Architours

#1

Architours is a series of chaperoned tours around Singapore offering participants exclusive access to some of the city’s best newly built architectural works, and includes behind-the-scenes tours and insights with the architect in person. Architours features a diversity of built projects, from residential homes to commercial spaces. Architours comprises 8 sessions of unique tours over 2 weekends, with each tour bringing participants to three sites.

Architours is an annual crowd favourite at Singapore Archifest, open to industry professionals and the general public. Led by chaperons from The Architecture Society (TAS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Architours curate a series of hand-picked architectural works that are aligned with the festival theme and offer exclusive access into these architectural gems. Participants are invited to join an immersive experience that brings them closer than ever to selected architectural projects with the architects who brought them to life, as they share their insights on the processes of design and construction.

↗ Pickup point for all Architours sessions is the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

Architours 1

30 Sep 2023, Sat

9 am — 1pm

8:45 am – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
9:00 am – Tour bus leaves for destinations
9:15 am – Envelope House by ASOLIDPLAN
10:45 am – House at Terubok by CDG Architects
12:15 pm – NUS COM3 by LAUD Architects
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ Envelope House by ASOLIDPLAN 
A multi-generational home in Singapore was designed with private spaces, common areas, and ample greenery. It has three levels: the first for communal use, the second for the elderly parents and aunt, and the third for the young family. A roof garden crowns the building, while a central garden courtyard connects all levels. A water feature and tall indoor trees fill this courtyard, connecting the heart of the house to the outdoors. The house is climate-appropriate for Singapore’s tropical climate, with a landscaped double skin, indoor water garden, triple-volume courtyard with skylight, and roof garden for comfortable microclimates.

↗ House at Terubok by CDG Architects
House at Terubok is an architectural response to the clients’ brief for quality spaces in a multi-generational home that maximizes the allowable built-up area of a compact site. The simple design strategy is to bring in an abundance of light, air, and greenery into the house by pulling the living spaces away from the party wall towards a structural ‘outer-skin’ envelope. A tall and deep façade incision towards a generous internal air-well and a playfully- formed façade screen brings in natural light, fresh air and vegetation while providing privacy and keeping the interiors cool and dry.

↗ NUS COM3 by LAUD Architects
Sited over a topographical valley, COM 3 was conceived as a bridge building that is a physical link as well as symbolic social connector. Its design welcomes natural light and airflow while seamlessly connecting neighboring buildings. Packed with activity hubs, it serves as a vibrant campus focal point. Each floor balances learning with social spaces, encouraging collaboration and inspiration. Guided by IWBI WELL principles, it prioritizes user well-being, offering green spaces on every level. The building harmonizes with its surroundings, beautifying the existing concrete drain and carpark in the valley, creating a lush setting for this innovative space.

Architours 2

30 Sep 2023, Sat
1:30 — 6 pm

1:15 pm – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
1:30 pm – Tour bus leaves for destinations
2:00 pm – NTU Gaia by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd
3:30 pm – SAFRA@Choa Chu Kang by DP Architects
5:00 pm – Rochester Commons by DCA Architects, in collaboration with Gensler
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ NTU Gaia by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd
NTU Gaia is a 6-storey educational building. It is currently Asia’s largest mass engineered timber building in term of the volume of timber used. It is designed by RSP in collaboration with Toyo Ito & Associates Architects. It is dedicated to NTU’s Nanyang Business School, where business and research students, academic and administration staff will utilise the space daily. The building spans across 220m long with approximately 42,000 sqm. It has teaching spaces on the 1st to 3rd storey, research centres on the 4th storey, faculty offices on the 5th to 6th storey and 1 basement.

 SAFRA@Choa Chu Kang by DP Architects
Nestled in the heart of a public park, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse expresses itself with exuberant, distinctive forms that recall and inspire fitness — from bold, super scaled trusses, to precast pigmented concrete bulwark frontage symbolizing unity and strength. Yet, beneath its robust exterior hosts a dynamic community teeming with life; an amalgamation of nature and people from all walks of life, flowing in through a central spine from the park. This harmonious coexistence catalyses a seamless interlace of nature and fitness that reinvigorates the neighbourhood and revives a community spirit.

