Post B: The meaning of design

Visitors enjoy a stroll through Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. (Singapore Tourism Board)

Answers are based on context and individual’s understanding towards the question. In the field of design, the products being created depend usually depend on the intentions of the creators and the situations that require the audience to understand the meaning of the products in a certain way. Therefore, regarding designing the products, individuals must consider the situation, the needs, the wants of the targeted users and the goals of themselves. While the elements are important, it is by putting the design into a context that matches the goal of what the designers are trying to express and connecting them to the audience’s understanding of the project, in which influences the quality of the communication between the creators and the audience and avoids unnecessary questions so that the focus can be on the idea itself and on its value instead of explaining concepts that are rooted in the language of design.

The context of a product is usually referred as the circumstances or the setting in which the object is being used, and therefore adds to the meaning of the product. For example, if a design company wants to promote a new design of cup holder, and publishes an image of the copyholder being installed on the car, where the cup holder actually blocks the access to the volume button of the radio, the context of this product would definitely bring a negative influence to the users because of the blockage. However, the company then changes the context of this design, which they switch the image of the cup holder blocking the radio to an image of cup holder being installed on a spot where the driver could easily pick up the drink and the cup holder blocks nothing. In this case, the usefulness and the value of this design would then increase enormously.

To take a larger perspective in the world of design, Singapore has long been known for its thriving economy, a largely business-oriented culture, and its distinctive design as well, which mostly combines its culture, its economy, and its reflection of the society.  “Singapore’s reputation for supporting creativity and adventurous design also has drawn the attention of global designers and brands eager to experiment and showcase new concepts and styles. With its transformation of former army buildings into a hotel featuring sky gardens and light installations, the South Beach Hotel with its Philippe Starck-designed interiors is a good example of this sensibility” (Singapore’s distinctive design style, from furniture to boutique hotels), which reflects the main concept of Singapore’s design, being modern, being creative, and being economic. The vivid color being color within the design and the efficient usage of the space further confirms such idea.

However, at the same time, “with greater cultural diversity and the growing complexities of globalization, there is a greater need than ever before to create physical space which can provide contexts for positive interactions, and serve as anchors of identity and community” (Civil Service College Singapore). Singapore design, such as the Esplanade, a project promoted by the Singapore government to promote the introduction of arts housing within community centers, “embodies Singapore’s urban design guidelines by promoting accessibility and mixing historic and modern development, rooting cultures as an essential component in the economy” (Civil Service College Singapore).

Reference:

CSC Government. (2017). Reimagining Singapore: Placemaking through Arts and Culture. [online] Available at: https://www.csc.gov.sg/articles/reimagining-singapore-placemaking-through-arts-and-culture [Accessed 26 Dec. 2018].

Quartz. (2018). Singapore’s distinctive design style, from furniture to boutique hotels. [online] Available at: https://qz.com/583396/singapores-distinctive-design-style-from-furniture-to-boutique-hotels/ [Accessed 29 Dec. 2018].

Post B: CHOPE lah!

Tissue paper used to reserve a table at hawker centre in Singapore (The straits times 2018, viewed 1 January 2019)

Tissue paper is very common use and essential in our daily life, we always use it to clean dirty things or wipe the mouth after eating a meal. And tissue paper has designed in many ways for many uses, for example, pocket tissue is designed to a portable tissue package that is fit to your pocket of clothing. In some Asia countries like Japan, there is a type of advertisement strategy called Tissue-pack marketing that is company promoted the service and product through handing out the pocket tissue which has printed the advertising on the package (Tissue-pack marketing 2018). It seems an insignificant thing but impacting our life unconsciously. And at the other end of Asia, tissue paper is not only the daily essential, but also can be used for an unexpected way.

Reserved: A public (T)issue, created by Larry Peh (Ministry of communications and information 2018, viewed 1 January 2019)

In Singapore, there is an unspoken rule in Hawker centre – the table was already reserved if someone put the tissue paper on table. It was very common phenomenon that using tissue paper to reserve table in Singapore. Hawker centre is a cooked food centre as same as food court in Australia, and because the Hawker centre provides inexpensive foods with high quality and mostly found near public housing estates, it’s popular and became a daily essential component to every local resident, that is indirectly affecting high propensity of eating outside the home (Henderson J. 2017). Because of the high flow of people, hawker centre is usually busy and crowd, it can be imagined the demand of seats for people is high correspondingly. For those people who are impatient and anxious for a seat, using the tissue paper may be a smart “strategy” in that situation. Inspired by this, the local designer designed a pocket tissue which has printed “Reserved” title on its package for the exhibition of Fifty years of Singapore design, to showing some of the iconic design which is representing Singapore style (National Design Centre 2018). The work – Reserved: A public (T)issue, created by Larry Peh aims to introducing the tissue paper culture while reflecting the problem of occupied seat, which is discussing if it considerate or friendly to the users in hawker centre (MCI 2018). By printing the “Reserved” title on the package, it seems to make this behaviour more acceptable to people. For the tourist who is not familiar to the tissue paper culture, this package is simply explain the phenomenon in food court when they see the tissue paper on the table. In addition, there is other packaging design of pocket tissue that is also sharing the same concept in the market. As we know Singapore is a multilingual country and the Singlish is well known as their signature language. In term of Singlish, “chope” refers to reserved. Therefore, there is some tissue packages designed with the word of “chope” instead of “reserved” (Visa 2018), which is showing more local contexts on the packaging design. Although it is uncertain whether these products are commonly used in Singapore, the design of these packaging are efficiently helping foreigner to understand the chope culture.

