What’s the point of ARCHITECTURE? A collection of contemplative works exploring what is considered meaningful in architecture, how we design and why we design by
Tang Wen Yu
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An Architecture Portfolio
By Tang Wen Yu
A Collection of Works 2017-2019
“What’s the point of ARCHITECTURE?” How much influence should stakeholders have in the final design? Is architecture only about building? When is a good time for a building to die? Is popular architecture only about being different? Is it just about telling a convincing story? Is “social impact” in architecture overly romanticised? Do people obey architecture or does architecture obey people? Is architecture a direct rejection of nature? Is good architecture only available for the rich? How do we define what is meaningful in architecture? Can a perfect society exist without architecture? Is the role of an architect even necessary?
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Foreward “I am still not sure what Architecture is” Over the years we have exhausted the definition of architecture, treading the lines between science and art, art and engineering, engineering and design, design and art. We have swung between the pendulum of over-the-top vs. minimalistic, past vs. future, without ever having a very clear idea of what exactly is considered a good design, leaving the architecture profession a highly ambiguous and delicate one to tread. These works serve as questions to be pondered on - what factors make an architectural work timelessly and universally “meaningful”, and how can we strive to incorporate these factors into our creative endeavors?
Approach My personal practice is a phemonological approach to understanding the relationship between the built environment, our instinctual human responses to it and how it reflects the different social terrains in our society. The projects explore themes regarding land and design ownership, heritage social and environmental impact. In the future, a few of the key areas I would like to work on is the co-design of public rental housing, revitalisation of HDB flats as well as pushing for more public-owned informal spaces in Singapore. Escapeism architecture is also a concept that I would like to explore, especially in spaces designed for kids.
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“It is not about designing more or less. It is about how design can give back”
Personal Design Philosophies 1. Being kind is more important than being innovative 2. Listen to understand, not to impose 3. The solution is not always to build 4. Every individual has ambition, not just the architect 5. You can only truly tell what is good design after implementation
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TANG WEN YU tangwenyu4@gmail.com +65 81838819 IG @tang_wen_yu IG @earthtodorcas
Education Diploma in Sustainable Urban Design and Engineering (Architecture Specialisation) 2017-2020 (Expected) Cumulative GPA: 3.9 Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Design and Environment GCE O Levels 2013-2016 L1R4: 5 Points School of Science and Technology, Singapore
Significant Achievements 2018-2020 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Scholarship 2017-2020 BCA Diploma Scholarship 2017-2019 Director’s List 2017-2019 Overall Top Scorer 2017 CUBE Challenge (City Planning ) - Merit 2017 Do what you Love Competition (Graphic) - 1st Place 2018 Design Studio 2 - Book Prize 2018 Architecture Materials and Technology - Book Prize 2018 History of Western Architecture - Book Prize 2017 Sustainable City Planning - Book Prize 2017 Architectural Design - Book Prize 2017 Engineering Mathematics - Book Prize 2016 Design Studies - Book Prize 2015 Design Studies - Book Prize 2018 Global Cities - Distinction 2018 Landscape Architecture - Distinction 2017 Building Behaviour Studies - Distinction
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2018 Young Leaders Award - Nominated
Relevant Work Experience SEP - OCT 2018 - Part-Time Designer at Etc. Lab AUG 2018 - Gallery-Sitter at The Substation (En-Bloc Segment) MAR 2019 - Gallery Sitter at The Substation (Heritage Segment)
Leadership 2018-2019 Designers of Tomorrow - Founding President 2017-2018 Play it Forward - Team Leader 2017 PARKing Day - Team Leader 2017 - Current Earth to Dorcas - Founder 2016-2017 - Design IC at Team Ardor 2015 - Red House Exco 2015 - Show Choir Exco
Community Involvement Design Council Singapore - Singapore Design Week 2018-2019 Participate in Design - Hack Our Play Workshop Participate in Design - Playeum Workshop Participate in Design - Woodgrove Grassroots Workshop Shophouse & Co - Jalan Besar Masterplan Shophouse & Co - Our Gallery at Taman Jurong Shophouse & Co - Shape Your Somerset Cassia Resettlement - Cassia Kaki Arts Workshop
Skills and Competencies Sketchup Revit Autocad Photoshop Illustrator xD Enscape
Languages English Chinese Sign Language
Creativity Leadership People Management Events Planning Adaptibility Initiative Time Management
Interests
Social Architecture Public Policy Participatory Design Urban Studies Sociology
Referees Mr Jason Hoo - SDE Lecturer hoo_tze_jiun@np.edu.sg Ms Mizah Rahman - P!D Director mizah@participateindesign.org Mr Roy Foo - dot Advisor roy_ph_foo@np.edu.sg
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Academic Projects
How might we cataylse social innovation?
