01/ the giving place
mixed use | community kitchen, distribution center, restaurant & marketplace | nus | y5s1 | studio marc webb & naoko takenouchi | 2021
a centralised hub for the local freegan community
Food waste is one of the biggest waste streams in Singapore, involving highly perishable items like fruits and vegetables. Similarly with material waste, it was discovered that local manufacturers have experienced problems of producing large quantities of leftovers during the manufacturing process. How then could we rethink and reuse these food and material waste in a more sustainable manner? We can look into the idea of freeganism, which is a lifestyle philosophy in which one rejects wasteful production, by foraging for and reusing otherwise discarded goods.
Located near Kranji Reservoir, The Giving Place aims to be a space that supports the freegan community in Singapore, and promotes sustainable food and material usage. Situated in between both agricultural and industrial areas, as well as nearby residential areas and nature reserves, the proposal acts as a centralized hub for the local freegan community, with programmes consisting of a collection center, free market, community kitchen, dining area and workshops.
Expertising on their knowledge and know-hows, local manufacturers and craftsmen in the area are partnered with to construct the main structure of the buildings as well as interior furnishings. Spaces are carefully zoned in a circular manner, subtly encouraging informal and playful movement and flow. The circular form maximizes the views from each space out towards the view of the land and waterscapes of the reservoir and parks.
The building is constructed with materials that are repurposed and foraged from the surrounding site. Rattan baskets which once stored and help transport fruits and vegetables, are repurposed into rattan screens. Timber offcut pieces are repurposed into interior furniture and glulam walls, a type of engineered wood made by joining timber pieces to create a structurally sound material. Agricultural fabric mesh are repurposed into shading devices for the spaces.
02/ blurred boundaries
mixed use | cafe, galleries, studios, meeting rooms & artist residence | sp | y3 | 2017-2018
a support place for local independent artists and small-startups, cultivating the growth of the art industry in singapore
Situated at Holland Village, the project explores the blurring of boundaries of the inside and outside, investigating the in-between spaces and places where people dwell. It aims to create a support space where local artists can promote their creations, working comfortably aside with like-minded individuals, and having pockets of open spaces and greenery that can help blur the boundaries between the tenants and the public. The project serves as a guideline for future designing of spaces for the visual arts, hoping to improve and promote the local arts scene in Singapore.
Artist studios and workspaces have high ceilings and windows to promote better visibility and relation to the inside and outside space.
INDUSTRY
The modern Holland Village is known for its trendy cafes, vibrant bars, beauty salons, and spas. However, after investigating the site, it was noticed that there were only a small handful of small art galleries around. Despite being a watering hole for hipsters, there was a lack of the visual arts scene in Holland Village. Visual artists - particularly painters, drawers, sculptors, and pottery artists - are chosen as the selected industry to focus on.
PROBLEM
In recent years, the visual arts scene in Singapore is starting to emerge and gain recognition. However, it is growing at a considerably slow pace. Additionally, most visual artists are independent or self-employed, working from their own homes or small rented studio spaces. Juggling between wearing both the businessman's and artist's hats at the same time, it can be hard to publicize one's works to the public. Insufficient storage, working space, lack of proper equipment, and having episodes of art blocks and being uninsipred are some other problems that one could face.
DESIGN INTENT
The building aims to be a support space for independent artists and small start-ups, both local and international, and help cultivate the growth of the art industry in Singapore.
DESIGN CONCEPT
The concept of the building explores blurring the boundaries between the public and private spaces, the inside and outside spaces by introducing pockets of gardens.
The building's form is mainly made of up blocks that are pushed in and out to create outward-looking spaces like gardens or double volumes. These protrusions help increase the porosity of the building, promoting natural ventilation that aids in lowering the temperature of the building, all while shading the spaces below it.
"An office without outward-looking spaces and greenery is just a dead office where workers are deprived of inspiration, creativity and motivation."
FACADE
A lightweight double-skin facade wall system made up of double-glazed glass windows and perforated COR-TEN steel panels, a type of weathering steel that rusts and changes color over time. The porosity of the panels controls privacy while allowing natural light and ventilation to pass through the spaces. The patterns on the perforated steel panels are inspired by foliage. Together with its rusting properties and ever-growing greenery, the building will act as a living artwork for the community, a symbol for growth and progress of the visual arts scene in Singapore.
The building will act as a living artwork for the community, a symbol for growth and progress of the visual arts scene in Singapore.
