2021 Portfolio - Feranda Chua (Architecture, Design & Art) by Feranda

Feranda Chua Architecture | Design | Art

Remote Work: Championing the agency of workers in the collapse of work and home 2020 - 2021, Masters Thesis | Dr Tan Beng Kiang studio

An urban & residential prototype for stronger communities Catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has been normalized, further enabled by new technologies. With its knowledge economy and developing digital infrastructure, Singapore is especially suited to remote work. By 2035, 40% of Singapore’s workforce is expected to work remotely.

Recreation-focused Green flexible space

Interest-based Re

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Work-focused

Commercial street Establishing work-life balance in the future of work Capturing benefits brought about by time and costs savings, as well as the flexibility for workers in where and when to work, an urban prototype is proposed to be inserted every 400m into existing residential estates. Residents within and near each prototype can now enjoy a variety of spaces for work near home, easing current pressures on the homespace, which have exacerbated existing inequalities for those already lacking a good living environment.

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Learning bridge

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Hierarchy of interactions among village typologies (urban section)

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Work-focused village

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Podium block typology

Interest-based village

AV & A

Recreation-focused village

Atrium & cluster typology

Courtyard typology

Un • Public & private interactions are vertically separated

• Facilities are clustered to encourage interaction among like-minded creatives, with codesking spaces for inter-cluster collaboration

• Private courtyard space safe for familiar interactions & place recreational activities on display

work-coded spaces

rest-coded spaces

Communities based on shared values and interests Work-focused villageby AV network in the green Interest-based village Events enabled flexible space (urban section) Podium block typology Atrium & cluster typology pace fo le s xib

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al learning utu • Facilities are clustered to encourage interaction among like-mindedMcreatives, with codesking spaces for inter-cluster collaboration

Recreation-focused village

Courtyard typology

• Public & private interactions are vertically separated

• Private courtyard space safe for familiar interactions & place recreational activities on display

work-coded spaces

rest-coded spaces

Events enabled by AV network in the green flexible space (urban section)

Central green space for pop-up activities

pace for e ve le s n xib

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Legend AV & Delivery Centre

Making facilities

Commercial

Satellite office

Jobs hub

Residential

Childcare

Playgrounds, fitness corners

Learning spaces

Codesk spaces

Green & blue spaces

Developing stronger communities Near-home codesking spaces and facilities not only offer privacy and shared access to facilities, it allows residents to reinforce spatial boundaries between work and rest. With residents spending more time near-home and at home, shared spaces offer opportunities for inter-disciplinary communities to develop over time.

Accommodating different work-life preferences Based on shared values regarding work-life balance, residents can choose to live in ‘Work-focused’, ‘Interest-based’ or ‘Recreation-based’ villages.

Living in the ‘Interest-based’ village The thesis focuses on the ‘Interest-based’ village, each consisting of 3 clusters offering opportunities for creative residents to learn, make and collaborate together.

Perspective of ‘Interest-based’ village

Architectural strategies

Culinary cluster (exterior view)

Performing Arts cluster (ground floor interior view)

Supporting growing interests Residents and visitors can interact along the public spine at learning and making facilities, and visiting home businesses along the way.

Section of 3D Printing cluster

Experiences

Performing Arts cluster (exterior view)

Codesk space (interior view)

Encouraging collaboration

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Worksp a

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Commercial street and codesk spaces (section)

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Codesk spaces within the building encourage inter-disciplinary interaction between clusters. With alternative spaces for work, residents can push work outside of their homespaces.

as shopspa ce ce

Variety of spaces for different work tasks

Ground floor plan

Fourth floor plan

Agency in defining live-work lifestyle Based on Dr Frances Hollis’ research on workhome, a variety of home units are offered to allow residents to adopt their preferred relationship between their living and work spaces.

Research

Strategies for creating and defining separate spaces Through an analysis of residential typologies (Teo, 2018), five spatial types were derived. These spatial types were assessed for four spatial characteristics needed for living and work tasks, which were identified through interviews and secondary research.

