Design Portfolio

ta n c h i e w h u i design portfolio

masters of architecture ( n at i o n a l u n i v e r s i t y o f s i n g a p o r e )

contents

02

an imagination of a spatial model that negotiates and mediates border geopolitics

bio-cycle

a regenerative production facility an urbanism strategy that identifies, reallocates and upcycles untapped resources

an urban framework

04

fostering a sense of belonging and ownership amongst the migrants of Rottterdam South

03

rights to the city

of death & decay

adaptive reuse of a hdb blk 405 an interim columbarium for the deceased in a temporal ruin

a modular tropical skyscraper constructed using concrete and reinforcements

05

vertere

construction project

06

01

causeway 2030

final year design thesis

others

side projects a glimpse of other creative works which include graphic designs and concept design

01 causeway 2030 TUTOR | Simone Chung Graduation Project

A nexus of historical processes and bilateral politics, the Causeway is a crucial socio-economic linkage between the border city of Johor Bahru and the citystate of Singapore.

As of 2016, 200 000 people cross the Johor-Singapore border daily on 50,000 vehicles. Most of these commuters are Johoreans who work in Singapore and Singaporeans who have relocated into Johor Bahru. They go through the arduous journey of crossing the Causeway every day, which takes at least an hour, and up to four hours during peak hours or festive seasons, for a single trip.

This thesis attributes the difficulty of crossing the border to the geopolitics of Singapore, Malaysia and Johor Bahru.

How can the Singapore-Johor border space play the role of political mediation on the federal level, while safeguarding the socio-economic mobility of border populations?

On 28 April 2018, a piece of breaking news hit the headlines of both Singapore and Malaysia’s major news press.

A SingaporeMalaysia-Johor conciliatory project proposal for 2030 was announced.

This is groundbreaking for those who rely on the border relationships for their livelihoods!

*Newspapers’ contents were fabricated for the purpose of this project.

the border discourse The projects stems from a socio-political angle and is concerned with the conflicting interests amongst state government, federal governments and border populations. While increasing socio-economic dependencies between Johor Bahru and Singapore motivate border populations to cross the cities, Malaysia-Singapore political conflicts often impede border permeability.

Constantly being subjected to political forces, the Causeway originally meant to connect instead divides.

design thesis objective The design objective is to seek neutral grounds through which the main stakeholders - the Malaysian and Singaporean federal governments, state government of Johor and the border population - may productively negotiate their interests. The design speculation seeks to critique the existing paradigm by creating a spatial discourse through the border space. Thus Causeway 2030 is a narrative-driven project that is premised on the interests of separate political forces, that of “mediation”, “spectacle”, as well as “security”.

mediate (top left) Situated at the Singapore-Malaysia international boundary line, the Causeway Core is a socioeconomic hub that places the interests of border populations at the forefront. Prioritising the travelling welfare of cross border workers with resting and entertainment facilities, it is activated by amicable Johor-Malaysia-Singapore relationships, and maintained by transborder entrepreneurs. In short, the Causeway Core is a spatial manifestation of socio-political and socio-economic interests mediated amongst key stakeholders. It proposes a paradigmatic shift that transfers decision-

making power from federal to state authorities, and ultimately increases the stake of commuter populations in border spaces.

Channeling the flow of transborder vehicles and travellers from Johor and Singapore in a spiralling fashion, the Causeway Core acts as a border node which engages and amalgamates. The spiral terminates at the Mediation Tower, a celebration of Johor-Singapore-Malaysia socio-economic collaboration and a resistance against sociopolitical conflicts.

SINGAPORE: security (top right)

MALAYSIA: spectacle (bottom)

In contrast, security and control still present as key priorities for the Singaporean border clearance to safeguard against external threats. This is augmented by advanced border technologies and integrated systems which surveils and ensures the efficiency of border clearance. Tight security measures are offset by advanced border technologies and peak hour back-up systems, such that the capacity and speed of clearance are increased and not compromised.

