Business Card Proposal for Chung Architects Pte Ltd

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

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.

These serial visions, aim to convey and contrast the different characters of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. For this 2 persons assignment, several walks were taken at different times of the day along the Singapore River to better grasp the meaning of these two places and their similarities as well as their differences.

To better showcase the identity of these history laden places,  and due to certain time constraints, we produced photo rendered sketches via Photoshop. These were later traced upon and watercolored. Sketches were A4 sizes to achieve a high level of resolution upon scanning. When they were later reduced, they possess these very intricate details. Credits are due to Thierry Chan for his wonderful water colorings.