Does Singapore need more 'funky' buildings?

[huaiwei]

Originally Posted by heirloom

anything with sunshades esp cute ones

Oh boy.....seems like some like to define it with lots of OPEN space to let sunlight in, along with tonnes of vegetation!

[RafflesCity]

well the architect of this is Dr Ken Yeang, a Malaysian..not exactly local but regional

what did WOHA Architects design?

[heirloom]

moulmein rise, the museum mrt station and the mrt station at the stadium yay

[eyetoeye]

Okay. Interesting. I look forward to more interesting architecture in the city or around.

[huaiwei]

But the so called "local" architecture can be "economicaly unrealistic" too.

[heirloom]

naw... only japanese architecture is economically unrealistic...

[RafflesCity]

Elaborate?

If economics alone dictated the architecture here I'd shudder to think what our cityscape would look like.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

what did WOHA Architects design?

Also take a look at Mod Living in Bras Basah.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

Elaborate?

If economics alone dictated the architecture here I'd shudder to think what our cityscape would look like.

I wonder what dictates architecture in Singapore. Economics? Yes, but definitely not only that. Aesthetics?..... nahhhhh....... On the pragmatic point of view, probably a combination of the client's requirement, architect's vision, local building code and economics.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by heirloom

naw... only japanese architecture is economically unrealistic...

Care to elaborate? Which project in particular do you find economically unrealistic?

Come to think of it, if a project is economically unrealistic....... would it be built in the first place?

[heirloom]

um i wasn't serious in saying that... but thinking of economically unrealistic projects (sorry not architecture - but related right?), japan comes to mind... eg... that bridge that dives into the sea to become a tunnel halfway.... and kansai airport... maybe kansai airport's location is necessary but look how deep osaka's debt is... worse still, it's got sinking problems

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by Kit

I wonder what dictates architecture in Singapore. Economics? Yes, but definitely not only that. Aesthetics?..... nahhhhh....... On the pragmatic point of view, probably a combination of the client's requirement, architect's vision, local building code and economics.

No aesthetics? LOL

But seriously from my impression it seems there is a gradual increasing awareness of creating unique designs especially for new landmark projects. The new 245m apartment seems one of them. I wouldnt have thought they would ever have such a curvy looking highrise in the CBD.

But I would like to see more ethnic designs..if theyre economically realistic of course. I suppose ethnic designs are more limited to houses.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

No aesthetics? LOL

But seriously from my impression it seems there is a gradual increasing awareness of creating unique designs especially for new landmark projects. The new 245m apartment seems one of them. I wouldnt have thought they would ever have such a curvy looking highrise in the CBD.

But I would like to see more ethnic designs..if theyre economically realistic of course. I suppose ethnic designs are more limited to houses.

You know? Aesthetics is very subjective and can be directly affected by good and bad fortune, for architects at least. A fortunate architect would have a trusting client that doesn't have a pre determine design and is open to all options. Architects work around the client's brief. That would be the best scenario.

My office recently received a fax which includes an invitation to bid for the reconstruction of a detached housing. Together with the invitation is a stack of plans and a few diagrams of a yacht. Essentially the owner had already designed the house and wanted it to look like a yacht. Architects are invited to suggest refinements and of course, adminstrate the contract and oversee the construction process. The fax went to the bin.

[Kit]

I guess what I'm trying to say is good design stems from a good brief from the client.

[RafflesCity]

The company rejected the client?

I suppose individual small scale projects are more fussy, but when it comes to important landmark sites in the city then all parties should pay heed to the context and the visual impact of the building too.

[huaiwei]

Originally Posted by Kit

You know? Aesthetics is very subjective and can be directly affected by good and bad fortune, for architects at least. A fortunate architect would have a trusting client that doesn't have a pre determine design and is open to all options. Architects work around the client's brief. That would be the best scenario.

My office recently received a fax which includes an invitation to bid for the reconstruction of a detached housing. Together with the invitation is a stack of plans and a few diagrams of a yacht. Essentially the owner had already designed the house and wanted it to look like a yacht. Architects are invited to suggest refinements and of course, adminstrate the contract and oversee the construction process. The fax went to the bin.

I see that you already have a job as an architect! Good for you!

Originally Posted by heirloom

um i wasn't serious in saying that... but thinking of economically unrealistic projects (sorry not architecture - but related right?), japan comes to mind... eg... that bridge that dives into the sea to become a tunnel halfway.... and kansai airport... maybe kansai airport's location is necessary but look how deep osaka's debt is... worse still, it's got sinking problems

Er...the Kansai airport case seems more to be a technical problem then architectural. And it is the kind of money you have to spend as opposed to trying to find space in the urban jungle.

But I have not heard of that bridge?

[huaiwei]

Originally Posted by Kit

I guess what I'm trying to say is good design stems from a good brief from the client.

But economics might just prompt other companies in taking up the project...

[Kit]

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

The company rejected the client?

Its not unusual since it was only a fax and he probably sent it to a dozen other architects.

I wouldn't consider my company as fussy. We are involved in many small scale projects from designing linkways, toilet renovation, to bungalows mostly. My boss didn't speak about the project, they probably didn't want it at all.

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

I suppose individual small scale projects are more fussy, but when it comes to important landmark sites in the city then all parties should pay heed to the context and the visual impact of the building too.

Yup but try knocking that into those who were involved in some of the city's landmark projects.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by huaiwei

I see that you already have a job as an architect! Good for you!

Thanks.

[Kit]

Originally Posted by huaiwei

But economics might just prompt other companies in taking up the project...

Yeah, which is kinda sad but that's how things work for some firms. You get some projects that's good enough to slip into your portfolio and you get others that you wouldn't even want to mention them to your friends. Those unfortunately, are usually the bread and butter projects.