Conceptualisation
DESIGN STUDIO 1: History Exhibition @ Bras Basah
This is a project that I have done in Year 1 which is a n exhibition at Bras Basah. My whole idea is for the younger generation to be more educated about Singapore's history through experiencing the communal spaces in the different types of houses throughout Singapore's history.
Evolution of houses
Looking at the changes in the houses of the different eras in Singapore can tell a lot about our history from the way our pioneers used to live. From Kampung houses to shophouses to the Black and White house and then the early HDBs. I wanted to focus on the communal spaces of each type of houses.
Exploratory sketches and model
Communal Spaces in Our Neighbourhoods
I wanted my exhibition to showcase the communal spaces because I feel that these spaces tell us a lot about what activities they do and the lifestyle that our pioneers had in the past.
DESIGN STUDIO 2: City of Judgements and Pain
This is a project that I have done in Year 2 that is about a slice through Singapore.
Site analysis pie chart and graph
After going through my Singapore slice, I have done a pie chart and line graph to visualise my experiences. I took note of my emotion, sound level, smell, colour, texture, memories, temperature, symmetry, light, and open space.
How my slice might apply the lessons learnt from the past to the future for the younger generations to be more empathetic?
I made a device in order to observe further. In order to learn about the past, I wanted to experience what it was like to fight the war. My device allows me to do that by the sense of sight. I can see things in red colour which has an association to war because a lot of blood was shed during the war.
It was very crowded on the day I went to the city to test out my device. Even as I walked faster, I could feel people’s watchful eyes on me from my back. I discovered the truth about the city. It is full of judgeful eyes and it does not feel as pleasant to walk in the city as compared to the beautiful buildings in the city.
Gathering in groups and singing in public areas can be seen as a public nuisance to some people. Because of that, the groups of foreign workers gathering every weekend at the sheltered walkway garner a lot of negative judgements from the outsiders. There is pain involved because the foreign workers who helped our society by building the buildings that we live in, doing our household chores, and taking care of our kids or elderly, are being judged by the same society for doing normal legal things (having picnics and singing).
Communauté Transparente de City Hall
Located near the Central Business District (CBD) in Singapore, my design is at the sheltered walkway outside of City Hall MRT Station. The sheltered walkway serves as a linkway for a wide variety of people. Working adults use the sheltered walkway to get to work. Tourists use it to get to the National Gallery and Wall Memorial Park. Foreign workers gather around for picnics during the weekends. Electronics and infotechnology enthusiasts use the walkway to get to The Adelphi and Funan Mall where many electronics stores are located.
Design strategies
Passive design strategy for ventilation is used in my design by creating openings which let air flow through and infiltrate the space. For active design strategy, I have included air-conditioning vents on the bottom of the domes which help to cool down the interior space in case it gets too warm during the day time when the sun is still up.
Spatial solutions
Dome of Friendships
There are three Domes of Friendship in the space I designed. The domes are made of polycarbonate clear sheets. It is designed for the foreign workers to gather at, instead of gathering at the sheltered walkway and obstructing passersby path. I created a dome structure for the foreign workers to gather at, because it is enclosed. Enclosed spaces would make people feel more intimate and makes it more personal to people. This creates a sense of belonging because it is a space is designed just for them.
Access
The foreign workers are able to enter the Domes of Friendship by climbing up a ladder that is extruded from the top of the sheltered walkway to the ground of the walkway.
Weekly Talent Corner
There is a stage that is connected with the Domes of Friendship by using the same diagrid shell form that is made of polycarbonate clear sheets. This helps to create a more harmonious space. At the stage, foreign workers can showcase their talents. This also creates a sense of community because the audience can sing along to the performers. Everyone in the space can be united by music.
Access
There is wooden stairs which connects from the top of the sheltered walkway to the grass field that is outside of Saint Andrew’s Cathedral beside the sheltered walkway.
