Er Chen Wei Year 3

Portfolio Er Chen Wei 16AAD015J Glasgow School of Art 2016 / 2017 B.A. in Interior Design

Personal Manifesto Throughout my education in design I have got to understand myself more on how I looked at design. However, I am, still learning... As far as I am concern at this stage after learning the various tools and skills of design. I am interested in the critical thinking aspect of design decision. Having exposed to design history and theories has allowed me to better appreciate the evolution of design, allowing me to be critical on my own design and how it contributes to the design. Principles of designs and theories of designs has been taught and learnt by students, many has been able to execute methods to produce aesthetically pleasing design. But I never felt I was the designer that design solely base on aesthetics whether is it on the vertical or horizontal pane of space. Currently, I believe in the critical thinking of design, to not be able to just design sensitively, maturely but also ethically as a designer.

Through the manifesto project, it is the first time that I was immersed and experience in theorectical framework of a practioner to an extend.

I wish I am able to understand and position my angle in design as i continue to learn. But as far as I am concern now, I am trying to design with open mind and curiosity in design while being sensitive and ethical. I hope through my illustration it is able to convey my rationale in design. I would hope to develop and hone my personal style of design to create humble spaces to be appreciated by humans.

Contents 1. The Ways We Live: HDB

01 - 25

2. The Shop Window: Aesop

26 - 46

3. The Office: Cabinet Magazine

47 - 68

4. The Hotel: Royal Grandeur

69 - 79

5. The Manifesto: Atelier Bow-Wow

80 - 101

Trend and Aspiration

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Documentation of HDB The Ways We Live Documentation Project : HDB, The Ways We Live Theme : Trends and Aspirations Location : Ang Mo Kio & Tampines, Singapore Duration : 3 Weeks Project Desciption In this series of documentation, I investigates the definition of trend and aspiration. These are perception of what was interpreted from my perspective. I explored the realm of comfort and affections; homes. Firstly, 'trend' is defined as a general direction in which something is developing or changing towards and 'aspirations' is defined as a hope or ambition of achieving something.

Within the realm of comfort and affections, home is a shared space that we live with our loved ones. Collectively it contains items and settings of affection. These items that we put on display hold meanings and are reminders for us to work towards some aspiration. Hence, this process of trend is closely tied with aspiration that we have. In the documented images, one of the key message interpreted is my mother's aspiration for the family. Traditional chinese themed objects and writings are displayed at convenient common space to remind of hopes and promotes a sense of mental soundness for loved ones. Through these displays she hopes to promote a sense of unity in family. Trend and aspiration also transcend beyond the interior to the exterior context from social issues to public spaces.

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Introduction Ang Mo Kio At A Glance Ang Mo Kio is located in the central region of Singapore. It is also one af Singapore most densely populated precint. Like most rural district, it was also largely undeveloped and mainly used for agriculture until Housing Development Board redeveloped the precint as the seventh satelite town in the 1973. Since this is one of earlier planning area, there were difference in the public flat typology and intention. There are part of Ang Mo Kio that has older flats which are mostly occupied by elderly and low income families. This documentation is an extra insight after the project had ended due to my volunteering work in the area.

Tampines At A Glance Tampines is located in the eastern region of Singapore. Tampines was abundance with ironwood tree, tempinis, and hence the name that bears. The town was planned in 1978 and developed by 1987. It comprises of Tampines Central, North, East , West, Changkat and Simei. HDB is the dominant estates, followed by private condominiums in Tampines and small cluster of landed proverty located in Simei. HDB estates has evolved over the years with difference in typology, layout of interior and landscape consideration. Older estates are indentifiable with their unique appearance while newer estates may look more fancy but less public friendly.

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5 Room Flat

3 Room Flat

For this project, I have looked into my partner’s aunt home and my home. My partner is a Malaysian on studying in Singapore and rents an apartment instead. Due to the fact that it is rented, my partner failed to obtain permission for documentation. Thus, he had asked his Singaporean aunt instead for investigation of homes. Fortunately, his aunt stays in Tampines.

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Bedroom 1 Kitchen Master Bedroom

Dining Area

Bedroom 2

Living Room

5 Room Flat We acquired this home as a resale flat two years ago. It is relatively newer than first generation of residential flats with slight difference in design details. Interior is generally white and evokes a sense of lightness within the space.

Traditional auspicious chinese signs were placed within the home. The decorations was mainly aspire for peace and prosperity with certain elements of fengshui infused.

The trait of the home may be identifiable with the family closely.

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Home

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Aspirations of Family Paintings with meanings and aspirations are displayed at convenient common spaces where family spent most time together. When the space is being utilised, we are surrounded with positive energy that my mother would like us to feel. The space that promotes unity in family.

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"Change is the only constant." My family of five used to reside in a 3 room flat but had shifted to this 5 room flat for extra space. People move house a few times to meet their needs. A social trend that happens in Singapore due to land constraint. While that is so, essence of home is not lost.

