IXA Axis 2017

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A PUBLICATION PROUDLY PRESENTED TO YOU BY IX ARCHITECTS PTE LTD ISSUE 02 - DECEMBER 2017

+ IXA CSR: PROJECT BOOKS & CUBES

IXA is embarking on a socially-driven, non-profit project in Cambodia that will give the underprivileged children free access to English books in a safe and inspiring space.

+ HOUSE IN SOLO, INDONESIA

Our office celebrates the completion of our first project in Indonesia!

+ OUR NEW TERRACE Check out our newly revamped terrace garden in IXA Happenings!

DIRECTOR’S FOREWORD

We want to stay in touch with you!

Dear Valued Clients & Friends, We are encouraged by the positive feedback on our inaugural issue of AXIS last year.

Once again, we are delighted to share the key events and progress we have made this year. One of the highlights is our CSR initiative, Books & Cubes, a mobile library designed and developed by IXA for the underprivileged kids in rural Cambodia - to be ready in 2018. Please refer to the details and we look forward to your full support.

We wish you all the best in the new year and hope to be in touch with you again.

Warmest Regards,

Chu Yang Keng Principal Architect

EDITOR’S WORD Dear Readers, Every IXA Axis is a celebration of a different kind. This year, we would like to share with you the joy of project diversity here in IXA. Our flexibility in design thinking helps us spread our wings wide.

I wish you a good time reading our publication.

Best regards,

Mak Yiing Huey Architectural Associate

YEO HIAP SENG F&B PRODUCTION FACTORY

This year, IXA celebrates the completion of the factory of our well-known local brand, Yeo Hiap Seng. It is a building in Cambodia fully compliant to Singapore’s Fire Code.

LE URBAN ECO PARK RESIDENCES

The live-work-play concept in Phnom Penh is fresh to the local architecture scene and we are honoured to be part of the change in the up and coming city.

SOLO HOUSE

House in Solo at completion stage is the first of IXA’s venture into the Indonesian architecture scene. We look forward to designing more buildings in the region for the years to come.

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completions

COMPLETED PROJECTS OF 2017!

IXA CELEBRATES 1 YEAR Of BIM!

This article is written by Lim Sze Ying, Architectural Associate.

IXA celebrates 1 year of using Archicad (BIM)!

IXA has transformed from an SME using conventional tools like Autocad & Sketchup to BIM tools such as Archicad & BIMx. Despite being an SME, we have taken a forward approach by making voluntary BIM submission to the authorities. This is so that we can keep up with the changes and progress in the industry.

Challenges and benefits of embarking on BIM Transiting to BIM definitely has its pros and cons, the initial upfront cost in implementing it is definitely on the high side, with monetary costs in training and software, time cost in learning and experimentation to work out ways that would fit our work flow. Alongside these, libraries and standards have to be built from scratch. The up side would be that once set up, changes can be readily performed in a much more efficient way.

Our office actively upgrades our BIM skills

IXA is Ready Across different project scales, we are confident that our team is able to adopt and drive it (with or without BIM), providing good and sound advice to our client, value adding the entire design to construction process with our efforts.

There are some projects in this newletter that showcase our progress.

We wish to spread the joy of using BIM to our fellow consultants and clients!

Category: Commercial, competition Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore Project Architect: Lee Yi Fang

The proposed River Safari entrance design is inspired by the dynamic flow of water and the rich biodiversity found along the rivers.

Rivers are fantastic sources of animal life. The design aims to give visitors the experience of a “River Rhapsody”, filled with dynamic spaces and features. This is a prelude for the visitors before entering the main park.

Waterfalls, serve as part of the entrance of the River Safari, instilling in visitors a sense of awe and wonder. Upon arriving at the main plaza, visitors would enter the realm of The Habitat, inspired by the beaver’s lodge. This unique enclosure is an iconic structure that not only provides sun-shading for the visitors, but also frames up the entrance to strengthen the way-finding to the park’s entry point. Rain curtains and mist are also incorporated to cool the place as well as to provide an immersive and riveting experience.

river safari entrance

SINGAPORE RIVER SAFARI

STATUTORY COMPLIANCE KNOWLEDGE

In this interview, we speak to Senior Architectural Executive, Edward Lui, about his exciting scope of work.

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Edward, do you have any recent submission project you are particularly proud of?

Oh, definitely! Last year, we had a project at Hyde Park Gate, Seletar Aerospace Park involving a Conservation project.