↗ Rochester Commons by DCA Architects, in collaboration with Gensler
Rochester Commons is Singapore’s first campus-style integrated development offering well-curated offices for the next generation, along with distinct learning, hotel, recreation and community facilities. Housed in a 17-storey Tower and 12 Black and White Conservation Bungalows spread out on lushly landscaped grounds, the Mixed-Use Development was conceived as a hive for creative minds to interact, collaborate and co-create in an environment that incorporates sustainability and historic preservation with forward-thinking design. It features Grade-A Offices, a dedicated Learning Hub for executives and entrepreneurs (Catapult), Hotel (Citadines Connect), Sky Terraces, and a Knowledge Trail linking the tower to the Black and White Conservation Bungalows repurposed as workspaces or unique eateries.

Architours 3

1 Oct 2023, Sun
9 am — 1 pm

8:45 am – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
9:00 am – Tour bus leaves for destinations
9:15 am – =DREAMS Campus by RT&Q Architects
10:30 am – House 11 by Linghao Architects
12:00 pm – Addition & Alteration to NCS Hub by Zarch Collaboratives 
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ =DREAMS Campus by RT&Q Architects 
=DREAMS Campus is the adaptive reuse of the defunct Geylang Serai Community Club building, converting it to a hostel residence for aspiring children from low-income households. Children from public rental housing have limited family resources and home environments that may not be conducive for learning. =DREAMS campus aims to provide after-school academic and holistic support to allow them to reach their potential for a tertiary education. Retrofitting works were carried out to cater to its new functional and authorities requirements. The new extension block features a dramatic cantilevered criss-cross form.

↗ House 11 by Linghao Architects
A 2 storey 1920s’ shophouse is changed to a 5 level house of staggered levels with various paths. In the morning, the eastern sun bathes the interior through side terraces, while the streets come to life. As the day progresses, sunlight filters into the courtyard and stairs. Opening the doors invites a gentle breeze, with hanging plants swaying on windy days. In the evening, ascending the house reveals panoramic views of Geylang’s undulating rooftops and the orange-grey sunset sky beyond. This architectural transformation provides a dynamic play of light and space throughout the day, enhancing the living experience.

↗ Addition & Alteration to NCS Hub by Zarch Collaboratives Pte Ltd
A Nexus for Creativity at NCS Hub is an addition & alteration work to transform NCS’s existing premises into an enabling knowledge and innovation centre for digital and technology. The project is centred on NCS’s corporate purpose – “make extraordinary happen” with focus to create a learn-work-engage environment that is biophilic, human-centric and technologically integrated.

Architours 4

1 Oct 2023, Sun
2 — 6 pm

1:45 pm – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
2:00 pm – Tour bus leaves for destinations
2:15 pm – Singtel Waterfront Theatre by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
3:45 pm – JTC Cleantech Three by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
5:15 pm – Delta Sport Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ Singtel Waterfront Theatre by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
Adjacent to the existing Esplanade Theatre, the new Waterfront Theatre sits on a strategic 5,100 sqm site, serving as exciting performance venue, production-house and home to world-renowned performers. Being part of the bustling Marina Bay, it is planned to integrate into the burgeoning precinct, adding value and dimension to Singapore’s dynamic art scene whilst attracting local and international interests. The theatre adopts a flexible format seating where a wide range of stage configurations can be explored, promoting an innovative, flexible and experimental space for artists to best showcase their performance in their own unique ways.

↗ JTC CleanTech Three by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
JTC CleanTech Three is a multi-tenanted, integrated development of eight laboratory blocks and one office block for clean technologies, urban solutions, and advanced manufacturing industries. Encapsulating the vision as a “living lab” in the Tropics, CT3 sensitively retains the site’s topography, slopes and existing creeks, whilst preserving the existing wildlife corridor with the implementation of new ‘human’ corridors which catalyze movements across the site. The buildings responded to its context of being located beside the oldest brick-built Kiln in Singapore with the design of the facade textures and colours.

↗ Delta Sports Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP
Old buildings should be respected, but they do need to be updated. Changing contexts need to be understood and responded to, so affected buildings continue to be relevant and last longer without special advocacy or activism for preservation. This is our motivation behind the rejuvenation of this public sports facility first completed in 1979. Through intricate retention of existing structures and small deliberate incisions, the works transform the complex to improve its presence and connectivity to the diverse neighbourhoods around the vast site, thereby updating it for the social and physical context that has evolved since its beginnings.

