Collaboration with Pascal Yee and Thierry Chan.

The contexts in which all architecture is conceived can be classified as highly dynamic. If the city is considered as a network of interacting installations rather than a collection of static objects, it becomes obvious that any architecture introduced into that fabric has to adapt and respond to the changes occurring around it. The city’s constant state of flux suggests an architecture that has an inherent flexibility and mutability. Today, technology, through kinetic architecture, allows the re-interpretation of flexibility, not as a neutral solution but as one that is in a permanent state of flux. Kinetic architecture I believe is a response to instable conditions and a challenge to preset programs.

In this thesis, kinetic intervention is seen as a way to intensify the ephemeral conditions of a place and create interactive focus. Such an approach aims to celebrate and harness these shifting intensities of a site and design, therefore, removing the possibility of considering site as a given context. The thesis looks at Ngee Ann City Square with different gradations in territorial claim between the public and private domain. It aims to respond to this instability through a responsive architecture to attempt to balance territorial claims and improve circulation through the reconfiguration of Ngee Ann City Square as a circulation node to better respond to urban scale events and activities.

Using a process of speculation and diagrammatic documentation, multiple scenarios of use are investigated. These potential opportunities help to define a programmatic strategy. Through these scenarios, the research explores generators of form with kinetic foundations through positive and negative attractors. Using parametric software, rules of spatial combination are formulated and coordinated in real time feedback. A responsive architectural proposition is developed to examine how movement, circulation and time can be harnessed to generate optimum responses to mediate between public and public/private spaces. While a specific site is chosen to illustrate the thesis, the intention is to derive an approach and a process that would be malleable and adaptable as sites or site condition changes.

The aesthetic value of virtual motion may always be a source of inspiration, its physical implementation in buildings and structures may challenge the very nature of what architecture really is.

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Patrick Janssen

Keywords: Kinetic Architecture, Re-Territorialise, User-Generated Spaces, Dynamic Event Spaces

Successful universities of tomorrow will be planned for collaborative learning where technology will be ubiquitous, unobtrusive and supportive of the space and working style of the students. As new learning theories promote “learning anytime and anywhere”, it becomes clear that today, the whole campus is potentially a learning space. It is thus also essential to look at the design of informal learning spaces in light of today’s changing views on learning and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study aims to develop basic design principles for informal collaborative environments in campus that is a result of a new learning theory consistent with the needs of tertiary institutions of Singapore and the digital age.

The study focuses on theoretical and applied studies. The theoretical study consists of recent literature reviews, particularly on conference proceedings and white papers as well as some experimental case studies to have a comprehensive grasp of the rapid changes occurring in both the pedagogical and technological fields. Two styles of learning are identified and selected for the study: group-based and individual learning. The applied study consists of direct interviews of potential users of such informal learning spaces at the National University of Singapore (NUS) as well as an evaluation of existing learning environment spaces.

The combined theoretical and applied studies form the basis for a conceptual model of a future collaborative learning space. Such design principles based on emerging theories and technologies enhances and support collaborative learning in the digital age. Subsequently, these principles are categorized into architectural strategies which are then illustrated at the macro and micro level through an existing building on campus and a future student space at the University Town.

The ultimate goal of this paper is to provide an insight for educators, architects and space planners as to how informal collaborative spaces might be designed to accommodate the variety of working styles, support their varied requirements and promote interaction in future tertiary institutions.

Keywords: Collaborative Learning Spaces, Informal Learning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), New Learning Theories

Supervisor: Dr. Tan Beng Kiang

The aim of this project is to address some of the challenges that are faced by children and the community of Siem Reap

1. Address the problem of orphaned children that has been the result of civil wars, land mine activities and poverty.

2. Address a severe lack of basic skills among Siem Reap youngster

3. Empower these youngsters to engage in community activities and take an active role in the future development of their town.

Reaching outwards to the community

The concept looks to socialisation and creation of healthy relationships to uplift the underprivileged young one’s spirit. What usually happen as orphans grow older and have not been lucky to find an adoptive family, there result a period where one feels undervalued and distanced oneself from others.

