ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

first impression of totem ancestor

final 1:200 model

SITE: GILLMAN BARRACKS SITE c the cupped depression of the densely forested site created unique vistas of the landscape, when viewed from the roads surrounding it.

P r o j e c t 0 2

these different perspectives build an atmosphere of hiding and revealing, creating opportunity for curiosity and exploration.

l o s t i n translation

“The task of the architectural project is to reveal, through the transformation of form, the essence of the surrounding context.”

Vittorio Gregotti

Jo Ann Low

Portfolio

these site conditions respond and mirror the dwelling’s intended inhabitant: local filmmaker eric khoo. in conjunction with the dwelling’s overall form of a mobius strip, the concept of getting lost - physically and emotionally - is reinforced, and the casual pedestrian is led on a journey to discover a new perspective.

2021-2015

an overview

Built works iLight Festival, Singapore Night Festival (held 2019)

rst impression of totem ancestor

final 1:200 model

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021-Present

understanding design

designing form

designing object

designing stupid architecture

9-month internship WOHA Architects

designing atmosphere

designing consequence

SITE: GILLMAN BARRACKS SITE c the cupped depression of the densely forested site created unique vistas of the landscape, when viewed from the roads surrounding it.

P j t

r e 0

o c 2

these different perspectives build an atmosphere of hiding and revealing, creating opportunity for curiosity and exploration.

l o s t i n translation

“The task of the architectural project is to reveal, through the transformation of form, the essence of the surrounding context.”

Vittorio Gregotti

these site conditions respond and mirror the dwelling’s intended inhabitant: local filmmaker eric khoo. in conjunction with the dwelling’s overall form of a mobius strip, the concept of getting lost - physically and emotionally - is reinforced, and the casual pedestrian is led on a journey to discover a new perspective.

6-month Exchange Sem Eindhoven University of Technology

phone (+65) 90848457 email joannlow95@gmail.com linkedin linkedin.com/in/joannlow95 singapore 25 years old, Singaporean citizen

Jo AnnLow

curriculum vitae

Singapore is a country where land for nature to grow arrives at a premium. In spite of this, its main arterial transportation routes demonstrate consistent and recognisable patterns of careful greening. These patterns have, over time, contributed to the invention of what one might call a Singaporean materiality - one that is continually re-imagined through public campaigns - “Garden City”, “City in a Garden”, and the current “City in Nature”.

Referencing Michael Billig’s statement on the role of the banal in the re-production of nationalism, the thesis studies this materiality as manifest in seemingly banal conditions along such routes.

The study dissects these conditions into their architectonic components, within which the grafting of natural growth is allowed to take place.

In the process, it aims to surface the efficacy of these components in naturalising selected plant types within the Singaporean mental psyche, and horticultural landscape, over time.

Sited within the land parcel of Clementi Forest, contestations of territory - both human and nonhuman - begin to emerge. Through the tracking of how a singular landscape terraforms and is being terraformed, the Thesis presents an equilbrium consequent of a series of decisions, undertaken by resident, authority, and species alike. Ultimately, there are no good or bad moralities in the curation of Singapore’s environment. Instead: how did we get here, and why?

Thesis Project // MArch 2 2020 August - 2021 Present Supervisor: A/P Tsuto Sakamoto

designing consequence

2021

3

“It matters what stories make worlds, what worlds make stories.”

- Donna J. Haraway, ‘Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene’ The gentle brushing of Hoshigaki; a breeze of spicy autumnal Matsutake; the whistling of Akamatsu leaves. Ecologies on site in Hiraenoki, much like anywhere else, are minutely complex.

With human-led actors and agents of Disaster and Industry entering the stage, can harmony across species and ways of living continue?

The Project introduces the concept of designing a curated atmosphere for the natural growth of mycorrhizal Matsutake fungi. Important relationships with the Pine trees, the Persimmon plantation, and with the Hiraenoki villagers are brought to the forefront of understanding the site’s ecological complexity. Atmospheric conditions, such as humidity, drainage, and rainfall, start to form relationships with the cultural and traditional facets of Japanese ways of living and community.

“Wherever mushrooms are found, there Safety will be.” / “Evacuate to the route of the snaking growing fog.”

Designing from the perspectives of the proud Pine tree, or the humble fungi, requires a fundamental shift in understanding our role as man, as architect, and as object within the vastness of the web. Relationships are made anew: the raindrop and the root has just as much place and farreaching consequences as the villager and the persimmon plantation.