The Malaysian border clearance at Causeway 2030 is premised upon the idea of spectacle. With the development of Iskandar Malaysia as the key to attracting Singaporeans to shop, invest in and relocate to Johor Bahru, Causeway 2030 imagines border crossing on the Malaysian territory to be fast and seamless. The spectacle of Johor Bahru is presented to visitors upon their arrival. With the Johor Sultanate as a unifying cultural symbol, the city’s skyline is meticulously framed through a series of arches (in which facial identification cameras, sensors and GPS tracking are embedded). Border crossing for travellers is being simplified - one simply has to traverse through the arches, admiring the city skyline as they do.

02 bio-cycle TUTOR | Tan Teck Kiam Year 4 Project

The transformation of Jurong East from an industrial-residential estate into a flourishing Central Business District poses both challenges and potentials for existing and new communities. This is one of a two-part project that strives to mediate between the displacement of low-skilled individuals and the inflow of new foreign and local professionals. This project imagines a bike-manufacturing facility, likened to urban commons that proffer a symbiotic relationship between the displaced and new population based on collective interests.

Identifying and maximising the potentials of underutilised resources is one of the fundamental principles in the sharing economy. Fueled by surplus resources from the surroundings, the facility manufactures 3D-printed bikes from recycled materials for public rental, as well as basic necessities from food waste for the residents.

The cyclical flow of untapped physical and human resources creates alternative forms of services and communal externalities. This propagates a sociocultural amalgamation of both existing and emerging methods of making and living in the sharing economy.

Slated to become the next Central Business District, Jurong East is currently undergoing rapid changes.

As new infrastructure emerges and planning methodology evolves to favour communal participation, sharing and “commoning� may maximise the potentials for urban resources in Jurong East to be accessed and managed equitably.

t he bio -cycl e ov eral l mass i ng

un d er t he t ra ck s

o v er t he t ra ck s

c o n n ec t io n

urban resources in a closed loop system

food waste is turned into compost for urban agriculture and supply for the biogas generator.

recycled plastics and metals are used to create 3d printed spare parts for the repair and manufacture of bikes.

03 advocating for the rights to the city TUTOR | Lei Qu; Hamed Khosravi Year 4 Project

This project proposes an urbanism model to empower decision making amongst the migrant communities in Rotterdam South. It creates multi-scalar activation points for residents to participate in and contribute to their immediate surroundings, thus strengthening their sense of community and belonging within their neighbourhood.

The specific location and types of spatial interventions were formulated based on a study of urban entities in Rotterdam South.

It was also guided by theories associated with neighbourhood planning, co-creation and place attachment.

The first street scale intervention at Meester Arendtstraat capitalises on the broad urban street entities characteristic of Carnisse. It consists of configurable work sheds which engage the immediate neighbours of this street. The second mid-scale intervention at Voornsevliet is an assembled playground from upcycled furniture that activates underused open greens in Old Charlois. It aims to bring people together through cooperation and play. The third large-scale intervention by the canal at Lepelaarsingel is a collective pavilion for people to build and maintain their surroundings together, through workshops and agriculture. It serves the larger migrant community in Carnisse and Old Charlois.

As a major port city and important transport hub connecting Netherlands to its major trading partners, Rotterdam is home to migrants from all over the world. Rotterdam currently faces several critical social challenges.

Specifically, residential segregation compromises social cohesion between the underprivileged immigrant communities and local communities in Rotterdam South.

public spaces in rotterdam south

Figure 9: Public Spaces

The public open areas are categorised into broad paved sidewalks, plazas and intervention spots that activate greens, as well as parks (Fig 9). their sense of belonging to their community and to the Figure 9: Public Spaces larger district. activities inand rotterdam It canareas be identified that larger sparse greens are mostly concentrated on thesouth The public open are categorised intoand broad paved sidewalks, plazas South of the project eens, as well as parks (Fig 9). area at the periphery of the district, whereas pockets of smaller plazas ntervention and spots that activate sense ofdistributed belonging to community and to the green spots aretheir reasonably in their each neighbourhood.