The concept emphasizes:

Connectivity & Relationships – The involvement and exchange between the school, the community, and local business establishments as seen in the different programmatic elements that come together on the site.

Feeling of home – a sense of belonging

Prioritise specific relationships between care-giver and child / child and child / teacher and student / student and student / orphans to community children (Family relationship)

Target:

The orphaned from 0 to 18 years of age: Many have physical and mental health problem. (100)

Pre-Primary, Primary school kids & Vocational training from communities around. (100) (To better Integrate the school into the community)

Strategies

Fluidity of spaces – walls engages, gathers and redirects

Private v/s public spaces as defined by courtyards

Emotional Comfort: looking at the scale of the school from the perspective of a child. Hierarchy of spaces to promote different relationships.

Site & Context Response

Wat Po Lanka as defined by the new masterplan is a region characterised by the local community flavour. The different communities congragate around Wat Po itself creating this central node for community activities. However, there is currently a severe lack of basic facilities in the region to support the communities. This offers the opportunity to explore & develop a community oriented program that offers key facilities for the public’s enjoyment. Wat Po Lanka also offers the opportunity for both the orphanage & the temple to work together for the community.

Materiality

Brick is naturally beautiful. Its warmth reminds of the people of Siem Reap… their warm welcome and conviviality. Its human scale adds intimacy to spaces and makes it easy for children to appreciate. Its colour blends with the dusty red fog that fills the throat & nostrils as one strolls through the town. Put into place by hand, one by one, only brick gives that touch of craftsmanship, authenticity, and timeless elegance.

The programme for semester 2 consisted of two parts: a group masterplan and a related individual project. Our studio embarked on a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. During five days, we gathered as much data as we could to help us back in Singapore. Through this hands-on approach, we were able to experience the place, its character and the warm hospitality and conviviality of the Cambodians. This, to a certain extent, was helpful to anticipate some of the most common needs and issues that the town would face as it grows.

Siem Reap, like many South East Asian Villages grew from the river. Buddhism has had a heavy influence in the city and is shown through the the wats(temples); each having a unique character. They are traditionally at the crux of communities, dominating the skyline and commanding a clear connection to the river. However, with the heavy influence of tourism in the last 10 years, the city has undergone a haphazard growth, and this connection has slowly faded.

The Masterplan is conscious of the influence of tourism in the town and the tendency of Siem Reap to become a service town to the tourists with a sprawl of hotels and restaurants. While we agree that tourism is the backbone of the economy of the town, we also try, through educational and empowerment programs, to level the differences between local and foreigners so that there can be meaningful exchange between them.

Above are some of the broad strokes and concepts underlying the Masterplan.

Tutor: Richard Ho

Credits are due to the students of Richard Ho Studio.group 2008

TRANSIENCE – Theatres of the Fantastic

Transience facilitates the movement and exchange of artists and media art. The project takes place in the rapidly evolving urban setting of South East Asia. It invites selected artists throughout South East Asia to think about what it means to be Asian and what it means to have a particular nationality and identity in light of today’s heavy influence from the west.

Transience expresses itself on water: the sea as that which connects South East Asia. Devoid of any cultural or traditional relationships, emphasis is laid on the transitory experience. Its expression aims to be ephemeral and airy through its composition and its material. It capitalises on the site experiences of water and the city skyline as background.

The Site

In between the City Skyline and water The positioning places the theatre as the grand Finale of the Merlion Pier with a magnificent view of the overall bay and the Fullerton Hotel with the Singapore skyline behind.

Strategies

ADROIT: Arrival, Decompression, Reception, Orientation, Introduction, The experience

Porosity & Transparency: Emphasis on city & water element as backdrop

Conviviality: focus on the dining & theatre experience

Light: a beacon in the city waters

Mobility

The theatre will be docked on its in the heart of the Marina Bay in Singapore for 16 weeks thereafter, moved to other cities such as Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur, keeping the relationship of city, water and performance.

Tutor: Joseph Lim

Prior to this particular project, an extensive study was carried out along Balestier Road as a studio group.Sites for future development or redevelopment were identified. Students proceeded to choose one site to develop a theatre program based on Indian Dance or Chinese Theatre.