Type of work environments With reference to previous research and analysis, 5 types of work spaces were derived, differing in spatial characteristics for household and work tasks introduced in ‘Spatial Analysis of Workhomes’ earlier. They accommodate a variety of work tasks, with different environments described by interviewees and research. They were also compared against existing spaces available in the workplace like meeting rooms and the office cubicle, and other workspaces like cafes. A number of design experiments were done to see how these spaces could be executed.

FLXCITY

2020, NUS-Tsinghua Joint Studio under Prof Zhang Ye

Pearl’s Hill is a small hill located between Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Tiong Bahru. Rich in history, Pearl Bank Apartments and People’s Park Complex sits at the base of the hill. However today, Pearl’s Hill’s residents face issues such as Lone Elderly, low income, poor access to the hill, and lack of activities. In response, a System and Masterplan was designed to empower residents in a 3-pronged approach: through Low Costs of Living, a sense of belonging through Co-Ownership and providing Skills and Jobs by the year 2050. Group: Alex, Shi Yuan, Yu Lin, Feranda Displayed at Singapore Pavillion for Venice Biennale 2021

Masterplan

Phases(2020 - 2050+) Phases

Phase 1 Building

Building Phases

Phase 1 Phase 1 Movement

Phase 1 Movement Phase 1 Movement

Phase 2 Movement Phase 2 Movement

Platforms for Empowerment Through new programs inserted on site (centre column), residents could enjoy on-demand community events, learn a new skill at various workshop spaces, and be part of a community through working, learning and living together. Phase 3 Movement Phase 3 Movement

Functional Plan Programs are distributed across areas (Living, Nest & Innovate, Maker and Green Connection), offering different experiences and rely on one another to to function.

Site Strategies

Circulation Analysis

Circulation

Maker

individual sub-component

Rich in production spaces, the Maker area in the FLXCITY system offers an experience in making. This is based off site analysis that highlighted potentials of the fabric community: for the skilled to share knowledge with others, and to increase the production ability of existing boutique businesses. Residents can learn a new skill as a hobby, to re-visit their past, as a second career or extreincome. Pooling resources together allow a large group of people to share access to equipment and additional resource. Collaboration and innovation is encouraged flexi spaces for pop-up events, have a small stall, and continue to expand it according to demand. Shared spaces between stalls and a co-working space encourage sharing between businesses on site. the Fabric Makerspace, and so on.

An Ignored Backyard

As Pearl Hill developed over time, buildings are isolated, and served by individual roads. Taller building along the periphery of the site block the view of the hill from the outside, and fence in shorter buildings behind. Pedestrian circulation is thus pushed to the edges of the plot. This created an pedestrian-unfriendly backyard comprised of carparks, roads and ancillary services.

Tall structures along the road & existing car-heavy road condition creates an unfriendly backyard space.

A new throughfare (red) is introduced, linking the future Clarke Quay pedestrianized area and Chinatown MRT. Carpark is accessed via ramp.

A green connection links the new pedestrianized area to a major throroughfare along Eu Tong Sen Street.

Production spaces are introduced into the site, with Flexible Nest space to be activated and filled over time.

Potential

The existing fabric community in Pearl Market has the potential to pass on knowledge, and increase production capacity. Existing storage units in Upper Cross Street HDB will be relocated underground, using the pod and core system.

Exchange of Goods (right) 1. Ceramics, Fabric & 3rd-party goods combine to create products for Co-Living in Assembly Space. 2. Startups use Fabric & Ceramic Workshops to create and innovate. 3. Ceramic tools, pots & cutlery; Fabric curtains & tablecloths are distributed around the site.

Exchange of Waste (left) 1. Food waste from Hawker Centre, Atas & Community Kitchens are recycled as Urban Farm compost. 2. Bad Urban Farm produce is made into Fabric dye. 3. Unfertile soil from Urban Farm is made into Ceramics Clay.

Facade

Rhythm of the facade and vertical columns reference the excitingly choppy visual aesthetic of the original shophouses.

