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Media Release ANNEX A: PRESIDENT’S DESIGN AWARD RECIPIENTS Designer of the Year 1. Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell WOHA Architects Pte Ltd 2. Edmund Wee EPIGRAM 3. Nathan Yong Air Division Pte Ltd Page 1 of 32 Media Release Design of the Year 1. 19 Jalan Elok Chang Yong Ter (and Team) CHANG Architects 2. BBH Office in a Warehouse Colin Seah (and Team) Ministry of Design 3. Eubiq Power Outlet System Ng Joo Kok (and Team) Eubiq Pte Ltd 4. LASALLE College of the Arts Pok Siew Fatt (and Team) RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte Ltd) 5. National Museum of Singapore Lee Soo Khoong (and Team) CPG Consultants Pte Ltd In collaboration with Mok Wei Wei (and Team), W Architects Pte Ltd 6. Naumi, Singapore Sim Boon Yang (and Team) Ecoid Design Consultancy Pte Ltd 7. New Majestic Hotel, Front Lawn Leonard Ng (and Team) Lush Studio Page 2 of 32 Media Release Designer of the Year 1. Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell Founding Directors WOHA Architects Pte Ltd 1 Moulmein Rise Newton Suites Stadium MRT Station Church of St Mary of the Angels Page 3 of 32 Media Release Biography WOHA is a design practice focused on the built environment. WOHA’s philosophy is to explore the intersections of culture, context, history, nature, climate, sustainability and social behaviour to inform innovative design. Formed in 1994 by Singaporean Wong Mun Summ and Australian Richard Hassell, the practice is based on the model of the creative industries, rather than traditional construction services. With a mix of designers from diverse backgrounds, WOHA explores integrated design for the built environment, moving between master planning, architectural, landscape, interior and lighting and furniture design. WOHA has no fixed formal language or style; instead each project evolves around a set of objectives and strategies that emerge from within the project. What unites the works of the practice is a focus on making spaces that delight the end-user and enhance the environment. WOHA has received numerous local and international awards for excellence in design such as the 2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, MIPIM AR Future Project Awards 2007, AR Awards for Emerging Architecture 2006 and RAIA International Award. WOHA has also been featured in international professional publications. WOHA has offices in Singapore and Thailand, and has been involved in projects around the Asia Pacific region. WOHA’s focus on innovation and diversity of interests has developed experience in a wide mix of building types and scales, including commercial, residential, hospitality, transport, infrastructure, institutional, religious, mixed-use and interior projects. WOHA also participates in professional and educational activities. Both Founding Directors have served on public boards, committees and councils in Singapore, lectured and examined in universities and held Associate Professor appointments. WOHA runs a gallery that hosts a programme of cultural events relating to architecture and design. Page 4 of 32 Media Release Jury’s Citation / Reasons for Recommendation Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell have assembled an impressive body of work since they started WOHA in 1994. Their wide repertoire of projects ranges from houses and high-rise buildings to commercial and institutional projects, and are characterised by a consistently high level of design, quality of execution and careful attention to detail. As their body of works demonstrates, they are advocates of sustainable design in high-rise tropical housing. They draw inspiration from vernacular sources in designing for a tropical climate. Their works display an impressive all-round mastery in the control of architectural design – form, proportion, massing and detailing. Their skilful handling of materials and elements like water has created delightful sensual experiences in many of their projects, notably the Church of St Mary of the Angels and the Bras Basah MRT Station. Mun Summ and Richard have contributed actively to the development and exploration of architecture and design in Singapore. Both have served as members of various design panels and external examiners for architectural courses. They are an inspiration to a new generation of architects who are encouraged to create environments where people enjoy their lives more because of the quality of the spaces created. The Jury notes the ongoing evolution of WOHA’s design philosophy and strategy and applauds their commitment to urban and humane concerns. The Jury hopes that these principles will prevail in the presence of fashionable trends in our increasingly commercial culture. Page 5 of 32 Media Release Designer of the Year 2. Edmund Wee Managing & Creative Director EPIGRAM Irene’s Peranakan Recipes Best World International Ltd Capitaland 2006 Page 6 of 32 Media Release Biography A psychologist turned journalist turned design agency founder, Edmund Wee is today the managing and creative director of Epigram, the agency which revolutionised the art of annual report design in