Our humble take on "Tropical Modernism"

RLA behind-the-scenes:

Our first “pavilion” is coming together even as we tweak the final details.

Most landed residential homes in Singapore have an informal backyard area for washing and hanging laundry, heavy cooking, etc . Sometimes this area is just a casual airy space for sitting in the evening.

We designed this humble shelter that keeps out the rain but lets in natural light. It makes for a pleasant “room” in an area that is usually an afterthought in most homes. There is direct sunlight in the morning when our client’s domestic helper typically hangs the laundry. We hear that she loves this space.

The lightweight polycarbonate material allowed us to detail with relatively long spans (you can’t do that with glass) and play around with rhythm and proportion. We also added contraptions for hanging laundry. We’re still testing adjustments needed to keep the rain out.

We confess to the lurking influence of the architectural masters we admire when designing this - possibly Paul Rudolph’s Florida Houses, and a design move lifted from Mies’ Farnsworth House.

Stay tuned for our final photographs!

Living Window ( + Garden )

RLA behind-the-scenes:

The idea of a garden enhances spatial quality. Just having a view out - or direct access - to a well-kept garden can be a visual treat, even an aesthetic experience. That is how traditional viewing gardens of China and Japan came about.

An architect once told his clients that a five-star house with an awful garden makes for a shitty property - compared with a two-star house with an exquisite garden. We have to agree with him on that. Having a garden truly uplifts the spirit and enhances well-being.

This can be a challenge in densely urbanised Singapore. Most of us live in high-rise, enclosed apartments with little space - let alone land - for gardening. The lucky ones among us may have an airy balcony, but the rest of us will have to make do with just a window on an upper-floor unit.

This led us to wonder if we could make the window more than what it is. Assume we gathered miniature trees, shrubs and garden rocks into a viewing composition by the window, could that recreate a bit of the “viewing garden” effect?

We tested this idea out with our studio window. Notwithstanding the accompanying gardening clutter (fertiliser sprays, etc), our window became a breathing entity. It’s literally teeming with life - moss, earthworms, baby lizards, even unwanted garden pests. (!)

We find it an inspiring template for architecture as a vivid and lived reality that makes us feel more human. We would definitely like to further develop this idea of “an expanded, living window” in future projects if we get the chance.

Image Above: “Living Garden Window “ in RLA Studio

Analogue Methods: Visualization by Hand

RLA behind-the-scenes:

In this day and age, technological tools like photo-realistic renderings are becoming more commonplace. Increasingly, many architects are pandering to such 3D-modelling and visualization as a default mode to think, design and communicate design intent.

At RLA, we’re a little bit more reflective and cautious. Of course we adopt technology, but we’re aware that seductive tools can dumb design down to a misleading image that does not deliver the holistic experience or a deeper idea. It potentially chokes the design process - which requires open-ended discovery as the design develops.

This explains why we have not let go of analogue design methods - like drawing and models that encourage an intuitive “thinking-by-hand” approach. We find ourselves able to deliver more holistic and harmonious work that way, since technology tends to blunt our vivid senses.

Kevin Mark Low, a Malaysian architect whose work we admire, says, “The nature of the sketch shows that it is possible to constantly surprise and be surprised, and the quality and inherent beauty of a sketch can be gauged through its concurrence with a simple definition … (that) the sketch is a hand drawing that explores an idea.”

We definitely agree with him there.

Image above: Preliminary sketch for the spatial idea for a powder room in an RLA project.

Kam-&-Goh: A mobile "kopitiam" for lonely seniors.

RLA Research Collaboration:

“Design for Older-Aged Persons”

Design research is a core thrust of our practice. We seek opportunities to do it in a dedicated way. The rigours of research strengthen our design process and lead us to original ways of thinking that ultimately benefit our clients.

We were extensively involved on Lekker Architects’ team to research how built environments can be friendlier to older-aged persons. This was part of an ambitious multi-institution / multi-disciplinary study led by the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (SUTD), commissioned by the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) strategic research unit, and funded by Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF).