Furthermore, if comparing to other culture, the particular tissue paper uses seems to be “Singapore exclusive”. In fact, the “chope” system is deeply related to the “kiasu” attitude. “Kiasu” means ‘fear of losing’ in Hokkien word. The kiasuism was defined as ‘an obsessive desire for value for money – hailed as a national fixation in Singapore’ by the Australian Macquarie Dictionary of the 1997 edition. Because the government is concerned that kiasuism presents negative image of Singaporean to foreigners, they launched the National courtesy campaign in 1993, which can see the government was efforted to stop the kiasu attitude (Ho et al 1998). But by looking the tissue paper culture nowadays, the kiasu may not easily disappear at the moment and transfer to one of the unique Singapore culture. The “Reserved” tissue packaging might be a concession of being kiasu and the other way of changing its negative image. In brief, the tissue paper culture is not a strange behaviour while it’s reflecting a profound history and some ethnic characteristics.

 

Reference List:

Chope blog 2018, Eating out in Singapore: table manners every Singaporean should know, viewed 31 December 2018, <https://chopeblog.co/lifestyle/eating-out-in-singapore/>.

Henderson J. 2017, Street food, hawkers and the Michelin guide in Singapore, Scholarly journals, Emerald group publishing limited, viewed 28 December 2018, <ProQuest database>.

Ho J., Ang C., Loh J. & Ng I. 1998, A preliminary study of kiasu behaviour – is it unique to Singapore?, Scholarly Journals, Emerald group publishing limited, viewed 31 December 2018, <ProQuest database>.

Ministry of communications and information 2018, Fifty years of Singapore design, viewed 23 December 2018, <https://www.mci.gov.sg/cos2017/mcicorphome/pressroom/news-and-stories/pressroom/2015/8/fifty-years-of-singapore-design?page=38>.

National Design Centre 2018, About the exhibition, viewed 31 December 2018, <https://www.designsingapore.org/events/fifty-years-of-singapore-design/about-the-exhibition>.

Tissue-pack marketing 2018, Wikipedia, viewed 23 December 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue-pack_marketing>.

Visa 2018, “Chope” culture, viewed 31 December 2018, <https://www.visa.se/visa-everywhere/innovation-centers/singapore/city-guide/survive/chope-culture.html>.

Image reference:

Ministry of communications and information 2018, Fifty years of Singapore design, viewed 1 January 2019, <https://www.mci.gov.sg/cos2017/mcicorphome/pressroom/news-and-stories/pressroom/2015/8/fifty-years-of-singapore-design?page=38>.

The straits times 2018, Give hawker centre “chope culture” the chop, viewed 1 January 2019, <https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/give-hawker-centre-chope-culture-the-chop&gt;.

Post A: Cultural Preservation (Tiong Bahru)

The Tiong Bahru estate, Singapore (Photo by Jason Knott / Alamy Stock Photo, viewed 1 January 2019)

Singapore, which is also well known as lion city. Although it’s a young country that established only around 50 years, this country has not neglected the preservation on heritage in exchange for rapidly development on urban or economic. Eliminating old things and to remake new things seem to be a stereotyped rule when people think of urban development. But Singapore has high consciousness on balancing the environment with the industrial or residential development and aims to preserving the cultural building and heritage sites. Based on the cultural diversity’s background, bridging ethnic and social divisions was a very first “mission”. In the process of nation-building, the government has implemented multiple policies for reducing the ethnic conflict and fostering an identity of Singaporean among the three main groups of Chinese, Malay and Indian, such as the National Services program and the public housing politics (Ostwald 2014). Heritage conservation not only an initiative to commemorating historic buildings, but also as a medium of shaping the Singaporean national identity. Therefore, conserving heritage was highly importance to the government. According to the annual report from the Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority states that those historic architectures were representing unique character and identity of Singapore and a ‘collective memory of the public’ (URA 2003). Through the preservation of valuable things, it can increase people’s belongingness of the society. The URA was efforted to shaping the identity of Singapore, by safeguarding the build heritage. One of the iconic projects was the conservation designed for Tiong Bahru in 2003 which is successfully restored an old public housing estate, and by integrating the ‘old and new’ concept (URA 2003), the project realised to retaining historic building while creating a modern image, that designed to improving the environment and creating new business opportunities for the old community.

