Recently, I found myself laughing sarcastically at a community member on the architecture forum puzzling on the lack of drawings in our media publication. As a frequent writer of architecture and design reviews, this has been something I’ve often asked architects whenever I’ve been delivered a press release package. Often, I’ll be given a couple of good sentences (at worst, a two-sentence project that had me go hunting at other publications to pull out details), and some lovely images of hero interior (and the occasional tired photo of a furniture piece that we know will later be questioned by the public on its practicality). While I absolutely adore the photographs being provided, I find that my writing does not excel as much as I’d like – especially when I’m looking at a set of press photos that only showcases one room when the promotional package explores several spaces.
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Do You Believe In Astrology? (2016)
Hero Phenomina VI: When Was The Last Time You Held Your Own?
It took me nearly four years to finally grasp that feeling of wanting to design something for myself – where the direction, while guided and navigated by my peers, but towards the end came into fruition of something that I believe in.
Looking back at my architectural education – it felt like majority of my work was predominantly shaped by a combination of envy and the desire to feel validated for my design. A deep level of insecurity was sparked from jumping into another world without being aware of the lingo nor the terminologies others have been equipped with already. For me, coming from a school that prioritised final grades for reputation – it seemed like the only solution for me to understand or adjust to each semester was designing through the lens of my tutor.
Read MoreArchitecture of the Media // Covid-19 Oversaturation
A few evenings ago, I attended a MUPSS discussion on ‘Planning for Pandemics’. While the conversation opened up a floodgate of talking points, I am finding myself overwhelmed by topics that have surfaced in the face of this crisis.
I’ve tried many times to pen an entry to this, however, the result left me writing a two-meter long mind dump on a list of things that I wanted to say and common threads that have been mentioned in the news, conversations, and social media. Below is condensation and an overview of what I’ve written.
Read MoreA Routine to Fulfil - A List.
This morning, I caught up on one of my favourite author’s (Rupi Kaur) writing workshop. I’ve been stuck in a writing block and rut for a while, and so participating in these has really opened up floodgates of inspirational ideas. One part of the workshop included writing list poetry - which is one of my favourites. Coincidentally, I’ve illustrated snapshots highlighting my current routine at home! Highly recommend budding writers to give the workshop a go!
Read MoreSocial Isolation? I’ve been there, but that was 18 years ago.
Eighteen years ago, while I was still growing up in Hong Kong, I was in a similar crisis – SARS. Yes, I know that SARS is very different from the current Corona Virus, but I can’t help but notice how the reactions have closely mirrored the present. Eighteen years ago, our worries were not as amplified. Our central source of information was restricted to television and newspaper – all we could do was monitor the numbers and statistics. Each day was a count down for us, slowly tracking the declining numbers of deaths, those who were infected and being reminded to be thorough with our cleaning. The SARS did overtake Hong Kong’s paranoia, our schools did shut down (we had online homework as well), professional practices began to introduce casual clothes into the weekdays beyond Friday to regulate our laundry habits. Public places were perfumed in bleach – the caution was evident.
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The Digital Narrator Of Architecture
The video game industry has and still continues to provide entertainment for many years. Covering many genres like sports, action, strategy and simulation to suit every person. For instance, the classic life-simulation game – The Sims™, has been made popular by its open-ended, no-objective gameplay and free will. The game grants the gamer full control; from fulfilling the whims of their sim (avatar) to the very shape of their nose. This kind of flexibility has attracted many types of players. There are gamers who dream of leading a different life and live vicariously through their sims, there are those who enjoy pushing moral boundaries and those who enthuse and appreciate the design aspect of the game. In this virtual realm, there are no rules, no legal restrictions, no complaining neighbours, and best of all, no budgets!
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Ping! Ping! Ping!
Architecture of the Media : When One Issue Unconsciously Buries Another
Comedian Anna Akana’s video ‘You can’t care about everything’ was also ironically released that day, explaining on the issue of compassion fatigue. The timing couldn’t be more perfect when I stumbled across the video in which she explained the overwhelming feeling of the constant broadcasting of crisis and issues happening at every nation. There was a sense of relieve when she consolidated the issues and that it is okay to have your beliefs – so long as we understand and separate ourselves what we want to put value on and work towards it, that’s okay also.
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How will we live together? Part I : On Overthinking the Venice Biennale
Last month, expression of interest for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2020 was released to the architecture community. Under the theme of ‘How will we live together?’, it was an extremely enticing and straightforward topic. Albeit, having entered a few competitions now – the level of depth and overthinking of the conversation is challenging but exciting.
We can look at this philosophically, pragmatically, utopically, optimistically otherwise realistic perspective. Following from this year’s announcement for Venice Architecture Biennale’s main brief “How will we live together?” has made me raise eyebrows at the sentence. In many ways – although not religious, I can’t help but think of the scene where Jesus feeds the five thousand. There is some irony to the thought of questioning how architecture or through architecture how do we demonstrate the possibility of everyone living together.
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Heroine Phenomena V: Hanging On By The Thread of Sanity During Unemployment
How do you stay positive when your positivity and optimism slowly disappears?
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Architecture for Two with Lily Jiang (III) : The Lessons We Learn After Architecture School
One day, I bumped into my construction tutor at a social work event. We conversed about uni and work, laughed over the fun moments during class. One thing he shared about that was particularly insightful to me was that he finds joy to see his students continue to develop into outstanding architects. But beyond that, the most rewarding experience to being a tutor is to be able to see students grow away from the education bubble and becoming good mentors for other students as well.
I’m interested to hear their stories again in ten years time. And how will my journey continue?
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