Architours 5

7 Oct 2023, Sat
9 am — 1 pm

8:45 am – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
9:00 am – Tour bus leaves for destinations
9:30 am – Punggol Soka Centre by Formwerkz Architects
11:00 am – Project #13 by Studio Wills + Architects
12:30 pm – Colonnade House by LAR+D Architects
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ Punggol Soka Centre by Formwerkz Architects
The Punggol Soka Centre was envisioned to be an Open Citadel that embraces all yet bears fortitude to safeguard the good foundation of Soka Gakkai’s values. It exudes a dignified yet cordial presence. Interspersed with a series of courtyards, the seemingly fort-like building is perforated with meaningful spaces that opens out to nature. Nature permeates deeply into the interior spaces, providing a sanctuary that welcomes all. These interspersed courtyards allow for a series of varied environments, moments and ambience for everyday discourse, relaxation and engagement. To observe nature and for quiet contemplation. It aspires to be an oasis of happiness for everyone.

↗ Project #13 by Studio Wills + Architects
Project #13 is a renovation to a 30-year old Hdb flat in Singapore. The brief is to house 2 programmes (home and office) within a formerly single-use residential unit for the interim period and achieves a ‘framework’ to enable its future transformation.The result is a space that allows re-adaptation for a variety of uses and use patterns for 1 or more individuals over time.

↗ Colonnade House by LAR+D Architects
The clients requested a “black and white bungalow,” historically used by European colonial families in South East Asia. The design focused on adapting the bungalow to the tropical climate, incorporating passive cooling techniques like ventilation and verandahs. The architecture features a simple structural grid, with a central void connecting the three floors. Verandahs surround the home on three sides, providing a semi-outdoor space for each bedroom. Permeable screens and bamboo blinds offer privacy while allowing natural ventilation. The attic offers stunning views of Bukit Timah Hill, creating a picturesque backdrop for the family’s daily activities.

Architours 6

7 Oct 2023, Sat
2 — 6 pm

1:45 pm – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
2:00 pm – Tour bus leaves for destinations
2:30 pm – SAFRA@Choa Chu Kang by DP Architects
4:00 pm – The House of Many Faces by Atelier IF
5:15 pm – MAKE houSe by Park + Associates
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ SAFRA@Choa Chu Kang by DP Architects
Nestled in the heart of a public park, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse expresses itself with exuberant, distinctive forms that recall and inspire fitness — from bold, super scaled trusses, to precast pigmented concrete bulwark frontage symbolizing unity and strength. Yet, beneath its robust exterior hosts a dynamic community teeming with life; an amalgamation of nature and people from all walks of life, flowing in through a central spine from the park. This harmonious coexistence catalyses a seamless interlace of nature and fitness that reinvigorates the neighbourhood and revives a community spirit.

↗ The House of Many Faces by Atelier IF
The House of Many Faces tackles the challenge of accommodating an extroverted couple’s love for hosting social gatherings while providing privacy and tranquillity for introverted family members. The design achieves this by incorporating a variety of window sizes, creating distinct spatial experiences. Small custom openings offer outside views while maintaining privacy in serene zones. In contrast, expansive sliding windows and doors connect interior and exterior spaces in more lively areas. This design cleverly balances the couple’s vibrant social life with the need for peaceful retreats, fulfilling the client’s unique brief and inspiring a dynamic architectural composition.

↗ MAKE houSe by Park + Associates
Make House is a family home that was designed to embody a playful spirit – much like a Play-Doh factory with volumes, spaces, and spiral staircases extruded from the main volume. A sense of surprise and delight beckons one around every corner of the house, inviting exploration and discovery. The architecture aspires to create dynamic and fun living spaces that are full of life, whimsical movement, and playfulness.

Architours 7

8 Oct 2023, Sun
9 am — 1 pm

8:45 am – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
9:00 am – Tour bus leaves for destination
9:30 am – Delta Sport Centre by Red Bean Architects
10:45 am – NUS COM3 by LAUD Architects
12:15 pm – The GEAR – Kajima Lab for Global Engineering, Architecture and Real Estate by KAJIMA DESIGN + Surbana Jurong
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ Delta Sports Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP
Old buildings should be respected, but they do need to be updated. Changing contexts need to be understood and responded to, so affected buildings continue to be relevant and last longer without special advocacy or activism for preservation. This is our motivation behind the rejuvenation of this public sports facility first completed in 1979. Through intricate retention of existing structures and small deliberate incisions, the works transform the complex to improve its presence and connectivity to the diverse neighbourhoods around the vast site, thereby updating it for the social and physical context that has evolved since its beginnings.