The insights we uncovered were both common-sensical and a revelation. Many seniors in our study site in Macpherson Estate felt socially isolated. We realized that these seniors chose to stay home because it felt dangerous to go out, given their declining eyesight, cognition and mobility. A short walking distance for active adults like ourselves could feel exhausting to them, not to mention hazards like passing bicycles.

Consequently, they miss out on the benefits of interacting with others outside. Being in a social-support network (i.e. meeting friends regularly) actually improves health and wellness - whether it’s social, mental or physical. This cascades up to the policy level where it has an impact on public health.

The team developed a mobile “kopitiam” (traditional coffee shop) that would go to where these seniors live. The proximity would encourage them to leave home and interact with others. We named it Kam-&-Goh (after “come-and-go”). In Singapore, traditional local beverages and “kopitiam culture” are very attractive to older-aged persons. Their nostalgic associations offer psychological comfort and familiarity. They are also widespread in Singaporean public consciousness.

Our goal was for an imageable intervention that would reduce barriers to participation, seed informal interactions and create social capital. The design re-convened familiar motifs from the kopitiam like mosaic tile patterns, stainless steel shelves, beverages in ceramic local cups and saucers that provide aesthetic familiarity. These were fitted into a European cargobike that was originally meant for last-mile logistic delivery.

With help from resident volunteers, we pilot-tested the idea for a week. The results from the validation survey were mindblowing - with overwhelming majority percentages confirming the design’s success in encouraging older-aged persons to interact in the community. 87.5% of respondents said they interacted with someone new. 79.1% recognised someone familiar. The mobile kopitiam is currently being exhibited at the URA’s “Designing Our Age-Friendly” exhibition from 17 Oct - 31 Dec 2019.

We learnt a lot working on this research project - especially about the skill-sets architects can bring to improve the lives of others - especially if we approach the issue with humility, empathy and curiosity. We also learnt to be comfortable with design outcomes that are not necessarily architectural in a conventional spatial sense.

We’re currently working with Lekker on another research project on design for persons with dementia. We’ll share more on that when it’s officially out. We hope to expand our research work into other projects as we grow unique expertise on ageing-related design.

* *In collaboration with Lekker Architects

Links:

Article on Kam-&-Goh here in Singapore’s Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报

Kam-&-Goh mentioned in a speech by Singapore’s Minister of State for National Development, Mr Zaqy Mohamad.

On the “Innovative Planning & Design of Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Singapore” study

The wonderful photography of Tomooki Kengaku

RLA behind-the-scenes:

For one of our projects, we had the privilege to collaborate with the talented, up-and-coming Japanese architectural photographer Tomooki Kengaku. For many years, Tomo has worked with Japan’s leading architectural photography agency, Nacasa & Partners.

Unlike many architectural photographers, Tomo brings a unique painterly eye to his pictures - having come from a fine arts school background. His photography re-creates a mood of calmness and serenity to delicate effect. This adds an allure to the space being photographed.

Photographing our space was a challenge since we had limited time to stage all the shots - amid the changing sun conditions. It helped that we were able to speak some Japanese - albeit imperfectly.

Tomo worked to uncompromising standards (including for painstaking post-production work) and we were delighted at the result! We look forward to our next chance to collaborate with him.

Check our gallery to see his beautiful work!

Archifest 2019 - Design Forum

RLA News:

The annual Archifest organized by the Singapore Institute of Architects is currently taking place. The 2019 installment is curated by Alan Tay of Formwerkz Architects.

Together with close collaborators Razvan Ghilic-Micu of HASSELL and Jiaxin Chum of Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl, RLA principal Ronald Lim co-curated and moderated a series of design forums focussed on the topics of Assembly, Craft, Vision and Narrative.

The invited speakers included key figures in Singapore’s design community - including Leonard Ng (Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl), Sarah Ichioka (Desire Lines) , Joshua Comaroff (Lekker), and Matt Shang (HASSELL) among others.

RLA is pleased to support SIA in growing public awareness of architecture and design culture in Singapore.

Image above: RLA principal Ronald Lim co-moderating the “Assembling Narratives: Visionaries and Architects” forum with Jiaxin Chum and Razvan Ghilic-Micu.

