President*s Design Award conferred to top local designers and designs

Singapore, 5 July 2021 – President Halimah Yacob has recently presented the President*s Design Award (P*DA) 2020 at the Istana to 11 Designer and Design of the Year recipients for creating innovative and impactful solutions that address global and local issues such as ageing societies, under-served communities, climate change and sustainability.

Jointly organised by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the biennial award was given to two Designer of the Year and nine Design of the Year recipients who have contributed to economic, cultural and community transformation, raised quality of life, made ground-breaking achievements in design, and elevated Singapore on the world stage.

Guest-of-honour, President Halimah Yacob said, “The common thread that runs through good design is the improvement it brings to our quality of life. All of this year’s award recipients have accomplished this through their creative, thoughtful and empathetic designs. Each award-winning project is a unique testimony to how design can be used to empower lives, uplift communities and propel innovation.”

A total of 129 submissions across various disciplines—including architecture, interior design, visual communications, user interface, UX/UI design, educational and user experience, spatial design, engineering design and more—were received, reflecting the critical role of design in shaping how we can better live, learn, work, and play.

Mark Wee, Executive Director of Dsg said, “This cycle of the P*DA takes place amidst an unusually trying time when societies and economies are in flux. The turbulent changes are a stark reminder that as designers, we can serve a higher purpose by seeking to solve societal challenges to create a better world. This year’s P*DA recipients exemplify design’s ability to transform, improve and touch the lives of people from all walks of life. We hope others will be inspired by these projects and see how good design can create a brighter, better future.”

Yap Lay Bee, Group Director (Architecture and Urban Design), URA, added, “The P*DA 2020 recipients and projects have demonstrated responsiveness to environmental and community outcomes. This is testament to the pertinent role that architects play in creating places that inspire the community, drive connections and break social barriers. This results in well-designed buildings and spaces that aren’t just attractive, but also sustainable and beneficial for generations to come.”

The Designer of the Year award went to a Singapore designer and an architect duo who have spent their careers focused on making a difference to their industry, community and country:

• Kelley Cheng, Creative Director of The Press Room, was recognised by the Jury for her outstanding body of work spanning visual communications, publishing and exhibition design; and for tirelessly working to champion and nurture Singapore’s creative community.
• Husband-and-wife architect team, Khoo Peng Beng and Belinda Huang, Directors of ARC Studio Architecture + Urbanism Pte Ltd, were lauded for developing socially meaningful, community-focused projects and for their outstanding contributions in mentoring and developing young and aspiring architects.

Nine projects received the Design of the Year award for demonstrating design’s ability to transform and touch the lives of people from all walks of life, here and abroad:

• For the young, Sparkletots Large Preschool at Punggol, led by Ho Tzu Yin and Matthew Yeo from LAUD Architects Pte Ltd, provides a safe and inclusive space to learn and play by reinventing the conventional notion of a childcare facility.
• Kampung Admiralty, led by Wong Mun Summ and Pearl Chee from WOHA Architects Pte Ltd, and Goodlife! Makan, led by Seah Chee Huang from DP Architects Pte Ltd, create spaces that reintegrate our silver generation into the community and revitalise their golden years.
• Cloister House, led by Alan Tay and Seetoh Kum Loon from Formwerkz Architects, reinterprets the cluster house typology to provide a functional yet stunning living space in the tropics.
• Etania Green School, by Prasoon Kumar and Robert Verrijt from Billion Bricks Ltd is a source for experiential learning as well as a place of pride and dignity for the stateless children and community in Sabah, Malaysia.
• EYEYAH! by Steve Lawler and Tanya Wilson empowers children with creative and problem-solving skills through visual communications not just in Singapore, but in the United Kingdom and the United States.
• The [Not-So] Convenience Store, led by Astri Nursalim from Kinetic Singapore is a tongue-in-cheek exhibition, which has sparked necessary discussions around the cost of our culture of convenience on the environment.
• Jewel Changi Airport, led by Moshe Safdie from Safdie Architects as well as RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd, is an architectural feat which has propelled Singapore to the world stage by redefining the notion of an air transit hub.
• AirMesh Pavilion, led by Professor Carlos Bañón from the Architectural Intelligence Research Lab (AIRLAB) @ Singapore University of Technology and Design, realises the future of construction by pushing the boundaries of 3D printing.

– Construction+ Online