The conservation project of Tiong Bahru was started from 2003, which is a part of the URA’s Master Plan (URA 2004). According to the description from URA, the Tiong Bahru was developed in 1936 and conserved many pre-war flats and shophouses. These buildings have a rich history and presenting the old streetscapes of Singapore, which is so precious to Singaporeans and worthy of keeping its original form and unique architectural style. The buildings in Tiong Bahru were basically designed in minimalist architectural style that influenced by “Streamline Moderne”, its characteristics were simple and functional lines (URA 2013). Comparing with the currently architecture trends, these buildings were stand out from the community and presenting the artistic style of architecture from the past of Singapore. Considering to preserving its original architectural style, the homeowners at these building must be strict compliance the renovation guide by the URA, that is not allowed to affect the building façade (URA n.d.). Additionally, because the Tiong Bahru was intended as the housing project from the British colonial age, there are still a lot of elderly residents living in Tiong Bahru (Mahtani 2012). However, through the successful of the conservation, this community was revitalised and attracting more young people, even foreigner. Nowadays, the Tiong Bahru was became one of the hip neighborhoods in Singapore where was opening many café and indie boutiques (Visit Singapore 2018). Tiong Bahru was showing the economic value of those old things that should not be abandoned or dismantled. The conservation of Tiong Bahru not only evokes the society’s emphasis on heritage, but also a moderate initiative to resolve the aged building that is blending old and new rather than replacing with new ones. This move was more recognised to the public.

The conservation guidelines for apartment owners at Tiong Bahru (URA 2012, viewed 1 January 2019).

As it was the first public housing estate, Tiong Bahru may represents some meaning or memory to Singaporean, especially to the first generation. Even though the preservation project might consider political factor as part of building national identity, it’s interestingly to see those kinds of historic or artistic heritage was retained through this way. This design initiative reflected some particular contexts of Singapore on their heritage site, which is a by-product that made by their history, cultural and politics.

Reference list:

Mahtani, S. 2012, Residents – and some developers – push for preservation, Newspapers, Dow Jones & Company Inc, viewed 17 December 2018, <ProQuest database>

Ostwald, K. 2014, Engineering identity: the role of the state in shaping ethnic and civic identity in Singapore and Malaysia, PhD thesis, University of California San Diego, viewed 12 December 2018, <ProQuest database>.

To K., Chong, A. & Chong, K. 2014, ‘Identity of a conserved housing estate: the case of Tiong Bahru, Singapore’, Traditional dwellings and settlements working paper series, vol. 254,  viewed 14 December 2018, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277249984_Identity_of_a_Conserved_Housing_Estate_The_Case_of_Tiong_Bahru_Singapore>.

URA n.d., ‘Tiong Bharu Estate, Singapore’, viewed 14 December 2018, <https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Resources/Articles.aspx?bldgid=TNBHR1>.

URA 2003, Annual Report 2002/2003, viewed 12 December 2018, < https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/About-Us/Annual-Reports>.

URA 2004, Annual Report 2003/2004, viewed 14 December 2018, < https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/About-Us/Annual-Reports&gt;.

URA 2012, ‘Tiong Bahru general guidelines’, viewed 18 December 2018, <https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Guidelines-Procedures/Browse-Guidelines-and-Procedures?bldgid=TNBHR1&gt;.

URA 2013, ‘Skyline Jul/Aug 2013: The art and architecture of Tiong Bharu’, viewed 14 December 2018, <https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Resources/Articles.aspx?bldgid=TNBHR1>.

Visit Singapore 2018, Hunting for inspiration at Tiong Bahru, viewed 17 December 2018, <https://www.visitsingapore.com/walking-tour/culture/in-the-neighbourhood-tiong-bahru/>.

Image reference:

Culture trip 2018, ‘The top 10 things to do in Tiong Bahru, Singapore’, viewed 1 January 2019, <https://theculturetrip.com/asia/singapore/articles/the-top-10-things-to-do-and-see-in-tiong-bahru/&gt;

URA 2012, ‘Tiong Bahru general guidelines’, viewed 1 January 2019, <https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Guidelines-Procedures/Browse-Guidelines-and-Procedures?bldgid=TNBHR1&gt;.

POST B：Design Is Shaped By Local Context.

 

In different backgrounds, design plays a different role in the different city. The environment, historical background, economic culture and people’s living habits shape the unique and distinctive local design style. As an island nation, Singapore’s local culture has deeply influenced Singapore’s design style. At the same time, some unique designs become the sign of Singapore. If “design” is a business card, how does Singapore introduce itself? I will use the following design outcomes in to illustrate how does Singapore’s environment affect the design.

As a tropical country, Singapore has many tropical fruits, the most special of them should be durian. As everyone knows, Singaporeans love durian very much, however, what is the relation between the durian and the design in Singapore? I am about introducing a building which is related to durian. The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is one of the most distinctive modern architecture in Singapore, which is located in Singapore’s Downtown Core near the mouth of the Singapore River. The Esplanade was officially launched on 12 October 2002. The main designer team was DP Architects, they inspired by the compound eyes of insects to design its unique appearance. However, when people looking the flat-view of the building, the main body looks like a durian, therefore, Singaporeans called this building durian theatre. I guess that when the designer team builds this Esplanade, they probably added the elements of durian. This unique building is recognized as a landmark of Singapore today.