Additionally, the greens It can that be identified that larger and sparse greens are mostly concentrated on the rger district. accompany the network of canals emphasises a North-South connection between the outh of the project area areas at the and periphery of the district, pockets of smaller residential the park.

While the whereas spatial implications of thisplazas pattern suggest a nd green spots are reasonably distributed in each neighbourhood.

Additionally, the greens missing West-East connection across the neighbourhoods, more importantly the study at accompany the network of canals emphasises a North-South connection between the formulates an understanding of the scales of public spaces, and thus the communities they sidential areas and the park.

While the spatial implications of this pattern suggest a serve. For instance, common courtyards serve their immediate communities, the greens Figure 10: Activities in Rotterdam South issing West-East connection the neighbourhoods, importantly the study along canals serve aacross neighbourhood, and the parkmore serves the entire district. rmulates an understanding of the scales of public spaces, and thus the communities they Additionally, key serve facilities programmatic places the frequented rve. For instance, common courtyards theirand immediate communities, greens by people are identified to understand thepark distribution amongst them. (Fig 10) The frequencies in 20 which ong canals serve a neighbourhood, and the serves the entire district. people visit these activity spotsin Rotterdam enable us to predict and deduce movements of people Figure 10: Activities South within neighbourhoods. For example, it can be deduced that convenience stores, supermarkets and drugstores are frequented by people twice by to thrice a20 week, educational urban Additionally, key facilities and programmatic places frequented people are entities in rotterdam south institutionsthe anddistribution bus stops amongst on a daily basis, and and religious identified to understand them.

(Fig 10)recreational The frequencies in which facilities on a weekly basis. spots enable us to predict and deduce movements of people people visit these activity Figure 11: Activation

within neighbourhoods.

For of example, it can be deduced convenience stores, Syntheses this information arethe telling of that the in the which people access and To reiterate, our findings from spatial analyses showmanner that spaces with least supermarkets use andthe drugstores are frequented people twice to thrice a week, activities and presumablyby underused are closest to where the people live, withineducational the urban landscape.

By analysing the activities by frequency of visit, we can see that residential areas between the activity lines. Thus by situating the intervention spots within institutions and bus stops on a daily basis, and recreational religious facilities on a the residential areas,concentrated the activation stage will local to partake areas in using of the project area. the various activity lines are onprompt theand topinhabitants and bottom the spaces.

As illustrated in Fig 11, while the crosses represent the activation points, the weekly basis. While this implies that these areas are most frequently accessed by the residents, it also grey areas indicate the influence of the respective interventions.

21: the Openneighbourhoods Public Spaces as Part of an Urban Entity indicates spaces Figure within theseaccess activity lines are more Syntheses of thisthat information are telling of the manner in between which people and By looking further into the possible spots within the two activity lines in act less like nodes. use the urbanunderused landscape.and By analysing the activities by frequency of visit, we can see that Figure 20, these spaces are analysed in terms of urban entities. From those options, we the various activity lines concentrated on the top and bottomspaces areas in of various the project area.

Bothare studies of the distributions of public scales and thetheir activity identified open spaces that have the potential to become parochial spaces through Figure 21:areas Open Public Spaces frequently as Part of an Urban Entity by the residents, it also While this implies that these are most accessed areas notMore only specifically, indicate spatial in the project but alsobelonging the behaviour of the urban form. thosepotentials open public spaces that area are already to a part indicates that spacesinwithin the neighbourhoods between these activity lines are more By people looking further into the possible spots within the two activity lines in wayimplying they move and use urban spaces.

These as guidelines for strategic of an entity, the thus that inhabitants belonging to serve the entity inherently have underused and spaces act lessare likeanalysed nodes. in terms of urban entities. From those options, we igure 20, these immediate ownership over them from urban form alone, such as open spaces adjacent to 21 dentified open spaces that have the potential to become parochial spaces through theirFigure 13: Spread housing and those between housing blocks.

