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Gensler Wins Real Estate Asia Built Environment Awards for ESG Initiatives

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Gensler’s Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region triumphed in the inaugural Real Estate Asia Built Environment Awards 2024, winning for its meticulously detailed ESG report, which highlights the firm’s commitment to sustainability and diversity.

 

Founded in 1965, Gensler is a global design and architecture firm that boasts a team of 6,000 professionals who collaborate with clients across more than 100 countries annually. Winning the ESG Initiative of the Year – Singapore award establishes a new industry standard for others to follow, showcasing Gensler’s leadership in integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into its business practices.

 

The annual report aims to quantify and communicate the specific actions and initiatives undertaken by Gensler, offering a holistic portrayal of the firm’s dedication and accomplishments spanning critical domains, including climate action, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement. Amongst the activities included in Gensler’s previous reports is the meticulous measurement of its projects’ carbon footprint since 2009, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to environmental sustainability. It also reveals how Gensler has been publishing carbon mitigation progress publicly since 2015, spotlighting cutting-edge strategies for crafting sustainable, carbon-neutral structures.

 

In addition to its sustainable and green efforts, the report also highlighted Gensler’s social initiatives, particularly its Community Impact model. This model organises philanthropic and volunteer efforts through a focused strategy aimed at addressing major urban challenges. The firm empowers team members to leverage their professional expertise, fostering tangible, positive change in communities through pro bono and low bono initiatives. For instance, Gensler collaborated with the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to design their latest integrated centre, Space2Connect, as a pro bono project. Designers volunteered their time, skills, and passion for this project alongside their regular workload, demonstrating their commitment to being part of the solution and driving positive change. This proactive approach underscores Gensler’s steadfast commitment to nurturing a culture of community impact, serving as a model for others to emulate in striving for a more sustainable and equitable future.

 

These achievements have been made possible through Gensler’s guiding principles, which serve as the bedrock of the company’s organisational culture and provide the framework for its business model, strategies, and practices.

 

“Everything we do is guided by our mission to create a better world through the power of design. Our governance model reflects our shared values, culture, and strategic priorities. The firm’s leadership is committed to principles that prioritise diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, empowerment, growth opportunities, and mutual respect,” said David Calkins, Regional Managing Principal of Gensler APME.

 

The Real Estate Asia Built Environment Awards is a groundbreaking celebration of outstanding achievements in construction, architecture, and interior design across Asia, as well as recognition of innovation and sustainability in the industry.

 

 

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OXO Living Announces Plans for “OXO The Residences”

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OXO Living, a boutique property development and management, proudly presents OXO The Residences, an ambitious IDR 500 billion (USD 31 million) venture set to rise in Bali’s picturesque Nyanyi area by late 2026. The project, conceived in partnership with renowned architect Alexis Dornier, will boast 40 exclusive neo-luxury villas sprawled across two hectares, complete with state-of-the-art communal amenities.

 

Reflecting OXO Living’s green credentials, the upcoming development will be equipped with solar panels, rainwater catchment areas, water treatment, osmosis water filters, and recycled or recyclable raw materials. Modern villas, ranging from 184 to 280 square metres, will be designed to appeal to a global clientele, with prices starting at IDR 7.5 billion (USD 500,000).

 

Located on the prime Balinese coastline in Tabanan, OXO The Residences is minutes from the central expat hub of Canggu, and from Tanah Lot with its many temples and cultural attractions. Also nearby is Nuanu City, a vibrant creative hub that champions thriveability on 44 hectares, offering a lifestyle where innovation converges with nature’s beauty. With a philosophy that nurtures creativity, fosters connections and promotes holistic well-being, the project is anticipated to be Bali’s next landmark destination, following the success of Canggu.

 

Johannes Weissenbaeck, Founder and CEO of OXO Living, said, “OXO The Residences is poised to redefine neo-luxury living in Bali. Our commitment to international standards ensures that our developments resonate with both local and global audiences. Residents of OXO The Residences will have exclusive access to the myriad of facilities that the nearby Nuanu City has to offer, enhancing their living experience.”