Image:Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

As an island country, Singapore focused on the sustainable development of energy and ecological environment. Gardens by the Bay is a project initiated by the Singapore National Parks Board. The main principle is sustainable development. The purpose of this design is to transform Singapore’s value from a “garden city” to a global “garden city”, and increasing the amount of planting and flowering landscapes in the city through more comprehensive plans. Improve the living quality of residents.

Gardens by the Bay is divided into East Garden, South Garden and Central Garden. Each area has their unique charm. The most unusual one is the 18 unique Supertrees located in the South Garden. Their height is between 25 and 50 meters. These tree-shaped structures are inspired by the dominant species in the rainforest. They combine the shape and function of adult trees to support the growth of plants on the surface, and able to simulate the ecological functions of trees through the features of environmental sustainability. Part “canopy” of the Supertree is equipped with photovoltaic cells that can absorb solar energy for lighting the darkness. Other “canopies” are connected with the plant’s cold room system as an exhaust vent. Supertree’s “canopy” can be shaded during the day. At night, this garden be dressed up on colorful light and projection multimedia makes the whole place looks enchanting. There is an aerial walkway connecting two Supertrees, which is convenient for visitors to enjoy the beautiful view of the Gardens by the Bay from different angles. These perfect design achieve the energy’s use and energy conversion and continuous use, not only for Singapore’s sustainable development, but also become the unique business card of Singapore.

Image: Supertrees

Whether the Esplanade or the Gardens by the Bay, these designs are all the products of the humanistic environment. It is precisely because of Singaporeans’ special eating habits and Singapore’s special development ideas have shaped a lot of excellent designs, playing an extremely important role in Singapore’s development. As a design student, I hope that every country can learn from Singapore and design their own national business card.

 

 

Reference List:

Ien Ang 2001, Intertwining Histories: Heritage and Diversity, NSW, viewed 25 December 2018, <http://historycouncilnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2001-AHL- Ang.pdf>.

Zhongxiao Ye 2018, Singapore Durian, China viewed 28 December 2018, <http://www.gdzjdaily.com.cn/life/2018-08/06/content_2308085.shtml>.

Wikipedia 2018, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore, viewed 28 December 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esplanade_–_Theatres_on_the_Bay>.

Wikipedia 2018, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, viewed 28 December 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_by_the_Bay>.

POST A：Design Initiative

National heritage has become an increasingly important hot topic in each country and each region. What is heritage? In general, heritage is what we kept in the past, whether it is old buildings, historical sites or other important things. These are not only some stories about the past, but also are the culture that we hope to record and preserve for our future generations.

Every country has evolved from ancient times to the present, therefore, the historical heritage and culture all have a significant meaning to the country. As a series of past things, heritage has shaped our position, social relations and memory in the present day, it also has an impact on the image of the country. (len 2001) Talking about Singapore, which is one of the four Asian tigers is no exception. The general public may not take the heritage as a very important matter, therefore, this should be pushed by the social culture. As a design student, I hope not only Singaporeans but also the foreigners are all can actually touch Singapore’s precious heritage culture, letting cultural heritage infiltrate into People’s Life. Therefore, I am going to take the Raffles’ Landing Site as an example and come up with three design initiatives. They are:

 

Image: Raffles’ Landing Site

 

 

1. Visualize historical stories

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles discovered Singapore at his age of 38. Singapore grew rapidly under the influence of his free trade concept and became Asia’s first free trade port. Sir Raffles called Singapore “my child”, while Singaporeans respected him as “the father of the country”, gradually becoming a household figure in Singapore. To make this story more vivid and can be acceptable to children. I consider that the story of Raffles landing can be designed as an animation, storybook and so on. By visualizing the historical stories can make the historical heritage alive. At the same time, the media should increase the exposure of the animation, then the animation or movie of Raffles can be well known by the world like Disney movies. It can be played on some notable children’s channels, and become a national culture that Singaporeans can be exposed to and proud of from an early age.

2. Design the brand image to make static historical heritage to be dynamic.

Creating a comprehensive brand image cannot only make Raffles widely be used in daily life but also can promote economic development. Creating a brand image can start from these two aspects:

·Design character images

Raffles is already a character, then the designer can design his image to be a cartoon figure, turning his serious image into a cute and acceptable image to the public. In different festivals, the designer can also design some festival theme clothes for the cartoon version of Raffles. At the same time, cartoon Raffles can be made into puppet costume interact with people.

· Extensive use of  the cartoon image

Raffles’ cartoon image can be widely used in daily life, such as printing on transportation cards, stationery, the government can also build a theme park or restaurant, design some Emoji for people to use, letting people connect with Singapore’s culture and heritage.