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Wellness Trend Within the spaces that most Singaporeans lives in, efforts are contributed to by both individuals, communities and agencies to maintain the 'wellness' of the spaces. This subtle trend are picked up from small little corners and details from objects to area, from campaigns to involvement. Such efforts are greatly appreciated.

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Social Aspiration In Singapore, it is said that there is no longer the "kampong" (malay word for village) spirit as compared to the past. So why not greet the migrant cleaners next time to thank the work they have contributed to this country.

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The Ageing Trend of One Room Flat Situated in Ang Mokio, like most mature estates, one room rental flat is not uncommon but more often than never are unnoticed area. During my volunteer for meal delivery, can't help but felt the corridors' 'gloom'. Various make efforts to connect and help the less fortunates.

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Residential void spaces at graded levels are less common in newer HDB estates.

Old residential estates that has the luxury of such spaces are appreciated and put to good use for the residents.

The residents are often of the pioneer generation, elderlies with certain medical conditions that caused them inconvenience to travel, thus, the need for meal deliveries to their doorstep daily.

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Softscape Aspiration Singapore is noted as a 'Garden in a City' title, such claim is not possible without the help of not just National Park's effort but also resident's pots of greeneries at corners of usable spaces.

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While developments has greatly benefitted the lives of many and the communities, some traditional events has greatly threatened and decreased due to commercialised venues.

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The scapes of estates is ever happening and changing, from improving transport systems to new residential blocks, etc.

A collective learning process for the society to improve, an aspiration for the society to prosper similarly to that of an family, just that of a bigger scale.

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Hardscape Aspiration Build to Order estates is an initiative by the government to supply affordable residential homes to citizens of Singapore. Plots of unutilised land for years in mature estates are being developed for new homes mostly for new couples to settle down and start a home. New pre-fab techniques has manage to cut cost on construction but has drastically gave the new flats a dull outlook, losing the touch of friendly public space. I hope to see positive improvement in the design consideration of such newer flats.

Afterall, these are vital as it is a reflection of our society as a whole. These subtle phenonmena will seep into the character building process of future generation.

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Collective Aspirations Items of interest and meaning are kept in the glass cabinet and shelfs at the corners of the home. Home is a place that hold collective items of the household members's aspiration.

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Young married couples are applying for new build to order flats to begin a new chapter in life. Couples do visit parents regularly even after moving out.

As messy as it may seems, this area has served the household well for three decades.

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Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Living Room

3 Room Flat The residential flat is of an older generation estate with long rectangular living room and 2 bedrooms. Key characteristic of the home is traditional chinese decorations and items of the family members has kept and deplayed in the living room. Similarly this show a trend of beliefs that such as aspiring for peace and unity in the family.

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Sensitive Aspiration The common rectangular living room that is similar to most of Singapore's three room flat only different in interior. Family members spend most time at living room, it is vital that spaces are sensitive to each individual with the right aspiration.

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Summary Singapore is place where land is scarce and spaces is vital for residential and commercial uses.

Homes that we dwells has to be sensitive in interior for users to rest and live. Interior is largely manifested by an individual preference and personality creating a comfortable setting unique for the individual. Home is not an individual's entity but rather a shared common entity created with loved ones. Aspirations can be seen from interiors through objects and placement created by the individual.

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The Shop Window: Aesop Project Name Client Duration

: The Shop Window : Aesop : 3 Weeks

Project Description The Shop Window is a project that explores design through the process of making. Aesop was the chosen client for this project, the documented products are created through the process of making by exploring and aligning both materials and concepts with the image of Aesop in mind.

The Shop Window explores several design aspects such as textile print making, furniture making and shop window display for Aesop.

Throughout the project, the focus was to explore the 'hands on' approach to create pieces of work. The products was further refine to the eventual products, the documented process hopes to convey my approach in developing the works.

This begins by studying and understanding Aesop's ethos, logos and pathos towards its products and aspirations. From there on, each pieces of work was influence with the brand in mind and however the works aimed to deviate slightly from other works to explore new 'twist' for its final outcome.

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Weaving

Introduction Aesop, an artist in the industry of skincare and beauty related products. One of Aesop's main aspiration was to embrace and forge new relationship with local culture and history through design. As such, interiors of the store are uniquely designed with local resources of materials and sustainability in mind. Aesop's Taxonomy of design archive of its boutique's interior spaces for general public to explore and tribute towards the retail architecture, the community, culture and history.

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Textile

Print Making

Concept and Inspiration Inspired by their ideology, I experiment with the concept of Aesop at SIT as a platform for design. This begins by tracing to the origins of Tampines history and local resource. Tampines was once a forest filled with swamps and sand quarries. Tampines was known for its native Ironwood Tree; tempinis and hence its name. The motif is an abstract form of a tree. An end product of monochrome motif resonates well with Aesop after much experimentation of colour schemes and distortion.

Abstraction of Tree

Anatomy Basic Hexagon

Abstraction of Tree Connecting Shapes Connecting Voids

The repeated motif is an abstract of a tree inspired from tempinis tree. To create a repeating pattern, a hexagon is used as a boundary with the abstract form incorporated within the shape. The abstract form of the tree is created by voids of solid shapes. The solid shapes also connected to the adjacent shapes in the next hexagon.

