Ang Jia Cong, Architecture & Design (Compact, 2016)

00 PORT FOLIO

ANG JIA CONG 2016

A re c ent g r adu ate of t he Master of Archite c ture pro g r am at Nat iona l Un ivers it y of Si ngap ore’s ( N U S ) S cho ol of D esig n and E nv i ron ment.

Ji a C ong is c ur rent ly a pl an ner and advo c ate und er t he Unite d Nat ions Maj or Work i ng Group for Yout h and C hi l dren (S out h E ast As i a) , cont r ibut i ng to d is c uss i ons for Habit at III and t he Ne w Urb an Agend a.

She has pre v ious work exp er i ence at S amsung C onst r uc t ion and Te chnolog y C or p orat i on , Kore a, t he Singap ore Inst itute of Archite c ts , Si ngap ore, and f i eld missions w it h t he C hr ist i an Nat i ona ls’ C ommiss i on to C amb o di a, Thai l and and West Ka li mant an . In t hat t ime, she has b e en involve d i n proj e c ts of var i e d t yp ol og ies inter nat iona l ly w it h an exp osure to s e vera l phas es of desig n and const r uc t i on .

Her archite c tur a l p ass i ons t hre ad t he junc ture of humanit ar i anism and env i ron ment a lis m, w here she s e ek s to expl ore t he p oss ibi lit i es of cr is is s olv i ng i n dis aster-st r icken env i ron ments , and to prov i d e for ur b an pl anning s olut i ons mit i gat i ng con f us i on to improve l iv ing c ondit i ons for lo c a ls and t he d ispl ace d.

She a ls o hol ds a B achelor of Ar ts i n Archite c ture w it h Honours w it h R ib a Par t 1 Accre d it at i on , w it h exp er ienc e in t r adit i ona l ar t me d iums , g raphi c d es i g n , and is an e ditor i a l c ont r ibutor to var i ous pl at for ms .

She is a ls o a student memb er of t he Si ngap ore Inst itute of Archite c t s, and a repres ent at ive of T he Archite c ture S o ciet y, Singap ore.

In her f re e t ime, she enj oy s photog raphy proj e c ts sp e ci a l izing in p or t r aiture.

01 Architectural Thesis: Spirituality On The Move A New Secular Spirituality Caverns and the Challenge of the Modern August - April 2016 (36 Weeks) Advisor: Tomohisa Miyauchi

A Design Thesis interested in the robust investigation of architectural development and theories governing the new Secular Spirituality in a fast-paced contemporary economy beginning as an inquisition on historical classifications, spanning religious practice, material, to contemporary times of efficiency-centered urban models and lifestyles.

The unraveling of the debate produced a series of design interventions within the central business district of Singapore of varying scales, inspired primarily by a surge to disconnect from that which is mundane and to reconnect with the elemental and organic. The

designs stem from inspirations by pocket parks, meditative cells and caverns underground, to create isolating and meditative respites.

The thesis was a reminder to always question what we already know, just as Paul Goldberger encourages architects of this age to see - what is ethereal deviates from history, and what of the justified existence of dreams and endeavors of everyday man?

Full research details and initial investigations can be accessed under the separate publication “Thesis: Spirituality on the Move�

Opposite Page: 1:500 Site 2 Basement 1 Cavern Model

Top: Massing Model Bottom: 1:200 02 Site Cavern Model Right: Compiled Research Strip

SPIRITUALITY ON THE MOVE

01 Battery Road Pocket Parks Located close to the center of the business district, Battery Road is bustling with traffic and people heading to offices within the area. The many concrete pavements lining the lobbies of these skyscrapers and on empty roof-scapes are often unused if not as transitioning zones during lunch hours or for the occasional smoke break.

Reinvigorating these spaces with pocket interventions can provide for small avenues of respite within the grandiose of the urban scale.

Through a series of pocket parks, the design of small green touches provide for temporary visual isolation from buildings and the rushing crowd. The proximity to offices also provides the convenience of accessibility.

Furthermore, as most areas within the central zone are large and targeted to office groups or families, these interventions are conducive to smaller groups of people or individuals who are catching a break in the middle of the day in greater privacy.

