As one of the fringe events listed under the ongoing Archifest 2011, the department of architecture from the National University of Singapore held their open studio sessions on the 21st and 28th of October from 2-4pm on each of the Fridays. From the outset, it was a cosier version of an open house or orientation programme. The sessions are predominantly aimed at educating newly matriculated students looking to study architecture, potential students from various Junior Colleges, as well as interested individuals looking to find out more about how the wide discipline of architecture is being taught in a university setting. As a company looking to constantly reinvent itself, we felt it was natural to attend such an event in our goal of continually mining new perspectives on a daily basis. We attended the session on the 28th of October.
The Open Studio session began with a brief thirty minute introductory talk at a lecture theatre which was followed by a tour around the various locations of the Department of Architecture. Similar to school children on a class excursion, we were led to classrooms, computer laboratories, printing rooms, discussion rooms, studios, specialized workshops and bookshops just to name a few.
Here are some shots taken by a trusty bold BB, though not with the stillest of hands.
Introductory lecture by a senior student
Models in progress at the studios
A student giving a demonstration on freehand drawing
Another explaining the concept behind her work
We came across a group of students that were working on a project to generate ideas on how land from ‘The Green Corridor’ could be utilized following the dismantling of the KTM Railway
The student lecturer described some of the final year projects that were on display at the department’s exhibition hall. Some of the projects that go on display here will eventually be turned into real projects and built, definitely a significant achievement for any architectural student if his/her work is selected
Other snapshots of typical ‘working conditions’
The Department of Architecture at NUS has their own society called The Architecture Society which organized the Open Studio sessions. It was set up represent architecture students in NUS and to advocate architectural education that meets the needs of society in Singapore. It also aims to create a hotbed to promote dialogue with local and international architectural institutions. It is an effective platform where students, staff members and affiliated individuals from the corporate sector converge and exchange ideas and best practices.
Related links:
Archifest 2011 NUS Open Studio
NUS Department of Architecture
The Architecture Society of NUS