Within these shapes and voids, various techniques could be experimented to create different experiences. Namely, to create a motif that resonates with the ideology and image of Aesop.

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Monochromatic reflected a simplicity in their ideology.

Throughout various boutiques of Aesop, there are various themes from mono to luxury and classy, etc. For this project, a mix of monochromatic scheme with materialty schemes is a representation of history for tempinis and the local culture for Aesop.

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Furniture Making

designing through making: plaster casting

Aesop Aesop paid great attention to the use of materials for its design.

Interiors and furnitures are designed in an abstract manner to narrate a story for the background of the boutique in relation to its culture and history. This is a practice of their ideology for arts and sensitivity to local context. The furnitures used within Aesop of shelfs, sinks and countertops are some of their exquisite highlights of the boutqiues. For this segment of the project I designed two furnitures that relates to the concept of tempinis for Aesop.

Concept and Inspiration The ideology for Aesop's boutique designs is its history and culture. With that in mind, the approach for Aesop was the use of Tempinis Tree and nature as inspiration for this furniture.

The main sources of inspiration is the focus on the texture of natural tree to be a cohesive language for the two pieces of furniture intended for Aesop. The first piece of furniture is the shelfs that is intended to hold and display exquisite skincare products. The second piece of furniture is a double tap sink that incorporate the texture of tree in the sink for an experiential washing experience for the customers.

Initial Conceptual Inspirations

Introductory workshop to clay has inspired me greatly to use it as a medium for my furniture design. The abilities of clay to create forms and textures is the greatest advantages for the concept of tempinis for Aesop.

Texture Explorations

Bark inspired manually manipulated texture using vertical lines as a general direction.

This conceptual texture model is an experimentation with depth and roughness to mimic natural texture.

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Hexa Sink Attempt 1: Process Model This sink is an accidental product created by casting. The mold created had collapse midway, it was further reinforced by soft clay to furbish its textures and edges.

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Shelfslide Attempt 2: The Textured Shelf The textured shelf is intended to be made from dark wood with the visible natural textured grains of wood. The bottled products are fitted into the rods extended from the lateral beams.

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Barksink Textures Exploration

Attempt 3: Bark Stream Sink The sink is intended to be an experiential washing experience for customers by allowing water stream down against natural bark liked texture. The texture is created by cast technique to capture natural textures.

Various natural and manipulated textures were explored. Sink is made from cement cladded with dark wood.

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Seekable Furniture

designing through making: plaster casting

Reversed Seatings

Multi Functions Furniture The 3 cast furniture was byproduct of experimenting cast, first time using this material. Initial attempts was not entirely successful. I learnt that although through the process of making, it is essential to not blindly make, but to also be able to grasp and control the essence of the materiality to make and produce a final product. Casting ceramix is not an easy method to grap and had took me hours to understand its strength and limitations as a material. But through the process of failing, again and again. I was able to control the material to make the desired furniture in mind.

But the process of making to alot hour hours than conventional materials. I wanted to create versatile furniture to fully make use of the material. Hence, my product is a seekable furniture.

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Display Countertop

Sink Countertop

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Multi Functions Furniture The furniture was envisioned to be used as a counter top or sofa in Aesop's boutique. When it is used as a countertop, it is intented to have partial sink, when users washes their hands, the water is supposed to fall onto the curved edges of the sink, flowing into the water collection area at the lower edge. It was intended to have smooth and rough textures on different parts of the sink for the water to runs on, users would be able to experience textures, particularly nature textures of tree barks , etc. When it is flipped, it would be for seating purposes. A functional piece of furniture.

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Mood Shelf

designing through making: plaster casting

Display Shelf The intended focus of the shelf is also on its textures on different part of the shelf. It comprises of two parts with intersecting panes. The shelves are also functional, able to shift around for different layout to accommodate different settings. Unfortunately, some parts of the panes were to thin and has broken off the main piece. But its rawness as material has given the shelf a very raw and honest vibe as a piece of furniture. I had very much pleasure making the furnitures by using cast as a material. It has given me a greater sense in limits and boundaries of making models.

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Window Display Aesop The philosophies and attidude of Aesop approach towards its interiors and making of its products has greatly inspired me in the making of the window display. After understanding the various artists, I felt that Richard Long has deeply resonated with both the brand and me. This window display designed is an elegant display of Aesop's respectful attitude towards the texture and history of the place. Every pieces are delibrately placed with an abstract meaning for viewers to ponder upon. The materials used are recycled from leftover model making materials within the studio. The three main materials are representaton of the old, new and humble synthetic creations to compliment Aesop undying spirit towards art.

Practitioner Influence

Richard Long Art made by walking in the landscape.

Photographs of sculpture made along the way.

Walk made into textworks.

In the nature of things: Art about mobility, lightness and freedom.

Simple creative acts of walking and marking about place, locality, time, distance and measurement.

Works using raw materials and my human scale in the reality of landscapes.

The music of stones, paths of shared footmarks, sleeping by the river’s roar.

