Our Insightful Articles

In handling the COVID-19 outbreak, Singapore has come up tops in its whole-government response (Statnews) in acting quickly; rigorous detection and strict quarantines, as well as effective communication (Time). How exactly do the measures play out in terms of space and building use? We take a look at some of the key governmental measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 that have impacted the use of common/public and commercial/private spaces.

PG Colomadu was established in 1861 during the era of Sultan Mangkunegara IV. In 1998, PTPN-IX as the manager closed the mill and left the non-functioning building. The plant, which is more than 100 years old, is considered to have a vital function when it was still operating. Accounting for its history, it is not surprising that PG Colomadu becomes one of the most important cultural heritage buildings in Karanganyar, Central Java.

Located at the centre of Surabaya, Pb House by kantorgg is a renovation project of a 100-year-old mansion. The façade of Pb House has the characteristics of colonial architecture as the main feature and historical value of the building that need to be retained. However, considering the homeowner’s needs and lifestyle, the renovation of Pb House has resulted in a contemporary living space while still taking into account the original shape and style.

In the northeastern part of Kuala Lumpur, real estate development with semi-detached houses were the norm for some twenty years ago. Although houses were built with quite a spacious outdoor area for each lot, the division of the outdoor and indoor area were apparent. Eleena Jamil Architect had the chance to renovate one of these units and create better connection of the house interior with its surrounding.

Andra Matin, an Indonesian architect whose work has just been shortlisted in the 2019 Aga Khan Awards, is a prominent figure not only among practitioners in the industry but also among the general public. His works are very diverse and spread in various regions in Indonesia. They are often put in the spotlight by both architectural media and the mass media.

Located in Kuala Lumpur, Bina Warehouse is an established kitchen and bathroom supplier with business history of more than 45 years. One of its galleries, exclusively displaying kitchenware, is housed in a four-row, five-storey building that has undergone a major renovation recently.

Tulang Bawang Barat, known as Tubaba, might not sound familiar to most Indonesians. The district, inaugurated approximately 20 years ago, is a proliferated region occupied mostly by migrants from various regions in Indonesia. With the absence of strong regional identity, whether in the form of buildings or distinctive natural beauty, the mayor initiated collaboration with andramatin to develop the district, both in terms of urban planning and the district as a whole.

Located on a well-known world heritage site in Penang, the Edison George Town takes its place in a former Hokkien tycoon’s Anglo-Chinese mansion built in the early 20th century. This upmarket 35-room boutique hotel combines the colonial past and oriental charm of Penang through a concept of timeless elegance that offers a blend of modern and traditional elements. It pays homage to the city’s monumental architectural features and creates a distinct design identity.

Nowadays, cafes have become a part of the everyday for almost everyone. Apart from gathering and eating, it is a place to indulge in social media activities or just to take a break from one’s daily routine. In a city like Jakarta, cafes are also a spot to escape from the heat. Therefore, café designs in the city place greater priority on spacious and comfortable air-conditioned indoors with little outdoor space.

Located at the tip of the Java island, Banyuwangi recently has developed into a destination for local and international tourists. Set amid the mountains on the west side, and the sea on the east which directly borders Bali island, this regency relies on the natural beauty of Java island which is not yet popular to public. To date, the development of Banyuwangi is supported by a number of national architects who were involved in the construction of tourist facilities as well as a variety of well-organized city and public spaces. A well-designed environment can be experienced even at the moment tourists set their foot for the first time when using the airlines.

While many aspects of Singapore’s development have been described internationally in glowing terms, the island’s public spaces have often faced a cooler response.

This year, the theme for the festival was Craft. Working alongside artisans, architects develop an understanding of materiality and techniques that often reflect the genius loci. While it is easy to focus on the role of craft in the discourse of architecture, the theme had the potential to encompass far more.