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Saturday, 27 January 2007 | Levent OZLER
President's Design Award 2007 Opens for Nominations
Nominations for the President's Design Award 2007 are now open for all disciplines of design, including but not limited to advertising, architecture and urban design, fashion design, furniture design, interior design, jewellery design, landscape design, packaging, product and industrial design, toy design and visual communications.
The President's Design Award established in 2005 is Singapore's most prestigious award for its designers and designs. It recognises the significant achievements and contributions of the nation's design talents. The spirit of the Award encourages design excellence that improves quality of life, enhances human potential and national competitiveness.
The Award celebrates design creativity, and the designs that shape our experience of the world. Presented in two categories, Designers of the Year recognises the design impact of individuals or design teams demonstrated by a sustained portfolio of works. Designs of the Year is awarded to projects with national significance and outstanding design value. Details of the Award can be found in Annex A.
Recipients of the Award will receive a trophy and a certificate. Each recipient of the Designer of the Year award is also eligible for the President's Design Award Grant to undertake a community-based design project. All recipients of the President's Design Award will also be featured in a President's Design Award exhibition and publication.
Nominations for President's Design Award 2007 will close on 30 April 2007, at 5pm. Successful nominees will be invited to submit their portfolios and the final judging is scheduled for the third quarter of 2007. The Award Ceremony will take place during the Singapore Design Festival in end-2007.
The Award is conferred by the President of Singapore, and is administered by the DesignSingapore Council and Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The first Awards given in 2006 recognised 2 Designers of the Year and 7 Designs of the Year. Details of the Award recipients for 2006 are found in Annex B.
ANNEX A On the President's Design Award
The President's Design Award acknowledges that Singapore's design industry has reached a key milestone by attaining significant achievements in fields such as architecture and urban design, fashion design, industrial and product design, interior design and visual communications design. It is awarded to individuals and designs that are pushing the boundaries of Singapore design, tangibly making a difference to the lives of Singaporeans and larger global communities.
2. The Award was launched by President S R Nathan in November 2005. It is Singapore's highest honour for its designs and designers, and recognises significant achievements and contributions of the nation's design talents. As a mark of excellence for Singapore designers and students to aspire towards, it engenders national pride among Singaporeans for outstanding designs and leading designers in Singapore, and nurtures among Singaporeans a greater awareness of and interest in quality designs in all areas.
3. Administered by the DesignSingapore Council, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Award has two categories:
a. Designers of the Year: Awarded to individuals or design teams to recognise their design creativity, contribution and achievement in any discipline, based on a sustained body or portfolio of works;
b. Designs of the Year: Awarded to specific design projects or products in any design discipline, to recognise their national significance and iconic value to Singapore.
4. Projects involving foreign collaborators are eligible for nominations. Nominators can be of any nationality.
5. Specialist panels comprising of international and Singapore judges will evaluate, interview and select the award recipients. The number of Awards given in any one year may vary. If no worthy recipients have been identified that year for any one category, no Award in that category would be given. The judges' decision is final.
6. Recipients of the President's Design Award will receive a trophy and a certificate. Each recipient of the Designers of the Year award is also eligible for the President's Design Award Grant to propose and undertake a community-based design project. Examples of projects that could be considered under the Grant include designing objects in the public domain that serves the community or designing for special needs.
7. Details of the nomination process are found in the nomination kits. Copies of the nomination kits for 2007 are available at 140 Hill Street, MICA Building, 5th Level Reception, Singapore 179369. The deadline for nominations in 2007 is 30 April 2007, 5pm.
8. For details on the Award, please visit http://www.designsingapore.org/pda/pdahome.html
For enquiries, please email to Elizabeth_Devi  mica.gov.sg or call 6837 9421.
ANNEX B 2006 List of Recipients
Designers of the Year 2006
Chan Soo Khian
SCDA Architects Pte Ltd
"Besides having an ability for problem solving, a great architect has to have passion; he has to have lived life, and has to have a love for the arts. He has to be very singular in his vision."- Chan Soo Khian, SCDA Architects Pte Ltd
In 1995, Chan Soo Khian set up SCDA, a multi-disciplinary practice founded on the principle of combining site qualities, climatic response and a strong overall concept. Early on in his career, he drew attention for his thoughtful restoration and transformation of traditional shophouses. Today, SCDA has projects in India, Maldives, Vietnam and the Middle East. His works display originality and skilful control over proportion, massing and the use of colour.
His design of Lincoln Modern features interlocking volumes with distinctive lines rendered in glass and metal complemented by the use of natural materials. Lincoln Modern was awarded the prestigious RIBA International Award, a rare honour conferred only to six other international works in 2005. Soo Khian's significant contributions to the international community have been recognized by awards from Architectural Review and Architecture Record. In May 2006, he was invited to address the French Society of Architects in Paris.