141

Ethos Through Materiality Creating and making by doing. Going through the immediate accesible materials or resources available to create a live artpiece. Bearing that philosophy in mind, and with Aesop's inspiration and attitude, i acquired textures of tree barks collected from Bedok Reservoir as I felt nothing is as orginal and authentic as where it was originated from. No one might felt that way, perhaps one would even find that it as common as any other tree barks from other places. I attempts to narrate a story of Aesops philosophy for the spirit of Aesop using the material collected. A window display of Aesop though Art.

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Explorations local materials, layout, journey

These conceptual macquettes are explorations of Aesop ethos and pihlosophy in mind. The barks and twigs are layed in assymetrical order to illustrate a sense of respect which Aesop has for locality in the most humble manner. This attitude is vital for consumers to to experience and feel through its layout and materials. Strips of grey board are the "means" of modern creation of ingredients used that seeps into it original fusing this spirit together.

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Inspirational Macquette The selected maquette draws inspiration greatly from Aesop's philosophies. The texture is the representation of identity for the place. Intended to celebrate Aesop's respect for the place through sculptural display manipulated by layering at different depths, arrangement, vertical and horizaontal alignment. The textures are cutted into strips to integrate into new placement and arrangement. This macqutte allowed me to explore a larger abstract composition for A1 window display.

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Embrace and Forge The final window display is a further exploration from the conceptual macquette. The display draws upon elements from previously studied macquettes in the arrangement and placement of materials.

The concept was to showcase the respectful nature of Aesop's character through the use of materials collected from local context, Bedok Reservoir, in an abstract manner, bringing together the old (strips of texture barks) integrating with the new artificial creations (pieces of sticks) surrounding the recessed piece of barks. It is intended for viewers to paused and study on the placement of materials on the display from the biggest pieces down to the smallest strip of texture embedded on the small piece of wood.

One of the key focus of this display was inspired by Richard Long's approach of Earth Art through use of materials and context. This concept deeply resonated with Aesop's pathos in which I was inspired by. The display is intended for the focus of the textures. Deviating from Richard Long's iconic circular style, it was designed with vertical and horizontal alignment in mind. This is to create a sense of "cross paths" at the punctured area as focal point for the barks textures.

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anatomy and theory This small punctured window is the only display that features new composition of small stripped materials layered upon each other vertically. The materials used are similar of the overall concept, only that the base is the "artificial" creation with the smallest strip of textured barks integrating on its surface. This subtle creation is to illustrate and celebrate humble new creations with natural ingredients.

The bark are recessed at the back of the display sourrounded by a second framing with 'new' pieces of wood in a vertical manner.

'New" recycled materials are used to frame the display in either vertical or horizontal manner layered upon each other by wood, grey strips or small bark textured strips.

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apartamento

Cabinet

The Office Project: Cabinet Facebook

AA Files

Twitter

Print

More

Cabinet

apartamento

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AA Files

an academic scholarly journal

ance of

wit, nu

s of views

perspective point

style

explorati

on and co

mpilatio

n

Archival Academics

Deep AA files is a publication that publishes twice a year by the Architectural Association School of Architecture that first began in 1847. As quoted, AA files describes it contents as “ focus in terms of its content towards more writerly models of scholarship, criticism and investigation, prompted not only by work, exhibitions and events from within the school, but by a rich and eclectic mix of architectural enquiry from all over the world.�

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Concept Model AA Files evokes a sense of cleanliness it is content and direction. With unique compilation of witty insights that arouses the arts and creatives individual.

A platform that appreciates a good title and anything with sense of wit, nuance and style. The concept model exhibits a sense of abstract balance with spatial elements distributed in a spreaded atmosphere inspired from AA Files ethos and graphic philosophy.

Order stage

fun

stage

minimalist

clean

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apartamento

an everyday life interior magazine

Uncencored Apartamento is an ‘everyday life interior magazine’ that is situated in Barcelona and Milan, formed in 2007 by 4 man team, namely, Nacho Alegre, Omar Sosa, Marco Velardi and Voctor Abellan. Apartamento publishes twice a year. It features interviews and essays by different profile of artist. The uniqueness of apartamento are its ‘real’ and ‘uncensored’ attitude when publishing the article. A magazine with compilations of raw opinions and stories of interiors by different writers finding out the different personal expression of individuals. Each publications has its unique expresson and tone perhaps subjective on interviewer and interviewee chemistry. Apartamento aims for a sense of timelessness in its content and identity as a magazine. The youthful attitude in questioning the unknown, forgotten and unexplored.

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paths and view leads to common focal venue

Free Style

Irregular and distorted form iluustrate its flexibilty Skeletal the sp that support irit and s ethos

Anecdotes interviewing Opinions

Uncencored Concent o

mm

Co

e od re l Nthat sha a c o m n F atfor l

ap

a common spatial venue for the all kind of stories

Raw

bold in layout and composition

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Cabinet Magazine arts and culture magazine

Curiosity Cabinet is an arts and culture magazine, a non profit organization, establised in 2000 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Cabinet contains interiew, essays and artist projects and publishes it quarterly. The magazine is often described as for the ‘interlectually curious’ and a ‘source book of ideas’ for artist, designers, philosophers. etc. Its content are structured in four sections, namely, Columns, Mains, Themes and Artist Projects that could be in any first three sections. Readers has describe its contents as ‘ferociously intelligent’ , ‘ridiculously funny’ and ‘breathes life back into non-academic intellectual life’. Cabinet also rents out its venue for exhibition or arts and culture related events.

