Cover Members of Singapore Institute of Architects and the winners of the SIA Architectural Design Awards 2023 with team members from Tatler Homes Singapore and Hafary at Hafary Gallery. All photos: Adrian Lee
Members of Singapore Institute of Architects and the winners of the SIA Architectural Design Awards 2023 with team members from Tatler Homes Singapore and Hafary at Hafary Gallery. All photos: Adrian Lee
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This post-award celebration of SIA Architectural Design Awards saw a gathering of creative alchemists with Hafary Gallery as the meeting ground
The annual SIA Architectural Design Awards, conferred by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), celebrates excellence and distinction in the field of architecture. “It is one of the few design awards in Singapore that focuses solely on architectural excellence and aesthetics. We look at what architecture can do, how it changes our way of living and challenges preconceived notions,” shared Melvin Tan, president of SIA, at a recent post-awards celebration held on September 6 at Hafary Gallery.
Organised in collaboration with official media partner Tatler Homes Singapore, this event was a way to fete creativity and ingenuity as well as commemorate SIA’s 60th anniversary. The 2023 edition of the awards, held in August this year—the second since the pandemic—announced eight design and 13 merit awards across six categories.
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Hafary director Eric Low with Singapore Institute of Architects president Melvin Tan and Tatler Homes Singapore managing editor Hong Xinying
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Redbean Architects and Kay Ngee Tan Architects received the Design of the Year awards for the design of the Delta Sport Centre and Gallop Extension at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, respectively. It was in recognition of the skilful manipulation of the old with new, keeping the community and sustainability at the heart. In that respect, the awards fulfils its underscoring mission to not just encourage architects from various disciplines but also challenge them to think out of the box.
“The purpose of design awards is not just to glorify ourselves. SIA Architectural Design Awards help mould and shape architects' focus,” said Tan, adding that despite the challenges put forth by the pandemic, this year delivered as always as far as innovation and creativity seen in the project submissions.
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Alan Tay of Formwerkz (centre) with Eric Low and Adrian Lai
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Looking around the room full of architects each distinguished in their own respect, that unity of purpose was very evident, even if they may be competing with each other in their professional spaces. Ensconced in the open courtyard area on the third level of Hafary Centre, flanked by design galleries and esoteric cubed displays, the architects were in their element. A delectable spread of plated canapes by Gastrogig added an additional touch of elegance to the settings.
Singaporean illustrator Lee Xin Li and Un Wai Kai
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As an ode to design and the architectural profession, each guest received a token of appreciation from Hafary as well as a print by local illustrator Lee Xin Li. Lee, who also studied architecture at the National University of Singapore, draws inspiration from local landmarks, food and history. The artist was on hand to explain the inspiration behind his works that depict heritage neighbourhoods in Singapore, and how they have evolved over the years.
The air was ripe with nostalgia as guests clamoured around the prints and picked the one that spoke most to them. Zeeson Teoh, partner at RedBean Architects, picked one of Ceylon Road: “because we are working on a residential project there”; many of the architects present at the event did the same. As they say, art inspires creativity.
View more photos of the event here:
Guests from the Singapore Institute of Architects at Hafary Gallery
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Photography: Adrian Lee
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