Courtyard

Wanting to recreate the shophouse courtyard as a space for gathering, circulation of pods and pedestrians are placed in the middle of the building. Flanked by programs on both sides, pods can dock as workshops, showcases for new products, and cafes. Smaller spaces along the facade are shared between units, providing an opporunity for collaboration.

Additions & Alterations

Upper Cross Street Residential (left) is expanded to house a Start-up Space and Pod Headquarters. Residential tower height is reduced. The carpark is redesigned as a Pod Customization space, with workshop areas and timeshared parking between pods and cars. The new massing introduced houses the Fabric Makerspace, where members can learn and create. It also provides a link for pedestrians to the park and Ceramics Workshops up the hill.

Along Upper Cross Street

Entrance from Chinatown MRT exit

Entrance from Clarke Quay

Hawker Centre throughfare

Pod Display & Plaza

Shophouse street condition

Fabric Makerspace, bridge to hill

Desker

2018, Introduction to Urbanism

Desker Road is infamously known for its transexual prostitution activity. Its proximity to residents and shops have resulted in many complaints, and undervalued, or empty, shop spaces. The intervention proposed does not impose a moral stand on legal prostitution, but seeks to reduce friction between stakeholders. Group Members: Zhao Yue, Feranda Chua

SECTIONAL AXONOMETRIC The intervention is housed in two empty shophouses, and managed by a local NGO. The first floor caters to a new queuing system for prostitution customers: they get a ticket, then wait inside. This reduces the problem of loitering, especially at the nearby HDB void deck. The presence of a managing local NGO, and the removal of loitering customers, will dissuade the illegal sale of sex toys and images.

BUSINESS BUSINESS HOURS HOURS 12PM-8PM 12PM-8PM

At night, the queing area serves the clinic and sex education centre above, reducing the potential spread of diseases, and protecting the prostitutes’ health and safety.

BUSINESS BUSINESS CLOSURE CLOSURE 8AM-12PM 8AM-12PM

PAGE PAGE 14 14

PROTOTYPE PROTOTYPE FLOOR FLOOR PLAN PLAN

GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR SECOND FLOOR

SNAPSHOT

PAGE 13 PAGE 13 After intervention, Desker Road’s activity is streamlined to an ordered process. ProstituAfter intervention, Desker Road’s activity is streamlined to an ordered process. Prostitution customers no longer cause visual disturbance to residents and other businesses, tion customers no longer cause visual toand residents and other and instead queue in the waiting area.disturbance The sex clinic education centrebusinesses, helps to and instead queue in the waiting area. The clinic and education centre helps to provide service to this community which is sex especially vulnerable to sexually transmitprovide service to helps this community which is especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. This to protect the health and rights of the working prostitutes, and ted diseases. This helps to protect the and rights prevent the spread of such diseases onhealth a national scale. of the working prostitutes, and prevent the spread of such diseases on a national scale.

SNAPSHOT

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SNAPSHOT

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Existing interventions on site

Current Site Program (1:1000)

Trees planted at edge of HDB block the view of the backalley

Proposed Site Program (1:1000) Fence around the HDB blocks the view of Desker Road, but also fences in waiting customers loitering at the void deck.

Black cloth at brothel doorways cover up view of prostitutes in the sitting room inside.

Further proposals include introducing new programs to the HDB commercial levels, encouraging community among residents. Thus void deck space is returned, and community spaces enhanced for the residents, easing tensions.

Effects of Intervention Stakeholders & Site Processes Before

Site Experience Before

Implementation & Negotiation

After

The Valley

2019, Simon Chih-Feng Shu Studio (Tunghai University)

[ The mountains rose up and formed valleys, and the valleys give the mountains their meaning. On the mountains, the people work and play. But where the people are close to the land, the valley flourishes. In the valleys, people find rest away from work and activity. ]

perspectives

Analyzing the convex faces of the buildings surrounding the site, ‘The Valley’ instead proposes a concave form in both footprint and section. The first external main Valley creates a public and commercial space on the first and second floor. This rest area aims to support surrounding pampering businesses: beauty and fashion shops. This draws on site observation of large crowds at cafes, and the experience of a lack of seating in the larger district. A second Valley creates a social sspace for hostel users, which can be seen from the road. A third Sacred Valley is hidden from view, framing the back alley and its haphazard boundaries. The city as a mountain in itself.

