YM: How do you define biomimicry? MP: Biomimicry involves studying the way that functions are delivered in biology and then translating that understanding into a solution that suits human needs. It’s very distinct from biomorphic design, which is really about the forms and shapes that you find in nature and not much to do with the function. […]
DRAWING PARALLELS The two brands—Kki Sweets and The Little Dröm Store—share a storefront at the School of the Arts (SOTA) building in Singapore. Although the design brief was simple—they need to retain their distinctive identities while not looking like two completely separate entities—the main challenge was to create something that would meet the standard of […]
Although once Malaysia’s richest city, Ipoh glory days have long since passed. With the end of the tin mining industry boom, families and businesses had moved out of Old Town, leaving only traditional trades run mainly by senior citizens. Without the UNESCO World Heritage status enjoyed by Malacca and Penang, a sure tourist draw, Ipoh […]
LOCAL INSPIRATION The client wanted to create a cutting-edge design studio where the designers would style their latest vehicles, and which needs to have an emotive quality that could energise and inspire thoughts; while modern, it should also maintain a sense of its origins. Nestled amongst similar contiguous sheds with lush greenery amidst a concrete […]
The western suburb of Kunshan, a booming industrial city next to Shanghai, is bounded by Lake Yangcheng. The city established a park to avoid the entire lakeshore from being encroached upon by a high-end home development. With an area of 42.5 hectares, Lake Yangcheng Park is the largest Green public space on the shore and […]
Following a successful collaboration for a multifunctional building complex at Tony’s Farm (also featured in FuturArc Showcase in the July-August 2013 issue), the architects have been approached by the owner with yet another project— this time to redevelop a building in Shanghai with the aim of promoting an organic lifestyle. The main purpose of the […]
THE COMMUNITY MALL The owner of this project saw a potential in his land being developed as part of a dense residential atmosphere at the Krungthep Kreetha district, in the eastern part of Bangkok. It was immediately decided that this 9,600-square-metre site was to be an outdoor shopping arcade in order to respond to the lifestyles of […]
Located in the western part of New Delhi, Dilli Haat Janakpuri is a space that celebrates and sells diversity. DESIGN AND PLANNING The complex is planned on a northwest-facing 6-acre piece of land that turns southeast towards the end. It has the main bus terminus on one side, the national prison green on the other […]
Schemata Architects has completed the refurbishment of two minimalist retail buildings in Tokyo that enhance local character and revitalise the surrounding neighbourhoods. The first is a traditional rice store, while the second is a modern roastery/coffee shop. Both integrate with and serve the needs of the community, while taking into account Green building concepts. OKOMEYA The building has a […]
Kilang Bateri is an excellent example of how adaptive reuse and Green architecture can be used to revitalise urban neighbourhoods, and as a springboard for economic growth among the local community and to create an attractive place to draw people into the area. Located in Tampoi industrial area near downtown Johor Bahru, Kilang Bateri, built […]
The world of retail has become painfully monotonous. Malls are the same everywhere. They sell the same brands; the same labels. There is no community space—nowhere in a mall where you can just be (unless you are prepared to dish out $5 for a latte). And let’s also agree on this: the Green mall, with […]
Some of the in-house products manufactured by DDG Glass include heatstrengthened glass; tempered glass; heat-soaked glass; insulated glass; laminated safety glass; anti-bandit glass; laser-engraved glass; painted glass; and patterned glass. They also supply glass products that enhance energy efficiency, such as low-emissivity (low-E) glass, solar control glass and digitally-printed glass. […]