Scattering Ground Floor Plan

Reinvigorating unused plots and roof-scape of skyscraper vicinities through the implementation of introverted pocket parks

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02 Raffles Place Resting Caverns Underground spaces within the city are far from respiteful, often hosting activities and acting as link-ways to major buildings. Furthermore, the urban jigsaw of steel and glass lacked organic elements.

Originating from small parks above, I designed the large cavern underneath through a division into three main ergonomics sections - Fountain, Tree Grove and Chamber.

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In Fountain, the artificial ponds and waterfalls make for conducive resting zones encouraging social activity. In Tree Grove, plant life is flourishing and promotes a greater sense of relaxation and peace. In Chamber, small sheltered caves and timber wall divisions promote a greater state of reflection and mindfulness.

Concrete construction allows for the flexible division of space that is unified in expression.

SPIRITUALITY ON THE MOVE

Underground Cavern

A large park above a redeveloped basement utilizing strong material differentiations

Undulating roof-scape

The large cavern is segregated into various sections for functions of rests and interaction. The deliberate intention of crafting a cavernous ceiling following references to natural forms and ergonomics studies provided an organic touch to the otherwise stern and

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Basement Chamber Section Basement Fountain Section Basement Tree Grove Section Aerial Scene of Pocket Parks

Left Concrete Cast Model Right 1:200 Pocket Park Model

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SPIRITUALITY ON THE MOVE

03 Clifford Pier Underwater Library Clifford Pier served as an important landing Reminiscent of transversing through caves, the point for the unloading and storage of goods physical act of traveling removes the burdens of transported along the Singapore River. reality and prepares the visitor for meditation.

Considerations for the design were made The library set at the bottom is a metaphor through its proximity to the Marina Reservoir, for the inspiration in life, where introspection by designing a podium leading into a private promises invaluable resources for growth. library substantiates its potential as a place for respite.

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Aqua Hideaway

A podium park above a through transitional movement downwards into the depths by bay-side

Water’s Edge Elevation

As the library is submerged underwater, this provides for visitors to interact closely by Marina Reservoir’s water’s edge from the waterfront platforms on varying floor levels. The meditative library space located at the very bottom also promotes a disconnecting opportunity for guests, the process of transversing deeper being much akin to the stages of meditation.

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Basement 1 Water Edge Platform Basement 2 Circle Library Basement 1 Entrance Aerial View of Ground Level Platform

02 SALT AND KAISEKI A Culinary Narrative of Yore January - April 2015 (12 Weeks) Location: Kyoto, Japan Advisor: Richard Ho

Tucked in a nook in cereal-box-grid Kyoto, the site provided for a unique isolated intervention. As a part of three paying homage to Kyoto’s charm, we catered it towards restoring the historic and spiritual sensitivity of consumption with a twist establishments celebrating Sake, Sesame, and Salt.

I chose to focus on Salt as a simple gesture had caught my attention - Morijio, cones of salt placed outside homes to welcome guests and ward off evil spirits. In contrast to its unassuming appearance, the natural mineral has a vast importance in ritualistic ceremonies and food history.

Furthermore, traditional production methods were dying out due to their highly laborious nature.

Ritualistic in nature, the making of salt in fields of sand resonated with Japanese gardens. The inward movement through garden spaces are abstracted following sequences, bringing guests deeper with a perceived slowness, heightening the awareness of nature; a quality that is similar in tasting food prepared sensitively in Japan.

In this holistic establishment, I seek to marry the meandering narrative qualities and symbolism of Japanese Gardens and filtrating elements in the tradition technique of Salt production through Kaiseki appreciation - small plates of seasonal vegetables, lightly prepared with salt and appreciated slowly, to create a holistic experience for the senses.

Work exhibited at End of Year Exhibition at Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Below: 1:50 Combined Establishments Site Model Opposte: 1:50 Combined Site Model

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Cultural Node Kyoto

City Grid

Cereal-box-grid Kyoto with nooks of quietness

Site

Having the historical nature of Teramachi bein ished in place of increasingly commercial store delicate approach is undertaken for restoratio car park plot.

