Presenting Stories, Issues, Opportunities, Learnings in Architecture!
Architecture Siol! is a podcast from Gabriel Chek featuring Stories, Issues, Opportunities, Learnings within Architecture.
Tune in as Gabriel chats with fellow architects, designers and students to discover more about them and their ‘badass’ work in the architectural industry in Singapore and beyond.
siol - Singaporean slang (Singlish). Commonly used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the 'badass' qualities of someone/something.
Discover shows related to Architecture Siol! (w Gabriel Chek), based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Architects vs Nurses - Interview with Estee Tan, NUHS | S3 BONUS EPISODE
Season 3 · Episode 6
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 • Duration 49:40
Ever wonder what Architects and Nurses have in common?
Tune in to this bonus episode of Architecture Siol! with my wife Estee is also a nurse at NUH.
We discuss the following:
- Her thoughts of me and what architects do before and after meeting me.
- Digitalisation in the Healthcare and Architecture Industry in Singapore
- The need for deeper collaboration in both industries
- Importance for mentors for fresh graduates starting out
- Recogition (pre COVID post COVID) for nurses
- Misconceptions of nurses "Nurses do not only clean shit, they also evaluate the shit"
- Push and pull factors to stay in the Healthcare or Architecture Industry
- Underpaid architects as agreed by Estee
- "Architects receive "shit" from authorities, nurses receive "shit" from patients"
- The need to raise awareness for what we do as Architects
- Design considerations vs Human Behaviour
- Must buildings be perfect?
- Constraints that not many people understand Architects tackle
- Brain drain is becoming a real issue
- Who dictates the SOPs for hospitals?
- The need for bottom-up and top-down approaches for standardisation of best practices/workflows
- The importance for regular discussion
- Estee's view and wishlist for her hospital / ward design
Estee is a Senior Staff Nurse at National University Hospital. She has worked as a nurse for nine years and is currently working in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. She loves traveling around the world and experience different way of living. Most importantly, she is my wife!
Watch/Listen to all of my Architecture Siol! podcast episodes at http://gabrielchek.com/podcast
If you would like to join me as a podcast guest, feel free to contact Gabriel at hello@gabrielchek.com.
From Architecture Practice to Education (Interview w Lee Siang, SUTD ASD) | S3E5
Season 3 · Episode 5
Monday, May 13, 2024 • Duration 01:01:55
Considering a career in architectural education after years of practice?
Tune in to this podcast episode with Lee Siang, where we discuss the following:
- Lee Siang's Architecture Journey from school to working at URA, to a partner at DP Architects, Ong and Ong, BCA and eventually Singapore University of Technology & Design Architecture and Sustainable Design pillar head (SUTD ASD)
- Importance of getting QP (but after sufficient experience)
- Why you should take the Professional Practice Exam and not limit yourself to be a designer without license to practice.
- Why you should sound out if you feel that certain design is not compliant and/or can be improved.
- How and why his supervisor at DP Architects allowed him to explore his short stint as a counsellor.
- How hearing people's stories as a counsellor has affected the way he view architecture.
- Why fresh architecture graduates should consider and join the best employer they can find.
- How a homestay experience in Thailand has shaped his second half of his architecture journey
- The difference working at DP vs Ong and Ong where the focus shifted towards a more entreprenurial and pioneering mindset.
- "The key challenge right now is how to retain talent"
- His invovlement as Singapore Institute of Architects President and Singapore Green Building Council
- Why he transitioned to SUTD ASD.
- His role in SUTD (ASD, DAI and DesignZ).
- His first action as a new Head of Pillar at SUTD ASD after observing as a Board of Trustees
- Why SUTD ASD graduates are ahead of the curve
- How an Architect should deal with rapid changes in technologies and changing views on sustainability, especially after COVID.
