President*s Design Award 2020: 11 Recipients And Projects To Know

Founded in 1998, Arc Studio Architecture + Urbanism was created by husband-and-wife team Khoo Peng Beng and Belinda Huang. The architectural practice is well-recognised for their meaningful and innovative projects that highlight sustainability at the core. The firm is no stranger to the P*DA: they received the Design of the Year accolade in 2010 for their highly-lauded project Pinnacle@Duxton, and again in 2018 for The Tembusu residential development. 

The architects have been recognised for their forward-thinking ethos that connects nature and people through their human-centric designs. Both Khoo and Huang share a passion for education and are keen on nurturing the younger generation of designers; Khoo is adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore while Huang serves on the board of the Institute of Technical Education. 

Besides Singapore, the firm has also expanded its work overseas by taking on social projects in Malaysia, India, Kenya, and Cambodia, designing schools and community centres that support disadvantaged children and their families.

Besides residential towers and houses, the studio has also designed hotels such as Village Hotel Sentosa and The Outpost Hotel, as well as vocational institutes, churches and community centres. Each project might differ in terms of their needs, but they all share a similar thread: they’re all designed with well-being of its users and the Earth.

Related: Why Social Impact Is Important To The Architects Who Designed The Pinnacle@Duxton

Kelley Cheng describes herself as the “modern-day polymath”, hitting the nail exactly on the head when it comes to defining the editor, writer, graphic designer, and entrepreneur. An architect by training, Cheng graduated from architecture school and moved into graphic design when she realised she had more passion for the latter. 

Amidst her most notable works include the founding of iSh in 1999, the first independent design magazine in Singapore. With Cheng at the helm as Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director, the magazine ran for a decade and documented several highlights of the Singapore design scene and culture. The part-time lecturer is also a dedicated educator who enjoys mentoring new talents and the upcoming generation.

Related: Support Local This Weekend And Watch An Award-Winning Singaporean Film, Then Attend An Exhibition By A Veteran Designer

Designed by Formwerkz Architects, this abode—dubbed the Cloister House—clinched the accolade for its impactful design that raises the quality of life. Appearing on the cover of the Tatler Homes Singapore June-July 2019 issue, the stunning single-storey dwelling sits on a generous 43,000sqft plot. Aside from the client's request to create a private dwelling that has plenty of spaces to entertain guests and family, the designers were given free rein with the design concept.  

The sprawling residence is designed with a myriad of spaces, courtyards, and rooms. It offers the family various places to gather and bond, or to retreat to their respective spaces for privacy.

The highlight of the home is its origami-like ceiling that spans throughout the main block of the house. Clad in Merbau timber, the expansive ceiling unifies the different rooms and zones together. A unique interpretation of modern luxury, the abode was designed to demonstrate the relationship between the roof, the house, and the land it sits on.

Related: The Winners Of The Tatler Design Awards 2020

A stunning example of the future of construction design, the AirMesh Pavilion was selected for its ground-breaking achievements in design. The frame structure is entirely constructed out of 3D-printed stainless steel components—the first in the world to achieve such a feat. Created with 54 bespoke nodes and 216 bars of different lengths and sections, the pavilion showcases new possibilities between technology and design.

Designed for the Gardens by the Bay, the structure is constructed to sit between three scenic viewpoints. It is intended to bring to mind a Chinese lantern; a white nylon net draped over the structure provides shade and does not detract from the lush landscape. The AirMesh pavilion is created by the AirLab (short for the Architectural Intelligence Research Lab), a multidisciplinary research laboratory established at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

Related: How The Landscape Architects Behind Gardens By The Bay Connect Architecture To Nature

One of the latest iconic landmarks of Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport is famously known for its eye-catching water feature situated in the middle of the airport. Designed by Safdie Architects and collaborated with architect firm RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, the complex dome is constructed with over 9,300 glass panels. Housing 280 shops and restaurants, the airport’s novel approach to sustainability with its verdant foliage and eco-friendly features draw a strong focus on Singapore’s reputation as a green city.

Related: 5 Minutes With ... Moshe Safdie, The Architect Of Marina Bay Sands And Jewel Changi Airport

Located in the north of Singapore, Kampung Admiralty is designed as an urban village for the seniors. Conceived by WOHA Architects, the mixed-use project is recognised for its impact on raising the quality of life for the residents.

Housed within the 11-storey development are 104 flats designed for the elderly, as well as healthcare facilities, retail and dining outlets, and other public amenities. The numerous facilities are designed in an engaging manner that encourages the ‘kampung’ spirit to foster a sense of community among the residents.

The biophilic design of the colossal single structure also features soothing views for its occupants. With its focus on creating an inclusive space for the elderly, the project has been strongly praised as a forward-thinking representation for future public housing.

Related: Woha Founding Directors Wong Mun Summ And Richard Hassell On Creating A Greener Singapore

Simply yet innovatively designed out of five decommissioned containers, recycled timber, and an iron roof, the Etania Green School is a powerful example of impactful design. Located in Sabah, Malaysia, the school serves as a safe haven and educational site for the children of migrant labourers.

These stateless children, who have no access to formal education, are able to learn and bond with fellow students through the open classrooms and flexible gathering spaces in the school. Designed by Billion Bricks, the Etania Green School is a standout highlight of how design can help effectuate social change.

The [Not So] Convenience Store borrows the character of convenience stores to deliver a strong message: the culture of convenience is killing the environment. The exhibition features shelves of sustainable products in place of typical everyday consumables, with price tags that reveal the price that the Earth is paying in light of consumerism.

The rest of the ‘store’ also delivers a twist on typical convenience store features, such as a cashier that only dispenses notes with sustainability tips, and a freezer that’s a recycling bin for electronics. The project is noted for its public reach and how it helps educate a wider audience on the concept of sustainability delivered in a fun and engaging manner.

Related: World Environment Day 2021: How to Save the Earth With Your Eating Habits

A community project to encourage stay-alone seniors out of their apartment and reintegrate them back into the society, DP Architects designed a vibrant Senior Activity Centre that’s open to the community. Painted in lively shades to create a bright burst of energy, the welcoming space is located below a public housing block in Marine Terrace.

Preying on the common language of food, the facility has an open community kitchen to bring the elderly community together to voluntarily cook and prepare meals for each other. The large kitchen sits at the very center of the 360sqm layout, while the living room concept encourages the seniors to gather and socialise.

Related: DP Architects' Angelene Chan Shares Her Secrets To Being A Successful Leader

An educational platform that transforms complex topics into easy-to-understand content, Eyeyah! offers colourful and visually engaging content that breaks down important social issues for its readers. Targeted towards youth, the platform uses a range of multimedia touch-points ranging from magazines to an iPad app to interactive augmented reality experiences.

Eyeyah! is the brainchild of Singapore-based designers Tanya Wilson and Steve Lawler. The duo frequently collaborates with creatives, experts, and educators worldwide to deliver the platform’s content in an original and educational manner.

With a circular building that brings to mind a spaceship, this fun building designed by Laud Architects delivers charming delight to its young students.

Catered towards nearly 1,000 children aged between two months, the preschool is designed with a plethora of play areas that include a herb and vegetable farm as well as a water and sand play area. Featuring modular classroom designs and an oculus roof that provides the space with natural light, the experiential space encourages creativity and innovation amongst the little ones.