Introduction Architecture is about art and helping people, it is a career path where the two elements that im passionate about meet. Alvar Aalto once said, “Building art is a synthesis of life in materialized form. we should to bring in under the same hat not a plintered way of thinking, but all in harmony together.” In my mind, these building personify and embody the diverse cultures that exist today. In fact, architecture is a major influential force in my life that has given me a sense of direction and meaning. Materiality + Construction Experiencing architecture and viewing architecture is two different aspects. Architecture needs to be “read” through the intangibility of spaces rather than through a still image. Architecture is made up of materials which creates an ambience and provide texture or substance to it. I usually inform architecture by materiality & construction. This approach opens up my way to an innovative use of materials in the design professions. I believe construction method and materials can be expressed to immediately reveal the architectural idea behind a building. Model Of Sustainability Sustainability is an important key element in designing architecture. The idea of “taking less from the earth to give more to the people” in architecture ranges from being energy efficient to using recycled materials had developed me into a more environment conscious person. In the model of sustainability, architecture also involves the human aspect of sustainability and social sustainbility. Human sustainbility means maintaining human capital by means of promoting health, education and services. The social aspect examine the impact of a building has on its community. Equilibrium Of Appropriate Balance I’ve always thought aesthetic was the way to architecture. However, i was inspired by William J.Martin’s teaching of the equilibrium of appropriate balance in Econo-functional Aesthetic Balance. The intention was to design an architecture which is balance in terms of economics, functions and aeshetics factors. The economic factor is affected by resoucres to obtain appropriate materials. The functional factor is affected by the design of space to communicate room type and function while aesthetic factor contribute to texture and acoustic beauty. I believe when the 3 factors are balanced, this creates architectural beauty that is far more profound.
TABLE OF CONTENT 01-06 Adapting Thin Cities - Octavia 07-30 Fruit Market & Bicycle Transit Centre 31-52 Homeless Assisting & Nurturing Shelter 53-58 Eco - Stand 59-64 Pyramiden Reversed Power Plant 65-68 Roca Self Cleaning Tiles 69-74 Costa Concordia Ghostlight Lighthouse 75-80 ‘Awan’ Light Installation
01\
/02
INVISIBLE C I T I E S BY I T A L O CALVINO 1972 . T I
T H I N
O A A
C V .
C I T I E S
If you choose to believe me, good; now I will tell you how Octavia, the spider-web city, is made. There is a precipice between two steep mountains: the city is over the void, bound to the two crests with ropes and chains and catwalks. You walk on the little wooden ties, careful not to set your foot in the open spaces: a few clouds glide past; farther down you can glimpse the chasm’s bed. This is the foundation of the city: a net which serves as passage and as support. All the rest, instead of rising up, is hung below: rope ladders, hammocks, houses made like sacks, clothes hangers, terraces like gondolas, skins of water, gas jets, spits, baskets on strings, dumbwaiters, showers, trapezes and rings for children’s games, 03\
cable cars, chandeliers, pots with trailing plants. Suspended over the abyss, the life of Octavia’s inhabitant is less uncertain than in other cities. They know the net will only last so long.
I N T E R P R E T A T I O N
Octavia A discrete unreachable city suspended in between two mountains. It is bound with ropes, chains and catwalk imply that it is a fragile city which will crumble and fall anytime. All the rest, instead of rising up, is hung below metaphorically means that everything in the city is run down. Less activity happens and everything appears to be silent and dead. It is a city where people are connected physically but not emotionally. People mind their own business and are self-centred. The spider web networks which serves as passage and as support indicate the people in the city is very dependence. Dependent on what, only the people of Octavia know. However, they have learned to accept their fate. They wait for the embrace of death for they know the city will last only so long. /04
RE-SYNTHESIZE 1
Octavia city, a spider-web city, bound between two mountains where the cities are hung over the void. From this point of view, the city of Octavia seems like a city with strong connection between one another due to the idea that naturally spider web have a good connection between each subsequent point. The text later described that the terraces are like gondolas and houses are made like sacks hanging by the ropes and chains. At this point, it is interpreted that the people in the city does not have this strong bond between one another as described earlier.