 

Indonesia’s Market Outlook

 

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In a strategic pivot from its pre-pandemic focus on international clientele, OXO Living is now courting a predominantly domestic market with OXO The Residences, targeting an 80% local buyer base. This shift aligns with the robust growth of Indonesia’s residential property market, which Mordor Intelligence projects to expand from US$ 67 billion in 2023 to US$ 72 billion in 2024, and further to an estimated US$ 105.7 billion by 2029.

 

Research by Rumah123.com highlights that foreign property interests in Indonesia are primarily from Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Japan, with a preference for landed houses, land and apartments.

 

“Presently, Bali is undergoing a transformative shift in its property industry, fuelled by the emergence of the neo-luxury trend—a niche market that OXO Living is uniquely positioned to thrive in. Across all our completed OXO Living property projects, we’ve steadfastly embraced the principles of zero waste, solidifying our expertise in sustainable development.”

 

Elevating Comfort and Luxury to New Heights

 

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Alexis Dornier, the visionary architect of OXO The Residences, shared his aspirations for the project. “Visually, our goal is to deliver a design that is both understated and emblematic. We aspire to create structures that harmonise with Bali’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, prioritising materials that are deeply rooted in the island’s identity and utilising local resources like the readily available bricks from Tabanan and the region’s distinctive volcanic stone.”

 

Dornier elaborates on the synergy between OXO Living and his design studio, “Our collaboration thrives on a shared commitment to sustainability. We believe in the ethos of ‘building less to create more value,’ ensuring our developments are in harmony with the environment.” This philosophy is the cornerstone of a partnership that seamlessly blends architectural innovation with ecological consciousness.

 

 

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​​ARCHIDEX 2024: More Halls, More Products and More Opportunities

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The largest architecture exhibition in Malaysia, Archidex 2024 is poised to transform the industry with all the latest innovations and cutting-edge technology, as it returns for the 23rd consecutive year from 3 to 6 July 2024 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Building on last year’s overwhelming success, ARCHIDEX is back with an even bigger spread of 700 exhibitors, 1,500 booths, across 11 halls showcasing the latest advancements in architecture and building materials, technologies, interior fittings, and sustainable solutions. For four days, over 40,000 visitors from the architecture, interior design and building industry, professionals, and enthusiasts from more than 100 countries are expected to throng the halls of KLCC, to experience the ultimate transformative power of architectural innovation.

 

ARCHIDEX is held concurrently with the DATUM conferences, both much-anticipated events of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF 2024). ARCHIDEX also features a variety of panels, workshops, talks, demonstrations and carefully curated content by notable speakers, serving as a platform to enhance knowledge-sharing, networking and stimulate trade deals among market players.

 

Last year, ARCHIDEX facilitated more than RM1 billion in sales transactions, while this year, with the broader reach and larger number of exhibitors and visitors, it is expected to exceed this figure considerably. ARCHIDEX offers an immersive experience that brings together the three core pillars of the exhibition – Future Architecture, Sustainability and Wellbeing – to champion people-centric built environment. It sets the stage for architects, designers, and industry leaders to keep pace with emerging trends, breakthrough solutions and technological advancements that have come into the industry, inspiring transformative solutions that will shape the future of architecture.

 

Beyond a trade exhibition, ARCHIDEX also plays a crucial role in catalysing conversations and regional cooperation. This year, ARCHIDEX is also in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), who will be the host for the ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction & Housing (ACMROCH) 2024. This gathering will bring together Ministers from the ASEAN countries and China to engage crucial discussions aimed at deepening and strengthening the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and ASEAN-China cooperation in housing and development in conjunction with the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.

 

Over the years, ARCHIDEX’s central role has been to bring together the architecture, interior design and building industry, to drive discussions on issues and challenges that the industry faces, seeking viable and working solutions. The DATUM conferences held together with ARCHIDEX will present delegates the opportunity to enrich their knowledge, and gain insights into emerging trends in the industry. DATUM also provides a unique platform for networking, fostering collaborations, and propelling the industry towards innovation and growth.