↗ NUS COM3 by LAUD Architects
Sited over a topographical valley, COM 3 was conceived as a bridge building that is a physical link as well as symbolic social connector. Its design welcomes natural light and airflow while seamlessly connecting neighboring buildings. Packed with activity hubs, it serves as a vibrant campus focal point. Each floor balances learning with social spaces, encouraging collaboration and inspiration. Guided by IWBI WELL principles, it prioritizes user well-being, offering green spaces on every level. The building harmonizes with its surroundings, beautifying the existing concrete drain and carpark in the valley, creating a lush setting for this innovative space.

↗ The GEAR -Kajima Lab for Global Engineering, Architecture and Real Estate- by KAJIMA DESIGN + Surbana Jurong
The GEAR, located in Changi Business Park adjacent to Changi Airport, serves as Kajima’s ASEAN headquarters, comprising an office space, R&D and an open innovation platform. The double-volumed construction robotics lab -K/LAB- is situated adjacent to entrance gallery on the first floor, while the third floor features an open innovation space designed for collaborative endeavors. The fifth and sixth floors include K/PARK, a double-height space that can transform to a semi-outdoor area with the movable partition. Strategically placed interior greens provide a platform for biophilic design experiments. The entire architecture is designed to function as a living lab with the grid design to envelope the ever-evolving function of the GEAR. 

Architours 8

8 Oct 2023, Sun
2 — 6 pm

1:45 pm – Meet at the lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road
2:00 pm – Tour bus leaves for destinations
2:45 pm – SJ Campus by Surbana Jurong
4:15 pm – Additions & Alterations to NUS SDE 1 & 3 by CPG Consultants
5:30 pm – Conservation, Addition and Alteration, and Change of Use to Former Eu Yan Sang Building by Zarch Collaboratives Pte Ltd
End of tour – Arrival at lobby of PARKROYAL on Beach Road

↗ SJ Campus by Surbana Jurong
Home to the headquarters of Surbana Jurong Group, the 742,000 sq ft SJ Campus is a living showcase of the group’s smart and sustainable solutions for a better future. The first commercial building in Singapore to be certified Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy), its green features include under floor air-distribution system, solar photovoltaic technology, rain gardens and high-performance glass to optimise natural light and energy savings. With biophilia as its core philosophy, the design integrates the structure harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape. Climatically controlled garden courtyards serve as key spaces for people to gather amidst lush greenery.

↗ Additions & Alterations to NUS SDE 1 & 3 by CPG Consultants
School of Design and Environment 1 & 3 is an adaptive re-use project that reinvents the strength and legacy of the existing institutional building to accommodate a super-low carbon & net-zero energy, high-comfort academic environment. It serves as a scaffold for learning, teaching, and research, to inspire upcoming generations in design and sustainability. The design creates a new identity and interface with the context and climate of two conjoined blocks, enwrapping them with a performative, deep envelope. Series of light shelves drive daylight deep into the floor plate, while an ascending series of screens fold to filter solar heat gain.

Conservation, Addition and Alteration, and Change of Use to Former Eu Yan Sang Building by Zarch Collaboratives Pte Ltd
The conservation project of Eu Yan Sang Building restores the rich character of its envelope, adapts and converts the heritage building into a green mark platinum commercial building with a newly extended roof top terrace affording panoramic views of the historic Chinatown. Originally built in 1910 as a Chinese Medicinal Hall along South Bridge Road, the project enabled the repurposing of these historic properties spanning four shophouse into interesting business spaces offering food and beverage services, while still preserving its iconic character. The building’s interior were upgraded with amenities and improved services to maximize flexibility for commercial use.

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Danny Wicaksono
studiodasar

Indonesia

Danny Wicaksono completed his architectural education at Trisakti University, Jakarta, in 2006. In 2007 he worked for Adi Purnomo  (mamostudio) and in 2010 he joined andramatin for a brief period. He founded studiodasar in 2014. In the past decade his works are not limited to designing buildings. He writes, curates architectural exhibitions, directing a design festival, and designing a masterplan for a better living space. He was also involved in the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, as two time Technical Reviewer in 2019 and 2022. Danny Wicaksono is a member of The International Committee for Architectural Critics (CICA) and now share his time residing in Bintaro and Tubaba, Indonesia.

