Mahabodhi Temple, Singapore

by admin | Sep 30, 2014 | |

Mahabodhi Temple   Originally founded in 1969, the monastery was redeveloped with the intention of creating a modern centre for Buddhist practice and culture, with a special focus on Buddhist art. The facade design was inspired by the golden colours and geometric patterns found on the cassock, or robe, of Buddhist monks. This pattern was in turn originally derived from the traditional patchwork of monk’s robes called “福田“ in Mandarin Chinese, which literally translates as “rice paddies”. The facade was conceived of as a robe or shawl enveloping the inner building, evocative of the humble rice paddy, while at the same time enriched through the use of golden onyx . The onyx is constructed as a double panel with LED lighting inside, producing a warm glow reminiscent of traditional Chinese lanterns. This glow is a welcoming beacon to the community, in line with the Monastery’s goal of establishing itself as a community centre. The modern design, much like the original tenets of modernism, deliberately departs from tradition in order to appeal to all people, regardlesss of ethnicity or culture. In the modern international context of Singapore, the architecture of the temple is a deliberate gesture of welcome. The raw form faced concrete of the main building acts as a foil to the all white interior of the main hall, and as a simple vessel for the teachings of Buddhism. The pattern of the outer facade is repeated as openings in the thick concrete walls, allowing for back-lit onyx panels to be experienced in the interior of meditation spaces within. The procession through the building is by way of a...

Multi[4]-Generational Housing, Singapore

by admin | Sep 28, 2014 | |

Multi[4]-Generational Housing, Singapore Completed (2014) Singapore – Rising property prices and statistics have shown a rising trend in multi-generational housing arrangements where more family units undergo resource consolidation and opt to live together. Multi[4]-Generational House is a 3.5 levels residential unit that houses a family of FOUR generations. Taking inspiration from a Japanese bento box. It is conceived as an entity; an elegant and compact container with a common architectural framework designed to house distinctively different programmatic requirement that addresses the communal and private aspects of the family members. Located amidst the lush greenery in the Bukit Timah area, the house exists on a compact land plot with intense programmatic demands that  required spatial experiences to be ‘extended’ beyond its physical boundary. It demonstrates the capturing of external greenery views and prevailing breeze by strategically incorporating high performance glass windows with side overhangs to provide shade from the elements and cross ventilation, thus, allowing optimal daylight and airflow into an otherwise internalised ‘closed-off’ spatial experience. The ground level forms the focal point of the family communal life, where living, dining and kitchen are seamlessly amalgamated in an open plan, with generous steps serving as informal seating for larger family events. An adjacent bedroom with unobstructed views to the garden and lap pool, allows grandmother to participate in the family’s daily life with ease. The upper floors are accessed either via a common stairway or elevator and are conceived as ‘units within a unit’ with the second level housing the son’s family, while the third level comprises of the master bedroom, communal movie room and entrances to the loft and attic bedrooms for...

Lorong G, Telok Kurau

by admin | Sep 27, 2014 | |

Lorong G, Telok Kurau Completed (2014) No. 105 Lorong G began with a heartfelt desire by the Client, who is one of the residents as well as the contractor, to create a multi-storey flat that would ultimately become home to family and elderly church friends. The lot size, a modest 580 sqm, was maximized to provide a generous floor plan that could accommodate two modest suites per level, one two-bedroom, and a one-bedroom. Both suites are joined by an exterior yard and a common lift lobby. The ground floor was reserved for the Client, with a layout that prioritizes views to the landscaped yard, including a generous open concept kitchen, dining and living area. The façade began as an exploration of light and shadow building off the foliage of bamboo leaves, and was further developed into an open timber and steel screen, which allows for a range of shadows and light filtering. A dramatic 5 storey high timber screen, behind which is the naturally ventilated stair core, gives the front of the building its identity and character. At the roof top is a small pavilion and swimming pool that goes to the edge of the building, looking out over the rooftops of the surrounding Telok Kurau neighbourhood, including the minaret a modern mosque, and a traditional Chinese temple. Building Type: Residential  Location: 105 Lorong G, Telok Kurau, Singapore Client: Shincon Industrial Pte Ltd Gross Floor Area: 799 sqm  Site Area: 579 sqm Status: Completed (2014) Photography Credit: Sanjay Kewlani (www.skewedeye.com)        ...

788 Funeral Parlour, Singapore

by admin | Sep 24, 2014 | |

788 Funeral Parlour, Singapore Ongoing The subject of death, its customs and taboos must be dealt with sensitively. The design intent on considers the local custom of strict segregation on between the act of mourning and and the necessary preparation on for such an event. As such all programs in the funeral parlour is strictly separated into three main categories: Back of House, Front of House, and General Public. The back of house contains all facilities and offices that service the funeral parlours, which take place out of sight of the general public. Similarly, the general public is deliberately separated from all these activities, so as to avoid any accidental encounters with the aff airs in the back of house. The front of house, or the funeral parlour itself, becomes to only means by which these two groups can intentionally meet, with the sole purpose of mourning the deceased. Building Type: Civic Location: 788D Tampines Road, Singapore Area: 1,645 sqm Status: Ongoing :Architecture Design Serie Architects London        ...

Wisma Geylang Serai, Singapore

by admin | Sep 23, 2014 | |

Wisma Geylang Serai, Singapore Competition Entry (2013) The project develops the typology of the communal roof. The continuous roof references Malay culture in three ways.  First, the pitched roof is an abstraction of the iconic Malay roof form as exemplified by the bumbung panjang house-form.  Second, the articulated roof surface references the art and craft heritage found in Malay basket making and fabric design.  This diamond-shaped surface articulation is a function of the underlying diagrid structure.  Third, the thin structural columns that support the roof reference the delicate stilts that support the traditional Malay house. A large continuous roof brings people together.  Not only different organisations within the same community but people from across diverse communities.  This communal gathering takes place not only in the public plaza, but also on the generous outdoor terraces and the green rooftop spaces. A roof also provides shelter from the sun and from the rain.  This allows the terraces and the public plaza to remain active during all weathers. It’s massing and relation to the site enriches public space. The surrounding urban context, for example Joo Chiat Road, features small-scale shophouses and a lively atmosphere.  Respecting this context, the proposal carefully breaks down the mass of the required program into smaller units that create difference and visual interest at the street level.  These building units are arranged into bands that run parallel to Geylang Serai creating a composition that references the arrangement of the traditional Malay house. The large public plaza is placed beneath the continuous roof.  The uncovered outdoor plaza is a concept developed in temperate countries where spending time in the glare of the...