 

These conferences comprise DATUM:KL, DATUM+PLUS, and DATUM:GREEN, and will bring to the mix a lineup of esteemed speakers from both local and international spheres. In addition to the DATUM conferences, ARCHIDEX will also showcase the ARCHIDEX Star Award Products, PAM Awards as well as other knowledge sharing sessions – ARCHIDEX Biz Talk and Focus Forum for the architecture fraternity to keep updated with the current trends, latest products, materials and solutions.

 

ARCHIDEX 2024 is scheduled to take place from 3 to 6 July 2024 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, from 10am to 7pm.

 

 

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Aedas-designed Huanggang Skyscraper Redefines the Shenzhen Urban Landscape

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Project: Huanggang Port Headquarters

Location: Shenzhen, China

Design and Project Architect: Aedas in a joint venture with Shenzhen CAPOL International & Associates Co., Ltd. Construction: Public Works Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality

User: Office of Port of Entry and Exit of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen General  Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection

Design and Project Architect: Aedas

Gross Floor Area: 163,358 sq m

Design Directors: Keith Griffiths, Founder and Chairman; Chris Chen, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acting as the southern gateway to China and important node of GBA, Shenzhen is a modern metropolis  located immediately north of Hong Kong, bearing significance in steering the economic growth of both cities  and creating a transportation hub that connects the communities. Standing at 247m tall, the Huanggang Port

Headquarters is set to be the new landmark for the Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Park and Shenzhen Hong Kong Cooperation Zone.

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 Project location Overview

 

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and reflecting the regional characteristics, the design is  based on the imagery of stacking stones and rivers. A simple fluid architectural form is adopted which  signifies flowing water, while the cantilevered canopy at the tower’s entrance signifies the splashes. It has  adopted a ripple-like cascading form, echoing the overall shape of the tower. The vertical lines of the façade  pour from the crown to the lobby, unifying the architectural language from top to bottom. Visitors also get to  experience an arrival experience of grandeur and warmth with the 13-metre tall, light-filled lobby, which has  utilised a transparent glass panel wall to bring vitality to the city as the cornerstones of the GBA cities.

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A light-filled, 13m tall lobby

 

The plane design follows a rigorous and symmetrical geometric form. Through the superposition of four  circles, the façade has adopted round corners formed by four arcs, the building space is made regular and  efficient, optimising the landscape view and creating a vibrant architectural form to greet the city.

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Dividing the lateral floorplan into four, the interior is flexible and offers 10-14 metres of office depth, in order  to cater for corporates of different sizes and needs. There are also some open offices near the crown of the  building, which facilitates communication and interaction through the introduction of indoor-outdoor spaces.  The greenery-adorned sky lobbies and featured roof are destined for recreational use, allowing workers to  connect and unwind, while enhancing the development’s aesthetics and porosity. It also provides an active  and vibrant towerscape, where workers may enjoy a panoramic view that overlooks the nearby superior  landscape resources.

 

The design has achieved a high assembly rate that optimises construction resources and time. To create an  environmentally-friendly tower, vertical fins have been adopted to provide sufficient shading, and low reflection energy-saving curtain wall panels to minimise our carbon footprint. The integrity of the tower’s  appearance has been preserved through an integrated system of ventilation solutions, achieving a low carbon design for the tower.

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Efficient shading by vertical fins

 

‘Built based on the principles of ‘high quality’, ‘customisation’ and ‘sustainability’, we envision a harmonious  layout of simple geometric shapes together formed by the tower and Huanggang Port, that contributes to the  development of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone,’ says Chris.

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LIXIL Celebrates Architecture and Design Industry Excellence at World Architecture Festival 2023

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LIXIL, maker of water and housing products, through its GROHE power brand, was pleased to support the World Architecture Festival 2023 (WAF) for its sixteenth edition at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The WAF is the largest global gathering of the industry’s leading architects and designers (A&D), thought leadership and celebration of their prestigious achievements.

