Leaf Architecture (London)
Posted by rivy at 10/21/2008 12:46 PM CDT
(Architectural Record website @ http://archrecord.construction.com)

An alternative perspective on place - put here to contrast against the climate of Singapore.


For those of you who made it outside on Sunday in the Northeast, you were treated to fall at its most glorious. The leaves were changing; the sky was brilliant and blue; the air was apple-crisp. Car by car, families and singles and pairs and groups of friends lumbered out of the city, hoping for a taste. Some of you found the secret: to walk into a natural, covered space, surrounded by a leaf canopy. No sound. No formal structure. But the leaves, and the trees, and the rocks, and the hillside speak in such a natural room, shifting slightly in the breeze in a constant fluid music that evades any acoustic sense.

The arc of leaves above forms a space as discretely as any human structure, with a top and bottom, though few sides. Moving, changing, shifting in the light from darkness to translucence, creating layers upon layers of pixilated color and pointed form, occasionally opening up to the blue and yellow above.

Color saturates the air, from the cool blaze of sunlit shafts piercing through the yellow canopy and splayed against a tree trunk to the green leaves caught in the act of turning scarlet on a single maple, which somehow, small though it might be and slender, sends two artfully curved branches up in an arc that then droop downward like feathers.

The rocks, split and splayed and dusty gray, lichen-covered and witnesses of force, sit silently beneath—an underpinning for the teeming richness above. No words said; no words necessary—no search for greater meaning. Just a time for architects, for anyone, to stop talking and soak it in.

Living Waters @ ACSI


Being a member of Living Waters Methodist Church (LWMC) and worshipping in the church since I was 13, I felt that LWMC would be the place and space I wanted to write about.

LWMC is situated at 121 Dover Road, and it was the space where I would go to every Sunday to worship. Together with a congregation of about 200 people, we form a close knit community with each other, having activities such as family camps, community services and celebrations. It was not only a place where I worship, but also a place where I grew and mature in my teenage years.

But it’s not only about the community, friends and family and activities that happened that give a sense of nostalgia. As an architecture and design student, I also believe that the architecture and design of the space plays an important role in giving the sense of atmosphere, feelings and sense of attachment to the place. For LWMC, it is no different.

LWMC started out in Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in the Centre for Performing Arts in 1999. In 2005 its interiors and outer walls was refurnished and transformed into a church and sanctuary. I guess because of this, the congregation had a space to call their own, and people could see the difference from then and now, and appreciate its beauty.

When you walk along the outer walls of the church to walk into the main entrance, you first notice the facade of polished wood. Clean and smooth, it gives this sense of earthly feel to the viewer. There are three thin columns of window, side by side, for the viewer to look inside its interiors and the activities happening inside. And then you open the doors and you see the sea of red. The cushioned seats are of a bright crimson red, which stands out from the light brown of the wooden facade.

And then you walk along the centre aisle and right in front of you is the cross, high and large, almost as if touching and ceiling. Lights shine out from behind the cross and you see the lines and edges, light and shadow at play to create the shape of the cross.

As you walk more into the front, you realise there is a balcony overlooking the front. As mentioned earlier, the church was a former performing arts centre, and interestingly, you can see the shape of a theatre, but the front is not the stage but an elevated platform and the cross. It is a hybrid mix and these layers can be seen.

Sometimes I feel the whole architecture was made this way to show that ‘blood’ was spilling out from the cross, filling it with a sea of red. And the shape of the theatre was still there to show that we, like an audience watching a show, are witnesses to the message of Jesus Christ.

I believe that its people will remember this space even if they leave this place.

Leong Hui Han Dominic

Club CSC @ Bukit Batok

Luxurious heartland getaway.

Hidden amidst lush greenery.

Tranquil and refreshing.

Absolutely stunning.

Nur Syafiqah Nahadi

Dempsey Road

Teo Qiao Lin

Chek Jawa

Loh Zixu

The Singapore Quarry – A Secluded Nature


The Singapore Quarry ceased its quarrying operations in the early 1970s and was left abondoned since then. Part of the quarry face can be spotted from the Rail Mall commercial and residential area, and along the Upper Bukit Timah Road that heads towards the City direction.

Unlike the Hindhege Quarry located at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve that has proper built-up facilities cater for the public uses, the Singapore Quarry is still preserved as its original nature.
One has to explore the area and follow the natural pathway that leads to the quarry. At certain point, one may feel lost in transition and have to find the correct route to the quarry.

The natural site of the Singapore Quarry is a perfect getway that separates itself from the daily busy city life. The Malayan railway track acts as a buffer between the isolated quarry site and the bustle of Upper Bukit Timah Road with residential housings located beyond.

Standing in front of the quarry, one is overwhelmed by the extreme quietness and peaceful ambience. One can appreciate the sound of nature. One can feel the calmness of the nature. One can feel that time seems to stop at that particular moment.

Tan Tiang Soon

Bukit Merah Childhood


Bukit Merah was where I spent most of my childhood before moving to my present place. The Town Central was located just a minute’s walk away from my place and had many facilities such as a bus terminal, supermarket, hawker centre, polyclinic, bank, post office and library. Not only was it accessible in terms of public transport, but also the proximity of the facilities made it possible to run many errands within a short time.

I remember the times spent walking within the Town Central, having a meal, accompanying my mother to the bank, buying groceries, posting letters and even going to the doctor’s when I felt unwell. However, one activity that I particularly enjoyed was going to the library, borrowing books and watching librarians stamp the multiple borrow slips and scanning the library cards. The library has undergone a renovation since then and some parts of it have changed but visiting it always brings back fond memories.

On a macro scale, the Town Central was planned as a courtyard-like setting, with 4-storey rows of buildings enclosing the space, thus providing an intimate feel. Where the human traffic is most on the first storey, there is no blockage, especially the hawker centre, which allows a constant breeze as well as sufficient light to enter. Along the wide open passageways, trees were planted intermittently which provide shade without cluttering the pathways. This probably accounts for the relatively cool temperature and breeze as well as the visual treats of the landscaping.

Even up till today, my family and I would still visit the place since it is so accessible, and the comfort of walking around while running our errands makes it a pleasure to do so.

Yeo Kee Aik Shaun

When the Merlion rests…

It is a Tuesday. It is 1am. The usual crowd of tourists seen in the day and evening hanging around the bridge has dispersed. There are only a few couples scattered around on the steps doing their own things. I am sitting at the steps facing the sea. On my left is Singapore‘s own pride and joy: the Esplanade and the brightly lit Singapore Flyer. In front of me across the sea are the national birds of Singapore, “Cranes”. It kills the view ahead. The land breeze is strong yet comfortable. The air temperature is cool and the wind is warm. That makes my spot here rather ideal for relaxing after a full day work. The noise level has dropped to the minimum. The Merlion has stopped sprouting water so just the light waves slapping against the steps. The usually busiest part of Singapore in the daytime has now been reduced to a state of serenity which would be quickly broken once the sun rises, marking the start of another brand new day.

Neo Wen Hao

Shaw Towers

Playground

Joleen Woon

Cheng Meng

Tan Shujun

Ann Siang Hill



Ann Siang Hill Park. A space for enjoying solitude, time seems to slow down when I visit this place. Located in the heart of the city, this park nevertheless maintains a tranquil air. When coupled with the quaint shops located nearby this area affords the passer-by a moments respite from their hectic lifestyle.

Quek Li-En