Public Housing & Raising A Child in Singapore (feat. Shanty) | Architecture Siol! S3E4
Season 3 · Episode 4
Saturday, May 4, 2024 • Duration 42:43
In this episode, Shanty and I discuss the following:
- Her work in public housing projects at Surbana Jurong (SJ)
- Challenges faced at the start of her career at SJ and how she overcame them - The importance of having a mentor in your office
- Her views on the increasing complexities of public housing projects in Singapore
- Her views on the implementation of sky gardens in a public housing block (some people love it some people don't)
- Things that Shanty did not expect residents in public housing blocks in Singapore think about
- Why most Architects do not like to design linkways across a junction and only from the development to the nearest bus stop
- What Shanty feels are soft skills that an Architect needs to have
- Her experiences of working on competitions during COVID - How Shanty juggles her work and personal committments
- "Maybe I should find a hobby!"
- The importance of communication and understanding with your kids when you are a working Architect
- "Architects should be more _______."
- "Residents in Singapore should be less _______."
- "Shanty's secret skill is ________."
- Her aspirations for the upcoming years.
- The differences of public housing design in Singapore vs Indonesia
- Her thesis during her masters in Bartlett.
- Whether she is keen on working together on an architecture project with her architect husband.
- Any advice she has for fresh architecture graduates and young architects.
- Her view on the most underated skill an Architects needs to have.
Starting An Architecture Practice / Clarity Through Design & Life w Alvin Liau | S3E3
Season 3 · Episode 3
Saturday, April 27, 2024 • Duration 51:52
Wonder how and why young Architects start their own practice?
Hear how Alvin, Principal Architect at Prose Architects did it and more.
In this episode of Architecture Siol! Podcast we discuss the following:
- His career path and why networking is important
- Importance of working on design AND project Architect role throughout a project
- His experience working as a Design Architect in Surbana Jurong
- His experiences working on DUO as a Project Architect
- Why Alvin always seeks new challenges and opportunities
- How and why he started his own practice, Prose Architects
- The pros and cons of pursuing a conventional Architecture career path vs a non-linear one.
- "Is there always a clear path to follow? No, just do it with no regrets"
- His views on the many essential skills an Architect should have
- The design methodology and how is team at Prose Architects approaches projects (hint: it starts with a question)
- The story behind one of Prose Architects' Char Yong (Dabu) Foundation Limited Association Mixed-Development building project through a SIA Design Competition win
- Who Alvin considers great "mentors" during his architecture journey.
- His future plans and goals for Prose Architects and his personal life.
- His view on why small firms may be in a better position to pivot when needed in future.
- How Alvin manages his firm together with his wife who is also in the same firm while juggling raising a child.
- His advice for young architecture graduates
Creating Impact Through Participatory Design w Larry Yeung | S3E2
Season 3 · Episode 2
Saturday, April 20, 2024 • Duration 48:01
I had the privilege of chatting with Larry Yeung, Executive Director of Participate in Design (P!D), a non-profit design organisation that facilitates the integration of community-based participatory processes into urban space design and planning.
In this episode, we discussed the following:
How participatory design started in Singapore and how it has grown into a large scale projects
Limits to community engagement
Something unorthodox that Larry did during his engagement sessions with the community
Advice for facilitators dealing with people who may have differing opinions during their engagements
2024 plans, what is the future of participatory design
More architecture projects are requiring community engagement/placemaking which requires more collaboration with PiD - PiD 2.0 Research paper (three principles for participatory design)
How the government, private sector and PiD can work together for projects that will create impact in the community in our built environment
His views on the use of AI, social media, digital tools and technologies for citizen engagement
His views on the LTA SimplyGo saga (what went wrong)
What citizens should do more of especially in terms of upcoming or implemented government/policy changes in Singapore
His advice for fresh grads who want to join PiD or on participatory design projects (hint: don't)
Check out more about PiD's projects here: https://participateindesign.org/pid-s...
Download the PiD 2.0 Research paper: https://participateindesign.org/pid20
About Larry
Larry is a designer and community organiser who is a strong advocate for participatory and community-centric design in Singapore. Trained in architecture, he is currently the Executive Director of Participate in Design (P!D), a non-profit design organisation that facilitates the integration of community-based participatory processes into urban space design and planning. Since 2013, Larry’s portfolio of participatory-based projects include neighbourhood planning, public space design, and community art installations. In 2021, he received recognition as a World Cities Summit Young Leader for shaping the global urban agenda. In 2023, he was honored as an outstanding young alumni by the National University of Singapore (NUS) for notable achievements and contributions to Singapore's built environment and participatory design field. Extending from his work at P!D, Larry is also part of CSC-MCCY’s Partnerships and Engagement Experts Panel since November 2022, consulting with public agencies in Singapore on their citizen engagement projects.