 

WAF also represented a global platform for branding, business networking and opportunities. Nearly 2,000 delegates attended the WAF and INSIDE events and over 800 entries vied for coveted awards across different categories. Out of the 55 category and special award winners, 24 were from Asia and Australasia, led by Australia (10), China (6), and equivalently placed Thailand, India and Japan (2 each).

 

This year’s festival theme ‘Catalyst’ marked WAF’s return to Asia, after a hiatus of almost a decade. The theme explored how architecture and design can be catalysts for beneficial change through enabling, accelerating and inspiring interaction across the entire built environment, to benefit both individuals and institutions. The global A&D community gathered to advance this theme through various WAF keynotes, speakers, and conversations to catalyze ideas and opportunities.

 

GROHE, a global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, has supported WAF since the inception of the festival in 2008. As WAF Founding Partner, GROHE represents the unique role water plays in the design discipline and helps shape innovative architectural visions and solutions around the element of water.

 

GROHE affirmed this commitment with the sponsorship and awarding of the GROHE Water Prize at WAF to UArchitects. The winning proposal calls for the scaling up of ‘micro-colonies’ comprised of floating platforms in Bangladesh. The connected platforms allow for the growing of food, with a community hub created to provide services (such as education and storage) to clusters of family homes.

 

Clean water production is of great importance for these micro-colonies, which are intended to cope with extreme weather events, combat poverty and provide a new model of how communities can address the challenges of climate change. This is the fifth time the GROHE Water Prize has been awarded, with past winners across water filtration, generation and cooling systems in Peru, Brazil and Greece.

 

Satoshi Konagai, Leader, LIXIL Water Technology, Asia Pacific, expressed, “Through our GROHE power brand, we are proud to be the Founding Partner of the World Architecture Festival since its 2008 inception. Over the past sixteen years, we have worked together to grow WAF into a respected global platform that attracts thousands of delegates to celebrate excellence, network and explore business opportunities over the course of the festival. We are delighted to congratulate the WAF award winners, the GROHE Water Prize winner and WAF shortlist candidates. LIXIL will continue to engage the A&D community to uplift industry excellence and address challenges, including macrotrends across health and wellbeing, sustainability and urbanisation.”

 

“This year’s festival is especially meaningful as we are concurrently launching GROHE SPA for the Asia Pacific region. First launched at this year’s Milan Design Week, we are excited to bring GROHE SPA’s specially curated collections that can create versatile combinations for a multi-sensory, personalised showering experience. We look forward to collaborating with discerning homeowners and industry partners on unique GROHE SPA projects across the region.” Mr. Konagai added.

 

Paul Finch, Programme Director, WAF, said, “Congratulations to all the WAF and INSIDE award winners and shortlist candidates. Their ideas and projects are a beacon for how design can be a multi-faceted catalyst for positive change. Our return to Asia is immensely gratifying to ignite fresh ideas and relationships in and around the A&D community. We greatly appreciate the support and encouragement from GROHE, our sponsors, partners, delegates and the global A&D community.”

 

Ahead of the WAF main event in Singapore, the GROHE and WAF teams worked closely to strengthen industry engagement through a series of special pre-WAF events and receptions held in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines that was enthusiastically received by the A&D community and media in each country.

 

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Heatherwick Studio Designs its First District in Japan

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A new district in the heart of Tokyo designed by Heatherwick Studio has been opened by the Prime Minister of Japan. The project, known as Azabudai Hills, is the culmination of a thirty-year regeneration process steered by Mori Building Co. Ltd., one of Japan’s leading urban landscape developers.