HIRAENOKI, KYUSHU, JAPAN PRINT F-01

NAPAJ ,UHSUYK ,IKONEARIH 30-F TNIRP

Year 4 Semester 2 // MArch 1 2020 January - 2020 May Supervisor: A/P Tsuto Sakamoto

designing atmosphere

2020

Tricholoma matsutake MATSUTAKE まつたけ

sedode alunitneL EKATIIHS けたいし

HIRAENOKI, KYUSHU, JAPAN PRINT T-01

HIRAENOKI, KYUSHU, JAPAN PRINT T-02

Average Dimensions: 5-20cm (diameter); 4-15cm (length) Ectomycorrhizal x Average Price/KG: SGD$126-SGD$2801 Saprotrophic x Average Growth Period: ~6-14 months Dense Clusters / Sparse Clusters / Individual Associated Ecologies: Akamatsu (Japanese Red Pine)

)htgnel( mc01-5 ;)retemaid( mc02-01 :snoisnemiD egarevA x lazihrrocymotcE )atiO( 16$DGS ;86.41$DGS :GK/ecirP egarevA x cihportorpaS shtnom 02-01~ :doireP htworG egarevA ,)kaO htootwaS( igunuK - seerT doowdraH :seigolocE detaicossA laudividnI / sretsulC esrapS / sretsulC esneD )elpaM( ijimomahorI ,)kaO eulB( ihsakarA ,)tuntsehC( iruK

Pinus densiflora AKAMATSU / JAPANESE RED PINE アカマツ

Diospyros Kaki KAKI / PERSIMMON カキノキ

Evergreen Hardwood; Longevity >150 years Soil Conditions for Growth: Well-drained; Full Sun-Partial Shade; Average Dimensions: 4.5-7.5m (spread); 9-15m (height) Clay, Loam, Sand; Average Growth Rate/Year: ~609-914mm Highly Acidic - Slightly Alkaline pH Dense Clusters (600mm spacing) / Sparse Clusters / Individual Associated Ecologies: Matsutake

Deciduous Fruit-tree Soil Conditions for Growth: Well-drained; Full Sun; Average Dimensions: 4.5-7.5m (spread); 6-9m (height) Loam, Sand; Average Growth Rate/Year: ~300-914mm Acidic - Alkaline pH Dense Clusters (Plantation) / Sparse Clusters / Individual Associated Ecologies: Enokitake

4

BOUTIQUE HOTEL: NEW BRIDGE ROAD, SINGAPORE (In process of construction) Phases contributed to: Research, Schematic Design, Design Development, Contract Documentation and Tender (initial stages).

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Engaged in schematic design and development design stages, until early stages of contract documentation: I designed and modelled schematic layouts for public areas, such as the attic level F&B and pool space, as well as garden sky terrace area, in Revit 2020. Additionally, I assisted with the preparation and documentation of drawings for authority submissions: PP and WP under URA, and submissions under relevant technical departments such as SCDF and PUB. Prepared and managed final viewports and photorealistic / atmospheric renderings for submission, using Revit and Adobe Creative Suite.

Designed for and presented interior layouts of proposed guestrooms to client 8MRE. Specialised in and handled the documentation of the existing conservation building.

Participated and presented work in weekly design reviews with WOHA co-founder Richard Hassell, as well as stakeholder meetings with client 8MRE and consultants Web Structures (C&S), Bescon (M&E),and WTP (QS).

For details on the other projects I worked on, please refer to my CV. 9-month internship // WOHA Architects 2019 February - 2019 October Team: Richard Hassell, Phua Hong Wei, Daniel Tan Guan Zhong, Fu Yingzi, Mappaudang Ridwan Saleh, Edrick Paguio

2019

5

In a nation governed by an obsession with cleanliness, discipline and efficiency, everyday spaces like a bus stop exist as oddly familiar yet sterile markers of our daily lives. Inspired by childhood “mischiefs” of doodling on everywhere – we hope to invite everyone to loosen up and get in touch with their inner child in this alternative space.

“Sk(r)etch!” is where the public is encouraged to leave their marks, quite literally, by scratching off the paint to reveal a mosaic of bright colours and patterns, that come together to tell the Singapore story.

“Sk(r)etch!” built work // Singapore Night Festival 2019 2019 June - 2019 August Team: Carnation Kng, Justina Teng Yimin, Justin Ong Sponsor: 3M Singapore

“Prospegtive Perspective” is a 6.4x3.0m installation that celebrates the expression of everyday objects. Ubiquitous, humble, and instantly recognisable, the clothing peg was adopted as our building module. Replicated and reinterpeted into a curtain facade that extends the iconic Marina Bay skyline, it is our hope that the installation brings joy to those who see the peg in a new light.