Appointment to the Royal Institute of British Architects (Singapore Chapter)

RLA News:

We are pleased to announce the successful election of our principal Ar. Ronald Lim MSIA RIBA as the Honorary Treasurer for the Royal Institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) Singapore Chapter ( Committee Term: 2019-2021 )

As the world’s pre-eminent professional institute of architects , the RIBA is currently expanding its international presence and the RIBA’s Singapore chapter forms part of this effort.

As part of the SG chapter committee, Ronald will work with the International Programs team at RIBA HQ to grow a meaningful and sustainable presence in Singapore’s mature professional landscape.

He will also curate and curate events that advance RIBA’s core objectives:

• Advance the culture of architecture in Singapore

• Enable discourse on innovation and research in architectural practice, and

• Promote architecture as an ethical public good

RLA is proud to support the RIBA as an “active citizen” in this global association of architects.

The Singapore Architect Magazine: Be Agile (#TSA 16)

RLA News:

We are pleased to announce the publication of “Be Agile,” Issue 16 of The Singapore Architect Magazine - co-edited by RLA Principal Ronald Lim and close collaborator Razvan Ghilic-Micu of HASSELL.

This ambitious issue interrogates the theme of “Agility” and how architectural practive can adapt to respond intelligently in our age of economic disruption and volatility. The underlying premise is that architecture - as a legacy profession - cannot proceed with a passive, “business-as-usual” attitude.

The special issue features innovative projects that demonstrate frontier-forming approaches to architectural practice and design - including HASSELL’s GSK Asia House (workplace), META Architecture’s Khong Guan Building (conservation), and WoodsBagot’s Funan Mall (retail).

TSA 16 “Be Agile” also gathers in-depth interviews with key figures in Singapore’s architectural community - including the President of Singapore Institute of Architects, lead educators at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and directors from diverse, innovative firms in Singapore.

RLA is honoured to be able to make this significant a contribution to the profession. This publication represents our ongoing research into innovating our practice model to create intelligent, value-added design services for our clients. RLA will stay committed to this cause of “practice research and innovation” as a recurring focus. Our explicit long-term goal is to offer clients a unique brand and quality of service that the market cannot replicate.

Our friends at Basheer Graphic Books (Singapore’s dedicated architecture bookstore) have told us that this issue is selling out quickly. We have also received encouraging words from our international colleagues - like faculty at Yale School of Architecture to whom we’ve gifted copies.

In Singapore, TSA 16 “Be Agile” is available at Kinokuniya, Books Actually and Basheer Graphics Books. Get your copy today!

Linkedin Announcement by Singapore Institute of Architects

*The Singapore Architect magazine is the official journal of the Singapore Institute of Architects

Tribute to Cesar Pelli (1926-2019)

RLA offers the following tribute to Cesar Pelli, in whose offices our principal worked from 2006 to 2008:

I greeted the news with sadness. Cesar Pelli was warm-hearted, generous and carried no airs. He placed greater importance on being a good person than wearing the ego of an architect.

For myself as a junior employee then, reviews with him were a treat - filled with light-hearted moments and his classic chuckle, like this photo from 2007 where he placed a crushed paper cup on a model as we watched with amusement.

Cesar’s influence on me extends deeper - to the years before I decided to become an architect. I was an impressionable youth when mesmerising images of his Petronas Towers captivated the local imagination. Another architectural image that entranced my young self was Eero Saarinen’s TWA Terminal - on which Cesar played a major design role when he was working with Saarinen.

Years later on my return to Singapore, fate would have me work on his landmark project in Singapore - the Yale-NUS College Campus - which was personally meaningful on many levels. The demanding project acquainted me with what it took to successfully apply his design ethic in Singapore’s context.

Over the years, I’ve read and re-read his book “Observations for Young Architects” which prompted me to reflect deeply on my own practice goals. I never forgot his wise words made during a seminar class at Yale, that “so long as we offer our clients something that others cannot, architects will continue to have a seat at the table.”

Cesar’s warm spirit pervades the places and spaces he left behind and he touched many lives. The world has lost a kind, generous soul. May we honour his legacy with our work.

Ronald C. T. Lim

More on his accomplishments here.