side elevation (entrance)

ground floor plan

front elevation

back elevations elevations

2nd floor plan

section A0 - A1

3rd floor plan

section B0 - B1

4th floor plan

roof plan

section C0 - C1 sections

FloodPark

2019, Problems of the Anthropocene (Tunghai University)

Based on the “Berlin-Brandenburg 2070” competition held by the city of Berlin in 2019, the urban design studio investigated urban living in the Anthropocene Age. Frequent flooding of the area’s main transport node (Spandau Train Station) was identified as a major problem. This was due to various factors over time. Firstly, the area has large variations in built density due to numerous hills, water bodies and nature reserves. Urbanized areas were more prone to flooding due to concretized ground. Secondly, the waterways have become commercialised over the years. Dams, water traffic and boat parking have relied on a largely stagnant river - making it prone to flooding when it rains. Another problem was the unequal ownership of the river among citizens. While wealthier citizens enjoyed riverside housing and convenient water transport, poorer residents were served by a disjointed public bus and train transportation system. Framing flooding as an opportunity, the Urban Plan was designed for spaces to change in function according to the water level. During floodtime, various parks will link up to form a waterfront promenade and green corridor. The new waterpark could expand for more activities, and a wet market could accommodate a entertainment space for fishing. To solve the poor transportation system, water transport is encouraged through the new city spine canal. Project Members: Pann (Thailand), Vincent (Taiwan), Joanne (Taiwan), Danny (Taiwan), Clara (Spain), Feranda (Singapore)

Site-specific Issues and Design Potential

Design Synthesis: Structural Plan

Final Urban Design -easy access and view from old town to citadel, tourist choose to walk pass the historical road rather than taking taxi -people using boat instead of cars decreasing air pollution and increasing water management system by boat -new landmark and meomrable memory for tourist to remember in creasing chance of coming back -seperating and also combining touristic and residentual area at the same time choosing some activities that can support both users

-preparing the city for the flood not protect it from the flood, live with the flood, providing food source and safe zone for the community -not only food and accomodation but also entertainment to take care of the community mental health -not only life on land but also life underwater, the ecosystem with better waste management system and also balancing ecosystem -not only living with water but also make some benefit from that, using water to create electricity

Water mamagment Green land Park River Canals Fishing area

S：1/6000

Sport field WareHouse Roads

S：1/6000

Train station Shopping Restaurant/Cafe

S：1/6000

Church

Lean Roof

2017, Joseph Lim Studio

Using rigid sails from the Maltese Falcon (luxury yacht), eight metal boomerang-shaped trusses lean against each other to create a space sheltered from the tropical sun and rain. The sail form allows for rainwater runoff to the sides, while passing winds downwards into the interior space below.

handdrawn perspective

render

PLAN 1:200

handdrawn section PLAN 1:200

SECTION 1:175

handdrawn section SECTION 1:175

model photos

Ketam Tower

2017, Joseph Lim Studio

A survival skills centre located at Ketam Quarry, Pulau Ubin. With the quarry below, and mountain biking trails above, the tower acts as a transition point for mountain biking, kayaking, and rock climbing activities. The tower is designed to facilitate learning about the environment, and experiencing outdoor camping. From the tower, nature lessons can be conducted within view of the forests, mangroves and quarry. A bird watching platform faces a popular bid nesting area. Passive learning about timber structure is enabled through protruding beams and joists, which emphasize the tower’s structure. Rock is used to define wet areas, and respond to the cliff surroundings. Delight in movement is encouraged through the use of wooden ladders and rope walls instead of conventional staircases. Students are encouraged to explore the tower peppered with rock and rope climbing, and other facilities. Sleeping platforms are designed for small-group bonding. Larger spaces on the main level, and various platforms around the tower, allow for larger activities, and for students to explore the tower.

Selected for exhibition at CityEx 2017 Currently exhibited at Singapore Polytechnic

QUARRY, ACES A L NESTS ESTRIAN OW FOR WARDS Y.