The reason is because the gondolas and sacks are seen as an individual pod hanging by itself. It is a city where people are connected physically but not emotionally. With this “DELUSION� concept in mind, it is adapted into Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. From the graphic illustration, the first perspective shows that the Pavilion and the city are run down. At first sight it seems that there is no activity happens and everything appears to be silent and dead. But when the graphic is observed with more detail, human activities can be seen happening at the street 05\
by the Pavilion. Tennis player can also be seen playing at the top of the Pavilion. The green vegetation also conveyed the concept strongly in this graphic illustration. This is because greens are seen as a positive sign towards the environment when planted, however, when observed carefully, the graphic shows that the greens are actually a negative sign. With the unmaintained overhanging green covering the façade of the building, it conveys the message that the city is actually being overgrown with wild untreated grasses.
chandeliers, showers, dumbwaiters, pots of plants; anything that you can imagined of is hung on the net. Without the net, Octavia city does not exist. From this, it is interpreted that the people of the Octavia city are very dependent. The “DEPENDENT” concept is adapted into Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. From the graphic illustration, footsteps can be seen on the walkway above indicating that circulation around Kuala Lumpur city can only be done by the walkway. To get from one point to another, the only way is by the walkway. /06
From the graphic illustration, the ground of the city is seen covered with sand and dust. Not a single living soul can be seen on the ground. This shows that the ground is inhabitable and further strengthens the idea that the people have to depend only on the walkway to get through around Kuala Lumpur city. From this, it shows that the people do not have any freedom to choose their mean of transportation. Their path is crafted solely based on the walkway.
RE-SYNTHESIZE 2
Octavia city is described as a city which is hung in between two steep mountains. Below there is nothing for hundreds and hundreds of feet. From this description, it is interpreted that the people of Octavia city does not have a freedom to choose. They can’t leave the city due to the city is suspended in mid-air. Their lives remain in and only in Octavia. From the text, it is also mention that the net is the foundation of the Octavia city. It serves both as a passage and as support at the same time. Everything is hung on the net; ladders, hammocks, houses, terraces, cable cars,
07\
/08
URBAN SITE ANALYSIS + MENTAL MAP + ARCHI TECTURE
A clear mental map of the urban environment is needed to counter the always looming fear of disorientation. A legible mental map gives people an important sense of emotional security, it is the framework for communication and conceptual organization, and heightens the depth and intensity of everyday human experience.
09\
CITY ELEMENTS CREATE IMAGES IN OUR MIND
T H I M A G OF T H C I T BY K E V I L Y N C
N H
E M T
E N .
O F /10
L E S
E E E Y
L E G I B I L I T Y
11\
P A T H
Paths “are the channels along which the observer customarily, occasionally, or potentially moves. They may be streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, railroads.�
E M T O F /12
L E S
E N .
L E G I B I L I T Y
13\
E D G E S
Edges “are the linear elements not used or considered as paths by the observer. They are boundaries between two phases, linear breaks in continuity: shores, railroad cuts, edges of development, walls ... “
E M T O F /14
L E S
E N .
L E G I B I L I T Y
15\
D I S T R I C T S
Districts “are medium-to-large sections of the city, conceived of as having two-dimensional extent, which the observer mentally enters “inside of,” and which are recognisable as having some common identifying character .. “
E M T O F /16
L E S
E N .
L E G I B I L I T Y
17\
N O D E S
Nodes “are points, the strategic spots in a city into which an observer can enter, and which are intensive foci to and from which he is travelling. They may be primary junctions, places of a break in transportation, a crossing or convergence of paths, moments of shift from one structure to another. Or the nodes may be simply concentrations, which gain their importance from being the condensation of some use or physical character, as a street- corner hangout or an enclosed square ... “
E M T O F
/18
L E S
E N .
L E G I B I L I T Y
19\
L A N D M A R K S
Landmarks “are another type of point-reference, but in this case the observer does not enter within them, they are external. They are usually a rather simply defined physical object: building, sign, store, or mountain�
E M T O F /20
L E S
E N .
L E G I B I L I T Y
Anyone familiar with Jalan Tun HS Lee in KL will realize that the high density of population are consist of business man due to the site located in the middle of a bank district. Based on personal perception of the site, there is a need to provide a platform to revitalize the populations around the site which are currently leading a hustle lifestyle. The lack of fresh fruits at the site had given an opportunity to set up a fruit market to re-energize the working spirit of the population.
On a global scale issue, Malaysia has been announced the highest rate of obesity and diabetes in the region. The fruit market is programmed to revive and uplift the quality of context and population. Hence the concept of “Revitalization�.