Yuma Shinohara
Swiss Architecture Museum

Switzerland

Yuma Shinohara is a curator at the S AM Swiss Architecture Museum. Before joining the S AM, he held editorial and curatorial positions at Storefront for Art and Architecture, Ruby Press, the Academy of Arts Berlin, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. At the S AM, Shinohara has curated the exhibition Make Do With Now (2022), co-curated the exhibitions Swim City (2019) and Beton (2021), and overseen the adaptation of Access of All (2021) in collaboration with the Architecture Museum of TU Munich and the Institute of Architecture of the University of Applied Arts Northwest Switzerland. He has lectured and served as visiting critic at institutions such as the EPFL, ETH Zurich, Bauhaus University Weimar, University of Waterloo, and the Architectural Institute of Japan. He graduated in comparative literature and society from Columbia University in New York.

Mio Tsuneyama
Studio mnm

Japan

Mio Tsuneyama is a Japanese architect and founder of Studio mnm. She began her study of architecture at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan and completed at École Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne (EPFL) in 2008 as Swiss Government International Scholarships student, where she taught as a visiting professor in 2022-2023. She worked as an architect at HHF Architects in Basel after her study until she went back to Tokyo to start her own practice Studio mnm in 2012. 

Mio has built her career in the academic field since then as she taught at TUS as Assistant Professor and Junior Associate Professor since 2013. She also teaches at several private universities in Japan and has begun to teach as a guest professor at EPFL in 2022 and as Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University.

Studio mnm’s most notable project is “House for Seven People” (2013), a renovation of the single family house into shared house which received a special mention as an exhibited project of Japanese Pavilion for national pavilion in the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, and “Holes in the House” (2017-), which she renovates while living there with her partner Fuminori Nosaku.

Nazmi Anuar
E9A

Malaysia

Nazmi Anuar is an architect and educator based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a partner at the architectural research practice E9A, a collaborator with the collective New Office and runs Normal Architecture in addition to his teaching post at the School of Architecture, Building and Design, Taylor’s University. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from UPM and a Postgraduate Masters in Architecture and Urban Design from The Berlage, TU Delft. His first book Background Frame Platform was published by Suburbia Projects in 2021.

Charles Lai
aona architects

Hong Kong

Charles Lai is an architect (RIBA) and researcher in the history and conservation of Hong Kong and Asian modern architecture. He received his PhD degree in architectural history from the University of Hong Kong Department of Architecture, and diploma degree from the AA School of Architecture in London. 

He currently teaches at the PolyU and the Lingnan University. Charles is also a member of the DOCOMOMO HK Chapter. Charles is founder and director of the architectural studio & heritage conservation consultancy, aona, and co-founder of a digital marketing and experience curatorial company Culture Lab. and focuses primarily on design, heritage conservation, research and curatorial works related to built heritage and architectural history. Charles also writes regularly for academic journals and columns. His research interests include the history of modern architecture in East and Southeast Asia, the material culture and history of Shanghai plaster, as well as the conservation of historical built heritages.

Yunhee Choi + Jinhong Jeon
BARE

South Korea

Yunhee Choi is a registered architect(UK) and has studied architecture at Cambridge University and the Architectural Association School of Architecture. She has practised at Doojin Hwang Architects(KR), Wilkinson Eyre Architects (UK) and Jason Bruges Studio (UK) where she was responsible for a number of public art and architecture projects. She was a Visiting Professor at Korea National University of Arts, Public City Architect of Seoul, and a co-curator of the Seoul Exhibition at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2021. She is currently serving as Deputy Director for the inaugural exhibitions of The Korea National Museum of Urbanism and Architecture.

 

Jinhong Jeon graduated from Architectural Association School of Architecture (UK) and has worked at OMA (NL) and Space Group(KR) where he was involved in a wide range of international projects and competitions. He was an Adjunct Professor at Korea National University of Arts and a co-curator of the Seoul Exhibition at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2021. He is currently serving as Deputy Director for the inaugural exhibitions of The Korea National Museum of Urbanism and Architecture.

Deanna Dzulkifli

Producer

Deanna is an independent producer working with a range of forms, from dance and performance art to visual arts and music. Recent producing work include Third Wheeling by Awkward Party with restaurant Artichoke for Singapore Art Week 2023. She has also held positions at ARTSG as Talks Manager, programme coordinator at Dance Nucleus and is currently the Company Manager of The Observatory.

Mok Cui Yin

Producer

Cui is an in(ter)dependent producer and facilitator who has produced for independent artists across arts disciplines, and for organisations including Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, The Substation, Asia Network for Dance, Dance Nucleus, NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, Asian Film Archive, Arts House Limited, and the National Arts Council.