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NGROVE AREA AND THE QUARRY, ANGROVE AREA AND THE QUARRY, NVIRONMENTS. A A ENVIRONMENTS.IT ITALSO ALSOFACES FACES LANS TOTO PLACE ARTIFICIAL NESTS PLANS PLACE ARTIFICIAL NESTS N. ITSITS PROXIMITY TOTO PEDESTRIAN ON. PROXIMITY PEDESTRIAN UNTAIN BIKING TRAILS, ALLOW FOR OUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS, ALLOW FOR ON TATION OF THE TOWER TOWARDS A AND THE NTATION OFQUARRY, THE TOWER TOWARDS ENJOYS VIEWS OF BOTH THE MANGROVE AREA AND THE QUARRY, EWS THE DAY. S. ITTHROUGHOUT ALSO FACES A VIEWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ENVIRONMENTS. IT ALSO FACES A LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT

ACE ARTIFICIAL NESTS

DMITY NESTING AREA, WHERE NPARKS PLANS TO PLACE ARTIFICIAL NESTS TO PEDESTRIAN WER CAN BE ENTERED FROM STEPS OWER CAN BE ENTERED FROM STEPS ENCOURAGE THE BIRD POPULATION. ITS PROXIMITY TO PEDESTRIAN G TRAILS, ALLOW FOR M AND BRIEFING AREA. ORM AND BRIEFING AREA.

DIAMOND BLUE SQUARE MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS, ALLOW FOR HE TOWER AND TOWARDS BY DIFFERENT HOUT THE DAY. USERS. THE ORIENTATION OF THE TOWER TOWARDS ALLOWS USERS TO ENJOY GREAT VIEWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

CATION ENTERED FROM STEPS

TER ATAT THE IN BASE OF THE TOWER, OWER ENJOYS VIEWS OF BOTH THE MANGROVE AREA FROM AND THE QUARRY, NTER BASE OF THE TOWER, EAND CONCAVE THE ROCK, THE TOWER CAN BE ENTERED STEPS THE THE QUARRY, FING AREA. TATING LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. ORAGE BATHROOMS BEFORE FF, TO THE AND BRIEFING AREA.IT ALSO FACES A STORAGE AND BATHROOMS BEFORE IT LEADING ALSOAND FACES A MAIN PLATFORM LAR BIRD NESTING AREA, WHERE THE NPARKS PLANS TO PLACE ARTIFICIAL NESTS NG AREAS, AND E ARTIFICIAL NESTS KING AREAS, ANDESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY THE URTHER ENCOURAGE THE BIRDAS POPULATION. ITS PROXIMITY TO PEDESTRIAN HE SURROUNDINGS WELL TOTO TY TO PEDESTRIAN ASAS THE SURROUNDINGS WELL AS S, BLACK DIAMOND AND BLUE SQUARE MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS, ALLOW FOR

sections

plans

Studio JLEM

WALL MODULE

Finature isometric view

2017, 3D Printing

Exploring 3D printing for construction, a modular facade was designed using Rhinoceros 3D and NetFab. 3D printed off-site, the modules use a twist-and-click mechanism to snap into place. Supported by a Y-shaped structure, tilted fins guide wind into the building, and provide sufficient rain shelter. The facade was further developed into a building, where facade fins extend into a cavernouse space providing a delightful experience of lightness.

front elevation

side elevation

CORNER MODULE

isometric view

front elevation

side elevation

Group Members: Grace Ng Amber Li Cheng Nursufiah Binte Zulkefle Feranda Chua Sih Chee Seng

- Funnels wind through the facade - Channels rainwater runoff

- Slim down module to optimise material use - Force directed in an ‘X’ manner

- Increased thickness to improve structural stability

- Channels rainwater runoff - Funnel swind through the facade - Provides shade for internal spaces

- Funnels wind through the facade - Provides structural stability - Channels rainwater runoff - Provides shade for internal spaces