21\
P E R C E P T I O N O F S I T E
an aggregation of skyscrapers formed the city shadows overcasting everywhere, everytime causes a loss sense of time and orientation
a sectional perspectives
mental impression & being aware of something through the senses
/22
axis & view tourist spots heritage trial tourist pattern
As shown in the diagram, the site has a prominent axis from Jalan Gereja towards the site. This provides oppurtunity for the market to be viewed from a distance. As shown in the diagram, at the node of Jalan Hs Lee, there are 3 prominent axis which directs down to the landmark of KL, which are the Maybank Tower, Central Market and Petaling Street. This phenomenon naturally allows the market to be an iconic landmark within the district to complete the axis of the node.
Junction is a place for decision making. At this moment, human mind will heighten in attention and perceive more than normal time. This strategic location allows the market facade to stands out as a guide in orientation.
23\
SI TE CONDITION & CONTEXT
ground floor plan
/24
circulation diagram
circulation access
vertical transportation
G N E G T I A S R E T
The spatial layout of the fruit market is designed so that each space has a relation in terms of views or activities to a refreshing essence. Fruits plantation had been spread among the 3 floors of the market to achieve the goal of sustainability. Daylighting use had been maximizes as well as passive cooling
The roof which is incorporated with PV cells helps the market to generate electricity while the butterfly roof form collect rain water for property use. The faรงade expandable mesh will be coated in a layer of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide have pollutant reducing capability, it will react with pollutant in the city and by product of water and calcium nitrate (natural fertilizer) which naturally cools the building and fertilize the fruit plants.
D S
Due to strategic location of the site at the edge of a highly traffic junction, this provides an opportunity to create an anchor point on public route. A public plaza with water feature which carries an essence of revitalization welcomes visitors at the entrance.
Y
public realm permeability
25\
first floor plan
/26
J A N E JACOB’S THEORY ON
I N S P I R A T I O N
Inspired by Jane Jacob’s Theory on mixed-use development, the idea of “overlapping territory” is applied in the fruit market to enhance community vitality. This is done by incorporating a secondary program which is a bicycle rental center into the fruit market. The bicycle center is able to attract tourist into the market to rent bicycle at different time of day due to the site being near to the starting point (Central Market) of the KL Heritage Trial. This secondary program does not only promote health revitalization but also provide a platform to engage cultural exchange between locals and tourists.
M I X E D
. V O E 27\
D E P
N
-
U S E
E L M T
second floor plan
/28
facade impression
facade concept
Light, Flexible & Strong; to protect against tough elements of the street which cointains high concentration of lead emitted from buses & motorcycles.
Facade as iconic city landmark. Inspired by characteristic of fruit, the facade explores the idea of an outer layer concealing a contrasting inner skin like a fruit skin which opens up to reveal a vibrant inner fruit
Building skin envelope building like a curtain, conferring the volume a balanced character.
FACADE STRATEGY 29\
The façade design intention is aimed at expressing public identity so to generate a catalyst of awareness to surrounding the need to design with a healthy future in mind. This is done by the use of green element to express the façade design. Green elements grown on expanded mesh are used as modulation of façade and as façade grid lines which respond to adjacent building. Industrial material such as expandable mesh are used at the front façade to response to the front view of city structures and vehicles. However for rear view, raw, unfinished materials are used to respond to the back alley essence. Brick wall, cement plastered wall and window panels are used to express the back façade which correspond to the front façade in terms of modulation and sizing.
third floor plan
/30
31\
/32
S I T E I N T R O I S S U E
O N
S I TE
H O M E L E S S N E S S 33\
key plan
Sentul is a stone’s throw away from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. With its close distance to KL, Sentul have seen rapid development in the past decade leaded by the urban renewal project plans of YTL Coporation. Suitably named as Sentul West and Sentul East, the Sentul KTMB train depor and tracks divide these two portions into respective. The proposed site is located within the Sentul East region. Bounded by the LRT track, vehicle road Jalan Bandar Baru Sentul and the Gombak River, thesite falls
under the category of Institutional land ownded by DBKL. It is confirmed through a survey that an estimated 1,400 people were considered homeless just within Kuala Lumpur alone. Homelessness has roots in poverty and social exclusion. People become homeless for many reasons. Some of which are due to retirement, loss of job, injuries, illnesses and disabilities which hinders them to earn an income to sustain. Therefore, even though homeless is
/34
fundamentally a problem of poverty, the solution requires much more than just asking homeless people to “get a job�. It requires much more than just charity.