 

The new neighbourhood is made up of residential buildings, retail spaces, a school, two temples, art galleries, offices and restaurants, all set within 2.4km2 of green, publicly accessible landscape. Heatherwick Studio is the lead architect of the public realm and podium-level architecture. The design encourages purposeful connections between commuters, residents and the public, and the 8.1-hectare district is filled with trees, flowers and water features. Meandering routes and walkable rooftop slopes invite exploration and informal gatherings.

 

Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio, said, “We were inspired to create a district that connects with people’s emotions in a different way. By combining cultural and social facilities with an extraordinary three-dimensional, explorable, landscape, it’s been possible to offer visitors and the local community somewhere to connect with each other and enjoy open green public spaces. This is a joyful and unique public place for Tokyo, designed to be cherished for many years.”

 

Tokyo is a juxtaposition of old and new architecture, with large and small buildings pressed up against each other. The design celebrates this rich mixture of layers and all the variety and intensity of the city. Residents and visitors can come together and be inspired by a new landscape that includes extensive public gardens, a central square and The Cloud event space. It is now one of Tokyo’s greenest urban areas and continues Mori Building Company’s commitment to creating garden cities where the landscape simultaneously supports nature and people.

 

Throughout the 30-year regeneration of this site, Mori Building Co. collaborated with over 300 residents and businesses to bring the district to life. Over 90% of the original tenants and businesses have now chosen to return to the new district. Azabudai Hills is also on track to become one of the world’s largest sites to receive the preliminary WELL certification, the highest-level LEED Neighbourhood Development certification for mixed-use developments, and LEED’s BD+C (Building Design/Core and Shell Development) certification.

 

As part of the development, Heatherwick Studio has designed its first school, The British School of Tokyo. At 15,000 sqm, this is the largest international school in the heart of the city. The design takes full advantage of the local climate with a seamless flow of outdoor learning and recreational spaces spread across eight levels, where students and teachers can enjoy working.

 

Neil Hubbard, partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick Studio said, “Over the last 10 years, we have tried to get under the skin of what makes something distinctively Tokyo, whilst at the same time adding something new that’s fresh and soft to its modern built environment. We wanted to create vistas full of variety and intrigue and spaces to explore. It’s a confluence of different families of design all brought together in one place. I can’t wait to watch people explore it.”

 

An estimated 25 to 30 million people will visit this new public district every year.

 

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Dayingshan CBD: An All-Weather, Vibrant Retail Destination in Haikou

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As the future gateway of Haikou, the Dayingshan CBD is set to become an engine of growth for the city. Led by  Aedas Global Design Principal Kevin Wang, the team has won the concept design competition of Haikou HNA  Center Plot D10 Retail Street, creating a new dynamic retail destination in the international tourism location. With a well-connected transport network, the project is located in the heart of the city.

 

“The tower aligns with the skyline, creating a consistent urban interface and ambient public space in the core area of Haikou. The design highlights the uniqueness of the building and connects with the surrounding urban context,” Kevin says.

 

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The design redefines the retail space and circulation to create a close connection with the urban surroundings. The retail and office façade enhancement delivers a more contemporary interface of the complex. The design links the piazzas with iconic canopies, creating a multi-layered retail space and connected circulation.

 

Two open courtyards are created inside the retail street, featuring the anchor shops with two office towers diagonally placed at the corners. The ground and underground connect the plots as well as the terraces on the second and third floors, linking all the shops in a smooth and comprehensive circulation. The retail street on the third floor provides a 24/7 public realm to socialise through two piazzas. The bigger piazza provides abundant outdoor space for F&B, social gatherings and commercial events under all weather; the smaller one is a sunken piazza linking the corridors that creates a lively multi-layered environment with Haikou features.

 

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The retail street provides a unique experience for shopping and entertainment, and it acts as a shelter and a  public living room for interaction. With large umbrella-shaped canopies, comprehensive shading is created for visitors to walk in the outdoor area under all weather. Some of the canopies are linked and consist of greenery, enabling a pleasant pavement towards the sky corridor. The unique canopies create an iconic entrance to the retail street, delivering a photo-taking spot for the destination.