Sea Water Collection

Splashing

Raking

Filtration

Reducing

Laboriously collecting buckets of sea water

Meticulous technique to distribute the water evenly

Quickening the pace of evaporation

Shoveling sand to filter down to saturation

Transferring sea water into boiling kilns

Tradition : Noto Peninsula

Labor Intensive Agehama Salt Production Technique

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SALT AND KAISEKI

Japanese Zen and Roji Gardens

Sequential Movement Study

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Michiyuki

Soto to Uchi

Sequential movement

Kakejiku

Outer to Inner

View Framing

Miegakure

Hide and Reveal

Tsubo-niwa

Courtyard Garden

Elements of Japanese Garden Design

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B aya Izak

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kod

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Tofu

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Gar

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Store

Reception

Restaurant

Corridors

Courtyard Gardens

Zen Garden

Privacy from street

Intimate Views

Stairways

Gallery

Viewing Platforms

Pitched roofs

Dessert

Miegakura

5 Pavilions

Function and Integration

Utilizing design elements present in Japanese gardens to promote segregation of pavilions and functions, encouraging movement through the establishment following a sequence

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Segregated Pavilions Current Page Ground Floor Plan Second Floor Plan Opposte Page Entrance Elevation Back Elevation from lake Section through Gallery and Shop Section through Restaurant and Dessert pavilion

Tan Chong Chen Yeo Zheng Hang Ang Jia Cong

Tan Chong Chen Yeo Zheng Hang Ang Jia Cong

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SALT AND KAISEKI

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Bamboo Construction

Equipped bamboo screens of varying porosities inspired by Agehama, creating the hide and reveal effect. Supportive structures are built with steel beams, alongside timber decking and rafters, and a hydrophilic waterproof steel sheet roofing for a bare light-weight aesthetic.

Tectonics Traditional building techniques inspired from temples were equipped to organize the spatial proportions, and natural materials to blend the architecture into the surroundings of nature. Utilizing pitched roofs and timber decking, I could highlight separated small pavilion spaces.

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1:50 Site Model Bamboo Screen Porosities

03 TERRITORIAL FRAMEWORKS A Meticulous Investigation into the Singapore/ Paris Urban Models August - December 2014 (12 Weeks) Territorial Frameworks x Studio Go West Advisors: Erik G. L’heureux, Schaetz Florian

A Research Studio interested in the rigorous examination of urban and social systems leading metropolitan cities, their multiple classifications both parachuting them apart and resonating to be quintessentially familiar.

What began as two collaborative studios became symbiotic furnaces for robust investigation, unraveling the DNA behind systems of Territory, Density, Infrastructure, Society, Nature, Economics, Politics, Urban Forms and Typologies.

Initially a comparative debate capturing parallels, the dualism between these two economic role models built the foundation to inquire into projected urban planning of the future, and to highlight the challenges faced within our increasingly densified planet.

All categories are tackled through 6 sub themes and investigated through speculative physical models of 1m x 1m x 0.5m.

Work exhibited at “1000 Singapores: Eight Points of the Compact City”, Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Paris, France, and further exhibited at the National Design Centre, Singapore, further collated within the publication, “1000 Singapores: Eight Points of the Compact City”.

Above: Singapore Straits Maritime Model Analysis 1m x 1m

TERRITORIAL FRAMEWORKS

My area of focus was in the field of Density.

We live in an increasingly populated world, a phenomenon observable everyday. Surges present themselves on various degrees of scales - the expansion and multiplication of cities, greater accessibility for migration, and dipping mortality rates. The demand for greater intelligence in city planning is imperative if not compulsory.

Economic Density explores financial aspects; jobs, GDP, monetary spurred expansion within cities, and eventual growth beyond stages of commercial success.

Peripheral Density studies the distinctive natures between overarching emergence of central power and humble peripheral belts surrounding them.

Following an extensive 12-week long research, I postulated theses on various Urban Form Density explores the dual urban densities: characteristics on town-scales and the resultant architecture. Terra-formed and the Asian “Tabula Rasa�, Singapore’s water barricaded cities, geographical compact nature stems from geographical boundaries, and resource distribution cater limitations and resultant survivalist needs; to producing. opening economic barriers and playing host to immigrants within a land-scarce nation; Infrastructural Density explores the barriers becoming a fore-front player in the grand creating isolating conglomeration, the economy of the world. infrastructure outside urban territories the and resultant decentralization acts through For Paris, its great density is driven by greater accessibility by transportation and cultural protectionism; the preservation of redevelopment. the caricature of her historic city core that birthed the architectural landmarks of a post Historical Density looks into a postWWII cultural dream - romantic boulevards, contemporary fixation on immovable grand plazas planned by Napolean III and conditions of identity, spurred through the architect Georges-Eugene Haussmann. local belief and foreign perception.