3. Organize related activities

In order to enable people of all the ages can get involved in the propagation of Singapore’s heritage, communities can hold some events or lectures to tell the story about Raffles. Older people may have a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of Raffles’ history, then they can explain to young people, in order to let them have a deep knowledge of Raffles.

Above are my opinion about design initiative of Raffles’ Landing Site, this design initiative also can be used in other heritage in Singapore. As a design student, I hope every historical heritage can be connected and interact with our daily life!

 

Reference List:

Ien Ang 2001, Intertwining Histories: Heritage and Diversity, NSW, viewed 25 December 2018, <http://historycouncilnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2001-AHL- Ang.pdf>.

S.G 2016, Singapore River, Singapore, viewed 25 December 2018, <https://www.visitsingapore.com/see-do-singapore/places-to-see/singapore-river/>.

S.G 2016, Raffles Statue, Singapore, viewed 25 December 2018, <https://www.visitsingapore.com/en_au/see-do-singapore/history/memorials/sir-raffles-statue-landing-site/>.

Wikipedia 2018, Raffles’ Landing Site, Singapore, viewed 25 December 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffles%27_Landing_Site>.

POST C. Smart Living in the Estate of Housing and Development Board

Nowadays, Smart technologies have been adopted on the urban planning and life in Singapore. The video states that with the growing of the population and restricted land utilisation, the city is confronted with many challenges that designers effectively create a liveable community for people via the technologies (TEDx Talks 2015). This blog will demonstrate the innovative examples integrating smart technologies used on the estate of Housing and Development Board. As well, their influences on the daily living of Singaporeans and environmental sustainability are to be evaluated.

The sensor of Smart living Elderly Care (TEDx Talks 2015, 13:23)

Nursers trains the user for the wrist flexion.  (TEDx Talks 2015, 14:09)

Telehealth are used remotely by the nurser. (TEDx Talks 2015, 14:13)

The home-based smart technologies of eldercare have been developed considerably to satisfy the demands of aging population for their fitness. For example, when the irregular behaviour energises deviating from an elderly’s daily routine, is tracked by sensors of Smart Elderly Monitoring and Alert System at home, the system will send massages to the elderly’s families. The reason is that the sensor can learn the user’ pattern of wake-up time, sleeping and duration in bathrooms (Koh 2015). A caregiver suggests that this system greatly helps her to ease the stress from Doris’ mother in the trial (Yeo 2015). The new care culture is being formed by smart designs, which can alleviate the pressure on human caregivers and wide-scale structure of health care in Singapore. Also, it shifts daily responsibility of caregivers to older adults to technologically-meditated intervention as a neoliberal method (Woods & Kong 2018). Furthermore, Telehealth provides a virtual platform for health consultation between users and doctors at home. Cheong reveals in the video that old people can complete physiotherapy exercise of the wrist Flexion with the instructions of nursers through remotely face-to-face video chat. Simultaneously, their blood pressure and heartbeat can be monitored. The new culture of care has been added the new concept to give elderly persons the self-sufficiency capacity through increasingly relying on technological strategies (Fine 2015, cited in Woods & Kong 2018). The medical device is targeted to the various situation of aging groups, such as a growing number of old people living alone or unmarried (Yeoh & Huang 2014, cited in Woods & Kong 2018) who can individually improve the accessibility to healthcare.

The user can turn off the appliances via the application on the phone. (Housing & Development Board 2016, 01:09)

Additionally, smart technologies not only can enhance the living quality of citizens, but also the culture of environmental protection that Singapore always emphasised, has been achieved further on smart appliances in housing areas simultaneously. Home Energy Management System is assessed in the trial experience led by HDB in Yuhua estate. The users are able to real time monitor the pattern about the energy consumption of household on phone application linked with the system and control the switch appliances remotely. For instance, when the daughter is working, the system can detect the situation of fan and air-conditioner and send the reminder to her if there is nobody at home. After that, the user can select to slide to turn off the appliances (Housing & Development Board 2016). Also, a Time-of-Use pricing scheme is included under some initiatives of the Smart Home Energy Pilot, which incentivises users to adjust the household electricity usage during the off-peak period. Thus, individual electricity charges could be reduced greatly. In this way, the use of innovative techniques is taken accounts of environmental issues about energy and daily costs of residents, which completes an eco-friendly lifestyle through encouraging people to change their behaviour for establishing a green living community. Also, Cheong suggests that promoting next generations of sustainable public housing will be benefited in this study (Siau 2014).

Singaporeans’ living has been enhanced into a smart way to emotionally concern the demand of residents. Thus, the care culture is developed from hospitals to homes by the technological solutions. Also, their green culture integrating smart technologies, has been demonstrated further on the daily life for the energy saving and reduction of household living costs.

(TEDx Talks 2015)

Reference

Housing & Development Board 2016, My Smart Home@Yuhua, video recording, YouTube, viewed 16 November 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnM3bL3O5TY>.

