H E A D’S M E S S A G E
BAC H ELO R O F A RTS IN A RC HITEC T U R E P R O G R A M M E DI R E C T O R’S M E S S A G E
I am delighted to welcome you, either as new or returning
As we begin this education journey with you, we have
Your architectural education might begin at NUS
Within each level, tutors will teach design through
students, to NUS Department of Architecture (DOA). With
worked to achieve better clarity in our studio direction
Department of Architecture, but it will not end when
different methodologies. This is a benefit of membership
the pandemic still raging, this new Academic Year (AY)
and pedagogy. Our programmes focus on design, which
you graduate. Those of you who do go on to practise
in a large and diverse school, with many studios per
will continue to be disruptive and a great challenge to us
we see as evidence-based problem solving skills that
architecture will find this especially true. For the best in
level. You will have a wide exposure to varied modes of
all. Renovations of SDE3 are still on-going, and hopefully
has the potential to transcend the confines of everyday
our field, the learning never stops.
thinking and working. You will be encouraged to develop a
we will be able to move back to SDE3 towards the end of
experience. The required modules in our programmes
AY2021/22. In the meantime, our studios will continue
open doors to different domains of knowledge, which
At the DOA, what we provide our undergraduates is not
what architecture is, what it can and should do, and what
to be scattered with hot desking arrangements. I hope
in turn inform design decisions. The elective modules
an exhaustive download of disciplinary knowledge (which
you might, as a future architect, contribute to it. We value
we can persevere and adapt to the studio condition with
further expand and enrich students’ knowledge in their
would be impossible in any case); but rather, a strong
an exploratory culture, with each studio approaching
COVID-19 safety guidelines and measures. Regardless of
chosen topics of interest. By creating and navigating
foundation in architectural thinking. Our programme takes
design via thoughtful and energetic iterative processes.
the disruption, we at DOA, pledge to do our best to deliver
a path through the entire curriculum, you will then be
students through a different design studio each semester,
an excellent learning experience for you, as you journey
empowered to pursue your own aspirations and interests
providing a deep dive into different facets of architecture.
While we will teach the curriculum detailed in the
with us through the year. The pandemic has led us to
in architecture.
Studios cover 18 curated themes—sorted into six levels of
following pages, you will also be expected to play an active
three related topics each— selected to build a paradigm,
role in your education, and to learn more than what we
question a number of the essential values at the heart of
personal—and intellectually robust—critical position as to
how we operate in society, such as gatherings, community,
The values that we champion in our programmes relate
from which allows students the opportunity to see and
teach. Our programme requires that you take ownership
work and living patterns, nature, technology, and digital
both to architectural and spatial form, and pertain to
think like an architect. Learning will be cumulative,
of your own learning to fully exploit this environment of
capacity. These values are, and should be, expressed in
current social conditions, environmental responsibility,
experiential, and augmented through a thorough
opportunities. You will be expected to acquire and hone
spatial terms, which you shall explore this year.
well-being and health, urban liveability, memory and
immersion in the culture of the design studio.
both hard and soft skills along the way through your own
identity, and relationship with nature. At this moment,
effort. Just as you will learn to use technical tools such
AY2021/22 also marks the beginning of a common
these issues are particularly relevant, poignant and ripe
Certain fundamental aspects of architecture—such as
as AutoCAD or Rhino, you will also develop essential soft
curriculum structure for the undergraduate degree,
for reflection, research, re-affirmation, and redefinition.
programme, site and form—will not appear as individual
skills like collaboration, stamina, grit, and resilience. You
designed for the School of Design and Environment
A number of design studios planned for the new academic
themes, but will instead be explored in all studios, at all
will also learn to present, debate and refine your design
and Faculty of Engineering. This new approach
year are addressing these issues directly, and we await
levels. Grappling with these fundamental elements will
work, and strengthen a mindset of circumspection beyond
to undergraduate education aims to focus on
with anticipation the innovative answers and outcomes
increase in sophistication and complexity as you progress
simple notions of “right” and “wrong”.
interdisciplinary learning and allows students to craft
that they will generate.
through the years, with an opportunity to synthesise your
multiple pathways in their education and future careers.
knowledge and thinking in the final semester’s project.
With this, an architectural education at the DOA will not
Architecture education has often been interdisciplinary;
We are turning the coming year’s challenges into
only prepare students for professional practice, but will—
however, the new curriculum will usher in a structural
opportunities for robust spatial responses to future
perhaps more importantly—foster a generation of critical,
approach to undergraduate education to prepare you for
conditions. However, we are also mindful of the mental
creative, and articulate thinkers.
a fast-changing world in the future. You will be exposed
challenges the coming year might bring to your studies.
to fundamental modules that will offer exposure in
We care about your well-being and we are open to meet
professional skills, values, methodology and pedagogy in
and help you, should you face stressful situations during
O N G K E R-S HIN G
design and engineering. In the upper years, you will also be
your studies. I invite you to come talk with me and we can
Associate Professor in Practice
able to pick up some minors or a second major, which will
face the issues together. I am confident that we will rise
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Programme Director
enhance your career resilience. While the new curriculum
above our challenges and work to create design solutions
is applicable to first year students, we will also take the
that will address pertinent issues of importance for
opportunity to assess our curriculum, and make changes
current and future communities. My colleagues and I,
to the structure and learning outcomes of different
look forward to working together with you, and bringing
modules.
our passion, creativity and intelligence together with yours, in this education journey. I wish you an exciting and rewarding new academic year.
H O P U AY P E N G Professor and Head of Department
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