Unveiling the Environmental Message Behind 'The Lantern' at iLight Singapore Festival 2024

You may have noticed the luminous pavilion at the ongoing iLight Singapore Festival, nestled in the courtyard between South Beach Tower and The Grand Ballroom, Level 1. The gentle luminescence is an alluring invitation to be mesmerised by the sight of light dancing upon the water within. However, have you ever wondered about the individual behind ‘The Lantern’?

It is none other than Josephine Pun Tsz Kiu, a Hong Kong-based designer and one of our Architecture students, who is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at the NUS Department of Architecture. “I stumbled upon an online advertisement inviting submissions for iLight, a festival dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability. The festival’s objectives perfectly resonate with my own concerns regarding the excessive waste we generate on a daily basis and the urgent need to utilise our resources more efficiently,” she shared.

“Being an architecture student, I have always been intrigued by the idea of finding innovative ways to breathe new life into discarded materials. Designing and constructing a small-scale installation has long been one of my aspirations, and iLight presented a wonderful opportunity for me to push my limits, experiment with new construction methodologies,” she further explained.

In her design, she utilised over 5,000 upcycled bottles, which represents the number of plastic bottles discarded by Singapore residents every 7 minutes. This design serves as a powerful symbol of renewal and innovation. Instead of simply discarding the bottles, her intention was to repurpose them and create a space that fosters new connections. The journey from conceptual design to construction involved meticulous attention to various aspects, including spatial design, structural design, material sourcing and detailing. Managing time effectively proved to be one of the most challenging aspects, as she had to balance her academic workload with the demands of the iLight project. However, the construction phase holds the most cherished memories for her and she expresses gratitude for the support of over 15 friends who joined her in bringing the project to life.

She added, ”The Lantern is a sobering physical embodiment of our collective harm to the environment. Yet, by harnessing the beauty of these upcycled materials, it is also a symbol of renewal and a call for bolder, innovative design approaches to shape a more sustainable future.”

Marking its 10th edition, the iLight Singapore Festival 2024 will make a return from 31st May to 23rd June 2024. With daily opening hours from 7:30pm to 11:00pm and extended hours until 12:00am on Fridays and Saturdays, prepare to be captivated by the enchanting installations and immersive experiences that await you at the festival.