P R O GRAMME PROPOSAL F
O
O
D
D I S T R I B U T I O N + U F
R A
B R
M
A I
N N
G
The proposed programme is a Homeless Assisting & Nurturing Shelter. It functions primarily to help get the homeless people get back on their feet in society by providing a job opportunity and at the same time bridging the gap between the high end users and the homeless society. The programme comes with farming and a high end market based restaurant. The homeless will be taught on farming techniques and all crops go directly to the market and restaurant to be consumed. However, the main 35\
programme of the shelter revolves around the idea of food distribution. Distribution of food to the homeless will take place within the shelter itself and at the same time along the Gombak River through a proposal of distribution via water taxi. The programme can be seen as a welcoming gesture to attract homeless which are from Sentul area itself and Kuala Lumpur city centre into the vicinity. Hence, reducing the number of “homelessness� image in the city as the existing LRT track leads all the way to southern region where the hearth of Kuala Lumpur sits.
F O O D AS BRIDGING THE G A P
/36
They should not be invisible.
“ When passerby’s ignore homeless people, they don’t know if that was a man or woman in uniform previously. “
They cannot be ignored.
P R O GRAMME PROPOSAL F
O
O
D
D I S T R I B U T I O N + U F
R A
B R
M
A I
N N
G
The targeted demographic users for the shelter are mainly for homeless single mothers with children and single women. A sleeping quarter will be provided for them who takes up the job opportunity offered by the shelter. In return, the shelter will help improve their confidents in re-enacting with the society and nurture living skills in terms of cooking and farming within them until they are fit to be independent once more. Furthermore, the shelter also come with a temporary sleeping pavilion for late night walk-in homeless. Providing an instant access to 37\
shelther greatly brings out the intention of the programme in assisting these homeless.
F O O D AS BRIDGING THE G A P
/38
urban pattern
D E S I G N STRATEGY
. P A
E
S
A R C
I
G
INSPIRATION
D
everyone of us has a possibility to get into homelessness
N
P O H
“homeless possibility� as hidden character of normal person 39\
vehicle entry path
site exposure
river flow direction
district relationship
The design was derived from the prominent axis that was formed in the urban pattern site analysis. A diagonal axis which forms a strong vista between each end of the region across the river is where the design started off. This axis form a linear circulation within the shelter and further formed a ‘‘branching’’ behaviour system. The spine of the circulation where the highest traffic flow is seen, is design as a boundary blurrer. The high end user restaurant and food distribution point + canteen is designed apart from each /40
other sandwiching the main circulation. This is done so that the human flow and activity take place between these two programme is blurring the boundary between the two spaces. Since the project will be seen as an initiator of the ‘‘River of Life’’ proposal, it is design so the building is seen ‘‘talking’’ to the river via obvious openings and levelings to ensure direct sightline towards the riverfront. People from the LRT is able to view towards the shelter with a rhythm of height hierarchy.
D E S I G N STRATEGY
A R C H I T E C T U R E F
L
A
V
O
R
+
Through the condition of blurring, the question of traditional notion of space have been raised, which often evoke a sense of boundary containment and program. During the design phase, it is been conditioned to understand space as that which has boundaries making a clear distinction between interior and exterior, as well as which is contained by floor, roof or wall. What happens if architecture were to end up all this?
E L E M E N T S 41\
ground floor plan
/42
D E S I G N STRATEGY
A R C H I T E C T U R E F
L
A
V
O
R
+ E L E M E N T S
During the design, spatial implications of blurring instances of floor, roof and wall in an attempt to remove any preconceived understanding of where ‘‘space’’ began and ended was explored. The end result is a point and plane flavor of architecture which ties up the concept of boundary blurring from existing natural trees, to man made ‘‘trees’’ to architecture. This architecture element does not only provide permeability through and within the shelter, it also ensure natural ventilation through the building.
43\
first floor plan
/44
D E S I G N STRATEGY
A R C H I T E C T U R E F
L
A
V
O
R
+ E L E M E N T S 45\
third floor plan
/46
47\
elevation
section a-a’
section b-b’
/48
D E S I G N STRATEGY
H O M E L E S S + S
E
C
U
R
I
T
Y
When dealing with homeless, security is not overlooked. Natural perceiving security, a physiologic effect which make the homeless felt being ‘‘observed’’ in their sleeping quarters is implemented. This is done to prevent the homeles from doing drugs or any negative activity within the shelter. The quarantine room is designed to have a close relationship with the staff room; this is to ensure a natural monitoring to take place. The hammock sleeping pavilion, which is a walk-in temporary sleeping area for homeless, is 49\
designed to be open for two reasons: accessibility from any direction for the homeless and natural perceiving from the welcome centre.