Hanif Ramadan

Curator

Hanif is an Indonesian architectural designer based in Jakarta and Singapore. He graduated with a Masters in Architecture and Urban Design at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy, and gained experience as a professional architect in Jakarta, Tokyo, Milan, and Singapore. He is very much interested in architectural practice as a means of framework, cultural work, and research. Currently, he practices as an architect that responds from the smallest detail of architecture to the bigger scale of a complex environment.

Rachel Fong

Curatorial Assistant

Rachel is currently a rising third-year undergraduate at Yale-NUS College, majoring in Urban Studies and minoring in English Literature. Her education has allowed her to pursue intersecting interests in language, sociology, art, and the built environment. She views architecture and urbanity as an intrinsic site of identity formation, and is particularly interested in the practice of intentional idling as a means of informal autoethnographic inquiry.

Fadhilah Nordin

Curator

Fadhilah is an M.Arch graduate from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). She has since worked on a range of projects across different scales, from detailing a cabinet all the way to drawing broad lines that demarcate a future road. Fadhilah has a particular interest in patterns and behaviours, predicting and observing how single design interventions affect how people use and move through spaces. Outside of work, she is usually thinking of a new business idea or trying to make cycling her main mode of transport one day at a time.

Chew Yunqing

Curator

Yunqing is invested in architecture as a mode of theoretical inquiry to provoke human understanding. Her current top 5 interests include:

  1. The relationship between the Particular (building) and the Multiple (city).
  2. Typology of gatherings across no. of pax and scale.
  3. Crowdfunding small-scale developments.
  4. Reading the ‘architecture’ of literary and philosophical texts as central to understanding them.
  5. Platform to sell artists’ drafts and studies.

Lai Chee Kien

Chee Kien is a registered architect in Singapore, and researches on histories of art, architecture, settlements, urbanism and landscapes in Southeast Asia. Chee Kien’s works on architectural history are widely published in the region, earning his reputation as a leading voice in local architectural history and conservation. He has been sitting on the URA Conservation Advisory Panel since 2012.

Teo Yee Chin
Red Bean Architects

Singapore
Interface

Teo Yee Chin is a registered architect based in Singapore. He graduated with M. Arch from Harvard GSD in 2003 and BA(Arch) from NUS in 1999. He has taught architectural design at NUS and SUTD, and has published opinion articles in The Straits Times and various architectural journals. After working with various offices including William Lim Associates and Kay Ngee Tan Architects, he founded Red Bean Architects in 2009, a practice that seeks to foster spatial and historical continuity in the city. Notable works of the practice include the 2016 Singapore Pavilion at Venice Biennale, House X, Common Ground and Delta Sport Centre. Yee Chin has always believed in, and practised, writing as a creative tool to think with. In addition to contributing critical reviews to journals and the press, he was formerly Chief Editor of leading architectural journal The Singapore Architect. Concurrent with managing Red Bean Architects, he is now also a doctoral candidate in human geography at NUS, studying the production of rural space in Taiwan as part of a broader investigation into sustainability beyond the tidy frame of the city-state.

Sarah Ichioka
Desire Lines

Singapore
Process

Sarah Mineko Ichioka is an urbanist, strategist, curator and writer. She leads Desire Lines, a strategic consultancy for environmental, cultural, and social-impact initiatives and organizations. Her latest book, Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency, co-authored with Michael Pawlyn, proposes a bold  set of regenerative design principles for addressing our compound environmental and social crises. Sarah has been recognized as a World Cities Summit Young Leader, one of the Global Public Interest Design 100, and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In previous roles she has explored the intersections of cities, society and ecology within leading international institutions of culture, policy and research, including as Director of The Architecture Foundation (UK). A recent Designing Cities for All Fellow at Pakhuis de Zwijger (Netherlands), Sarah currently serves on the advisory boards of the Klosters Forum (Switzerland) and Participate in Design (Singapore). Sarah’s critical writing has been published by Triennale di Milano, La Biennale di Venezia, Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture and the Serpentine Gallery. Her work has been featured in outlets including the Financial Times, Channel News Asia, BBC London and Bloomberg CityLab.

Craig Miller
Heatherwick Studio

United Kingdom
Interface

As Project Leader, Craig Miller has led some of Heatherwick Studio’s largest and most complex commissions. After joining in 2008, Miller spent five years in Hong Kong delivering the rejuvenation of Pacific Place. Returning to London, he then led a team on the 1,000 Trees project (Shanghai) and a new-build office for Google. More recently, he has played leading roles on the ongoing transformation of London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre, EDEN—a nature-infused residential tower in Singapore and Changi T5 (in collaboration with KPF). Having lived in Singapore for 4 years, Miller now leads the Shanghai studio – Heatherwick’s first permanent presence outside of London.