As indicated Figure 21,influence the four spots activate sustain Figure 12: Both studiesblocks, of distributions of public spaces inMutation various scalesin and the activity Figurethe 11: Activation rban form. More specifically, those open public spaces that are alreadyThebelonging toactivation a partand mutation of urban spaces in the public rea demonstration of As the activation stage progresses to prompt inhabitants in practicing their rights to To reiterate, findings from the spatial analyses show that spaces the project least are namely: areas not our only indicate spatial potentials inwith the area butwould also behaviour of tothe thenthe inspire other communities emulate the process in other parts of the ftivities an and entity, thus implying inhabitants the entity thethe city by modifying the belonging spaces, mutation ofto these intervention spotsinherently occur when peoplehave presumably underused are closest tothat where people live, within the neighbourhoods, expanding the spread of influence of the original activation spots (Fi people the the way they and use urban spaces.

These serveintroduced. as guidelines for strategic actively use these spaces in more ways than originally At this development sidential areasin between activity lines.move Thus by situating the intervention spots within

spaces will be created, to engage neighbours in the development of the interventions.

This intervention balances a relationship of power between the target grou his intervention balances ofofpower between the groups This balancesaarelationship relationship power between the target targetwill groups itantsintervention and other stakeholders as for example an NGO. The initiative be s nts and other stakeholders as for example an NGO. The initiative will be star activation points ants and other stakeholders as for together example with an NGO. The initiative will be star GO that will construct a structure inhabitants that they thems construct a astructure together that themselv 1 streets Othat thatwill will construct structure togetherwith withinhabitants inhabitants that they they themselv 2in open greens within sted initiating their neighbourhood.

This structure will be a sim 3 by the canals d inininitiating within their neighbourhood.

This structure will ted initiatingthat within neighbourhood.

Thispoint structure will be be aa simple simple ght structure will their function as a gathering to place used items thtstructure that will function as a gathering point to place used items fro structure that will function as a gathering point inhabitants to place used items fro itants’ homes.

It is envisioned that the interested that constr nts’ homes.

It isisenvisioned that inhabitants that construct ants’ homes. envisioned thatthe theinterested interested inhabitants thatsuch construct ure will startItthe process of contributing with personal items as fur erewill start the process ofofcontributing with items as process contributing with personal personal items such such as furnit furnit ingwill thatstart theythe do not use anymore and activate their immediate neighbours that they dodonot anymore and activate immediate neighbours ng thatwill they notuse use anymore and activatetheir their immediate neighbours to to This eventually result in a big contribution of reusable objects. is will This willeventually eventuallyresult resultininaabig bigcontribution contributionof ofreusable reusableobjects. objects.

streets: configurable repair sheds

Figure 40: Programme and Zoning

The use of the adjustable street furniture depends heavily on the needs of inhabitants. It is directed towards small-scale uses that can be beneficial for the neighbo and can help improve the surrounding space by small actions.

Figure 39: Extents of Semi-Publicness

Figure 39: Extents of Semi-Publicness Figure 39: Extents of Semi-Publicness open greens: assembled playground n the initial stage, a mixture between programmed and unprogrammed furniturerepair kit, An initial proposal for green-blue programme includes a Bike n the initial stage, a mixture between programmed andprogrammed unprogrammed n the initial stage, a mixture between and furniture unprogrammed furniture spaces will be to created, toneighbours engage neighbours in the development of the interventions. spaces will be created, engage in theneighbours development ofcosts; the interventions. allows residents to repair their bikes without extra an Herbs kitchen garden, spaces will be created, to engage in the development of the interventions.

wh wh neighbours can grow herbs for cooking, and a street-first-aid-kit with possibilities for faeces recovery and other items to keep the streets clean and safe. However, the adjusta Figure 46:Expandable Structures

by the canals: collective pavilion

Figure 43: The Assembled Playground and it’s extend of semi-publicness.