Theseus Chan
Work Advertising Pte Ltd
"If the work does not evoke reactions like surprise and desirability then it is not a strong piece of creation." - Theseus Chan, WORK Advertising Pte Ltd
Theseus Chan is the founder of WORK, a creative consultancy that is a hybrid of an advertising agency and a design practice. His brainchild Werk magazine embodies many of the principles that Theseus holds passionately. Werk has won awards from New York Art Director's Club, the Spanish Art Directors and Designer's Club, Communication Arts and the prestigious D&AD.
His designs are experimental and contemporary, borne from a real desire to push the boundaries of creativity. His works are hard to define, but exudes the definition of creativity - using the imagination to develop new and original ideas. For Theseus, good design transcends geographical boundaries. WORK's client list extends from Singapore companies such as Tangs and Club21, to international collaborators with the likes of Colette and Adidas Originals.
Designs of the Year 2006
Six Special Exhibitions at the Asian Civilisations Museum (Empress Place)
Asian Civilisations Museum
"Each new project creates opportunities for new learning, new discoveries and new experiences for me in order to evolve new design ideas and concepts."- Sebastian Chun, Asian Civilisations Museum
The six special exhibitions at the Asian Civilisations Museum - "Spirit of Wood", "Sari to Sarong", "From the Land of the Ottoman Sultans", "Nyonya Kebaya", "Journey of Faith", and "Power Dressing" - break away from the conventional modes of presenting artifacts and objects. Complete and immersive visual experiences draw visitors into the worlds they represent through the use of inventive lighting, theatrical staging and symbols.
"From the Land of the Ottoman Sultans" featured enclaves and intimate corridor exhibition spaces reflective of the palaces interior. "Power Dressing", an exhibition on Chinese textiles, had a setting evocative of walking on a Chinese bridge whilst looking out onto 'sails' of Chinese gowns. Each exhibition had an individual design approach. Educational, informative and yet highly artistic, the homegrown designs by Sebastian Chun and his team have made Singapore stand out at the forefront of international modes of presenting museum exhibitions.
Church of St Mary of the Angels
WOHA Architects Pte Ltd
"Clarity of ideas creates strong, memorable places." - Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell, WOHA Architects Pte Ltd
Despite its relative small size, the Church of St Mary of the Angels displays a richness and worshipful majesty found in larger spaces. Central to the project is the idea of building a community in relation to its surroundings, which infuses the spatial experience with spiritual and social significance. WOHA has created a harmonious environment conducive to worship, but is very much alive and contemporary for the experience of the end-user.
Working closely with the Franciscan order, WOHA had always given their client's interest foremost concern. There is exceptional attention to detail throughout - even in architectural drawings, models, record-keeping, and budgeting. Design has made a real and significant difference to the lives of the church community. The result is a contemporary urban place of worship with timeless appeal.
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
DP Architects Pte Ltd in association with Michael Wilford & Partners (London)
"The Esplanade is built in the heart of an Asian City evolving into a cultural nerve centre for the region. The design responds to this urban setting." - Koh Seow Chuan, DP Architects Pte Ltd
With its distinctive roof, the Esplanade - Theatres on The Bay has emerged as a strong contemporary icon, responding to the two prime site characteristics: as a prime waterfront site and as a significant civic building in the Civic District. The Esplanade is a unique 360-degree building with no backend, providing a sweeping view of the bay and fully engaging the waterfront and its surrounding developments.
The Esplanade is exceptionally successful in providing public spaces which encourage active participation, and in forging a seamless integration of the outside and inside. The two shells with their spirit of lightness, change and new experience, glow with light in the evening inviting all to participate in a truly unique cultural bright spot.
Fullerton Hotel / One Fullerton
Architects 61 Pte Ltd
"The approach adopted for both the Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton was to 'design with the times, for the times.' In other words, the intent was to reflect, in architectural form and language, the technology and materials of the appropriate era." - Tay Lee Soon, Architects 61 Pte Ltd
Two contrasting buildings were unified into a dynamic whole by rethinking the context of the spaces and the people who use them. The approach for both buildings was to 'design with the times, for the times'" through its architectural spaces and utilization of technology and materials.
Lovingly restored and adapted from its former use as the General Post Office in the neo-classical style, the Fullerton Hotel has become an internationally recognized heritage hotel. It is an excellent example of how built heritage can be adapted for modern use, resulting in a high quality development with memorable spatial qualities. On the other hand, One Fullerton sports a dynamic, modern look, housing recreational, dining and entertainment uses. Designed to be more playful and easily identifiable with the waterfront, One Fullerton opens out to Marina Bay with a "city room" or view corridor, allowing the public glimpses of the bay when traveling along Fullerton Road. Together with the Merlion and city skyline, the combination forms a distinctive, signature view of Modern Singapore.