National Centre for Social Innovation (FYP) 10-13
Should people own the land that animals use?
Amphibia PG 14-25
Registering Reminiscence
Second Beginnings PG 26-31
Can we design for design ownership?
Unfinished PG 32-37
How might we allow seniors to relive the happiest moments of their lives?
Our Punggol Ripple PG 38-45
How might we tread the line between old and new?
Roots and Shoots (CUBE Challenge) PG 46-49
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External Projects
How might we design for creativity?
weDesign (Year 2 Architecture Studio) PG 50-53
How might we spark conversations about diversity through design?
Around the World in 80 Inches (PARKing Day) PG 54-55
How might we allow youth to express their aspirations in a public space?
Community Ideation Wall (Prototype Day) PG 58-61
How might we capture the homeliness of our HDB flats?
Home (Play it Forward) PG 62-65
How might we invoke a sense of wonder through art?
Magically PG 66-71
DE’s First Design Club
Designers of Tomorrow PG 72-75
Graphic Design & Photography PG 76-81
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NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION
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The National Centre for Social Innovation is a place where everyday Singaporeans can be empowered to make a positive difference in our society. It is a common meeting point between the government, social entrepreneurs, non-profit organisations as well as the general public. Where people can be educated on various social issues in Singapore and around the world, spark conversations around these problems, generate ideas that target these issues at the root cause and execute them in measurable and impactful solutions, such as modifications in policies, new products or organisations.
Empower
LEVELS 1. +0 1.5 +3000 2. +4000 2.5 +6000 3. +8000 3.5 +10000 4 +12000
Social Innovation Implement
IN THE HEART OF FORT CANNING...
LEGEND Educate Innovate Empower Social Pockets ROM Programmes Services
This place is like a little city, so happening!
M&E CoreSeating 3.5 Platform
M&E CoreSpace 3. Communal 4. Public Platform
EDUCATE
3. Stories for Good
M&E Core
2. ROM Office
M&E Core
2. Common Lounge
EMPOWER
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3. Community Garden
BY TANG WEN YU S10168505E
EMPOWER
INNOVATE
TARGET USERS
INTERLOCKING VOLUMES
Wow! I can climb up to Fort Canning from here?
1.5 Outdoor Stage & Terrace Seating
2. Incubators
CONCEPT M&E Core M&E Core
EMPOWER 1.5 Dignity Kitchen
2. Waiting Area Government
Interlocking Pockets
Simple Cube Form to Highlight Activities
Social Entrepreneurs
Pockets of Greenery
Playfulness + Amorphous
Stacking + Crystalline
Visual Porosity
EMPOWER 1. Market for Good
SITE RESPONSES
2. Solemnisation rooms
National Archives
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Fort Canning
Grassroot Leaders
Mingle
Public / Community
Void + Skylight
EDUCATE
Entrance
1. Stories for Good
Spice Garden
Gradual Terracing to Hill
Site Connections Lowest
High-
1. Multi-Purpose Hall
Extending Greenery of Fort Canning
Circulation
National Museum of Singapore
EMPOWER
INNOVATE
1. Pop-Up Plaza
There are so many social issues today...what can I do to help?