Figure 43:The TheAssembled AssembledPlayground Playgroundand andit’s it’sextend extendof ofsemi-publicness. semi-publicness.

Figure 43:

Membersofofthe theNGO NGOwill willbeberesponsible responsible of hosting a workshop every nd2 Members of hosting a workshop every 2 nd embers of the NGO will be responsible of hosting a workshop every 2 eallallthese theseobjects objectswill willbebetransformed transformed into playground structures.TheThe into playground structures. twotw l these objects will be transformed into playground structures.

The two swill willbebeinvited invited tothe theevents events to participate in creating structures or com participate creating structures or compo compo will be invited totothe events totoparticipate inincreating structures or Figure 40: Programme and Zoning Figure 40: Programme and Zoning Figure 40: Programme and Zoning

useadjustable of the adjustable street furniture depends heavily on theofneeds the The use The of the furniture depends heavily depends on the needs thetheofneeds The Figure use ofstreet the Extends adjustable furniture heavily on of the 47: ofstreet Semi-Publicness inhabitants.

It is directed towards small-scale uses that can be beneficial for the neighbours inhabitants. It is directed towards small-scale uses that can be beneficial for the neighbours

Figure 41: Programmes

Figure 42: engagement Future Vision streets: neighbourhood through craft

51

by the canal: sustaining ownersh

clear broader as a massing and thereby reach transformation from public to semi-public.

open greens: community interactions through play

Figure 44: Visualisation of the Assembled Playground

The programmatic idea of the Assembled Playground is to implement a process to understand the essential idea of reuse for the inhabitants. The intervention aims to make the inhabitants explore how different objects can be given a new function in the making of several kinds of playful structures. The Assembled Playground will only take place in the green patch in the middle in such a way that the two green patches on both side of it are left unprogrammed. The idea of having unprogrammed space here is for the inhabitants to be able to initiate other programs that might be created on the basis of reuse. Objects that might not be usable for playful structures could emancipate new ideas, which will start a new participatory process on the initiate of the inhabitants themselves.

hip through collective environmental building

53

04 OF DEATH & DECAY: AN ADAPTIVE REUSE OF BLK 405 TUTOR | RAFAELLA SINI Year 3 Project

What is nature and territory in Singapore?

How do the passages of time, deaths and decay position themselves in its urban context? This project answers these questions through an adaptive reuse of two old HDBs scheduled for demolition into an interim columbarium.

In land scarce Singapore, even spaces for the deceaaed are temporal (as with the Bukit Brown cemetery) while nature ia often perceived as a tool to manage and beautify.

The project attempts to provide a response to these broader urban discourse by pairing the decay of a temporary ruin with crematorium spaces to facilitate death rituals and house the deceased temporarily.

Slated for demolition under the enbloc redevelopment scheme, blk 405 is one of the remaining HDB blocks along Clementi Avenue One. What is nature and territory in land scarce Singapore?

How do the passages of time, deaths and decay position themselves in its urban context?

volumetric studies

spatial study of existing hdb block 405

interim columbarium: demolition of par tition walls

aprropriated green void deck: demolition of concrete floor slab in the void decks

remembrance hall: retaining beams and columns

spaces of prayers: retaining beams and columns

05 VETERE GROUP MEMBERS | GEOFFREY NEO, JASPER YEE, JEAN LIN, TAN CHIEW HUI, ZACHARY KHO Group Construction Project

Vetere is a tropical skyscraper prototype design which was materialised through a concrete construction project.

14 pairs of interlocking spatial modules cantilevered around a central core, providing varying degrees of light and shade at different times of the day for each storey.

The design of the skyscraper and configuration of the modules were optimised for concrete construction. They take into consideration the implications for interior and exterior spaces in the skyscraper and the structural integrity which the material of concrete and reinforcements can offer.

cn c m i l l i n g - for m wor k const ru c t io n - experiment ing - c a sting

as s e m b l i n g - fin al p r oduct

06 skein

tutor | tSUTO SAKAMOTO Year 3 Project

SKEIN is an ecosystem that provide nutrients in the form of relevant resources and interactive spaces to boost not only the development of individual businesses, but also to establish the retail incubator as a place that facilitates exchanges between artisans and shoppers.