Freek Persyn
51N4E

Belgium
Adaptation

Freek Persyn is a co-founder of the office 51N4E, a spatial design practice focused on urban and social transformation. 51N4E works on a wide range of scales, from strategy to realization, and designs the built environment with an affinity for both the physical and the invisible dimensions of space. The work of 51N4E received the most attention for its adaptive reuse projects in Central Europe and for its intense engagement with Albania. Since 2019, Freek Persyn combines his partnership at 51N4E with the professorship of Architecture and Urban Transformation at the ETH Zürich.

Momoyo Kaijima
Atelier Bow-Wow

Japan
Process

Momoyo Kaijima (b. 1969, Tokyo JP) graduated from the Faculty of Domestic Science at Japan Women’s University in 1991. She founded Atelier Bow-Wow with Yoshiharu Tsukamoto in 1992. In 1994, she received her master degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. During 1996–1997, she was a guest student with a scholarship from Switzerland at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETHZ). In 2000 she completed her post-graduate program at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. She served as an assistant professor at the Art and Design School of the University of Tsukuba since 2000, and as an associate professor from 2009 to 2022. In 2012 she received the RIBA International Fellowship. Since 2017 she has been serving as a Professor of Architectural Behaviorology at ETHZ. She taught at Harvard GSD (2003, 2016), guest professor at ETHZ (2005-07), as well as at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (2011-12), Rice University (2014-15), Delft University of Technology (2015-16), and Columbia University (2017). While engaging in design projects for houses, public buildings and station plazas, she has conducted numerous investigations of the city through architecture such as Made in Tokyo and Pet Architecture. She was the curator of Japan Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. In 2022, she received the Wolf Prize Laureate in Architecture.

Dongwoo Yim
PRAUD

South Korea
Adaptation

Dongwoo is an architect, urbanist, writer, and educator. He is the co-founder and principal of PRAUD as well as assistant professor at Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design in Hongik University. As an urbanist, his research focuses on revisiting urban production as a tool for developing a circular economy and sustainable social chain. Also, as an architect, Dongwoo explores typologies in architecture that not only examines contemporary architectural language but also creates urban phenomena in a collective manner. He is the award winner of Architectural League Prize 2013 and the participating artist to 2014 Venice Biennale Korean Pavilion, the Golden Lion winner. Dongwoo was the co-curator of Pyongyang Sallim in 2017 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, co-curator of the Cities exhibition in the 2019 SBAU, and the general co-curator of the Cities Exhibition in the 2019 SBAU, and the general director of Daegu Global Studio 2023. His publications include “AD Magazine: Productive Urbanism: The Meta Industrial City (Wiley)”, “A Language of Contemporary Architecture: An Index of Topology and Typology (Routledge)”, and “Unprecedented Pyongyang (Actar)” amongst others.

Betty Ng
COLLECTIVE

Hong Kong
Interface

Betty is the Founder and Director at COLLECTIVE, a RIBA Chartered Practice. She is a Registered Architect in the Netherlands, a RIBA Chartered Architect in the United Kingdom and an Associate member of the AIA, United States. Betty holds an M. Arch. Post Graduate Degree from Harvard University and a B. Arch. Professional Degree from Cornell University. Betty is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), co-teaching Master Architecture Design Studio with COLLECTIVE Directors Chi-Yan Chan and Juan Minguez. She is previously Visiting Professor of Architecture at the National University of Singapore, Adjunct Assistant Professor at CUHK advising Master Thesis, and Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong. She has also acted as External Examiner and Final Review Jury at RMIT, SUTD, NUS, CUHK and HKU. Prior to setting up COLLECTIVE, Betty was Design Director at OMA Rotterdam with Pritzker Prize Laureate Rem Koolhaas, she co-led the winning proposal for the Axel Springer Media Headquarters in Berlin, the Hermitage Museum Art Repository in St. Petersburg and the West Kowloon Cultural District Master Plan in Hong Kong among many projects.