ROOF PLAN 1:600
Gothic Gate
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1. Cafe + Gift Shop
EDUCATE
1. City of Dreams Pavillion
Fort Green
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1 SMU School of Law
Gothic Gate
Hotel Fort Canning
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1. Verification
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Spice Garden
1. Entrance+Drop-off
*Googles places that Anne can start a social impact project*
National Centre for Social Innovation
Goo Mapgle s
BASEMENT PLAN 1:600
National Archives
Social Innovation Nodes
NCS
1. Workshop
Lorem ipsum
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FRONT ELEVATION 1:300
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LEFT ELEVATION 1:300
BACK ELEVAT 1:300
TION
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I love how we can just walk from Fort Canning to here!
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The view from up here is amazing!
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This is our incubator! You can work on your own social start-up here!
Let’s talk about the vulnerable communities in Singapore
Wow, our money goes to support the medical staff helping to fight the virus?
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:300 A 1. LIFT MOTOR ROOM 2. SUBSTATION 3. STANDBY GENERATOR 4. CSR 5. BIN POINT 6. AHU 7. LAN
8. MDE 9. HOSE REEL TANK 10. WATER TANK 11. FAN ROOM 12. SUMP ROOM 13. EJECTOR PUMP ROOM 14. SPRINKLER AND TANK ROOM
SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1:300 A
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THIRD FLOOR PLAN 1:300
MASS ENGINEERED TIMBER
RIGHT ELEVATION 1:300
SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE A-A 1:100
SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE B-B 1:100
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N Educate
n
Empower
Social Innovation Implement
LEVELS 1. +0 1.5 +3000 2. +4000 2.5 +6000 3. +8000 3.5 +10000 4 +12000
LEGEND Educate Innovate Empower Social Pockets ROM Programmes Services
M&E CoreSeating 3.5 Platform
M&E CoreSpace 3. Communal 4. Public Platform
EDUCATE
3. Stories for Good
M&E Core
2. ROM Office
M&E Core
2. Common Lounge
EMPOWER
3. Community Garden
INNOVATE 2. Incubators
EMPOWER
EMPOWER
1.5 Outdoor Stage & Terrace Seating
M&E Core M&E Core
1.5 Dignity Kitchen
2. Waiting Area
EMPOWER 1. Market for Good
2. Solemnisation rooms
EDUCATE
1. Stories for Good 1. Multi-Purpose Hall
EMPOWER 1. Pop-Up Plaza
1. Cafe + Gift Shop
INNOVATE 1. Workshop
EDUCATE
1. City of Dreams Pavillion 1. Verification
1. Entrance+Drop-off
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3 Wow! I can climb up to Fort Canning from here?
This is our incubator! You can work on your own social start-up here!
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1 1
B 2 3 4
ROOF PLAN 1:600
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1:300
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A 1. LIFT MOTOR ROOM 2. SUBSTATION 3. STANDBY GENERATOR 4. CSR 5. BIN POINT 6. AHU 7. LAN
BASEMENT PLAN 1:600
8. MDE 9. HOSE REEL TANK 10. WATER TANK 11. FAN ROOM 12. SUMP ROOM 13. EJECTOR PUMP ROOM 14. SPRINKLER AND TANK ROOM
MASS ENGINEERED TIMBER
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Amphibia Should people own the land that animals use? Design Studio 2 2018-2019 Eco-Resort Dairy Farm Nature Park
A long time ago, animals used to roam the landscapes of Dairy Farm Nature Park. But with the onslaught of modernism and the rise of the industrial revolution, the site was then exploited and quarried for its granite to make concrete, insensitively destroying the homes of these animals. The quarry has then been transformed into a wetland through government revitalisation efforts. However, animals would still hesitate to come, appearing only in other parts of the park. “Amphibia” resorts aims to call into question who dictates land ownership, and how might we design not just for people, but for animals too. The resort allows the co-appreciation of both people and wetland animals, through the wildlife research centre, observation decks, bird baths, and is even expressed architecturally through the physical weaving between land and water, allowing birds to perch onto buildings as well as more plants to grow into the frames. The fairytale-like rendering is a cynical take on how environmental sustainability is often romanticised, when in acutality is very hard to achieve net zero harm on the environment, though we often consider our building’s environmental impact in design.
