Really Ar? 3 - Call For Speakers
Theme: "It's I, It's You, It's We, who build Community "
Date: June 2009
Remember the song that we all used to sing in kindergarten? Well, June’s Really Ar? 3 is taking on the theme of Humanity and Community Projects. What exactly are these and how do architects go about doing it? What role does architecture play in all these? If you have an interesting project that fits this theme and would like present at the coming Really Ar?, we would like to hear from you!
This should be completed projects or proposals that engage the community to improve their living environment. For example, a masterplan that was designed through a participatory process or a small scale project, like the building of a school, bridges (in rural areas), or disaster-relief projects that involved the community in the re-building process, etc. If you are interested, do prepare an abstract description and include some images of your project so that we can have a better idea what it is about.
Some other issues we would like to explore at the sharing session: While the current reality of the architecture scene worldwide is one of mass reduction of projects and retrenchment, we would like to ask the question of how relevant community/ humanity projects are at this moment? Are we just talking in the air, ignorant of what’s really going on? Or perhaps, this is best time to consider the role of an architect and to pioneer new and more sustainable ways of practicing architecture? If so, could a more people-centred, ground-up and open-platform approach be the answer? Come to the next Really Ar? 3 in June and let us know what you think!
“Roll over the ocean… Roll over the sea… Go and do your part to build community…”
Dateline for entries: 10 May 2009
Contact person:
Suleen: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Prasoon: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Design My Place 2 - God Save The Queen!
“A group of junior college and polytechnic students, together with the assistance of aspiring architects and designers, were on a mission to ‘save’ Queenstown estate from its desolate present!”
Volunteering as facilitators for this edition of Design My Place, an urban design workshop organized by Really Architecture (re:ACT), we knew that it was going to be an unforgettable experience. Initially we felt scared and concerned, but at the end of the third day, we were extremely proud of the work that the student participants had produced. We were scared and concerned because they seemed quite lost at the beginning, but they managed to progress so much within a short period of time. Unpredictability is probably the best word to describe the workshop, as we were immersed in the company of wacky teenagers who called themselves either “12 funky bunnies in rugged jeans” or “we rock, pebble & roll!”.
Their ideas were shooting around like missiles in the air, but it was more hilarious than treacherous. They wanted to ‘zeng!’ (Their colloquial term for ‘inject life’) Queenstown in a number of radical ways. Below are two examples,
1. They proposed a cemetery in the estate since there were already so many old people who were approaching their afterlife. However, the cemetery was also meant to incorporate a restaurant or cafe as well. The older generation might like the idea of dining or hanging out with their deceased friends & family. The big plus was also that the living could be assured that after they had passed on, they would have visitors to their graves, assuming they had friends of course! Loneliness after life is cured.
2. They agreed that the older generation should still lead an active sex life, and even though the years were catching up with them, the old folks should not be deprived of a second chance in their love life. Thus, a dating agency for them was proposed, for the single or widowed amongst them of course! Having a mate keeps them happy & active.
The above is just the tip of the iceberg.
By the third day, the students had sacrificed probably a million brain cells, but they still persisted on despite the demanding requirements of the programme. They drew, they crafted, they argued & they acted to sell their ideas across; and were also able to withstand the harsh comments of the evil critique panel. It was indeed a commendable effort for these first-timers in urban design. We as facilitators felt that the objectives had been met, and we hoped that the student’s minds had been opened and their thinking challenged.
Finally, the best way to end off the workshop was watching a group of studious looking boys let their hair down, monkey around and practice their break dancing moves while we had our dinner. We (or rather, I) finally understood what it feels like when people say that old folks enjoy seeing children play.
Written by Ong Sheng Hua
Participate In Design My Place 2!
Venue: ACS (Independent)
29 - 31 October 2008
After our great success with Design My Place - Bukit Timah last year, we at ReallyArchitecture are ecstatic to inform you that we will be holding Design My Place 2 in October this year!
This time round, the venue will be at Anglo Chinese School (Independent) and we are looking for more young people to be part of this unique experience. Like the previous Design My Place (DMP), we will bring you through an experience of how to look at your living environment critically and come up with creative and meaningful solutions to design your place from the ground up!
We will be posting up more details on the DMP blog soon so check it out!
To sign up, email Dr Chong at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) today.
Design My Place 2
Anglo Chinese School (Independent)
29 - 31 Oct 2008
9am-6pm daily
Target Participants: Upper Secondary, JC and Poly students
Design My Place is sponsored by:
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Architecture & Urban Design Excellence (A●UDE) Programme (URA)
Really Ar? 2 - So This Is Masterplanning!
Night & Day Bar (139 Selegie Road)
Tuesday 5 Aug 08, 7.30pm - 9.30pm.
WE ARE BACK WITH REALLY AR!!!!
As you would already know, Really Ar? is Re:act’s design sharing session where we invite designers to talk about their recent projects. This sharing session is open to anyone who might be interested in architecture and design and through this we hope to encourage meaningful discussion of real issues and new ideas! The theme for August’s Really Ar? is “So this masterplanning!” Come find out more this coming Tuesday, 5 Aug 08, 7.30-9.30pm at Night & Day Bar, ( 139 Selegie Road ).
We look forward to seeing you and your friends on Tuesday!
Presenting 3 Speakers:
1. Philip Tan, Surbana
2. Prasoon Kumar, HOK
3. Yu Sern Hong, 5+Design
Special Presentations:
1. Elaine Tan, URA - on AUDE Programme
2. Chong Keng Hua - on [re:act] Initiatives
Science & Art of Green Building Design
Architectural Seminar at National Library
22nd July 2008, 2pm to 5pm
Discover the lessons learnt from the process of building the National Library Building - an architectural icon in Singapore and the region. Come join Dato’ Dr. Ken Yeang (keynote speaker), Prof. Tay Kheng Soon, Assoc. Prof. Lee Siew Eang, Mr. Jeffery Neng Kwei Sung and Mr. Carsten Huttche as they discuss the future of Green Buildings.
For more programme and registration details, please click
http://www.nl.sg/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/Docs/FlyerPRS