Bouncing Back from Discrimination as a Young Female Architect w Jean Cheong | Architecture Siol! S3E1
Season 3 · Episode 1
Saturday, April 13, 2024 • Duration 44:19
In the first ever episode of the Architecture Siol! podcast, I chat with Jean Cheong, Technical Director | Head, Architecture & Planning of WSP and Co-Chair of the Young Architect's League Singapore and discuss on her architecture story, the issues she faced and learnings she had along the way.
Show Notes
- Jean's experience with discrimination at the workplace as a young female Architect
- Jean's career journey and background in Real Estate (being headhunted)
- Importance of getting QP early
- What her role is as Technical Director of WSP
- What she is looking for in potential new hires at WSP (She's hiring!)
- Why she made an executive decision to raise salaries for deserving hires
- Her views on salaries for architects and designers
- Her role in the Singapore Institute of Architects Young Architect's League (SIA-YAL)
- Whether she feels Architects are united?
- "Don't throw things at people. Be composed"
- Why she joined SIA-YAL (hint: it's the same reason I joined as well)
- Her views on recent trends such as emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation in the architectural industry
- Her advice for young architects and fresh graduates.
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ABOUT JEAN
Jean is the Technical Director and the Head of Department in the Architecture and Planning division of WSP.
Prior to joining WSP, Jean was the Project Director and Architectural Qualified Person (QP) of Monetary Authority of Singapore Future of Workplace Transformation and Project Lead of JTC Bulim Infrastructure Phase 1, Infrastructure Phase 2, District Logistic Network (DLN Ramp) and Bahar Tunnel Part 1 of a larger Jurong Innovation District (JID) Masterplan.
Do Fresh Architecture Grads Have a Say When Starting Out? (w/ ArchiDabble) | ARCHLOGBOOK CHATS S2E8
Season 2 · Episode 8
Thursday, July 28, 2022 • Duration 53:31
Graduating from Architecture School soon? You would want to tune in as I discuss all things relating to the challenges faced as fresh grads and how we can respond to the various issues that may be faced when starting out.
I chat with the creators behind the architecture content platform ArchiDabble - 3 students studying architecture based in the UK, comprising of Sude, Linda and Elif from the University of Westminster.
We talked about many topics, including: [01:34] - What were the highlights for the ArchiDabble trio this past year [03:36] - What made Sude, Linda and Elif start ArchiDabble? How did it start? [07:18] - Challenges faced as content creators? [13:17] - My advice for budding content creators [13:36] - Highlights of ArchiDabbles's content creation journey? [18:29] - What the trio thinks their best things they have put out on ArchiDabble is (in terms of vanity metrics and/or content) [21:38] - Future plans for ArchiDabble? [27:36] - What the trio see are problems with the Architectural industry [30:33] - "Do I have the luxury of choosing to say no to poor work cultures ie. working unpaid overtime as a fresh grad?" [34:47] - Why I believe things are changing for the better for the Architectural industry[] - How can we raise our value as Architects?[] - 7 percent of young architecture designers in Singapore are considering to leave in 3 years time[] - What I am working on to tackle the issue of brain drain in the industry[] - "As a Part 1 Architectural Assistant in the UK, we're just at the bottom of the food chain, how much of a say do we have with regards to work practices?"[] - Advice for young architectural students, designers and graduates.
How Can We Showcase Architecture Portfolios Better? | ARCHLOGBOOK CHATS S2E7 (w/ Jacek Urbanowicz)
Season 2 · Episode 7
Thursday, July 14, 2022 • Duration 51:22
Looking to showcase your portfolios to your prospective employers? Want to have an easier way to create and upkeep your project showcase online? I chat with Jacek Urbanowicz, Melbourne-based, design technology specialist and registered architect on why and how our architectural industry can transform the way graduates and mid-career architects create and upkeep their portfolios and allow for equitable ways for firms to hire the right talents. Jacek is also the founder of architecture portfolio platform, tunarch.org, where he aims to establish a easier way to help firms and clients find the right designers through the contents of their work.