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18 Vine Tunnel for Butterflies Flower
Arch Swing over W
Water (Premium Villa)
Kids Zone with Bird Baths
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Space Planning
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Biodiversity Considerations
Typical standard villa where the architecture resides in sync with nature
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Wildlife Research Centre
Observation Deck of Wildlife Research Centre
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Wildlife Research Centre
Revitalisation of Wetland Animal Habitats
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Premium Villa
Detailing of Premium Villa
Detailing of arched frames
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Premium Villa Floorplan
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Second Beginnings Registering Reminescence Primer Project Design Studio 3 2019 Registry of Marriages
Second Beginnings is a spatial exploration of marriage as a time to start anew, a clean slate to write a new chapter of the couples’ lives. In echoing a similar sentiment, it also breathes a new a life into the ROM, allowing it to adopt a clean, light and timeless atmosphere, one that gives a sense of purity and cleansing. In this concept, The main inspiration for the pavilion are petals - that are thrown by the flower girl during a wedding to celebrate the bride’s last walk as a maiden, and to wish the couple a happy marriage ahead. The form as well as voids in the pavilion are inspired by the forms and shapes of petals. Rejecting the modern notion that marriage has to be extravagant with redundant flounce and frill, Second Beginnings instead dives beyond skin deep, allowing couples to contemplate the commitment and promise that they are holding to each other for the rest of their lives.
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Space Planning Fort Canning Park A space imbued with the history of the various places and people that have occupied it over its history, Fort Canning Park is now renewed as the setting for the modern marriage. These historic places include the Fort Canning Hotel, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Peranakan Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. Noting how this design focuses on redesigning the ROM to become a timeless icon, it is hoped that it can earn its place alongside these historical timepieces.
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Views
Internal Circulation
External Connections
The view of the city aas well as the future royal garden is capitalised
Vertical circulation is increased to facilitate couples who are solemnising upstairs
2 bridges are added for post-solemnisation to connect the couples to fort canning park
Greenery
Public-Private
Noise
Most of the noise is concentrated on the first storey
Most of the noise is concentrated on the first storey
Most of the noise is concentrated on the first storey
The main inspiration for the pavilion are petals - that are thrown by the flower girl during a wedding to celebrate the bride’s last walk as a maiden, and to wish the couple a happy marriage ahead. The form as well as voids in the pavilion are inspired by the forms and shapes of petals.
The voids in the pavilion also allows couples to lock their love as a symbol of devotion and loyalty to each other.
the city aas well as the l garden is capitalised
noise is concentrated on rey
it is hoped that it can earn its place alongside these historical timepieces.
Fort Canning Park
Views The view of the city aas well as the future royal garden is capitalised
Greenery Most of the noise is concentrated on the first storey
A space imbued with the history of the various places and people that have occupied it over its history, Fort CanInternal Circulation ning Park is now renewed as the to Vertical circulation is increased the facilitate couples setting who are for solemnising modern marriage. upstairs
External Connections 2 bridges are added for post-solemnisation to connect the couples to fort canning park
These historic places include the Fort Canning Hotel, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Peranakan Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. Noting how this design focuses on redesigning the ROM to become Noise Public-Private a timeless icon, 1st Floor Plan 1:300 hoped that on Most of the noise is concentrated Most of the noise it is is concentrated on the first storey the first storey it can earn its The first floor mainly serves the public and the couplees who are getting their docuplace alongside ments verified, as well as attending the training and couselling sessions these historical timepieces.
