A house that tests the border between privacy and exposure; a tile and stone showroom that dissolves conventions; a conversation about accreditation for landscape architects; a public garden that embraces cultural dichotomies; the ‘learn-by-doing’ approach of LOOK Architects; and much more in our latest issue.
December 16th, 2015
When we visited the Greja House by Park + Associates (our cover feature) during the preparation of Cubes Indesign 77, we were amazed by the extremely open approach taken by the resident family. A skin of white-painted expanded metal mesh veils the upper levels of the house (including the ensuite bathroom), creating something of an optical filter that puts the residents on show as much as the neighbourhood.
The Greja House by Park + Associates. Photo by Edward Hendricks (courtesy of Park + Associates)
Similarly, we found conventions thoroughly shattered at the showroom of tile and stone specialist Rice Fields. Referred to as a laboratory rather than a showroom, riceLAB is an intricate and meticulously detailed realm for spatial immersion. Customer experience is at the core of the design by Studiogoto, which presents a journey through a variety of settings demonstrating the versatility of the material.
riceLAB by Studiogoto. Photo by Edward Hendricks
The field of landscape architecture is highlighted in two of our features this issue. Our ‘In Conversation’ feature puts the spotlight on a substantial change that has recently been implemented in Singapore’s landscape architecture industry: a new accreditation programme for landscape architects here. We paired up two practitioners – Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects council member and Associate at Tierra Design Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan, and Senior Associate at Grant Associates Singapore Mike Wood – to discuss why accreditation was needed and why there’s now a push for a ‘qualified professional’ status for landscape architects in Singapore.
Srilalitha Gopalakrishnan and Mike Wood. Photo by Tawan Conchonnet
A case study on a landscape project by Lekker Architects highlights the studio’s desire the balance Eastern and Western landscape design traditions for a Singaporean client in China. The creation of a public garden around a family burial ground outside Nanjing was an opportunity for Lekker (as explained by Director Ong Ker-Shing, a Singapore-accredited architect and landscape architect) to balance the public and the private, the living and the memorialised, and the local and the foreign.
Private Cemetery Landscape and Pavilions by Lekker Architects. Photo by Ong Ker-Shing
This issue’s Portfolio feature delves into the process-driven work of LOOK Architects. Established in 1993 by the husband-and-wife team of Look Boon Gee and Ng Sor Hiang, LOOK Architects place equal importance on the technology of building as the ideas embedded in their work. “Some may expound theories over many pages in books, but we believe we learn from actually doing something,” says Look. We survey their work through a cross section of projects, many of which (such as Bishan Public Library, Alexandra Arch, the Forest Walk and Punggol Promenade) are situated in the public domain.
Members of the LOOK Architects team, from left to right, Chua Liang Ping (Associate), Ng Sor Hiang (Founder and Group Director), Chow Khoon Toong (Senior Architectural Associate), Look Boon Gee (Founder and Managing Director), and Lee Liting (Associate). Photo by Justin Loh
Other features in issue 77 look at Lanzavecchia + Wai’s new furniture collection for Journey East, which addresses the question of what furniture for South-East Asia might be; an old-and-new extension to a colonial building in Penang by Ministry of Design; a sculptural ply-scape designed by MAKK Architects for a watch showroom and service centre at Aljunied Road; and an office by Bean Buro for Leo Burnett in Hong Kong that references the urban tendencies of Kowloon. I hope you enjoy the issue!
Note by Editor Narelle Yabuka.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In 2022 it was all about coming to the office, and feeling good while you were there. No surprises – 2022 marked a year of new workplaces that were bold, beautiful and not at all your typical office.
In 2016, a fire destroyed a cafe in Sydney’s Parramatta Park. With a sensitive touch, both materially and historically, the architects have brought new life to the site by designing a pavilion that respects what was there before.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Art, design, architecture and hospitality all combine perfectly at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne by BAR Studio and Cottee Parker.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.