Koh, V. 2015. ‘HDB completes trial of smart elderly monitoring and alert system’, TODAYonline, viewed 16 December 2018, <https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/hdb-completes-semas-test-bed>.

Siau, M.E. 2014, ‘HDB, Panasonic and EMA to study feasibility of pilot energy scheme’, TODAYonline, viewed 15 November 2018, <https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/hdb-panasonic-and-ema-study-pilot-energy-scheme>.

TEDx Talks 2015, How we design and build a smart city and nation, video recording, YouTube, viewed 15 November 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m45SshJqOP4>.

Woods, O & Kong, L. 2018, ‘New cultures of care? The spatio-temporal modalities of home-based smart eldercare technologies in Singapore’, Social & Cultural Geography, pp. 1-21.

Yeo, S.J. 2015, ‘HDB elderly alert system well-received in test-bed’, The Straits Times, viewed 15 November, <https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/hdb-elderly-alert-system-well-received-in-test-bed>.

Screenshots Images:

Housing & Development Board 2016, My Smart Home@Yuhua, video recording, YouTube, viewed 16 November 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnM3bL3O5TY>.

TEDx Talks 2015, How we design and build a smart city and nation, video recording, YouTube, viewed 15 November 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m45SshJqOP4>.

Post B. Contemporary Designs in Singapore

The role of designs is to fulfil specific functional effects, responding to the different contexts. Meanwhile, they are determined by various factors, which only not displays time, culture, custom and technologies, but also relates to lifestyles and environment (Fukasawa 2003, pp. 8). Enhancing the progress of urban areas through designs purposefully is the long-term goal in Singapore, named as “Creative City of Design”, based on the development of social environment (National Design Centre 2017). This blog will analyse the features and impacts of Singapore’s contemporary architectural design and transport signage shaped by local contexts and explore the key knowledges of society, economy, culture and history behind the designs.

(Sustainability in the Gardens n.d.)

 

The contemporary designs of architecture have an emphasis on environmental sustainability in Singapore. Gardens by the Bay, reflects the ecological concept of the water cycle. For instance, the lake system, as an extension of Marina Reservoir, captures direct precipitation from within Bay South Garden catchment. Also, the high content of nitrogen, phosphorus and solids will be cleansed and filtered by aquatic plants prior to discharge into reservoir (Davey et al. 2010). This natural water treatment is an integrated feature of the build-in irrigation system for the Gardens simultaneously.

The sustainable principle is focused strongly due to the shortage of fresh water and high population. Singapore’s government aims to completely maximise land utilisation through urbanising zones, which forms high-density city areas. With the growth of five-million population and economy, it is inadequate to provide water supply for sustaining (Schmid 2012). Therefore, importing drinking from Malaysia is one method to support populace. Fortunately, green economy has been contributed by the innovative use of environmental-friendly architectures. Masagos highlights is that economy growth and environmental concerns should both be prioritised instead of “grow now, clean up later. Otherwise, it will cause a high-costs about climate change, increased pollution or scare resources for “current and future generations” (Tan & Tan 2018). He also indicates that Singapore is benefited from early investment of environmental resilience and sustainable growth, which facilitates a clean, green and liveable country, attracting talents and opportunities of business and employment. Historically, Singapore government has taken long-term efforts in improving of legislation, regulation and the implementation of environmental institutions, playing a significant role on the infrastructure of services to complete water quality standards, such as first Water Master Plan (1971), Water Conservation plans (1981), Singapore Green Plan 2012 published in 2006 (Tortajada & Joshi 2014). Therefore, the system of water recycle is emphasised always in Singapore contemporary designs.

The green and red LED light (Staris 1.0 2017)

Slideshow (Staris 2.0 2017)

The Station Map (Staris 2.0 2017)

 

Singapore’s transport signage design should be improved further in the visual identity currently. SMRT Active Route Map Information System is used on SMRT train, which is a technically diagram displaying the North-South and East-West train line rather than map. The green and red LED light represents the rest of the journey and next stop respectively, which reveals a clean and straightforward journey between the departure to designation. Also, there are four facial languages on the digital map, which effectively takes account of commuters with multicultural backgrounds. However, it cannot be updated when new train line or stations are available on the network. Based on the deficiency, the new LCD displays perfect the deficiency, but some design issues are reflected in the visual design. For example, the completed train network is replaced by an overview of five stops, which is difficult for commuters to check the remaining journey among the limited stops or determine the correct direction. Furthermore, the map at the station exits would provide a relatively complicated visual sense for people, such as the massive amount of lines and shaded areas (Teo 2017). Although the system can change the content of the stations directly and provide the slideshow of nearby landmarks, it needs to be refined how people can immediately realise the lines, destinations and current location through visual signs on trains or stations, because way-finding signages are always complaint among commuters (The Straits Times 2015).

 

Reference

Davey, M., Bellew, P., Er, K., Kwek, A. & Lim, J. 2010, ‘Gardens by the Bay: High performance through design optimization and integration’, Intelligent Buildings International, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 140-157.