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What were some challenges you faced during the project?

Since this was a conservation project, the guidelines are stricter and hence we had to be extra careful. This is on top of a very tight timeline.

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What was special about this project?

We also had to work with SLA and particularly URA due to the Conservation issues. I enjoyed working with the officers of Conservation in URA and look foward to working with them more in the future.

DID YOu KNOW? 1. Lofts do not require planning permission from URA if they are designed to be under 5m2 and as a lightweight ‘fixture’ that is not part of the structural elements of the building.

2. HandrailsTop must be at least 60mm away from a rough wall surface and 40mm 3 common misconceptions of owners: away from a smooth wall surface.

3. A flight of stairs should have a minimum of 3 risers. Provision of 1 or 2 steps should be avoided to prevent tripping.

Category: Commercial, Concept Location: Singapore Project Architect: Lee Yi Fang

Woodlands Point is an exciting project which involves the A&A of an existing shopping mall. To give brand new life to this old shopping mall, we embarked on a unconventional approach to the structure as well as the layout.

By externalizing the retail and F&B spaces, exuberant nature is brought into the interior shopping spaces, creating a comfortable shopping environment. As part of the design ethos, the shopping mall is to be fully natural ventilated, making it a green and sustainable building.

lifestyle destination

WOODLANDS POINT

YIO CHU KANG SECONDARY SCHOOL Category: Institutional, Educational Completion Date: End 2019 Location: Singapore Project Architect: Lee Yi Fang

A PIONEER FACADE STRATEGY This is our firm’s first major school project. This project includes the construction of 6 new classrooms and 1 new linkway.

One of the major site issues is that it has East-West Orientation: this will bring in excessive heat in the day. Appropriate sun strategy has to be employed in order to mitigate this effect.

Our solution involves creating huge overhanging corridors, which acts as a roof to block out sunrays and prevent rain ingress.

Mild steel panels that are side mounted on these corridors also serve as sunshading and rain blocking devices. This design approach is not only functional, it is also innovative as it is the first of its own in any public school in Singapore.

REAR VIEW

A WELL-SHADED CORRIDOR

MOUNT PLEASANT PET CLINIC

animal sanctuary

Category: Commercial Completion Date: Estimated end-2017 Location: 232 Whitley Road, Singapore Project Architect: Lim Sze Ying

Surrounded with very lush greenery on site, the design seeks to reconnect to the green. As the hospital is on leasehold land, altering the site features at a low cost is high on the agenda. Hence, the design employs the use of cost efficient materials such as expanded metal screen, brickworks and green planting to tell the story and to provide maximum value to the client.

PET WALK

OFFICE BUILDING FOR NATIONAL BANK OF CAMBODIA Category: Commercial Completion Date: Estimated May 2018 Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Project Architect: Mak Yiing Huey

PERMANENT IMPRESSION OF AN IMPERMANENT SPACE This is a 4-storey office project in Phnom Penh, where construction is to be completed within 10 months.

Despite it being a temporary office, it is thoughtfully designed to cater to the daily needs of the end users.

The two planter boxes at the front facade are accentuated with a dramatic frame. Having heavy planting along the West-facing facade naturally shields users occupants from the harsh sun while providing a green respite.

The skylight in the courtyard helps with ventilation as well as brightening up the overall enclosed space.

COURTYARD VIEW

Key interior spaces such as the governor’s room and library enjoy lush greenery and are a privilege for the employees.

The time and budget concerns of the client sets a creative constraint for us to explore timeless designs with economical and aesthetically powerful materials.

POSTER VIEW

VIEW OF LIBRARY

a gem in thomson

128 THOMSON GREEN Category: Residential Completion Date: Estimated August 2018 Location: Singapore Project Architect: Lim Sze Ying

A GEM IN THOMSON Sited on a quiet lot in the northeastern area of Singapore, the 2 ½ storey semi-detached house is designed for a family of 5 who entertains frequently. The family enjoys a pool on the ground floor and a half basement entertainment room.

High volume on the 2nd storey enabled a loft space for the family’s daughter that opens up to the terrace above the car porch. All four rooms on the second floor enjoys a view out whilst 3 of them enjoy an outdoor terrace a luxury for a constrained lot.

POSTER VIEW

LOFT

OVERALL SECTIONAL VIEW

PROJECT BOOKS & CUBES: A MOBILE LIBRARY FOR CAMBODIA

This is a project jointly organised by all of IXA:

PROJECT BOOKS & CUBES ON THE ACTUAL SITE

“Imagine living in a world where you can’t even get hold of a book, let alone understand a word.”