Fort Canning Park A space imbued with the history of the various places and people that have occupied it over its hisInternal Circulation tory, Fort Canning Park is now as theto Vertical circulation renewed is increased setting for the facilitate couples who are solemnising modern marriage. upstairs These historic places include the Fort Canning Hotel, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Peranakan Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. Noting how this design focuses on redesigning the ROM to become Public-Private a timeless icon, is hoped that Most of the noise isitconcentrated on it can earn its the first storey place alongside these historical timepieces.
ulation
External Connections
ulation is increased to uples who are solemnising
2 bridges are added for post-solemnisation to connect the couples to fort canning park
te
Noise
noise is concentrated on rey
Most of the noise is concentrated on the first storey
External Connections 2 bridges are added for post-solemnisation to connect the couples to fort canning park
2nd Floor Plan 1:300
Noise
The second floor is more exclusive, serving only the office as well as couples who are getting noise is concentrated solemnised, creating private areas that are separate from the public
Most of the on the first storey
Roof Plan The roof is activated
1:300
as a post-solemnisation garden and connects to fort canning park
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New Beginnings Garden
Staff Lounge
Petals Pavillion
(From Spice Garden) 32
Solemnisation Room
Petals Pavillion (Multi-Purpose)
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“A building that looks finished sends the message that the design is done and nothing can be changed” -Participate in Design (P!D)
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Unfinished Can we design for design ownership? Design Studio 1 2018 Active Ageing Centre Punggol Ripples
For Design Studio 1, we were tasked to design an elderly centre in Punggol. From our insights and studies, we found that Punggol’s residents consisted of many new people who had just moved in and were new to the neighborhood.. There was a jarring lack of a sense of cohesiveness and belonging in the community, especially for the elderly who had moved in for reitrement. By strategically leaving parts of the building unfinished, it gives the elderly spaces to design as their own, redefining public ownership not just as part of the before building stage, but after as well.
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Free spaces that elderly are able to call their own, spann the open garden on the bottom floor to the rooftop
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ning from
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Our Punggol Ripples How can we allow seniors to relive the happiest moment of their lives? Design Studio 1 Primer Project 2018 Pacific Activity Centre Punggol Ripples
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Participatory Workshop To collate the insights and sentiments the seniors have towards their current activity centre, we split the participatory process into 4 different phases: “Likes, Dislikes, Why”, “Bingo” and “Design Your Own Space”
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After Collating all the responses, we organised the insights into a mood board, word diagram and zoned the different design interventions based on the seniors’ needs and ambitions
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How How How How
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might might might might
we we we we
empower the elderlies to create a sense of belonging? enable them to reminisce of the past and the community spirit t provide quiet and intimate spaces for activities such as drinki provide a conducive space for the staff to work conveniently in?
they shared and value? ing coffee and reading? ?
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Roots and Shoots
How do we tread the line between old and new? Challenge for the Built and Urban Envronemt (CUBE) 2017 Masterplan Mei Chin Estate
Roots and Shoots is a revitalisation scheme to breathe new life into the Mei Chin neighborhood. Imitating the nature of roots, the connected pathways as well as sky bicyclie bridges draw people into the heart of the neighborhood. We also made sure to keep the entire site car free, and created an underground car park instead as we wanted to preserve the walkability of the site. The existing structures such as the sports stadium were also preserved as residents have fond memories of the place and stil use it regularly. In the end, we clinched the merit award for our proposal
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weDesign
How do we deisgn for creativity? Participatory renovation of the Year 2 Architecture Studio 2018 Interior Design Team Leader
Under the new deisgn club, “Designers of Tomorrow” or “dot” for short, I led the team to organise and conduct a Participatory workshop for the year 2 architecture students to redesign our studio, which was mostly empty as it had just been renovated from a previous civil engineering lab.