Fukasawa, N. 2003, Without Thought, Japan.

Gardens by the Bay n.d., Sustainability Efforts, viewed 28 November 2018,
<http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/the-gardens/sustainability-efforts.html>.

National Design Centre 2017, Singapore: The Designed City, viewed 28 November 2018, <https://www.designsingapore.org/modules/design-news/singapore-the-designed-city>.

Schmid, S. 2012, ‘Catching Rainfall in Maria Bay: Water Necessity, Policy, and Innovation in Singapore’, Initiative for Global Environmental leadership, Wharton University of Pennsylvania, pp. 1-8.

Tan, A & Tan, L. A. ‘Green growth integral to Singapore’s economic development, says Masagos Zulkifil’, The Straitstimes, viewed 30 November 2018, <https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/better-signage-also-key-to-a-good-public-transport-network>.

Techinasia 2017, Singapore’s new train displays have serious design issues. Here’s what we can learn, viewed 28 November 2018, <https://www.techinasia.com/talk/smrt-new-display-ux-problem>.

Teo, Y. S. 2017, ‘Singapore’s new train displays have serious design issues. Here’s what we can learn’, Techinasia, viewed 28 November 2018, <https://www.techinasia.com/talk/smrt-new-display-ux-problem>.

The Straitstimes 2015, Better signage also key to a good public transport network, viewed 29 November 2018,<https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/better-signage-also-key-to-a-good-public-transport-network>.

Tortajada, C. & Joshi, Y. K. 2014, ‘Water quality management in Singapore: the role of institutions, laws and regulations’, Hydrological Sciences Journal, vol. 59, no. 9, pp. 1763-1774.

Images:

Fedora n.d., Landscape Architecture And Design Photos Architectural, viewed 28 November 2018, <http://www.woodynody.com/tag/modern-architecture/#prettyPhoto[gallery1]/6/>.

Gardens by the Bay n.d., Sustainability Efforts, viewed 28 November 2018,
<http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/the-gardens/sustainability-efforts.html>.

Techinasia 2017, Singapore’s new train displays have serious design issues. Here’s what we can learn, viewed 28 November 2018, <https://www.techinasia.com/talk/smrt-new-display-ux-problem>.

Post A. The Design Exhibition for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Singapore

Hawker Food, the local cuisine in Singapore, highlights the cosmopolitan outlook, which constitutes food characteristics of China, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, Eurasian (Tan 2008). Since the development of urbanisation in the mid-20^th century, the government has purposefully rebuilt hawker centres including appropriate sanitation (Ours SG Heritage n.d.). However, the traditional street hawker culture has suffered as hawker stall keepers has aged and the younger generation who have lost touch with the skills (Tarulevicz 2017). This blog will outline the effects of the design initiative which addresses the challenge of heritage about hawker culture on the awareness of citizens and sustainable plans. As well, the local context shaping the design will be analysed relating the social issues.

Recently, Our SG Hawker Culture Exhibition was held by the National Heritage Board in order to garner public support for the inclusion of hawker culture on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Keong 2018). The design proposal shows a graphic response to provide the knowledge of hawker food to stimulate the respect of citizens.

The graphic exhibitions display the knowledge of hawker culture. (Fong 2018)

Participants can leave their memories on stickers and hang on the wall. (Kwan 2018)

 

The public consciousness of Singaporeans about hawker culture can be improved through the visual expression and interactivity in the design method. For example, the knowledges of hawker culture including the history and the reason of the nomination, are imparted via the graphic walls. The four facial languages words are used engagingly with illustrations and photographic in the multicultural context. Also, participants could leave their comments about their memories to hawker food on stickers and hang on the wall. In this way, visual identity and interaction with citizens, provides a platform that publicises the significance of unique food heritage and enhances the awareness about the protection of intangible culture. More importantly, the appreciation of young generations to hawker culture could be contributed for the survival of hawker culture (Asyraf 2018). An increasing number of hawkers who are 59 years at median age have retired, but their manual skills are losing, because young people are more willing to writing listicles of hawker food, which will bring about more economic benefits for them, compared to running stalls (Tan 2017). Meanwhile, they would be attracted by other high-status occupation (Bharati 2018).

