CHALLENGES A disastrous fire swept through Kuala Lumpur in 1881, destroying most wood-and-thatch structures. This led to a regulation that called for new buildings to be constructed out of brick and tiles, so the area of Brickfields, rich with clay pits parallel to the Klang River, was then established as a brick-making district. Its nearby […]
If one ever has a dog as companion, one would likely understand the deep bond between dogs and humans. In fact, this is true for most of us who have had the opportunity to share our lives with any animal. The space in which such a relationship develops over time then becomes a primary factor […]
The peepul tree (sacred fig) is a species native to the Indian subcontinent. Long-living and valued for its medicinal properties, this auspicious tree is also deeply rooted in the local context for its religious significance—it is known as the tree under which the Buddha became enlightened. It is no wonder that this residential project places […]
Read More… from House of the Sacred Fig: The People Tree House
HUMANS’ RESPONSIBILITY AS STEWARDS The relationship between humans and animals is complex and multifaceted. When it comes to designing shelters for animals, our minds often conjure images of professional architects and engineers devising innovative and functional structures for zoos, wildlife parks or conservation centres. Animals are generally only cared for if they are of any […]
Read More… from Designing for Non-humans as an Act of Service
The act of providing shelter to birds is one such instance where religion and tradition play a role in developing human-animal relationships. Such initiatives have been ingrained in various societies for centuries, showcasing the enduring relationship between humans and birds. Communities worldwide, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East, have embraced the idea of […]
My own childhood, growing up in Hardoi, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, has exposed me to Nature and its brilliant beings. We played in mango orchards full of monkeys and among the chirping of birds. Every evening, cows, dogs and cats visited our door and my mother gave them wheat chapatis. The most vivid […]
Singapore, especially post-independence, has transformed its landscape of sprawling farmlands into an urban cityscape. About 80 per cent of the population lives in public housing, where each unit can only legally own one dog of an approved breed. This suggests that the ratio of animal to human interaction or familiarity amongst the majority of the […]
Read More… from Proposal for An Urban Wildlife ‘Edu-sanctuary’
Human lifespans are increasing around the world. According to WorldData.info, the average life expectancy worldwide rose from around 50.7 years for men and 54.6 for women in 1960 to 68.9 for men and 73.9 for women in 2021.1 Currently, this trend of aging populations is observed most significantly in developed regions—with Hong Kong, Japan and […]
Among the acute health risks associated with old age is dementia, an umbrella term for diseases that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform daily activities. One in 10 people over the age of 60 in Singapore live with dementia and the number is expected to increase with the aging population. Ong Ker-Shing, […]
Read More… from A toolkit for persons with dementia and caregivers: Hack Care
After one has toiled throughout their ‘productive’ years of adulthood, what does a fulfilling retirement look like? Angel Tan, one of the co-founders of Kyoyu, felt driven to create a retirement home that would present the gifts of rest, care and community, following her beloved father’s passing. “He departed too soon; he didn’t get to […]
The Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) organised the comeback edition of the International Green Building Conference (IGBC 2023) from 26th to 27th of June 2023 at Singapore’s Raffles City Convention Centre. This annual event, returning after a hiatus, has always been a marquee event for the building and construction industry in Singapore and the region. […]
Read More… from Climate Feature | Special Focus: International Green Building Conference 2023
From July 26–29 2023, 38,203 visitors from close to 100 countries attended the International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX) 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. This is the event’s 22nd edition and its largest turnout thus far, spanning 10 halls of 600 exhibitors with 1,400 stands, five conferences under the DATUM […]