/50
home is a notion that only nations of the homeless fully appreciate 51\
A R C H I TECTURE FOR HUMANITY I T
D I /52
M P A C H R O U G
E G
T H
S N
53\
/54
Eco-stand is a multi holder table top art piece. It functions to hold pens, cards and memos. By removing the other layer of a beverage carton, a new material is born. The Eco-stand is solely made up of used beverage cartons and recycled cardboard. The idea of the whole product is to give people a fresh perspective of what recycled materials can do. By making use of the natural fold and edges of the carton, the carton can be folded easily to form a single piece module of eco-stand.
55\
D E S I G N FEATURES D
. S R I
E
S
I P A O
I
G
N
N I T N /56
explore the natural essence of the materials given
57\
“ Sustainability is making marvelous out of the discarded �
When designing the packaging of the Eco-stand, commerciability is the only thing in mind. Hence the design have to be convenience from both parties producers to consumers. The packaging is made to be stackable at the same time making the packaging as part of the Eco-stand - the base. This greatly boost the sustainability value of the product and reduces wastage. Finally, the packaging have to be commercially presentable and always ready to be sold.
D E S I G N FEATURES
D
. C G
E
S
I
P K E
G
N
A A . /58
59\
/60
what
how
why
Remembering and unlocking parts of our history are essential components of preservation. Men have long practice the harvest of resources and utilize it into energy. Pyramiden was once a coal mining town. The proposal initiates a hub which programs to preserver the culture practice of how Pyramiden citizen uses coal to generate electrical energy.
With tubes scattering around the vast land, it will function to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The absorbed carbon dioxide will then be channeled through underground pipes and connected to the center core of the hub to be broken down into oxygen and carbon. Carbon which is the primary element of coal is used in return to generate electrical energy, hence preserving the culture practice of Pyramiden. Excessive coal can also be used to push on the research of graphene. While the oxygen produced is then channeled back into the atmosphere.
Svalbard is among the few areas in the world that sees the biggest impact of climate change due to global warming. With this proposal, excessive heat and carbon dioxide are extracted from the atmosphere and in return put into good use to produce energy and oxygen. This gives Pyramiden a new significance in maintaining the oxygen level of the surrounding which pushes Pyramiden as part of a whole to the recent development of Svalbard as an international hub for climate research.
61\
PRESERVE IDEALOGY
preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future
R E M E M B E R + U N L O C K
P A D
Y M E
R I N /62
form concept
season change
With this proposal, Pyramiden Town is seen as part of a whole as a climate research centre, the first impression of the form of the hub is very crucial to cisiting tourist. The shape of the hub and the transparency skin is designed to gives an impression of a droplet of melted ice on a cold environment. This gives rise to awareness of global warming in a poetic sense.
During the winter, a transparent skin draws along the core stem of the hub sheltering Pyramiden Town from extreme weather. As hot air rises, heat will be trapped within the hub, maintaining and ensuring comfortable temperature during cold season. Due to difference in temperature between the inside and the outside of the hub, natural phenomenon of condensation takes place on the exterior of the hub. Water droplets will be collected in the middle of the core stem acting as a reservoir. However, during the summer, the skin retracts to allow sunlight to pour in, the collected water in the reservoir is distributed through the town and act as a cooling stem for the town. 63\
D E S I G N FEATURES
preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future
R E M E M B E R + U N L O C K
P A D
Y M E
R I N /64
65\
/66
Cleanliness in the community is just as important as cleanliness for individuals and families. The cleanliness of an individual is based off the cleanliness of a personal space - bathroom. However many people do not realize that the act of cleaning the bathroom is not only both time and energy consuming but it is also damaging mother earth. The chemicals contained in detergents and sanitizers are not earth-friendly. The simple definition of sustainability implies responsible and proactive decision-making and innovation that minimize negative impact on the environment. Hence we proposed a self-cleaning-tile for the bathroom which pushes the limit of tile to play an important role in improving the quality of environment.