- Modification of blades to improve structural stability

- Further modification of blades to improve structural stability

18 - Creates internal spaces within module

- Replication to produce smaller module to solve corner issue

- Creates internal spaces within module

design development

nd and Rain Performance Joints

Performance

WIND RAINWATER

WIND RAINWATER - During construction, each module is fixed in place by slotting wind & rain performance slot joint for on-site assembly downwards, preventing the module from shifting out of place laterally

3D printed model block & single module

Project Ignis

2019, Student-run Volunteer Project (Leader) Vietnam In collaboration with the Vietnamese NGO Blessed Discoveries, I co-led a team of 20 architecture students with Suzan Sim, a fellow student. Over 6 months, we sourced for a need, gathered a team, and facilitated the design of a brick classroom for underprivileged children. We learnt team management, especially during a ten-year event flood, which caused us to evacuate our construction site immediately. The design process required liasing with various stakeholders such as the NGO and landowner. We continued to design on-site whilst participating in construction, discussing with the skilled metalworker and builders to adjust the design inresponse to the Vietnamese climate and construction schedule. Thus, we were able to experiment - with the help of the builders - with brick patterning, allowing for natural lighting and ventilation. We also held classes for the children, teaching structural principles, art and science.

Ah Ma Drinks Stall

2018, Student-run Volunteer Project (Member)

The project was the first timber structure in Singapore in many years, and was a part of a plan to revitalize Pulau Ubin, and restore its architecture. I experienced the construction process of a timber structure in Singapore. Through months of construction, I learnt about a design’s impact on time and effort in construction, and the importance of organisation especially in timber construction. I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn timber techniques: chiseling joints and operating machinery for struts and beams.

Project Masaya

2018, Student-run Volunteer Project, (Member) Philippines Project Masaya a collaboration between a group of NUS Architecture students and Gawad Kalinga (GK), a Filipinio NGO. Based on earlier participatory design research, a playground was designed and built as a common social space for 2 GK villages, 1 which was newly built. Relationships and a sense of ownership was forged by including the community in construction, and through engaging the children. I helped to facilitate participatory design workshops to find new potential sources of income for the residents, which resulted in a new Bakery project the following year. From this project, I learnt about the difficulties in leading a project’s design and construction, and liasing with organisations. I also gained a new respect for community knowledge, and the importance of participatory design.

BENCH zine 2015

An examination of how an object reveals human movement, and mediates human interaction. Exhibited at SG Art Book Fair 2016

cover pages & spreads

select pages

BIKE zine

2019

Through analysing shared bike parking, the zine documents how people identify an area as a series of spaces by noting height differences, textures, etc. Exhibited at SG Art Book Fair 2019

Literature Night 2015

Literature Night is a studentorganised event where students and teachers perform literature as spoken word, plays, and singing. Drawing on the theme of ‘Mania’, opium flowers fall across the pages, with a psychedelic mirroring effect on the cover. The booklet takes on the format of a play: a foreword and performers as numbered acts.

sample

front cover

back cover ticket

spreads

Where Ah? 2015

A zine documenting disappearing trades in Singapore: namely street barber & fortune-telling. Through this project we each learnt to take on roles as photographer, sound recorder, writer, editor and designer, creating a zine and a video. Project team: Rachel Yin, Joell Ang, Jared Lim, Feranda Chua, Ashley Chng, Nadiah Wong, Valarie Yap

cover page & spreads

by rachel

the Benjamin System by feranda

2020

A starting research into the privileges in making art and the importance of connections: in accessing educational institutions, equipment, teachers, peers, working spaces and knowledge. As part of co-founded Benjamiiiiiiiiin art collective; With Rachel Yin (left) and Kristin Low (right)

art

by kristin

Typing Project

2015

As the most common keyboard in the world, the muscle memory of typing on a QWERTY keyboard can be seen as a common language coded into each person’s hands. The project experimented documenting this ‘muscle language’ through different mediums. 2-year thesis project for IB Visual Arts at Higher Level

Picnic En Blanc

2016

Pamphlet design for community event. As part of Church’s Youth Service publicity team.

tWild coffeebook

2017

Illustration for an article about pangolin species facing extinction.