Post-event: Full dismantling and upcyclling of installation components (pegs, bamboo poles, LED lighting) back to our sponsor contractor.

“Prospegtive Perspective” built work // iLight Festival Bicentennial Edition 2019 2018 December - 2019 February Team: Carnation Kng, Justina Teng Yimin Photographer: Fabian Ong Sponsor: Boewe Design Pte Ltd

18/19

6

“With pain, we must strip our work of anything that prevents us from achieving that simple, simple end.” - Alejandro de la Sota The Dutch word for ‘stupid’ (= ‘stom’), can also translate to mean ‘mute’ in English. Stupid Architecture is an investigation into how things are put together, in the most simple and truthful way. No external meanings, no metaphors, no ideologies. No flashiness, no frills, no narrative.

Just making.

Manifesto: • The building should contain a clear structural logic and hierarchy.

• The design has to react truthfully, in line with its genesis, on characteristics based on expression, history, and/or material properties.

• The use of material should lead to a direct line of reasoning between use and form.

• Aesthetics are achieved when nothing can be altered or taken away, but for the worse (Alberti).

• Stupid Architecture = Comprehensibility. The test: a 6-year-child being able to draw the essence.

Exchange Semester, Master Course 1 // Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands 2018 August - 2019 January Supervisors: Wouter Hilhorst, Jochem Groenland

designing stupid architecture

2018

7

“We hope to create something which even in destruction will cause subsequent new creation.”

- Noboru Kawazoe

“We hope to create something which even in destruction will cause subsequent new creation.”

- Noboru Kawazoe

Project +/- aims to celebrate walkeability, challenge the concept of programmatic permanence, and celebrate the identity of non-identity. Through the manipulation of spaces that coexist and blend, as well as split-level interaction and communal living, the experience of residing, working, and socialising is brought into new dimensions.

Project +/-: Urban Masterplanning, Mixed-Use Year 3 Semester 1 // BArch 3 2017 August - 2017 December Supervisor: Ar. Alan Tay

“There are so many small ” ! ” moments hidden in our everyday. But we don’t recognize them.

We’d like the people who’ve encountered nendo’s designs to feel these small ” ! ” moments intuitively.”

- Oki Sato, Founder, Nendo Nendo Home is conceptualised to be half design atelier and development studio, half retail store.

Small “ ! “ moments are encountered in the interstital spaces of two spatial experiences: Public/Private, Studio/Retail, Inside/Outside.

Nendo Home: Commercial Retail Year 3 Semester 2 // BArch 3 2018 January - 2018 May Supervisor: Ar. Chin Kean Kok

designing object

2017

8

Selected Projects and Sketches Year 1 Semesters 1 & 2 // BArch 1 2015 August - 2016 May Supervisors: Tomohisa Miyauchi

understanding design (1) Museum at Gillman Barracks: The project draws its inspiration from the interpretive piece “Totem Ancestor” (1942), by composer and musician John Cage. Sited within the rainwater canal of Gillman Barracks, the Museum is a formal translation of note, bar, and movement into space.

(2) House for Filmmaker Eric Khoo: Getting lost is an experience both intended and unintended. Cyclical storylines and absent resolution inform the subplot and thematic undercurrents of local filmmaker Eric Khoo’s work.

The intertwining circulation of both Dwelling artist and Park pedestrian results in moments of brief l o s tlost iand n found. contact: a Mobius strip of being translation Selected Projects: (1) Museum at Gillman Barracks, (2) House for Filmmaker Eric Khoo Year 2 Semesters 1 & 2 // BArch 2 2016 August - 2017 May Supervisors: Dr. Swinal Samant, Ar. Chaw Chih “The task of the architectural project is to reveal, Wen, Ar. Sio Lim

P j t

designing

r e 0

SITE: GILLMAN BARRACKS SITE c the cupped depression of the densely forested site created unique vistas of the landscape, when viewed from the roads surrounding it.

o c 2

through the transformation of form, the essence of the surrounding context.” form Vittorio Gregotti

15/16

these different perspectives build an atmosphere of hiding and revealing, creating opportunity for curiosity and exploration.

these site conditions respond and mirror the dwelling’s intended inhabitant: local filmmaker eric khoo. in conjunction with the dwelling’s overall form of a mobius strip, the concept of getting lost - physically and emotionally - is reinforced, and the casual pedestrian is led on a journey to discover a new perspective.

9

final 1:200 model