bathroom tiles are what built up the atmosphere of the interior 67\
process + drying
one of the highest means of water wastage. As we aim towards development and sustainable management of the world’s water resources, the proposal is designed towards reducing water wastage. During shower, running water will seep through the gap between tiles and be collected, filtered and reused to clean the tiles beneath with the aid of jet spray mechanisms.
why
how
it is the ‘‘skin’’ of the bathroom which set the look and feel of a house
Looking into the shower area as a first step towards the proposed innovation, the groove between two tiles is where dirt are collected and causes the growth of bacteria. To prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria, the proposal spread out the tiles leaving a small gap in between each tile on all four sides. The gap is small enough to allow running water to seep through while still able to serve as a surface. Two pieces of tiles will be clamped back-to-back connected to a double helix rod which is skewered diagonally throughout the floor area in the shower space. The rods will be connected to mechanisms which allow it to rotate with a switch. According to statistics, showering is considered as /68
With this innovation, not only does it help to save water, time and energy, it lightens the burden in cleaning the bathroom for every individual especially for the elderly; eliminating the saddening view of an elderly person having difficulty squatting and scrubbing the bathroom. Since two tiles will be needed to join back-to-back; having two different types(color, pattern, texture) of tiles joint can give off the bathroom a new look and setting with just a button. Giving the bathroom a ‘living’ floor which changes the mood based on individual. As the tiles are rotatable, it allows opportunity to rotate the tiles at a slanting degree to dry the floor at a faster rate after shower; preparing the bathroom for the next user and discourage water tension which promotes the growth of bacteria. If technology allows in the near future, this innovation can be further advanced to incorporate seismonastic movement which changes the tile as it releases water while cleaning, making it a much smarter product that eliminates the action of switching on devices.
69\
/70
ground floor plan
I N S P I R A T I O N
Inspired by the Costa Concordia Disaster, the Ghost Light further defines the horizon between life and death, chaos and harmony, emotion and blandness. The lighthouse will be erected on the spot where the Costa Concordia Cruise Ship sank to become not only a lighthouse but also a memorial. The lighthouse will be constructued by 32 structures that upraise into the sky in a twisting motion; representing the 32 life that were lost beneath the ocean ascending into the heaven. From atop, an immediate streak of light descends down like a neuron impulse passing through the platform and down into the sea. The burst of light fall and darkness follows, as all light dies the lighthouse is now in a state of recapturing the ‘blackout’ moment that took
place on the Cruise. The emotions and feelings that have been experienced by the passenger on that frightful night are now rendered upon the lighthouse. When all seems lost, the flexible structures that spread out into the sea reignite at the end of the buoyant which afloat on the sea; softly sparkling up the sea forming a light path giving an expression of the 32 lost souls as the guardian of the sea providing coordination through their glow to Giglio Port
71\
G H O S T L I G H T
. G H S
L H O E
GIGLIO
I T U .
ISLAND /72
first floor plan
During the day, the 32 translucent structures stand tall on the deep water with its skeletal frame. Refracting light and views of all angles, embracing the surrounding beauty and took it as its own skin. The scale of the lighthouse alone gives the presence of importance, as the translucent structures capture light from above and form harmonious warmth through the chatotic form. Majestically as it stands, it coordinates and orientates not only ships but also air transportations.
73\
G H O S T L I G H T
. G H S
L H O E
GIGLIO
I T U .
ISLAND /74
75\
/76
Looking at the notion of wayfinding, the installation started from the artist’s observation of his neighborhood’s street names, each named after a particular type of cloud. Street signages enable one to locate an address but do they also describe deeper meanings? Can a sheet of metal not only define a space but also a place? The artist was also particularly drawn to the light tube or the fluorescent, a household item that has the ability to mark a place without the need to convey any information. It is a humble object, but when
displayed in a certain manner, marks the artist’s local cheongfun stall, the carwash or his dad’s taichi grounds. Awan is perhaps the artist’s answer to what his neighbourhood’s street signages mean or to what else they could become. Consisting of thirty light tubes, each perched gently on a steel tripod, Awan is an installation that becomes a beacon of activity, igniting a casual banter over cloudy skies or an interaction between two strangers and a cat, as unexpected as it may be. 77\
A W A L I G H BY J U O N
N G
. I P
H I .
P L S
N T
STREET SIGNAGE /78
79\
your house is on a street.
a street with a name you may not know of its origin.
but yet it is part of your neighbourhood.
it describes a piece of home.
A W A L I G H BY J U O N
N G
. I P
H I .
P L S
N T
STREET SIGNAGE /80