Architecture alumni Ar. Chio Wen Tian one of the two top winners of the 31st Singapore Design Awards

Architecture alumni Ar. Chio Wen Tian one of the two top winners of the 31st Singapore Design Awards.

The Singapore Design Awards honours outstanding designers, design students and design practices for their innovative design and human-centric approach. It aims to raise awareness for the region and the strategic role of designers with Singapore at the heart of a dynamic Southeast Asia.

First conceived in 1988 and unveiled by then Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the first Singapore International Design Forum, it was an initiative led by the Designers Association Singapore (now Design Business Chamber Singapore) and the Trade Development Board (now IE Singapore).

As an award that has always been dedicated to celebrating design, Singapore Design Awards is committed to acknowledge and affirm the people behind the scenes – the ones leading the charge and a new blood of innovators in the right step forward. This year, we’ve changed the game to acknowledge the evolution of a designer’s role. Though designers are natural problem solvers, they cannot tackle all the issues alone.

In partnership with Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the awards has been redesigned to be one that’s relevant to the current challenges that Singapore is facing and a launchpad for designers to turn them into opportunities for brilliant design ideas and solutions.

“EMBRACE!”
The premise of this project stemmed from a far-sighted concern on the MRT system. Mindful about the implications the fixed corridors created by the network of on-grade MRT tracks have on our city when WFH becomes the norm, how can design spark online or physical conversations/collaborations to rejuvenate our community spirit in a post-pandemic Singapore? EMBRACE cleverly reuses construction hoarding steel panels affixed on independent circular steel supports around the MRT pillars, with hoarding panels serving as canvas for any community expression through Paint, Stick or Project. The initiative showcases our people’s ingenuity for turning an urban challenge into opportunity, while the colours and vibrancy of the adorned columns embraces our diversity, creativity & aspirations.

Ar. Chio Wen Tian (32nd TAS President)
Firm: CHIO Architects
IG: @chioarchitects
Year of Masters Grad: 2014