Ma Yansong
MAD Architects

China
Keynote

Ma Yansong is recognized as an important voice in the new generation of architects. As the first Chinese architect to win an overseas landmark-building project, Ma is committed to developing futuristic, organic, and technologically-advanced designs that embody a contemporary interpretation of the Eastern affinity for nature. With a vision for the city of the future based in the spiritual and emotional needs of residents, he endeavors to create a balance between humanity, the city, and the environment. Founded MAD Architects in 2004 and how has offices in Beijing (China), Los Angeles (USA) and Rome (Italy), Ma leads design across various scales globally for different needs of social groups, such as urban complexes and infrastructures, museums and theaters, kindergarten, public housing. Parallel to his design practice, he has also been exploring with the public the cultural values of cities and architecture through exhibitions, publications and art works. In 2022, MAD Architects was recognized as “Best Cultural Firm” by Fast Company, and became the first architectural firm to win this award in China. From 2019 to 2021, Ma was awarded as “China’s Most Influential Designer” for three years by Architectural Digest. In 2016, he was honored as “Certification of Recognition” by City of Los Angeles. In 2010 he became he the first architect from China to receive a RIBA international fellowship. In 2006, he was awarded the “Young Architects Award” by the Architectural League of New York. Ma holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Yale University, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

Danny Wicaksono
studiodasar

Indonesia
Adaptation

Danny Wicaksono completed his architectural education at Trisakti University, Jakarta, in 2006. In 2007 he worked for Adi Purnomo  (mamostudio) and in 2010 he joined andramatin for a brief period. He founded studiodasar in 2014. In the past decade his works are not limited to designing buildings. He writes, curates architectural exhibitions, directing a design festival, and designing a masterplan for a better living space. He was also involved in the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, as two time Technical Reviewer in 2019 and 2022. Danny Wicaksono is a member of The International Committee for Architectural Critics (CICA) and now share his time residing in Bintaro and Tubaba, Indonesia.

Andra Matin
andramatin

Indonesia
Process

Andra Matin – both the man and the firm, andramatin, are known for their clean and modern approach to architecture. The works of andramatin have been a constant reflection of contemporary take on traditional values, that are based on its context and its sensitivity to the environment. Aside from his architectural projects, Andra Matin is also one of the founders of Arsitek Muda Indonesia (AMI – eng: Young Architects of Indonesia), and has been a part of the progress in Indonesian architecture. He also has released books under a publication that opens up discussions about architecture, along with being a frequent lecturer at universities, seminars, and architectural events both in Indonesia and in international events. His latest installation titled Elevation has been granted a Special Mention Award at the 16th Venice Biennale, for its traditional sense and its contemporary take. Inspired by his great love of travel, Andra Matin continues to search out more knowledge and experiences, in order to further celebrate the architecture of Indonesia. In addition, one of their projects, Bandara Blimbingsari in Banyuwangi, was selected as one of the winners of Aga Khan Awards for Architecture in 2022.

Singapore Archifest 2023 takes to the city in a wide array of conferences, installations, workshops, talks, tours and more. This year, the festival centres around the Kampong Gelam Precinct that reveals the evolution of the Malay royalty grounds, while locating many modernist buildings awaiting rejuvenation, all forming an interim urban trace of Singapore’ national development. With Kampong Gelam as our site of experimentation and demonstration of the interim, Archifest activates the city like never before.

Aurelia Chan

Curator

Aurelia is an architectural designer with an affinity for small moments and big narratives in the city. With a particular interest in urban marginality and slum developments in the region, Aurelia performs informal inquiries into the leftover spaces of urban environments. In the day, Aurelia engages with architecture in diagrams, words and sunshine, and in the evening she explores theoretical manifestations of space and culture.

Chong Lingxiu

Curator

Lingxiu Chong (AADip, Assoc. AlA) is a Singaporean architectural designer and educator based in San Francisco. She studied at the Architectural Association in London, and proceeded to practice with a focus on adaptive re-use and conservation, with Collective Studio and Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Asia, and Page & Turnbull in California. Lingxiu currently teaches at California College of the Arts and the Architectural Association, and works with like-minded individuals and organisations on projects of various formats to build community and culture.

Calvin Chua

Festival Director

Calvin Chua practices at the intersection of design, planning and advocacy. He runs Spatial Anatomy, a research-oriented design practice with an interest in urban adaptation and transformation. In parallel, Calvin teaches at SUTD and was most recently a Visiting Professor at the Korea National University of Arts. Complementing his practice, Calvin engages the wider design community through writing for international magazines and exhibiting at various international biennales, including Seoul and Venice. Recognised for his distinct approach to design practice, Calvin was an Asia 21 Next Generation Fellow in 2022 and a finalist for the Lisbon Triennale Debut Award 2022. A registered architect in the UK, Calvin graduated from the Architectural Association School of Architecture.