 

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Round façade edges of the office tower optimise the view and create a neat architectural form with the adoption of ventilated curtain walls. The lower level of the tower uses a flexible programming layout, seamlessly merging with the retail space. An unobstructed view can be enjoyed through the rooftop communal lobby up at the crown.

 

Kevin shares, “The design will be a new retail landmark for the city, with enhanced spatial experience on  existing plot in Haikou.”

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Traditional Sedge Weaving Inspires Sun Cosmo Residence in Da Nang

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Sun Cosmo Residence Da Nang is a high-end development located in Da Nang, Vietnam, a vibrant coastal city in the fifth largest city in the country. Da Nang is situated along the South China Sea and is known for its stunning beaches, scenic landscapes and rich, cultural history. Sun Cosmo Residence will be located along the Han River between two famous bridges — Tran Thi Ly and Dragon Bridge — and offers breathtaking views of the river.

 

Comprising multiple plots, Sun Cosmo Residence features high-rise condominiums, shop villas, and shophouses that span across the riverside. The development is divided into two phases, with the first phase consisting of the Panoma, which comprises two towers — Panoma one and Panoma 2 — as well as plans for the development of the third lot in the next phase.

 

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The site provides good accessibility as the plots are located along the main road such as An Hai Road and  Tran Thi Ly Bridge, located by the riverbank. This allows for convenient travel to locations, including a five-minute drive to the beachfront, and a nine-minute drive to Da Nang International Airport. The strategic location of the site will also provide residents with picturesque views of the Han River to the west and Eastern sea view too.

 

Designed with residents’ comfort in mind, Sun Cosmo Residence offers a range of amenities, such as a swimming pool gym, children’s playground, garden and community room located at level three on the middle floor of the tower. The rooftop of the tower also boasts a viewing deck and sky garden, which provide residents with panoramic views of the city behind the river and the coast.

 

Inspired by the local culture and crafts of Da Nang, the development’s architecture draws from the Cam Ne traditional handcraft sedge mat-making village. Blending design elements from traditional crafting with the desire to create a new and unique space, a dialogue between traditional and modern art presents itself in the architecture.

 

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Learning about techniques and materials from the Scaft village, the facade design takes the alternating horizontal and vertical lines of sedge weaving and skills it up through the frame grid, building a strong and coherent tower. Interspersed with the main grid is a system of traditional sun shading, which not only shows the sophistication in the design but also creates a beautiful architectural facade that attracts and brings a unique visual experience.

 

Apart from traditional Vietnamese weaving, the design of Hoi An lanterns is incorporated into the facade — from the podium to the crown in the form of terracotta materials and traditional Vietnamese patterns, further weaving cultural symbolism into the fabric of the development. The resulting design establishes an interplay between light and the crown, creating a visually captivating experience.

 

Despite the deferring missing the design language stays consistent across the two plots. Panoma 2 sits as a single tower, while Panoma 1 notably stands as a massing of three towers of staggered heights. The building retains the same vertical and horizontal rib motives with each tower section adorned with differently coloured rib elements. This creates visual demarcations between sections. The staggered heights of the massing create more communal spaces on the rooftops of each section and maximise views for residents.

 

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Sun Cosmo Residence is a unique and modern development that draws inspiration from the traditional culture and crafts of Da Nang. It also offers a range of amenities that prioritise the comfort of its residents with breathtaking views of the river and easy accessibility to nearby locations. This residence is an ideal place to call home for those seeking a luxurious living experience in Vietnam.

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10 Design Unveils Master Plan for a Resilient Future Community South of Jakarta

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International design practice, 10 Design, which is part of Egis Group, is pleased to reveal the vision for Bintaro Jaya West District in Indonesia. Located along Bintaro Boulevard in South Tangerang, 15 kilometres from the Jakarta Central Business District, the development will become the western gateway to Bintaro Jaya Township, an emerging economic centre in the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Area. The 36-hectare greenfield land has been reimagined into an innovative community promoting sustainable living and wellness, with enhanced connections to the natural environment.

