| Date | 2024-05-03 |
| Event start | 15:00 PM |
| Duration | 1 hrs 30 min ( from 3:00pm to 4:30pm ) |
| Venue | Zoom |
| CPD | 3 points |
| Contact | 1.5 |
Synopsis
A universal city is a concept that envisions a place where all individuals, regardless of their background, ethnicity, ability, or age, can participate and fulfil their potential. We are witnessing Singapore being transformed progressively into a city designed to be accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities, seniors, families, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
We draw inspiration from the conversation at Columbia University World Leaders Forum 2023 where our President Tharman Shanmugaratnam raised a poignant point about the principle of true integration. He likens it to the weaving of different threads to form a common strong fabric without seams. The goal is to create a city that fosters a sense of belonging and opportunity for all of its residents.
Join us for a sharing session hosted by the Singapore Institute of Architects’ CSR Committee, titled “Designing for Inclusivity: Singapore the universal city in the making”. Our speakers will be sharing their valuable insights, experiences and projects. Let’s learn how we can apply these principles & contribute our part as practitioners.
Topic 1: Designing to Uphold Participation and Dignity
The built environment in Singapore has evolved over the years and it has undoubtedly improved the lives of persons with disabilities and the elderly. While it is possible to get out of one’s home and go out – how much can one actually participate in and with dignity at school, work and activities of the community.
In school, what were the activities that excluded persons with disabilities?
How about at the office or even moving in and around the community. Where and in what instances has participation been restricted or made one feel uncomfortable or that they don’t belong?
While much has been done, there is more that we can do to support the participation and dignity of everyone regardless of circumstance.
Topic 2: Two Architects, One Vision – Creative Collaboration for a Greater Purpose
Located within the premises of the former Geylang Serai Community Club, =DREAMS Campus offers a first-of-its-kind weekday boarding programme for children from disadvantaged families, mostly living in rental flats or are under financial assistance schemes.
The programme provides comprehensive academic and holistic enrichment support for these children to break out of poverty, to do well in studies and life, and to carry their families towards a better future.
The design objective was to transform the two and three storey buildings of the Community Centre built in 1981. RT+Q Architects served as the Lead Architect, while Lander Loke Architects took on the role of the Builder’s Architect. The result integrates new construction with adaptive reuse, yielding a dynamic village-like environment conducive to the needs of its young occupants.
We will discuss the collaborative design and construction process involving the users, architects and builders. We will also delve into the contract administration arrangement and how the team prioritised shared project objectives, fostering a collaborative environment free from hierarchical constraints.
Topic 3: Designing for the Elderly and Dementia Patients
Taking up the mandate by the Singapore government to enable our seniors to age in place gracefully, branding and place-making consultant IMMORTAL was engaged by Nee Soon Town Council to design a Dementia and Senior-Friendly Wayfinding System for Khatib Central and Chong Pang City. We will share the process of conceptualising and developing a tailored design strategy for wayfinding across the estates, which involves drawing insights from Dementia experts, on-the-ground research with residents, and site studies.
IMMORTAL is wholly owned by ONG&ONG Group, which continues the late President Ong Teng Cheong’s commitment to philanthropy via the ONG Foundation, supporting charitable initiatives in Healthcare, Education and the Arts. ONG&ONG advocates taking responsibility for our world through innovative architecture and design, to realise a better tomorrow.
Speakers
Ar. Charmaine Wong, Principal of Chalk Architects, Member of SIA-CSR Committee
Charmaine is a member of the SIA-CSR Committee. She leads an architectural and Interior design design practice shaped and defined by a user-centric design approach to create bespoke designs that fit. Her fulfilment comes from interactions with users from all walks of life and creating meaningful design solutions. She has completed residential home designs for wheelchair users, empowering both the able and the enabled in the comfort of their own homes without compromising aesthetics & functionality.
Ms. Judy Wee, Founder and Principal Consultant, LevelField Consultants
Judy Wee is actively involved in regional-, national- and community-level committees and task forces, to advocate for policy changes on issues pertaining to accessibility of the built environment, including public transport and housing. More importantly, accessibility, which forms the basic building block, will ensure inclusion and participation of everyone including people with disabilities into mainstream society. This work involves collaboration with government officials, grassroots organisations, civil societies, academia and institutions. In 2007, Judy founded LevelField Consultants to help level the playing field and promote an inclusive environment for all. Judy offers training courses and consultancy services to architects, developers and town planners to promote the need for an accessible, safe and inclusive environment.
Ar. Koh Kai Li, Associate at RT+Q Architects
Kai Li is an Associate and Team leader at RT+Q Architects. A graduate from the National University of Singapore, her professional background centres on residential projects, ranging from single-family homes and condominiums to historic conservation. She has lectured on the works of RT+Q locally and abroad and represented the firm as a judge at the 2017 Inside Festival in Berlin.
Ar. Catherine Loke, Lander Loke Architects .
Catherine Loke is a Partner in Lander Loke Architects and Founding President of The Circle for Human Sustainability. She was the First Vice-President of the Singapore Institute of Architects from 2018-2020 and is currently a Member of the Board of Architects Singapore. Catherine has a deep interest in how the built environment is designed, the socio-economic dimension of sustainability and what motivates human behaviour, and is regularly invited to speak on subjects ranging from architectural practice to sustainability, urban farming and economics.
Ms. Laura Poh, Director of =DREAMS (Singapore) Limited
Laura has been a firm advocate for children and their education. She has been a member of MILK Fund since 2004, which helps financially disadvantaged children, ensuring they are not left behind through transformational programmes. She leads the KeyStart Home Ownership Programme, which helps low income families with young children in HDB rental flats, with guidance and different financial grants, to achieve home ownership.
Mr. Emeric Lau, Senior Brand Consultant, IMMORTAL
Emeric ideates and develops branding programmes. He works extensively with local and regional clients on crafting brand strategies, conducting audits and leading stakeholder and senior management teams through visioning and discovery workshops. His knowledge of Asia market developments and consumer behaviour lends value to the creation of effective solutions that place user experience at their core. Emeric manages the translation of brand blueprints into visual identity designs and communications campaigns. His projects span the hospitality, retail, entertainment, property development, healthcare and corporate sectors.
Schedule
| 2.45pm | Registration via zoom (Admit into zoom webinar) |
| 3.00pm | Welcome Remarks by Ar. Charmaine Wong |
| 3.05pm | Presentation by Ms Judy Wee, LevelField Consultants |
| 3.25pm | Presentation by Ar. Koh Kai Li, RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd Ar. Catherine Loke, Lander Loke Architects Ms Laura Poh, =DREAMS (Singapore) |
| 3.40pm | Presentation by Mr Emeric Lau, IMMORTAL |
| 4.05pm | Q & A |
| 4.30pm | End of Webinar |
Terms & Conditions
- Fees paid are non-refundable under all circumstances.
- Ticket is non-transferable under all circumstances.
- Group registration will be subjected to group admin fee of $1 per ticket per transaction.
- Replacement/Cancellation of participant will not be allowed under group registration.