BOOKS & CUBES: A LIBRARY FOR THE CHILDREN OF CAMBODIA

The library comprises three cubes that totals to the size of a 20-foot container. The cubes can open up to form a stage that facilitates lively performances and storytelling sessions.

The cube concept continues inside, with the bookshelves and chairs being cube-shaped. Reading pods also allow children to sit comfortably and read in the library.

With humidity and rain in mind, the library will be fully constructed in strong and lasting materials. We will also involve local communities in the fabrication of two 2x2m rattan screens comprising 36 designs that will be a highlight of the interior.

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE LIBRARY

INTERIOR VIEW

a divine connection

OUR FIRST RELIGIOUS BUILDING PROJECT: SINGAPORE CHEE CHUNG HUAY Category: Religious, Institutional Location: 364D Macpherson Road, Singapore Project Architect: Kelvin Lee

EXISTING SCCH TO BE RECONSTRUCTED

A DIVINE CONNECTION WITH THE MASSES

The new Singapore Chee Chung Huay Temple is designed to reflect the pace of modern society in Singapore by representing the traditional Taoist temple with contemporary articulation.

The design breaks away from the mono-functional temple layout by injecting pockets of “breathable” space that enhances user experience. With its contemporary temple aesthetics, it presents itself as a friendly figure towards the different communities of the neighbourhood, regardless of one’s race or beliefs.

PROPOSED NEW SINGAPORE CHEE CHUNG HUAY TEMPLE

OPEN EVENT TERRACE 开放式活动区

CONFERENCE ROOM/ MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM 大型会议室/多用途场地

CLINIC WAITING AREA/EVENT AREA 施诊所等候区/活动区

BAGUA SKYLIGHT 八卦天井 DEITIES’ CAVE 仙洞

FOYER 前厅

PRAYER HALL 大殿

CARPARK/MULTI-FUNCTION AREA 停车场/多用途场地

national day celebration

director's talk in era

modelmaking as a team

offiice f lunch

director's talk in phnom penh

estate walk

ixa happenings

polytechnic students' visit

our new terrace

Three shades of timber were chosen to spice up the overall colour scheme of the terrace. The timber strips also vary in width so that the arrangement is controlled and yet not monotonous.

ixa happenings

This year, we gave one of our terraces a new look. The design language is consistent yet dynamic, with the deck rising up from the ground to evolve into storage boxes as well as low seatings.

butterflly f pea tea

The new terrace is also much more spacious as compared to the old terrace as the table is part of the box-like language and can be kept when not in use.

During the reconstruction, the office even got hands-on with laying out the ceramic tiles ourselves. As like all our projects, our office followed through the construction process very closely and with this, our terrace attained a new lease of life.

johor residential development study trip In July we took a spontaneous, impromptu trip to Johor to learn from some of the well-known residential developments.

Designers critique spatial design and details on the spot, which help them establish a stronger design vocabulary.

Visits like these also give us better idea on how developments are being branded and marketed.

leisure farms sales gallery

horizon hills' clubhouse entrance

active discourse on the design

TAKE A WALK... on the wild side, in our lovely garden together with some of our rare vistors.

SHARON PREPARING DESSERT

CONTACT US

SHARON’S CHENG TNG RECIPE (清汤) • • • • • • 1.

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Red dates - 5: Cut into smaller pieces after soaking Lotus Seeds - 25 to 30 White fungus - 3 leaflets Brown sugar - as appropriate Pandan leaves - 4 leaflets Serves 8 persons Soak all dried ingredients for 3 hours or more (everything except for the brown sugar).

Clean the lotus seeds of any pieces of skin left on them.

Cut up the white fungus and discard the yellow, hard pieces.

Bring water and pandan leaves to boil. Put the fungues in, heat up the pan again until it boils.

Take the white fungus out with a sieve and put it straight into ice water.

In another small pan, boil 500ml of water. Add the brown sugar and boil it.

Add the lotus seeds and red dates into the pan with white fungus. Boil for 20 minutes.

Wait for everything to cool about half an hour and then mix everything together in a big serving bowl.

Ready to serve!

This recipe is contributed by Sharon Lim, Administrative Executive

tastes@ixa

Address 8, Burn Road Trivex, #13-13 Singapore 369977 Website www.ixa.com.sg KELVIN MAKING BUTTERFLY PEA TEA

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