In conversation: Three architects on what’s to come at the supersized Archifest 2024

What was the reason for this consolidation?
Lai: Architecture is really multi-faceted. There are all kinds of architectural practitioners—some are really design-focused, who design up to the smallest details like [with] furniture, and then there are those who do master plans and airports, and those who are interested in material innovation and the arts side of architecture— and we had these activities to cater to these different types peppered throughout the year.

But we’ve found that the community builds better if we don’t look at ourselves as separate types of people, and Archifest is an excellent opportunity to bring all these activities together so all the architects can look at all the various facets of architecture, and design and culture and the arts, in one place.

Through this consolidated event, we can also involve government partners, like DesignSingapore Council and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, because, in design, you need a good client; in architecture, you need good patrons. Singapore has the disadvantage of being a small market, but the upside of that is how well the government and practitioners work together in this design ecosystem.

Melvin Keng: We’ve also pushed the festival to have a more regional outreach in the last few years. When we thought about the refreshed model last year, we also wondered if we would have to keep our brand identity in order to keep our audience. So, while we introduce new components to the festival, we don’t lose our long-time fans and supporters who have been with us for the past 17 years.

We are keeping some mainstay events to ensure continuity. The format of the conference is similar to that of previous years, where we invited industry leaders and overseas architects—some regional and some international—to come in and share their thoughts and views.

Wong Ker How: Another addition to this year’s Archifest is the homecoming of our Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 exhibition. It’s all part of the effort to bring everyone together with this one big event.

How did you arrive at the theme of “Intangibles”?
Lai: It started with Singapore’s Venice Biennale show. It is a reminder for architects and designers to focus on the intangibles as we design, which include a sense of well-being, inclusivity and freedom—these are urgent issues that all societies and communities are facing. As we combat global warming and meet the challenge of sustainability, we are trying to measure carbon footprints and carbon financing.

But how do we feel connected to people, how do we appreciate beauty, how do we find moments of solace? Somehow, these kinds of emotive and cognitive aspects are not really discussed.

As designers, we deal with tangible things—materials, proportions—but we cannot lose sight of the larger picture, and the intangibles are what we need to move the needle on. We are bringing that topic to help everybody take a step back and say, “Okay, actually, that’s how we measure our work”.

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How do you measure intangibles?
Lai: It does sound like a futile chase, right? In our research last year, we found that once an organic community initiative, like Bjorn Low’s Edible Garden City, adopts KPIs and templates for profitable growth, the work seems to lose its soul. Losing that something—call it soul or some other intangible component—when measurement and systems are put in place is something we want to discuss.

Especially in a UNESCO City of Design like Singapore, it is important to support the great energy in the local design scene to drive innovation and make the design excellence culture pervasive!

Designers know when we’ve hit the spot when a design is beautiful and inspiring—but it’s not always measurable. We need to work with our patrons on how to value the unmeasurable.

The topic is about the essentials. Can we measure it? And if we can’t, how do we propagate and keep this ecosystem alive? That’s the theme we’re going towards: encouraging good design and trying to put a finger on it. It goes a bit abstract.

Wong: At the Venice Biennale, we also talked about understanding consensus. During the exhibition, we surveyed the visitors. They were asked to mark their preference on the screen to understand where they stand among the rest of the community, whether their preference is in the majority or the minority. That exercise itself was a different way of measuring that was quite meaningful to bring up in this age of inclusion and well-being.

Design should also allow people to have a voice. We want everyone to realise that the things we appreciate in design and architecture are all intangible. We should keep our focus on those, whether or not we can measure their lovability or likeability.

What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s Archifest?
Keng: The conference. This year, there will be an exciting intergenerational conversation between veteran Chinese architect Zhang Yonghe of atelier FCJZ and young architect Dong Gong of Vector Architects. We also have an illustrious line-up of Singaporean architects including Mok Wei Wei, Ong Ker Shing, Pan Yi Cheng, and Ling Hao.

Wong: For me, it’s the Singapore Archifest Forum, where we will invite people to give short sessions about what they are doing in their own field of work. There will be a book launch, and agencies are talking about community spaces, integrated hubs, public spaces, and place-making. These agencies are also going to launch attractive design competitions.

We have also opened a new category at the SIA Architectural Design Awards for architects registered under professional associations in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. We will also have our first Young Architects Award, and I am very much looking forward to seeing who will receive it.

What can the general public look forward to at Archifest 2024?
Keng: Architours is happening again this year. We will also be premiering two urban furniture installations that are the result of last year’s Archifest Incubator programme, in which we invited delegates from the four nations to come and collaborate with local designers for urban installation that responds to the 2023 festival theme. It’s our way of introducing an incubation idea and also allowing for collaboration across different nations. The outcome will be showcased at this year’s festival.

In case you missed it: How Singapore architects celebrated the SIA Architectural Design Award winners at Hafary Gallery

What do you want visitors to take away from Archifest?
Lai: A sense of community. The built-environment industry is built upon the foundations of a strong community that consists of architects, suppliers, government agencies, developers, clients, and the people who actually use the building. Everybody has a part to play in bolstering our industry and keeping it at the current level of excellence.

Wong: The key takeaway is for architects to put their personal values into their work, remember the intangible things that drive their spirit, and make sure that their projects also deliver and evoke these. I hope this big event can address the talent drain by showing that architecture is certainly not a twilight industry.

Keng: There are some who don’t think that architecture is worth the effort anymore, and some talk about AI replacing us. I hope the event will tell everybody that architecture—past, present, and definitely in the future—is still very valuable to society. Everyone should have the heart and soul to contribute to this big thing. Who creates the built environment? It’s everybody, with architects at the forefront. If you have the vision to make it happen, don’t run away from it.

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