7 Young Architects Walk Into A Building
School is in session. Follow our young architects on their CapitaLand Young Architect Programme Immersion Programme.
As the year draws towards a close, we are featuring all that is good around us. Between being naughty or nice, we would definitely pick the latter. Welcome to The Good Life issue. Karma points issued separately.
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For any regular 15-year-old, stepping into a 52-storey office building can be intimidating. For our group of 7 young architects, they are showing no signs of backing down. In fact, it is precisely the type of challenge that they relish in.
Picked from the second run of the CapitaLand Young Architect Programme, these seven winning students demonstrated a high level of commitment and good abilities and skills during the programme. Their reward? A student immersion programme with CapitaLand.
Held from 4 August to 8 September 2018, the CapitaLand Young Architect Programme is a multi-sectoral pilot project funded by CapitaLand Hope Foundation, in collaboration with People’s Association, Community Development Councils (CDCs) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Architecture. In its second year, the programme enables youths to gain first-hand experience in designing sustainable solutions for community spaces.
Reporting for ‘work’ at Capital Tower on the first day, the students had the opportunity to take part in experiential tours to CapitaLand’s iconic properties in Singapore, to find out how CapitaLand is shaping the future of real estate. As one of Asia’s largest real estate companies, the opportunity to learn directly from the project development experts within CapitaLand is definitely one to be treasured.
Day 1 - Meeting of the minds
On their first stop, the young architects were welcomed by CapitaLand’s Head of Design Management, Deputy Chief Design Officer Mr Poon who shared more about CapitaLand’s Project Development and Design Management department. It wasn’t just some idle chit-chat either.
Learning about the three key roles in developing a building. Ms Syasya Batrisyia Bte Eaddy, 15, Jurong West Secondary School said: “I learnt about Design Management, Project Management and Cost & Contract Management and how it all comes together to ensure a building’s success.”
Architecture doesn’t exist on its own. It needs space. To understand the use of land and space in Singapore, the young architects also visited Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority to find out more about the nation’s masterplan.
Mr Chan Weng Onn Martin, Vice-Principal from Springfield Secondary School said: “The immersion programme is indeed an excellent platform to deepen students' awareness in the field of architecture. The opportunity to interact and engage with experts in the field provided further insights about the profession in a purposeful manner."
Day 2 – Seeing into the future of retail
The students got a sneak peek at Funan and Jewel Changi Airport - the two highly anticipated projects that will open their doors come 2019. Visiting the showsuites for both development, the students were impressed with the innovative design approach taken. Ms Ng Ying Jia Christina, 14, Hua Yi Secondary School remarked: “Funan is extremely different from a typical shopping mall. Jewel is also amazing as it can fit in so many amenities, facilities, attractions and greenery in such a unique structure.”
The ‘exclusive access’ tour continued as the students made their way to Raffles City Singapore to not only understand the complex operations behind this integrated development and landmark in the heart of Singapore’s civic district, they also had the chance to visit the urban farm perched atop the building.
These are opportunities that are not open to the public. Mr Sam Ho Kum Fai, Vice Principal/Vocational Education, Crest Secondary School said “Thank you for organising such a wonderful programme for students to learn more about the property and built environment industry. My student, Muhd Danish Ramadhan, was one of the lucky few students who was able to visit and experience many of the iconic and innovative buildings and built environment projects that many of us adults have not even been able to visit, see and experience.”
Day 3 - Living redefined for everyone
Living along Orchard Road became a temporary reality as they visited Ascott Orchard Singapore and Cairnhill Nine. The young architects marvelled at how posh design can also be inclusive. CapitaLand’s landmark integrated development at Cairnhill, comprising Ascott Orchard Singapore, a luxurious serviced residence, and Cairnhill Nine, a premium residential tower, is a recipient of the pinnacle Universal Design (UD) Mark Platinum award by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Ascott Orchard Singapore was also the first serviced residence to be awarded UD Mark Platinum.
An inspired Ms Juita Andriani Sim Li Min, 15, Springfield Secondary School even suggested to have “railings or braille in the school to help the visually impaired.”
Mr Sam Ho Kum Fai, Vice Principal/Vocational Education, Crest Secondary School said: “Such a programme would have showcased to the students many things not found in books and more importantly, showed that there are many people and organisations who wish to help them and believe that they too can grow and succeed." We couldn’t agree more.
What really captured their attention were the colourful and fun displays at the lyf showsuite. The Ascott Limited’s latest brand, lyf (pronounced ‘life’) is designed for and managed by millennials who wish to experience destinations as locals do. Our young architects got busy taking many Instagram worthy pictures; temporarily returning to their original selfs, carefree students on a break from school, full of smiles and laughs.
Day 4 - Working in the garden
Whether city in a garden or garden in a city, there is no denying that Singapore’s Central Business District is one of the greenest in the world.
Taking a hike around the urban jungle of Singapore, the students had a chance to visit CapitaLand’s commercial buildings. CapitaGreen, Six Battery Road, One George Street and to even check out one of the tallest buildings in the CBD, CapitaSpring – ready come 2021.
The students also learnt about the rainwater harvesting mechanisms at CapitaGreen and went all the way to the top of building to see the the the iconic red "flower" above the 40 storey Grade A office building. The 'flower' actually functions as a windscoop to draw in the cooler, cleaner air from the sky.
They work together with the funnel’s hollow stem that penetrates all 40 storeys of the building to deliver fresh air to tenants via the efficiently designed air-conditioning system.
Growing up in the sharing economy, the coworking space has definitely inspired our young architects.
Visiting the coworking space within Capital Tower, Mr Dion Wong Hong Kai, 14, Changkat Changi Secondary School wished he could have a ‘space for myself and I should even create a space for people to study after school.” Indeed, the future of real estate might just come in different shapes and forms.
Day 5 – TGIF – It’s a wrap!
To crystalise what they’ve learnt. The students presented their findings to Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief People Officer of CapitaLand Group and Executive Director for CapitaLand Hope Foundation. There’s no happy hour for our students, but from the smiles on their faces, it has definitely been a happy and fruitful week!
Mr Law Wei Ming Kelvin, Head of Department (Craft & Technology) from Jurong West Secondary School said: “The CapitaLand Immersion Programme has provided the students wich much invaluable learning beyond the classroom. The immersive experience will no doubt give students a greater insight to the world of architecture as well as real estate development and the possibility of a career there.”