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Around the World in 80 Inches How might we spark conversions around diversity? (PARK)ing Day 2017 Art Installation Sultan Road In september 2017, I participated in PARKing Day together with a group of friends from St. Joseph’s Institution. During our site visit to kampong glam, we noticed that there were many tourists from various parts of the globe. Curious, we wanted to find out exactly how many people there were from each country, and where they wanted to go. “Around the World in 80 Inches” is a visual map where each person pins down where the are from and where they want to go to, with a post-it note that indicates why they would like to travel ot that place. In our venture, we met people from all the way in Japan, to Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and even Italy. The end result was a colorful map representing the unique diversity of Kampong Glam.
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Community Ideation Wall Project Lead for Community Ideation Wall, one of 10 prototypes for Prototype Day under The Shophouse and Co. Group Pte. Ltd. Prototype Day 2019
In the Somerset Belt masterplan process, Prototype Day was a one-day event on 21st September where we tested out the ideas that came up during the Urban Hack workshop from the winning group. In total, there were 10 key prototypes that we tested. These included the use of colors to brand the Somerset Belt cohesively, the idea of unlicensed busking, flexible urban furniture, using the red bus as a quiet space for mental wellness as well as having film screenings at youth park. For Prototype Day, I was put as project lead for the design of the community ideation wall that was located behind the Red Box. Wanting more spaces in Singapore that encouraged free expression, the idea of a community wall was proposed during the Urban Hack workshop for youths. The concept of the community wall revolved around the themes of future and aspirations, going from physical aspirations for the masterplan to personal aspirations.
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Home How might we capture the homeliness of our HDB flats? August 2017-April 2018 Play it Foward
As part of Archifest, I led a team of 8 people to decorate a piano for the Play it Foward Movement. It was then placed in the newly renovated student plaza for all to enjoy and play on.
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Magically How might we invoke a sense of wonder through art? Personal Business February 2017-Current
Founded in February 2017 after a Fundraising Project, Magically is a social enterprise selling custom watercolor notebooks and cards, where 10% of the profit is then donated to children’s homes around Singapore. Maigcally mostly sells through fairs such as Crafters Market, Urban Ventures, Singapore Boutique Fairs, Mako Market, etc. and also conducts workshops for watercoloring as well as modern calligraphy
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Watercoloring Workshop for Kids at SG Boutiq
Instagram Account for Magically
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que Fairs
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Designing notebooks for the offici of “Pollinate”, a business incubator for polytec dents
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Conducting a watercoloring workshop during Mako Market
ial opening
chnic stu-
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Designers of Tomorrow DE’s First Design Club 2018-2019 Founding President Events: Orientation Arts and Crafts Workshop Sketching Workshop Photoshop Workshop Illustrator Workshop Participatory Design Workshop Architecture Studio Renovation ArchiFest Exhibition BEX Exhibition FOP Workshop Purple Parade
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dot FOP Workshop
dot FOP Workshop
Arts and Crafts Workshop at Singapore Children’s Society
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Participatory Workshop for Studio
Construction of Exhibition for Archifest
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Graphic Design & Photography As a side dabble, I also love to engage in graphic design and photography. Over the years, I have accumualated works ranging from T-Shirt design, business cards, booklet covers, notebook covers, and even coming up with branding ideas for clients.
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Illustrations of HDB Flats series
Booklet for Badge night for 2016 batch of Secondary 1 Students
The design was later adapted by corpscomm to be part of the Celebrations@SST Book Cover
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Business card for film and media student, 3 versions
Business card for fitness instructor
Notebook design for “Do What you Love Competition” Won 1st Prize for Design
SST Survival Guide cover for Secondary School Students
Poster for “Blovee”, a home appliances and decor brand
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The light series
The whimsy series
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The humanity series
The festive series
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Testimonials
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“It is not about designing more or less. It is about how design can give back”
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