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Opinions

interviewing

constr ucte d

Curiosity

observe and discover

enrich An

ecd

collection

and show case

artist project

ote

s

Site Documentation block 34, upper cross street, chinatown

Elevation A

Elevation B

Understanding the site ...

The site is a rental shop at chinatown located at the roof level at the left end the podium with an excellent view of the surrounding. The area is surrounded with local traditional chinese culture. The Supreme Court on the opposing view of she site and the iconic OG shopping mall beside, the Old Traffic Police building located at the behind Block 34 up on Pearl’s Hill. The location would be almost suits apartamento or Cabinet as they liked to be immersed with the local culturally rich context. Contextually speaking, AA Files would have preferred a location that is more remote, towards arts and culture area perhaps Bugis area. Thus I believe this location is a site that AA files would not consider. But contrary to that, my interest lies towards Cabinet and it is an advantage for my intented client for an office to settle in.

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2.1m

4m

Interior Details

Office Space 5.6m

94sqm

3.1m

m

8.1

Public Material

Exterior Space

Vantage Points Public Furniture

Director’s Office

Interior Decoration

Toilets

Chosen Client

personal resonance and understanding

Project Desciption This is an office design project with Cabinet Magazine, a non profit arts and culture organization as client. Cabinet was founded Brooklyn, New York in 1999.

Cabinet publishes quarterly magazine and books, and host exhibition and seminars occasionally at its exhibition space. Cabinet's content are compilations of difference arts and culture related topic, it ranges from arts to almost anything, i.e. history, politics and philosophy. Cabinet is constructed by 3 main section namely Columns, Main and Theme. Its content are often described as "interlectually curious" with essays, projects and interviews by diverse background of artists and writers.

Project Narrative The narratives of this project is set forth by Cabinet opening an Asia Pacific branch at roof level of the HDB podium, Block 34, Upper Cross Street, Chinatown aiming to explore the arts and culture of Asian context with a publication team of 3 to 5 pax. Inspired by Cabinet's interest towards the Isaiah Berlin's "The Fox and the Hedgehog" essay, the concept of the interiors was adapted as a focus of colours to illustrate Cabinet philosophy and identity. The spaces and furnitures was designed to be functional for the staffs. The interiors was envisioned to be a creative open-space office with an exhibition spaces for events and its access to the exterior public space offers an excellent venue for events.

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A fox know many things, but a hedge hog, one important thing...

- Isiah Berlin

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Initial Concept

personal resonance and understanding

Library

Foldable Wall Tables/ Pin Up Board Exihibition Area

concept plan

Working

open space layout Cabinet is an arts and cultural magazine, they often rent out their spaces for various events regularly. They prefered a minimalist humble interior to compliments the ambience of the event. I was inspired to use the colour scheme of black and orange to symbolise their spirit of the fox and the hedgehog for the interiors. The layout of the space is designed to be adaptable for work or event such as exhibition or book launches. The concept plan of inspired by the irregular shape of my collage model of Cabinet.

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Screening

Entrance

spatial plan

multi-functional office Due to the nautre of the magazine that is non profit arts and culture magazine and its main counterpart that promote and rent out their spaces for events. I decided that Singapore Asia Pacific branch would adapt the same office model. Main open space would allow work and events since Cabinet would package and deliver themselves. But adaptable to be an open space for events to happen at the same time. Promoting and sustaining the arts and culture spirit of the Cabinet through events.

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Private Space Office Area

Library Area

Screen Area

Exhibition Panel Foldable Desk

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creating functional spaces - seminar space - changeable exhibition space - minimalist interior - resting room - office space - reading material archive - private office - open meeting space

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Revised Concept Sectional View streamlining the overall concept plan after critique

lecture and exhibition space

Cabinet’s Office After the final critique, I noticed that the main open office space lacks office desk for the staffs to work and the previous office space which staffs are cramp into small office space kills the ambience and creatives of the staff during work. Thus, I revised the allocation of space distribution. Part of the initial main open space will be the office space for staffs. The high table is the common space for informal and creative discussion to take place. Half of it will be dedicated for exhibition and events. The overall layout allows staffs to experience free movement within office space and be motivated and inspired in their work.

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office space

private working space

spatial plan 67

Main working desk on the right for permanent staff and interns to work while the high table allow a venue for meeting or discussion. Colour scheme of black and orange are inspired from the fox and the hedgehog evoke the spirit of the quote.

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Private working ofice for directors to work. Cabinet prefers simple minimalist interiors and not over fanciful or posh interior due to being a non profit arts and cultural magazine.