Originating from South India, Bharata Natyam is more angular, symmetrical and mathematical in its approach. Danced to carnatic music, Bharata Natyam has a more Appolonian approach. Its form is predictable, precise and organised.

To the dancer, Bharata Natyam dance requires meticulous preparation (Prologue) and prior meditation (Ascension) is necessary to achieve a trance state to allow the Gods to possess their limbs and perform(Climax).

Its  appreciation requires prior knowledge (Ascension) of the spiritual, cultural and mythical heritage surrounding it and an understanding of the movements that usually performed by the dancer to convey epics of Gods and Goddesses.

Design Intent

In its front, the urban & dense traffic of Balestier Road, to the back, the serene Balestier hill rises. The idea is to transit people from the mundane pedestrian level to that of a higher meditative level through spaces of contemplation, to be in the mood to appreciate this art form. A screening strategy is adopted to the mediate between the busy & noisy street and the serene interior.

The Prologue

Emotions arise since you, as the audience, approaches the ticketing office to buy the tickets for the events. Whereas in the performer, it builds up from the very first day he sets up the play.

The Ascension

Transition from the hustle bustle of Balestier Rd into a serene journey for the spirit and the soul. The visitor bathes in a series of activities and spaces for contemplation.

The Climax

The theatre, stage & audience is the climax of these emotions. The dance is the offering made to the gods. Emotions are shared…

Submitted for RIBA Part 1.

Tutor: Mizanur Rashid

Margaret Drive was a semester long project whose objective was to design an International Student Hostel for young students between 14 to 18 years old.

As an introduction exercise to Revit BIM software, students were given a selection of buildings to replicate through digital means. The buildings given were in most cases poorly documented. Research was graphically oriented in the forms of images, sketches and plans which were put together to define the massing of the building.

A particular part was then chosen for a layout to experiment with some further options in Revit. Here, in La Tourette,  I chose to layout the individual rooms of the monastery.

This exercise was indeed very useful to kickstart our individual projects for the semester.

I hope that the La Tourette model below can help in some ways. It is not very detailed. Bear in mind that it was my first introduction assignment to using 3D modelling. There is very little detail available on this project, or maybe it’s documented only in architecture french books.

The massing is based on approximated measurement from old plans and images, and the detail model is only partial. You will need Autocad Revit Building to open the files. It can be obtained from the Autocad Student Website

Couvent de la Tourette Massing and Detailed 3D Model (52)

Pavilion Competition was organized by the Department of Architecture, NUS as an internal competition between Year 2 Studios. For the first part of the semester, teams of 2 students proposed a scheme, for instance here, Pavilion Naturel. This particular scheme was deemed elegant yet too simple to offer any challenge for the second part of the competition.

Piece, was the chosen theme that half of the studio decided to work on as a final scheme. Through Piece, the team aimed to express the ability of architecture to influence the way people congregate. My contribution in Pavilion Naturel and Piece includes the conceptualization, the process as well as the drawing and modeling stages. At the end of the semester a Jury consisting of the NUS architectural professors evaluated each scheme and the best one was chosen for implementation. Piece received a Merit Award.

Credits are due to the 6 students of piece.group

The TAS Lounge Project was conceived as a Vertical Design Studio involving students of 1st, 2nd and 4th years. The objective of the vertical design studios was to introduce a ‘master’ – ‘apprentice’ learning relationships between junior and senior students and create better bonding among them.

While these were good intentions, the studios were not that effective due mainly to a lack of coordination among students left to themselves. Nevertheless, this was a great experience but sadly, this Vertical Studio was not re-enacted during the subsequent years. Much could have been learnt through collaborative projects involving students of all years.

For this week long project, the brief was to design a lounge for the architecture students as well as review the internal layout of the studios for a more efficient use of space, power sockets and projectors. Each group consisted of roughly 12 students, 4 from each year.

My contribution on this project includes the conceptualization, the process as well as the modeling stages. At the end of the week a Jury consisting of the NUS architectural professors evaluated each scheme and the best one was chosen for implementation.

Credits are due to the 14 students of verticalstudio.groupfour.2005