HP DeskJet 460 Mobile Printer
Hewlett-Packard (Singapore) Pte Ltd in association with Phillips Design
"The design of the DeskJet 460 is about simplicity, and minimalism that works." - Mylene Tjin, Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Pte) Ltd
Inspired by how a typical user would interact while using the printer, Mylene Tjin and her team at Hewlett Packard Singapore (Pte) Ltd worked around the usual clutter of details to offer a product that looks inviting and is easy to use. The DeskJet 460's design is sleek, stylish, with a mobile appearance that is coupled with a tactile experience.
The simplicity and minimalism that works and the beauty and functionality of the DeskJet 460 have impacted its global sales figures, helping to establish Hewlett-Packard as the current market leader in mobile printers. It has received the German Red Dot award and the German iF Design Award in 2006.
MINI Habitat
Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd
"Through our sense of fun, we can brighten our outlook and heighten our awareness, inspire others and ultimately lift the quality of the experience at hand. MINI Habitat is an almost complete expression of this philosophy." - Brett Cameron, Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd
The MINI Habitat is a freestanding, experiential hub that incorporates lifestyle into the buying experience. It captures the essence of the MINI brand by using design elements to express of the active MINI lifestyle. A MINI bar and café, MINI lifestyle products and accessories complement the unobstructed showroom cleverly set on two floors while the service and parts workshop is placed at the rear. The MINI Showroom is a lifestyle hub, a destination to visit over and over again.
As the first of its kind in the world, the MINI Habitat in Singapore is now used by BMW Group worldwide as a benchmark for how the MINI brand should be presented, and amply demonstrates the success of design as a tool for competitive advantage.
New Majestic Hotel
Ministry of Design in association with DP Architects Pte Ltd
"I wanted it to be a reflection of our times - at least from a particular point of view, that of the contemporary global nomad."- Colin Seah, Ministry of Design Pte Ltd
The New Majestic Hotel is an imaginative change-of-use of the traditional Singapore shophouse, and is an icon amongst boutique hotels. It is an excellent example of design collaboration involving the owner, multiple creatives and consultants. Owner Loh Lik Peng describes it as "a stimulating brew of local culture, design and the arts that pries apart the moulds of convention."
New Majestic Hotel subtly captures changes in social perceptions, drawing reference from the site's history and culture on one hand, and contemporary lifestyle on the other. Every space has been artistically designed with unique qualities and features, and is at once exciting and reassuring. The design reflects the spirit of the times, which appeals to a new breed of hotel consumers who value their individuality while seeking to network with others in a setting to write home about.
Designsingapore Council
Design changes and improves lives, inspires creativity and new forms of expression. It also enhances business competitiveness in today's crowded marketplace.
DesignSingapore is Singapore's response to these propositions and opportunities. As a national initiative, DesignSingapore aims to place Singapore on the world map for design creativity. It looks to developing a thriving, multi-disciplinary design cluster of industries and activities in Singapore that has relevance and impact globally. The initiative also aims to bring design to business boardrooms, new audiences and new markets.
The DesignSingapore Council, set up since August 2003 by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, is the public organisation for promotion and development of Singapore design.
In 2005, the Council presented SINGAPOREdge featuring 100 of Singapore's design talents in London and launched the inaugural Singapore Design Festival with 134 events contributed by 88 partners. The Council has also taken Singapore design to the Sao Paulo Architecture Biennial in 2005, World Expo 2005 at Aichi, the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile in April 2006, and most recently, the Venice Biennale 10. International Architecture Exhibition and the London Design Festival in September 2006. The Council launched 10TouchPoints, a nation-wide programme for the redesigning of public elements in November 2006.
Designsingapore Council: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/8590/
the Urban Redevelopment Authority
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is Singapore's national land use planning authority. URA's mission is "to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play in". URA carries out its mission by planning and facilitating the physical development of Singapore, in partnership with the community, to create a vibrant, sustainable and cosmopolitan city of distinction.
URA is the main land sales agent for the State and the sale of sites is an essential part of land use planning. Through land sales, Government attracts and channels private capital investment and market expertise to the development of sites for meeting Singapore's land use planning needs.
To create an exciting cityscape, URA also actively promotes architecture and urban design excellence. URA organises architecture exhibitions and seminars, as well as design competitions, to create an awareness and appreciation for good design and to encourage greater creativity in design.
URA is also the Development Agency for the Marina Bay and Greater Marina Bay Area, which includes the waters of Marina Bay, Marina Channel, Singapore River and Kallang Basin. As the Development Agency, URA takes a holistic approach to spearhead initiatives, coordinates the physical planning of the sites and programming of events and activities, implements infrastructure, and promotes and markets the area. It works with relevant agencies and private stakeholders to ensure that the above functions are well coordinated and streamlined.
More information on URA is available at http://www.ura.gov.sg
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