The theses were derived and substantiated Finally, Social Density investigates the aspect by 6 sub-themes that govern density: of social currency within cities: people, exploring intimate issues surrounding ethnicities, and resource distribution.

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TERRITORIAL FRAMEWORKS

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Territorial Frameworks x Studio Go West The entirety of the two studios research across 3 stages (1000 Themes, Singapore-Paris-Hanoi, Thesis and Sub-themes) was then collated and published in “Territorial Frameworks”, and eventually “1000 Singapores: 8 Points of the Compact City”

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Urban Model Studies

Air Rights Investigation A study on the Singapore and Paris Metropolitan Region. The speculative 1m x 1m model explored restrictions in air - negative spaces and imprisoned verticalities due to existing air codes. This imagery tackles the imprint should the data be reflected onto the urban fabric, implanting extensions from the sky onto terra.

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WEAVE A Paradigm Shift from Singapore’s Public Housing Typologies January - April 2014 (12 Weeks) Advisor: Dr Ruzika B. Stamenovik

In an increasingly isolating society, psychological health studies have revealed the importance of interpersonal relationships. Most day to day interactions of the elderly are with neighbors, making residences pivotal to living.

Maneuvered by theories of social capital and environmental press as adopted from kampong villages of yesteryears, my design is driven by the gentle interweaving characteristic of architecture to enhance interaction.

Through reconfiguring the existing HDB estate typology, the shift from a centralized void deck to interwoven bridge-blocks can maximize ease of travel and exposure to visitors and residents.

A touch of nature is embraced to differentiate from current models by the vernacular architecture encircling through tall, long-standing rain trees on site. The lifted social street-life blooms under natural canopies The circulatory gestures will hopefully help the elderly feel less isolated and rebuild the “kampong spirit”.

Work exhibited at End of Year Exhibition at Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Below: 1:200 Dual Block Module

WEAVE

Singapore Housing Estate Typology

Neighborhood

Elevated Streetscape

Raising the social platforms by integrating connective bridges leading into housing units

Bending Visuals

Slab-block shape is curved to encourage greater visual and meandering quality of moving around residences

Block

Urban Reformation

Neighborhood highlights are disseminated into block clusters, with wide open spaces allowing program flexibility

Weaving Trees

Twisting through rain trees on the site, creating a sheltered pedestrian bridge sharing a walkway that molds with the typologies

INTERSECTION

LACK OF GATES

RAIN TREES

VERANDAH

Strategies Looking into typologies of yesteryear, in Kampong Villages within natural conditions, I extracted the communal behaviors and derived circulatory strategies on the site

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Urban Isolation Tucked away within a forested landscape of rain trees a distance from the main traffic and behind a green corridor, the surrounding envelope is one celebrating tropical nature. The form is planned around the existing rain tree growth and scenographies - allowing visual connectivity while distributing the bridges as gateways, creating spaces for converging and diverging social flow

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WEAVE

Unit Plans 1:600 Single elderly, Double elderly, Young family, Single

Storeys 2, 6

Storeys 3,7

Storeys 4,8

Storeys 5,9

Common Areas Residences

Unit Layout Single elderly, Double elderly, Young family, Single

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Bridge systems 1:3000 Second storey platform bridge and fourth storey winding bridge

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Drop Off Point Residences

Arts Practice Rooms

Dance Studio

Music Room

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Resid

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Pond

Herb Garden

Gardens

Medita

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Gardening Central

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Health Che

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WEAVE

Drop Off Point

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Performance

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Drop Off Point

Sta

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Grub Main Lobby

Playground Retail Shops

Classroom

Market Sem in Roo ar m

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Com

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Reside

Ground Plan of Pedestrian Street

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Common Area

Apartment

DETAIL

ROOF TURFING DETAIL SECTION

A Turfing Detailing Detail A | Roof

DETAIL

B

Duplicate

ACCORDIAN DOOR ROLLER AND TRACK DETAILING AXONOMETRIC, SECTION

Detail B | Accordion Door Roller and Track Detailing

Detail C | Curved Steel Bridge Structural Detail

Tropical Vernacular

Rod to Steel Plate Axonometric

Detail D | Railing Detailing

Detail E | Planter Box Detail

Tectonics Utilizing a flat slab concrete floor system with columns as main architectural construction, accessorized with tropical weather devices and vernacular influences of sun shading accordion doors and louvers