 

People can support hawker culture via pressing the buttom on the wall. (Keong 2018)

 

The sustainability of hawker culture can be safeguarded via supporting the UNESCO bid from residents. The exhibition offers a designated pledge station for people to give their support through pressing the button. Online support was also available. Asyraf (2018) indicates that there are over 30,000 Singaporeans have pledged their supports online. In fact, gaining supports from young generations is the main purpose to increase the sustainability of hawker culture, which is key to benefit from assistance of the local government. The National Environment Association has launched culinary classes aimed at younger people and developed management courses targeted hawker’s business model. Meanwhile, according to the high-rent problems (Wong 2018), half of market rent assessed for 6 months is provided for one stall with essential equipment, reducing hawkers’ start-up costs significantly (Bharati 2018).  Moreover, Ms Denise Tan (Asyraf 2018) states that a sustainable hawker culture can be generated through promoting economic trade presented by the design and management of hawker centres. In history, hawker food transferred from streetside to centres, has promoted the sustainable development, because it maintains the order of public spaces. Previously, street hawking causes the disorderliness of pedestrian flow and difficult street cleansing. Even, it involves the issue of spread diseases caused by the food security (Tarulevicz 2013, p. 69-70). Also, Hawker centres represent regulations about the provision of basic facilities for the preparation and consumption of hygienic food (Duruz & Khoo 2014, p. 102), which is an indispensable condition for the sustainable process. The solar orchid’ plan demonstrates the completed equipment and relocation for sustainability. It displays a mobile and reconfigurable structure on water. Built-in exhaust, gas, water, electrical and waste collection and water recycling are comprised in every pod. This proposal assures the comprehensive equipment and enhance the dining experience, according to decreasing popularity of traditional hawker lifestyle. Also, hawker economy can be promoted on the waterscape, offering a flexible space to adapt the urban development of land for industrialisation and reclamation (designboom 2014). More design plans could be proposed to relieve the challenge of food heritage, because the hawker culture is concerned with the respect and interests from public.

 

Hawker centres on waterscape (Solar Orchid Plan 2018)

 

 

Reference

Asyraf, K. 2018, ‘Getting Singapore’s hawker culture on Unesco’s list: Committee set up to prepare nomination bid, Todayonline, viewed 4 December 2018,<https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/getting-singapores-hawker-culture-unescos-list-committee-set-prepare-nomination-bid>.

Bharati, J. 2018, ‘Government should ‘stay out’ of it: KF Seetoh goes On the Record about preserving hawker food culture’, Channel NewAsia, viewed 4 December 2018,<https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kf-seetoh-makansutra-singapore-hawker-food-on-the-record-10299626>.

Designboom n.d., SPARK plans sustainable floating hawker for Singapore, viewed 2 December 2018, <https://www.designboom.com/architecture/spark-architects-floating-hawker-centre-solar-orchid-singapore-07-04-2014/>.

Duruz, J. & Khoo, G.C. 2014, ‘Growing up transitional: Travelling through Singapore’s Hawker Centres’, Rowman and Litterfield, Eating Together: Food, Space and Identity in Malaysia and Singapore, Maryland, pp. 102-103.

Keong, C. H. 2018, ‘People care, so that debate on hawker centre model: NHB’, Yahoo, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://sg.news.yahoo.com/debate-social-enterprise-hawker-centre-model-good-unesco-nomination-nhb-080736010.html>.

Our SG Heritage n.d., Hawker Culture in Singapore, viewed 4 December 2018,<https://www.oursgheritage.sg/hawker-culture-in-singapore/>.

Tan, J. 2008, ‘Culture on a plate: the gastronomic tale of Singapore stems from its unique cultural tapestry made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Peranakans. Julian Tan follows the hawker trail that wend its way through the various ethic enclaves in pursuit of a unique gustatory experience’, Business Traveller Asia Pacific, pp. 46-49.

Tan, H, Y. 2017, ‘Hawker culture must evolve to ensure survival’, The Straits Times, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hawker-culture-must-evolve-to-ensure-survival>.

Tarulevicz, N.2013, Eating Her Curries and Kway: A Cultural History of Food in Singapore, University of Illinois Press, Illnois.

Tarulevicz, N. 2018, ‘Hawkerpreneurs: Hawkers, Entrepreneurship, and reinventing street food in Singapore’, Journal of Business Management, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 291-302.

Wong, C. 2018, ‘Experts hope Unesco bid will increase support for hawkers’, The Straits Times, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/experts-hope-unesco-bid-will-increase-support-for-hawkers>.

Images:

Designboom n.d., SPARK plans sustainable floating hawker for Singapore, viewed 2 December 2018, <https://www.designboom.com/architecture/spark-architects-floating-hawker-centre-solar-orchid-singapore-07-04-2014/>.

Fong, K.M. 2018, The Our SG Hawker Culture travelling exhibition will be showcased to 13 locations over the next three months, including Our Tampines Hub, Toa Payoh Hub, and Central Public Library, TODAYonline, viewed 2 December 2018, <https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/discussion-about-social-enterprise-hawker-centres-useful-singapores-unesco-nomination>.

Keong, C. H. 2018, People care, so that debate on hawker centre model: NHB, Yahoo, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://sg.news.yahoo.com/debate-social-enterprise-hawker-centre-model-good-unesco-nomination-nhb-080736010.html>.

Kwan, J. 2018, ­­Spirted debate shows S’poreans’ passion for hawker culture: NHB, the newpaper, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/spirited-debate-shows-sporeans-passion-hawker-culture-nhb>.

Our SG Heritage n.d., Let’s Support Hawker Culture in Singapore, viewed 4 December 2018, <https://www.oursgheritage.sg/>.