Do foreign designers have the X factor?
April 8, 2007
Do foreign designers have the X factor?
ARE projects by foreign architects really out of this world, or are they just hot because a foreign architect designed them?
LifeStyle asked veteran architect Professor William Lim, Forum Architect's Tan Kok Hiang, Aim & Associates' John Ting, Mink Architect's Mink Tan and Erwin Viray, associate professor of architecture at the National University of Singapore, to give their opinions on six developments here.
1 Reflections at Keppel Bay
By American architect Daniel Libeskind
Features six undulating glass towers of 41 storeys and 24 storeys, as well as 11 blocks of six- to eight-storey villa apartments in Keppel Bay. Developed by Keppel Land.
Prof Viray: 'The towers appear as if they are moving and dancing. It is also apparent attention was given to climatic concerns in the green area provision and gardens.'
Prof Lim: 'The design is cutting-edge, experimental, and you could even say it is gimmicky.
Personally, it is not my cup of tea.'
2 One Shenton
By Uraguay-born, Canada-based Carlos Ott
Comprises 360 units in two towers encased in silver- and gold-coloured glass. The towers will be connected by three bridges. This project in Shenton Way is developed by City Developments.
Forum's Mr Tan: 'The design is safe and is in line with what local architects have been doing. The architect could have pushed more boundaries.'
Prof Lim: 'A local architect could have done just as well, if not better.'
3 Orchard Residences
By Hong Kong-based David Buffonge of British firm Benoy
Retail and residential development at Orchard Turn, at the junction of Orchard and Paterson roads. Being developed by CapitaLand and Hong Kong's Sun Hung Kai Properties.
Prof Viray: 'The overall project is very sleek and appears like a crystal. The choice of materials complements that of its immediate neighbours, such as Wheelock Place and Wisma Atria.'
Mr Mink Tan: 'While the project looks aesthetically pleasing, the residential tower resembles an office block.'
4 Scotts Tower
By German architect Ole Scheeren of the Office of Metropolitan Architecture
Developed by Far East Organization, the 68-unit Scotts Tower is at the junction of Scotts and Cairnhill roads.
Forum's Mr Tan: 'Like it or not, the design is visually captivating and will change the skyline.'
Prof Lim: 'The design is a clear and strong statement. The units are high up, they offer better views and free up the ground.'
5 One Rochester
By Japan's Paul Tange of Tange Associates
Tentatively named, this is a 368-unit residential block of a bigger mixed development project, Vista Xchange at One North in Buona Vista. It is developed by United Engineers Developments.
Mink's Mr Tan: 'It is not a bad design, but there is no distinctiveness - not visually arresting.'
Mr Ting: 'It appears that the architect has considered our local climate in his design through the implementation of balconies, which protect the apartment from the rain and sun, and cut down heat-gain indoors.'
6 Marina Bay Residences
By international firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
The 428-unit project (left) is part of the Marina Bay Financial Centre being developed by a consortium of Hong Kong's Cheung Kong (Holdings), Hongkong Land and Keppel Land.
Prof Viray: 'The architecture is sleek and takes into account its surrounding buildings.'
Forum's Mr Tan: 'The developers will have their commercial considerations as to why they used foreign architects here but, in my opinion, it is not likely that this will put Singapore on the architectural map.'
Local architects for a global city
April 14, 2007
Local architects for a global city
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I REFER to Tay Suan Chiang's story (Alien Attraction, LifeStyle, April 8) about developers engaging foreign architects to design top-end condos.
It's true that top-notch architects are in demand everywhere. But why do we have to depend on so many foreign architects when local ones are already making an impact?
We hear it almost every day that Singapore wants to be a global hub of almost anything you can think of, and the place to live, work and play.
But a city cannot become a global one if its inhabitants are not given the chance to show what they can do. Our national monuments and buildings are being designed by overseas talents time and time again.
Mindsets have to be changed - not in a decade or in another 50 years but today.
Daniel Quentin Ong
Clients, contractors play a part
April 14, 2007
Clients, contractors play a part
A BUILDING cannot take shape just by the design of the architect alone. It also relies on the financing by the client, and the workmanship of the contractors.
While we try to decide if one design is better than the other, such a comparison will be fair only if there is consistency in the dealings between client and contractor.
Many local architects have to contend with a lack of consistency in client briefs and workmanship.
The foreign architects who made their mark not only had supportive clients but also highly skilled contractors.
But foreign architects who are hired should demonstrate their worth by producing works that will eventually appear in international architectural journals.
If this does not happen, how can they be considered 'better' than local architects who get their works featured occasionally in international magazines?
Lee Teng Kwee