EXHIBITIONS 2008
6-24 Oct. the plaza, National library.

The month-long festival will see its main activities happening at the festival hub at The Plaza, National Library. Exhibitions will be launched on World Architecture Day, on 6 Oct.

The most prestigious award conferred by SIA to promote and encourage distinction in architectural design, the Awards recognizes the achievements of SIA members in their pursuit of architectural excellence and motivates architects to push the boundaries with innovative solutions. The exhibition will feature 21 Award recipients, including the winners of the two new awards, namely ‘Best Project Below S$1 Million Construction Cost’ and ‘Building of the Year’.

Jointly organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and National Parks Board (NParks), the SIA-NParks Skyrise Greenery Awards aim to promote and recognize the greening efforts in highrise developments in Singapore by the joint efforts of the Owner / Developer, Landscape Architect / Designer, Architect and Landscape Contract Manager.

Visit SIA-NParks Skyrise Greenery Awards

Jointly organized by SIA and Hunter Douglas, the SIA-Hunter Douglas Awards will be introducing a new category – “Eco Friend Awards” – to promote creative use of sustainable products. The Awards invite architects to submit an environmentally design that highlights the creative use of any sustainable products and building materials possibly with Hunter Douglas or other brands, in standard applications such as ceilings, claddings and sun louvers, and in innovative new applications.

Visit SIA-Hunter Douglas Award 2008

Jointly organized by SIA and Philips, this inaugural award aims to drive adoption of innovative sustainable design in Singapore by providing a platform for architects to showcase their innovations and recognizing industry leaders who champion innovative, yet sensible, green solutions, in their projects.

More information can be found on SIA website.

The SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia is to honour bi-annually an architect who contributes to emergent architecture in Asia. In the last decade, Asia has seen an overwhelming rate of development. This is beginning to leave an impact in architecture history now as well as in the future. It is therefore timely to recognise and promote emergent Asian architects and architecture - in a similar way that Pritzker Prize has done for the worldwide community of architects.

More information can be found on SIA website.

A showcase of the projects undertaken by the speakers at the ArchiFest Forum with the theme “Man + Environment”.

ArchiFest is pleased to feature an exhibition by the Singapore Polytechnic's School of the Built Environment, showcasing some of the best works by the students from the Diploma in Architecture and Diploma in Landscape Architecture programmes, central around the theme of Man and the Environment.

The Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) district, before 1980s, was an area of low real estate value with deteriorating physical conditions. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), as the national planning and conservation authority, saw enormous development potential and opportunities to capitalise on this area's rich architectural and cultural heritage. URA thus embarked on urban renewal efforts to dramatically transform it into Singapore's Arts, Culture, Learning and Entertainment district.

Today, the 95-ha district is home to a synergistic cluster of Arts, Culture and Education facilities - three national museums, seven arts housing facilities, three arts schools, 105 private commercial schools, a city university, student hostels and a new National Library. Now a dynamic educational and entertainment destination, the BBB district has seen an influx of 12,000 students, creative talents and a good mix of cultural, shopping, dining and entertainment facilities that have brought renewed vitality to the area. With selective conservation, adaptive re-use of significant, historical buildings and injection of new innovative developments by URA, the rejuvenated district retains its local character and offers an authentic experience that is distinctively Singaporean.

Global Awards Plans for the rejuvenation of Bras Basah.Bugis district has won URA 3 global awards this year:

1. The prestigious ULI Award for Excellence 2008: Asia Pacific by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
2. Cityscape Asia Real Estate Awards 2008
3. International Downtown Association – Downtown Achievement Awards (Merit Award in Planning)