The production processes and consumption activities are being exhibited and made visible to habitants and visitors of the retail incubator as circulation and spaces interweave and intersect each other.

SKEIN thus also becomes an architecture for the city to witness these exchanges, as the motion on ramps and activities in the porous activity spaces are being mapped on to the facade of the building.

07 ceramic gallery & school tutor | lim sio Year 2 Project

The conception of the project hinges upon the site’s unique topographic condition and addresses the site’s pedestrian disconnection to engage the public and heartlanders into the realm of ceramic arts.

By utilizing the spatial strategies of spiralling ramps, the studio spaces of ceramics school are treated as an exhibit itself, showcasing the processes of art making to the heartlanders.

The public gallery introduces the appreciation of ceramics art by serving the dual function as a linkway between Balestier Road, Whompoa Market, and the residential area beyond.

DISCONNECTION IN EXISTING CIRCULATION PATHS

MAPPING OF SHORTEST

T PEDESTRIAN ROUTES

STRATEGIC PLACEMENT OF ART SPACES

PROGRESSIVE DESCENT INTO THE ART REALM

As pedestrians traverse through the public gallery, which also serves as a linkway, a subcscious introduction into the appreciation of ceramics work is given. The double volumetric glazed studio spaces provide an opportunity for the pedestrians to witness the process of art making. The descent into the ceramics school via the spiralling ramps concludes the progression of ceramics art engagement with the heartlanders.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERVED AND SERVANT SPACES

The served spaces of the gallery, such as seminar rooms, lecture rooms and administration offices are situated above, easily accessible to both the public and the staff, whereas the servant spaces such as storage, washrooms and kitchenette are situated strategically below them, directly accessible by flights of staircase.

8a archifest 2017

graphic design Adobe Illustrator, InDesign

This graphic design series abstracts and assembles 25 building projects into an interactive map, which was distributed to participants of Architours 2017*.

Ranging from public institutions to hidden architectural gems, these buildings constitute the Architours’ meticulous curation.

These illustrations were drawn and coloured on Illustrator and arranged on InDesign.

* Jointly organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and the Architecture Society (TAS) of NUS, Architours is an annual event in Archifest – a platform for reflection, question, collaboration and experimentation amongst the public and professionals. The event presents an invaluable platform for architecture students to practice their knowledge of the city and for the public to learn more about the architecture and spaces of Singapore.

8b food design concept graphic design Adobe Illustrator

The design brief for Creation 2018, a 24 hour design challenge, was to conceive a design concept for savoury foods that evokes positive emotion amongst consumers.

My submission aimed to eliminate the excessive negative emotions people on diet tend to associate with caloric or “unhealthy� foods. It sought to loosen the tensions between food and beauty, helping health conscious individuals and those looking to lose weight to satiate strong food cravings. It recreated savoury local delicacies such as nasi lemak, chicken rice and satays into manageable 100kcal portions. The forms were inspired by the portability of cosmetic products, which are both convenient to carry and fashionable as accessories. By pairing food and fashion together, this food design concept argues that the enjoyment of food can go beyond its very consumption.

8c posters, banners, shirts graphic design Adobe Photoshop

Outside of architecture, I enjoy channelling my energy into other creative side projects. They keep my mind stimulated and engaged, while enabling me to learn from and collaborate with people outside of the design fields.

Ranging from poster, banner to shirt design, the graphic works which I have been doing on a pro bono basis for charity and school organisations are archived in this section.

Organisations and events which I have worked with include include Boon Lay Community Centre (People’s Association), TEDxNUS, Residential College 4 (NUS) and Raffles Institution (Junior College).

URSA

URSA

t h a n k yo u f o r y o u r c o n s i d e r at i o n