance-based solutions.

On the Megacity. It stands as proof of the speed of urbanisation, which will only increase with ever easier means of amassing capital. In such a future, we must never forget the importance of liveable cities and public spaces especially for the marginalised and less fortunate, and protect them from the pressures of rising prices and commodification of space.

On one thing paramount to architecture today.

An appreciation of life – to inject joy into the spaces we create. The way we build affects the way we live, and our lives are so much more than efficiency ratios and numbers.

On problems with architecture. Not many appreciate the amount of time it takes to create good architecture. Each development is unique so solutions have to be individually tailored. That said, public awareness is improving and technological advancements is reducing process times.

On DP and design authenticity. The focus on typology research allows DP to move beyond providing standard architectural services to creating with typology experts who would actively track latest trends and spearhead initiatives in their respective fields. Through this, we can better advise and create good solutions faster.

Future Design is about sensible, delightful solutions.

DP Family Day 2017

Rounding up a year of DP50 celebrations On 11 November, DP Architects held its DP Family Day. A massive turnout of 1,000 DPians and their families were treated to a day of fun at the Adventure Cove Waterpark in Resorts World Sentosa. The event was organised by DPLife and dedicated to DPians for their hard work and contribution, as well as their families for the unwavering support over the years.

DP Family Day kicked off with a speech given by CEO, Ms Angelene Chan. Addressing the DP Family, Ms Chan thanked and commended all DPians for harnessing DP’s collective strength; together, DP has not only achieve great milestones over the last 50 years, but also obtained new ones in 2017. DP Family Day marked the fourth and final event to commemorate the year-long DP50 jubilee celebration. With the DP50 gala held at Suntec City, and the conference at Mediacorp Campus – both proud projects of DP, it was only fitting for DP Family Day to be hosted in one of DP’s own at Resorts World Sentosa.

DPians wore the commemorative DP50 tee shirt featuring the sketch of some of the firm’s notable projects by illustrator and DPian, Mr Li Xin Li. DPians actively participated in the activities together with their families. These included Minions League, a human foosball game, The Iron Throne, and Scavenger Hunt, specially organised by Adventure Cove Sentosa. The day concluded with a lucky draw and prizes were awarded for the best group photo.

The DPLife team extends a big thank you to all DPians and their families for coming together, and making this event a great success.

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50 years of architectural excellence

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Copyright Š DP Architects Pte Ltd MCI (P) 009/08/2016

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IN History

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GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX Built during an era of great experimentation and creativity in architectural practices, Golden Mile Complex presented a revolutionary design concept. Programmed as a 16-storey ‘vertical city’ containing amenities needed for urban life, with outdoor social spaces that can be extended into a mile-long pedestrian promenade linking each ‘Golden Mile’ building, the project demonstrated a new strategy for urban connectivity, autonomous from the vehicular streets below.

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