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The Hotel Project: Royal Grandeur Project Name : Royal Grandeur Duration : 3 Weeks Members : Wei Shan Premela Adeline Project Description This hotel is guided with two designers from Fitch Design. We were engaged in workshop to understand the concept of user centric design.

During this short three weeks, we developed several concepts to reinvent and test the limits of hotel concept. Through a set of client profile that we created we identified several pain points that help shaped our concept of hotel.

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Fitch’s D. E. L. A. Journey Mapping Dreaming, Exploring, Learning and Achieveing

A medically focused hotel experience This is a group project done along with three fellow peers, Adeline, Premela and Wei Shan. We were introduced to Fitch Design working model where it is focused on user experience design, to put ourselves in the shoes of the consumer and push the boundaries of the design. We set forth a narrative, that the client, Woon, is a business working lady whom travels frequently around and has several medical condition. Thus after analyzing what are the conventional hotel trends, which would like to test the limits of how far a medically focused hotel can go. Through the workshop we identified several issues that business travellers faces, then, developing, either to retain current solution or either revamp the system of process of create a new unique signature experience for the client.

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Looping the experience cycle identifying pain points and pushing the limits of ideation

testing the limits through the group discussion on DELA model, we identified several pain points and touch points to focused on to be developed in our concept design.

We decided that since Woon is a business woman, she would be concern with efficiency, privacy, convenience and of course medical coverage.

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Creating Signature Experience Through Painpoints - medical coverage - minimum human interaction - efficiency delivery - working suite - acoustic privacy - regular storage - convenience return stay

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Project Narrative

user centric journey experience of hotel

entrance

f &b lounge lift

self check in

pod seating f &b concierge

medical space

Woon’s Journey The location of the hotel is located in Rochor beside arts institution LASALLE. The location is an ideal location for accessibilty around central part of Singapore. Woon touched down at Changi Airport and would be fetched to the hotel by shuttle service. Upon arrival, Woon would be able to do a self e-check in at the lobby atrium, uniquely for VIP guest and frequent guest by the pre registered biometric fingerprint through her smart phone and passport.

She is also able to sent her lugguage directly to her room at the check in kiosk through the buggage lift core that service throughout the tower. At the atrium level, guest are able to receive basic medical check up exclusive to guest. Woon is able to enjoy her stay with ease of convenient medical service by the hotel. The location of the hotel allow her to shop, eat, work and explore at her convenience.

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self check-in + buggage lift service the main atrium offers e-check in service for VIPs and frequent guest. other guest are still able to check in via concierge. the signature experience is the delivery efficieny that guest experience through the central lift core that runs throughout the hotel. guest are able to receive buggage, food or requests through this delivery system.

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medical assistance + private space another signature experience that entices the guest is its medical focused amenties and coverage. this is an important element that sets this hotel apart from usual hotel. guest with medical conditions would be able to enjoy their stay with ease. the medical lounge offers soothing private space from the guest to enjoy medical check up with therapeutic experience through scent and sound.

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Woon’s Working Suite

living, greeneries, working space, medical + delivery

Sec C-C Sec A-A

Sec B-B

working suite level

lush greeneries

private medical room

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efficient delivery upon request Woon is able enjoy work and live with efficent delivery whenever she requires ad hoc request. she is able to receive things she needs through service lift within the comfort of her suite.

Section A-A

Section B-B

living + working the double volume suite allows working space at the mezzanine level and resting at the lower level. the interior are decorated with modern minimalist design. the suite offers a full curtain window with lush greeneries that surrounds the balcony. Woon is able to appreciate the stay at the hotel while working.

Section C-C 79

Architecture that opens its eyes and strains its ears to this diversity of spatial practice, encouraging and assisting it; this is the rediscovery of architecture itself.

That is where the aims of Atelier Bow-Wow lie.

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The Manifesto Project: Atelier Bow Wow

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Site Documentation block 43 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks

Understanding the site ...

Gillman Baracks is an old colonial military barracks that was once occupied by the british then handed to Singapore Armed Forces camps before converting to the enventual contemporary art cluster as supported by Econimic Development of Singapore and JTC Corporation. NTU - CCA at Gillman Barracks is notable for its exhibition space, research and residences. Its vision is to be a space for critical discourse and encourages new ways of thinking about Spaces of the Curatorial in Southeast Asia and beyond. Its unique threefold constellation exhibition spaces allow uinque exhibits to be housed exquisitely. The art cluster comprised of not only exhibition space but various arts galleries and restaurants. The ambience of the environment around is laid back, a rather complimenting environment for arts to be appreciated.

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site dimensioning width breath area

25.5m 30m 810 sqm

site circulation

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seconddolf: book space

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firstfold: main exhibition space

entrance

NTU - CCA Gillman Baracks

corridor

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thirdfold: theatre space

On Atelier Bow-Wow personal resonance and understanding

Project Desciption The manifesto project is an exhibition project with focused on Atelier Bow Wow. A.B.W. is an architectural practice that is based in Japan and is notable for its graphic anatomy of architectural drawings. The attempt for this project is to understand the manifesto of the practioner. Prior to this project and education at Temasek Polytechnic I was not versed with design history and theory until it was introduced in university. The concern is to widen and deepen my individual understanding of manifesto through this exhibition project. To understand the essences of the practioner and its works that they had produced and learn and uncover my personal manifesto in looking and practicing design. This project will be explained in several parts for understanding. Firstly, to understand the practioner, secondly to selecting a list of items for exhibitions lastly the design concept and development.

