Back for its 12th edition, Archifest — the biggest design/architecture festival on the local calendar — will kick off today till October 10 at various locations throughout Singapore. Notably, this year’s edition focuses heavily on the idea of design as opposed to strictly architecture — design for People, Time and Environment being the key sub-themes. In other words, the festival, directed by Yann Follain of WY-TO this year, aims to take a more long-ranged and holistic approach towards how design affects various aspects of living.
Here, we break down the list of sights to catch and things to do.
One of the festival’s signature events, Architours, which as you might have inferred from the name, brings members of the public around architecturally interesting buildings and places. This year throws up a mixed bunch but entrants that caught our eye include Stark House (pictured above, no relation to the Avenger or Game of Thrones, thank you very much) by Park + Associates, Dakota Crescent and Meandering On The Hill by Aamer Architects. At the tours, you’ll find out (usually from the architects themselves) their thoughts behind the design and other interesting nuggets of fact. Tickets are usually sold out for Architours, so we wouldn’t procrastinate.
September 29, 30 and October 6, 7
9am – 2.30pm, 1pm – 6.30pm
For the first time ever, Archifest will be holding film screenings. Naturally, they’ll be screened at The Projector and among the five-strong line-up, we’re particularly leaning towards Barbicania, in which Beka & Lemoine, two prominent artists, spend a month living in London’s Barbican Centre (pictured above), a noted Brutalist masterpiece. Those who support local works should look out for 03-Flats, helmed by Lei Yuan Bin, follows the lives of three single women as they navigate their life path towards independence.
October 5, 6, 7, 27, 28
The Projector, #05-00 Golden Mile Complex
Recycling, upcycling and sustainability are huge buzzwords now in industries such as fashion and food but what about architecture? Parasite architecture, an exhibition held at the Urban Redevelopment Authority building (just opposite Maxwell Market), aims to make people re-think their approach to existing buildings and how they can be re-purposed into new spaces.
September 28 – October 10, 9am – 5pm
Urban Redevelopment Authority, 45 Maxwell Rd
Urban farming is an increasingly popular movement and it’s perfect for land-starved countries like Singapore. The idea? Utilising everyday spaces such as your house and yes, even your office as a launchpad to grow miniature “farms”. We’re all for it, because more greens in your living/working space can only mean a more holistic lifestyle (hopefully).
October 7, 10am-12pm
406 Joo Chiat Place, #01-23, The Yards
If you’re a fan of the ArtScience Museum, don’t miss out on this free tour as curators bring you through how the lotus-shaped building came together and expand on its environmentally-friendly design. And since you’re already there, you might as well catch an exhibition or two.
October 5 – 7, 3pm – 3.45pm
ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Avenue