Singapore. From Epigram’s very first annual report in 1991, the agency has continued to create reports for clients hell-bent on making a difference, not just in their annual reports, but in other corporate communication materials, books, identities and signages as well. The 20-strong consultancy continues to stand for its founder's belief that there is no greater power than the force of a great idea. For Epigram, work is more than just design. For them, work is personal. Page 7 of 32 Media Release Jury’s Citation / Reasons for Recommendation Edmund Wee is being recognised for his dedicated contribution to sustaining the creative integrity of the Annual Report design discipline. In a career spanning several decades; he has effectively used original Singaporean themes and contexts to project the holistic communication agendas of many institutions and corporations. His editorial works have received numerous international awards for their creative excellence from important design competitions such as AR100, red dot, Graphis and HKDA. Edmund has also delved into various publishing activities while experimenting with a diverse range of interesting subjects, including travel and stylish cookbooks. He has long been an ardent promoter of using local artists, illustrators, and photographers in his annual reports, which have been instrumental in fostering the overall talent in this region. In an era when communication media is automatically associated with only things digital, it is reassuring that the annual report medium will continue to evolve with Edmund. The Jury truly commends his creative resilience. Page 8 of 32 Media Release Designer of the Year 3. Nathan Yong Principal Designer/Managing Director Air Division Pte Ltd Gruppe Chair Coal Hanger Break Stool Foxhole Sofa BIOPOD Playground Bed Page 9 of 32 Media Release Biography Nathan Yong is a well-known figure in the Singapore furniture design industry. He set up the furniture brand AIR in 1999, at a time when there were very few local producers of modern furniture in Singapore. Credited with advancing furniture design and furniture retail standards of Singapore, Nathan’s designs have been sold to Germany, Denmark, USA & Morocco. He is also the Principal Designer for his subsidiary, AIR DESIGN GROUP. Armed with a Master’s in Design from COFA, University of New South Wales with High Distinction in 2007 and a diploma in Product Design, Nathan set up the design entity in 2006. His passion for honesty and simplicity in design has garnered numerous awards, both locally and on an international level, such as the red dot award. He has also collaborated with renowned designers like Toshiyuki Kita (designer of the SHARP Aquos ® TV and the Wink Chair by Cassina) and multidisciplinary designers Voon Wong & Benson Saw from the United Kingdom to produce design conscious furniture that is made with the purpose of being affordable to all. Never resting on his laurels, Nathan’s enthusiasm in the relentless pursuit of design that is honest in its approach has made him one of Singapore’s top designers in his own right. He was also selected as one of the 20 best designers in the 20/20 series in 2006 by the DesignSingapore Council. Page 10 of 32 Media Release Jury’s Citation / Reasons for Recommendation Nathan Yong is the quintessential designer/entrepreneur. Since setting up his company Air Division in 1999, he has enjoyed both marketplace success and critical acclaim. His work combines design flair and commercial acumen. A graduate of Temasek Polytechnic, he has a deep understanding of technical issues and business reality. He is innovative not only in design but also in product development, manufacturing and use of materials; in business development and business models, including retailing and franchising; and in creative collaboration. Most recently, he also started a design consultancy to help other companies in design. Nathan has skilfully used marketing communications to build presence for his brands in a crowded marketplace. He and his work are regularly featured in international publications. In commending Nathan’s strong body of successful work, the Jury would like to cite two particular aspects. First, his designs have a distinctive voice, often characterised by a left-field sense of humour that is casual, approachable and resonant of the Singaporean lifestyle. Second, the Jury is impressed by his proactiveness in going international. His designs are currently exported to many parts of the world and sold by renowned furniture houses like France’s Ligne Rosset and Flemish producer Ethnicraft. Nathan is an inspiration to young designers with his combination of design originality and business competency as well as his ambitions and achievements beyond Singapore. Page 11 of 32 Media Release Design of the Year 1. 19 Jalan Elok CHANG Architects Chang Yong Ter, Architect Page 12 of 32 Media Release Project Write -Up The design of this three-storey intermediate terrace house was completed in August 2005. The scheme fulfilled the owner’s brief, part of which was to cater spaces for six persons including a couple, three teenage children and a maid.