 

The master plan follows the 15-minute city framework, ensuring a walkable environment to encourage residents and visitors to explore and immerse themselves in the cityscape, creating a lively, human-centric community. A vibrant mix of residential, mixed-use commercial, retail, and recreational elements are strategically placed for proximity and accessibility is enhanced through design and redefining what urban life looks like.

 

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“There’s a growing need for restorative and resilient urban environments where people can connect, and feel inspired, our vision for Bintaro Jaya West District helps to achieve that,” shares Principal of Master Planning, Peter Barrett, “the sustainable and inclusive environment, integrates complementary land uses with generous multi-purpose green spaces to create a memorable, vibrant, and self-sustainable community where you can live near where you work, with a rich array of experiences and activities, always connected to nature.”

 

At the heart of Bintaro Jaya West District is ‘The Oval’, a publicly accessible green space anchored by a grand lawn and multi-functional landscaped amphitheatres, serving as a space to bring the local community together through music, art, and events. A multi-faceted community experience, cafes, restaurants, retail, interactive water gardens, and public artwork seamlessly weave throughout, encouraging exploration. An elevated pedestrian walkway, boasting 360-degree views, provides a sheltered connection to the diverse functional spaces, whilst enticing visitors to The Oval.

 

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The master plan creates a series of interweaving greenways, parklands, and linear parks to form an interconnected network of urban spaces. Existing rivers and creeks have been preserved, reimagined and integrated, creating recreational opportunities, such as water-touching experiences and riverside promenades for jogging and cycling, all seamlessly connected to the wider Bintaro cycling loop.

 

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Resilience has been built into the masterplan, to help mitigate the impact caused by extreme weather and climate events. Open green spaces, including The Oval, are designed as part of a dry pond system to manage stormwater, and localised flooding, and facilitate groundwater recharge. Supporting infrastructure for the new Bintaro Jaya West District started construction in early 2023.

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World Architecture Festival 2023 returns to Singapore

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After almost 10 years of taking place in Europe, World Architecture Festival (WAF) will be returning to  Singapore for its 16th edition. WAF will once again be taking place at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands from 29 November to 1 December 2023.

 

WAF provides a platform for the world architecture community to meet, celebrate, exchange ideas, and set the future agenda. World Architecture Festival will be partnering with Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), under  Singapore Tourism Board (STB), as their destination partner, creating an enhanced experience for all attending delegates visiting from across the globe.

 

Paul Finch, WAF’s Programme Director, said: “We are delighted to be back in Singapore where our festival took place between 2012 and 2015. The urban planning, architecture and landscape initiatives continue to  inspire international interest, and we are certain that our delegates will enjoy the location and its offerings  in the same way they enjoy WAF.”

 

Poh Chi Chuan, STB’s Executive Director for Exhibitions & Conferences, said: “We are delighted that World  Architecture Festival is returning to Singapore in November this year. WAF’s return reflects the industry’s confidence in Singapore as the preferred destination for business events and a gateway to the fast-growing  Asia Pacific. We look forward to the continued success of WAF in Singapore, where entrepreneurs and  forward-thinking professionals from around the world meet to break new ground in architecture and  design across industries.”

 

The festival includes the largest live-judged architectural awards programme in the world, dedicated to celebrating excellence via live presentations to an audience of high-profile delegates and international juries. Previous winners from Singapore include Kampung Admiralty by WOHA Architects and Oasis  Terraces by Serie + Multiply Architects. See all the WAF Singapore winners and finalists here.

 

Alongside the live judging sits a thematic conference programme, an exhibition of the latest products and technologies, a gallery of all shortlisted schemes and a host of fringe and networking events taking place across Singapore.

 

In conjunction with the World Architecture Festival sits its sister event, Inside World Festival of Interiors.  Inside is a feast of creativity, inspiration and knowledge for the interiors industry consisting of its own awards programme and keynote talks on the main stage of the festival.