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EXPLORATIONS

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EcoTect Light Studies

Rainwater Cooling System Porous Ceramic Rail

Gear Box to Screen

Facade for Volatile Climate, Pune Mesostructure and Ceramic Rail Exhibited at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and National University of Singapore Undergraduate and Graduate Show

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Sendai Mediatheque

1:100 / 1:50 Model Group of 8 Students Acrylic, Bristol Board, Straws, Lights, Wood Exhibited at Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore

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EXPLORATIONS

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Stage: Insa-dong, Korea Hanyang University

Revitalizing the main pedestrian street entrance with variations of undulation generated across a core axis Received “First Place� Design Award

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Plywood Shelter Fibonacci Modules

Flat disassembly and quick re-building ensured no wastage of material from the source.

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05 Super Bridge NUS Re-Design Urban Workshop

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Singapore Architours Design and Curator

Curated tours over two weekends featuring awardwinning architectural projects within Singapore.

Designed Event Branding material including campaign artwork and guest souvenirs.

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Editorial Work Paper Space, 2012 - 2014

Featured writer for annual NUS Exhibition publications.

Published at the annual End Of Year Exhibition at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore

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EXPLORATIONS

“Washed Out”

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Oil and Acrylic Paint

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Trained in Traditional Fine Art Mediums / Examined in Singapore Cambridge GCE A-Levels Fine Arts

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09 Hyper-realism Live Study: Graphite Crosshatching, Shading and Pointillism

ANG JIA CONG

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Film Photography / Video 2011 - 2015

I w ish to e x te nd my s i nc e re g rat itu d e towards my a dv is ors for t he i r p at ienc e, supp or t and gu i d anc e t h rou g h my u n ive rs it y e du c at i on . It is w it h t he i r te a ch i ngs t hat I have g row n to appre c i ate t he i mp or t anc e of d i l ige nc e and i nte g r it y.

I w ish to t han k my f r i e nds , w it hout w hom my l i fe w i l l b e f i l l e d w it h s o mu ch l e ss c ol ou r. T he y have prov i d e d me w it h c omp an i onsh ip and abu nd anc e of e nc ou rage me nt t h rou g h e x p e r i e nc i ng a mu lt itu d e s of h ig hs and l ows ove r a sp an of ye ars .

I owe t he g re ate st to my l ov i ng f ami ly for te a ch i ng me t he i mp or t anc e of p ass i on and i nte g r it y. T he y have ne ve r l i mite d me and are my bi g ge st rol e mo d els i n t he i r i nd iv i du a l i nspi r i ng ways .

Ang S e ng T hor L im Ye e Nai Ang Ji a Ming Ang Ji a Yun Ti a h Nan C hy u an C or r ado Sig norott i Jos e ph L e e R af f ael l a Sini Kim Wo o Jae Ruzi k a B. St ame nov i k Er i k G . L’ he ure ux S che atz F l or i an R ichard Ho Tomi his a Miy auchi Os c ar C ar r ace do L e na L im Shang Fe i Nit hy a G ov ind han Michel l e Tan L e eb a Ann C hacko Abh ishek Ar av ind D i ana C handr a G oh We i Pe ng Sa k i Hay ashid a Fre de r ick L ow Nat as y a Imr an Mar ina R ani Tan C hong C he n Ye o Zhe ng Hang L in Zhe n Yi Joshu a L e e R he za L ie Yi Shu ai C he n Me ng Z e Je mina h Poh Euge ne Ong Q ue nt in Sim B ae y Yan L ing O ce ana Hui Te ng Ke r She ng C hr ist i ane Wong Tan We i She ng C hr istophe r C he ng Aj ay Noron hai-Pi l l ai Anir ud h C hand ar

THANK

YOU