Project Narrative I decided for this project, it would be a temporary exhibition. The intended audience are for designers and artists to educate and showcase A.B.W.'s theories and works. The key takeaway for this exhibition to learn, understand and experience A.B.W.'s theories and works. Hopefully, to develop a critical awareness among designer on their contribution to the built environment and design. I explored my personal take on study of manifesto of both the practioner and individually to propose a concept for this exhibition. My interest for this exhibition project lies in the the awareness and contribution in design for the society. Concepts and theories of A.B.W. will be tease out in the design of this exhibition such as behaviorology, pet architecture and dame architecture. I wanted to apply my understanding of their theories within the exhibition for audience to experience personally. The finale of this exhibition a seating area for reflection, allowing individual to explore their own thoughts on design as an individual and the current context.

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House and Atelier Bow-Wow, 2005 A.B.W.’s graphic anotomy of architecture has brought life to drawings.

The works are primarily focused on small scale residential projects in Japan urban packed context. They applied and test out theories they believes into these residential projects and other works. A.B.W. has placed critical emphasis on understanding architecture through behaviorology.

Through its exhibits other than graphic anatomy, audience will developed personal understanding through experiencing.

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Theories and Practices urban research, theories, artist and architecture

Behaviorology & Echo of Space/Spaces of Echo A.B.W. believes in the study of behaviors in not just humans but also the environment such as architecture. This behaviors shapes the way the space is used. In the study of building behaviour, light, heat, moisture, shade, etc are all studied with the scale of time. This theorical framework is applicable in different discipline but just in architecture as suggested

by A.B.W. Pet Architecture A.B.W. are very much fascinated in the urban built environment, especially in a post war modern Japan infused with western influence. A.B.W. conducted an urban research titled Made in Tokyo to investigate and document the cultural urban phenonmenon that is happening within Tokyo. Through this urban research, they developed perspective on spaces theorised Pet Architecture. Pet architecture are spaces that are of the most odd and irregular shape but has been used. Its analogy is that said if humans are regarded as a building then small spaces are regarded as pets architecture that compliments the building.

Micro Public Space A.B.W. also regards themselves as artist that produce works of art. They design and create social furnitures for human interaction. Their furnitures showed how A.B.W. thinks and their attitude and interest in spaces. A.B.W. attempts to create furniture to investigate new behaviours through active user participation.

Conclusion A.B.W. has theorized several other concepts. But in essence, A.B.W. possessed an attitude in investigating and pushing the limit in understanding spaces particularly within it cultural context in mind and the urban context. A.B.W. are fortunate to undertake a number of japanese residential project to test out and explore the theories and concept they are interested in.

Its practice is almost similar to OMA's ideology. The similarity in its attitude towards spaces. I intend to showcase theories and works for audience to experience A.B.W.

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Exhibition Items books, posters and installation work

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The Prosucion of Space 1991 464 pages Henri Lefebvre, author Donald Nicholson translated Wiley-Blackwell

Made in Tokyo 2001 Junzo Kuroda, Momoyo Kaijima 18 x 21 cm, Japanese/English Kajima Institute Publishing

Graphic Anatomy Atelier Bow-Wow 2007/2014 26 x 26 cm 156 pages Yoshiharu Tsukamoto TOTO Publishing

Echo Of Space/ Space Of Echo 2009 140 p, ills colour & bw 15 x 21 cm Japanese / English INAX Publishing

Behaviorology 2010 20.9cm x 29.5cm 3book, hardcover Rizzoli

Atelier Bow-Wow A Primer 2013 249 pages Atorie Wan, author Laurent Stalder, editor Kรถnig Publishing

Jumbo Origami Arch 2005 Micro Public Space Photos: Atelier Bow Wow

Mangapod 2015 / 2002 2.4m (H) x 2.5m (L) x 2m (B) Micro Public Space Photos: Atelier Bow Wow

Echo Of Space/ Space Of Echo 2009 140 p, ills colour & bw 15 x 21 cm Japanese / English INAX Publishing

BMW Guggenheim Lab - Berlin 2011 Public Drawing, Diagrams, Photographs Temporary architecture Architect: Atelier Bow Wow Local Architect: MAGMA Architecture 15 June 2012 -29 July 2012 Total Floor Area: 188.6 sqm Building Material: Carbon Fibre Structure Photo: The Soloman R. Guggenheim Foundation

Bow Wow Post Bubble City 2006 320 p ills colour & b/w 17cm x 21cm Japanese/English pb INAX Publishing

House & Atelier Bow Wow 2005 Architecture Project Photographs, Model, Diagrams Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Site Area: 109.03 sqm Buidling Area: 59.76 sqm Total Area: 211.27 sqm

Chigi House 2016 Interactive Sculpture Micro Public Space Photos: Graziella Antonini

Lunar Machiya 2010 Photographs Architect: Atelier Bow Wow Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Site Area: 22.55sqm Building Area: 18.6 sqm Total Area: 58.17 sqm Photos: Atelier Bow-Wow

Furnicycle 2002 Shanghai Biennale Exhibition Micro Public Space Photos: Atelier Bow-Wow

Tower Machiya 2010 Photographs Architect: Atelier Bow Wow Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Site Area: 22.55sqm Building Area: 18.6 sqm Total Area: 58.17 sqm Photos: Atelier Bow-Wow

Shallow House 2011 Diagrams, Photographs Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo Site Area: 42 sqm Building Area: 35 sqm Total Floor Area: 142 sqm

Split Machiya 2005 Architecture Project / Pet Architecture Series of photographs with project description Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Site Area: 64.62 sqm Building Area: 27.31 sqm Total Area: 54.62 sqm Photos: Manuel Oka

Articulatior’s House 1993 Photographs and Model

House without Depth 1994 Photographs and Model

Walking with Atelier Bow Wow: Kanazawa Machiya Metabolism Research Project Diagram: Atelier Bow Wow, behaviorology

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Concept and Development spatial configuration, circulation and reasoning

concept 1 the first concept is an attempt to create irregular shape of spaces with one sequential journy in mind. this is to allow audience to experience a humble transition of open space of exhibits from one space to another.

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concept 2 the second attempt has a sequential journey experience too but due to the nature of the regid partition, the first person experience are much dull. i was not inclined with this configuration. it does not resonates with A.B.W. spirit within the space.

concept 3 the third attempt was a rather loud and messy environment. due to the size of micro public space furnitures, they are placed in the main open exhibition space without much partition. i did not continue with this concept as i felt that the furnitures are completing for attention in this configuration and does not allow maximum interaction.

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Concept Plan

exhibits location and sequencing

1. Quote 2. Quote 3. Quote 4. Chigi House (2016) 5. Made in Tokyo (2001) 6. Pet Architecture (Book, 2002) 7. Production of Space (1991) 8. Pet Architecture (Book, 2002) 9. Bow Wow Post Bubble City (Book, 2006) 10. Graphic Anatomy (Book, 2007, 2014) 11. Echo of Space/ Space of Echo (Book, 2009) 12. Atelier Bow Wow A Primer (Book, 2013) 13. Behaviorology (Book/ Models, 2010) 14. Mangapod Infinity (2015) 15. House and Atelier Bow-Wow (2005) 16. Articulator’s House (1993) 17. Shallow House (2011) 18. Split Machiya (2005) 19. Lunar Machiya (2010) 20. Tower Machiya (2010) 21. House Without Depth (1994) 22. BMW Guggenheim Lab (2011) 23. Jumbo Origami Shelter (2005) 24. Mangapod (2002) 25. Lecture Screening Zurich (2013) 26. Furnicycle (2002) 27. Seating Area

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spatial relationship

micro public space furniture

sequential understanding

circulation and viewpoints

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Micro Public Space location of micro public furnitures

Jumbo Origami 2005

Mangapod Infinity 2015 Mangapod 2002

Furnicycle 2002

Reverse chronology Chigi House 2016

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Micro public furnitures are spaced out around the exhibtion spaces and are arranged as to when it was created from the most recent to the earliest. The key consideration is to allow maximum interaction between the audience and the furniture and to develope a critical awareness in their design of micro public space.

Experiencing behaviorology As mentioned and suggested by A.B.W. the possibilities for behaviorology is be aware of the time. So the focus is to study whatever that happens within a time frame. Through analyzing the details within the time frame, it would be possible to understand and study the behaviours of a certain object. Micro public space furnitures are put to test the idea of behaviorology through the time it was created. Audience are greeted with the quote of understanding the criteria of timescale for behaviorology at entrance, sequently, they will spent some time reading to further understand A.B.W. theories before proceeding to other exhibits. When audience are damiliar with their theories they would be able to study and analyze its work and behaviors.

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Sequenced spatial experience From its latest creation of Chigi House to Mangapod Infinity, these micro public furnitures are located at different space to compliment each other while encouraging maximum experience and interaction within each individual space. Audience are able to understand A.B.W. theories into practical experience. After Mangapod Infinity audience are able to see A.B.W. architectural works which reflects the core of its theories. Much of its works are well illustrated through exquisite drawings and model study, a series of past works and recent works are displayed for audience to understand the development of their works.

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Finale Most of this exhibition are through its micro public space furnitures. I hope that audience that are not familiar with A.B.W. would be first enlightened by their theories and interest, then subsequently when equipped with their theories be better able to appreciate their works and put their works into critical perspective. Ultimately, its last two work are the iconic furniture from its early year. At the end of exhibition, the audience are channel into a small seating area that is the "leftover" of this exhibtion space to tease the idea of pet architecture. This seating area is intended for audience to glance out the window and observe the environment of Alexandra precinct, to trigger critical awareness and appreciation for contribution of design in a local context.

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Er Chen Wei 16AAD015J SIT - GSA