We talked about many topics, including:
[01:48] - Jacek's journey in architecture and his current work in computational design. [13:44] - The main driving force for Jacek for his choice to explore various typologies and methods of design. [19:50] - Technology will drive architecture design and practice forward (it will be a sink or swim situation for architects, will you adapt or resist?) [21:32] - How Jacek sees a future way of practicing architecture with data-driven design principles and methodology [24:05] - How we see the role of the Architect changing in the next 5-10 years [28:40] - PSA: We need to adapt as Architects. [32:00] - What Jacek's architecture portfolio platform Tunarch.org is about and who is it for? [35:50] - Why did Jacek start Tunarch.org? [47:21] - Jacek's advice to young architectural designers just starting out.
Jacek is a Melbourne-based, design technology specialist and registered architect with almost a decade of professional experience. He works on computational design and building envelope development involving a-z coordination process and documentation. He graduated from Poznan University of Technology, Poland and gained initial experience in Barcelona, Beirut and Shanghai. He previously worked at Bates Smart Melbourne office and currently at COX Architecture leading significant, large-scale projects. Jacek is also developing a design portfolio management platform - tunarch.org - aiming to help clients find the right designers through the contents of their work. Learn more and join his platform at https://tunarch.org. Follow Jacek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacekurbanowicz/
Why Should Architects Document Their Projects? | ARCHLOGBOOK CHATS S2E6 (w/ DSmith Alexander)
Season 2 · Episode 6
Thursday, June 30, 2022 • Duration 44:24
Looking to get clients or increase your online presence as an architect?
This episode breaks down the reasons why we as architects must begin to share about the value we bring to the project from concept to occupation. I chat with Dwayne Smith-Alexander, an architectural designer based in the USA on why and how our architectural industry can begin to better articulate our value through the documentation and sharing of all stages of the project.
[00:53] - Dwayne's architectural journey / experience in working on the Pan-African Community Centre & Affordable Housing projects. [05:30] - Lesson learned : Being a student of architecture [06:37] - What was the process like designing for the Pan-African Community Center? [08:22] - Challenges faced during the design and construction of the projects [11:50] - Dwayne's vision for a documentary of his projects from start to finish from an Architect's perspective [15:06] - Why Dwayne started to work on this documentary [18:00] - What Dwayne believes Architects should be more active on social media and share all aspects of their work (Hint: to raise the value of our Industry) [21:56] - Why I believe future clients will appreciate (and pay for) our value if only we articulate what we do as Architects well. [25:32] - How will the industry change in the next 5-10 years, with technology for the design and construction of buildings evolving [28:46] - What Dwayne missed in Architecture School 10 years ago [31:23] - "We Are Students of Architecture even after school" [32:45] - Why Dwayne started to dabble in real estate investment to diversify his income [35:39] - Dwayne's involvement in the LOEM (League of Exemplary Men), a mastermind group focused on providing education on financial literacy and guidance to men. [38:15] - Why I believe should balance Architecture with other interests, networking with people in other industries and not stay in the "Archi Bubble". [38:35] - Anecdotes by a non-Architect that Dwayne applied in his architecture practice and works. [41:20] - Dwayne's Advice to architectural graduates and young designers who are just starting out.
Bridging the Gap between Architecture Education and Practice (w/ Chris Simmons) - S2E5
Season 2 · Episode 5
Thursday, June 16, 2022 • Duration 57:06
If you're a fresh architecture graduate looking to bridge your gap in education vs practice - this episode is for you!
I chat with Chris Simmons who started his own mentoring platform called Architect's Instruction and discussed how we can do so.
We also discussed on how architects in the field can also contribute by providing access to on the job work processes and shared more about the realities of working in this industry, with the changing role of the Architect.
- Why there is a reduction of intake of new architecture students not limited to SUTD ASD.
- Why there is an issue with demand and supply of young Architects, who are overworked and underpaid (after the 2000s).
- Why SUTD ASD has started to focus heavily on the use of artificial intelligence to aid/augment architectural design.
- The goal of involving cutting edge firms in the studios at ASD and interactions with students.
- How SUTD ASD is collaborating and supporting their alumni in various initatives.
- How I will be involved in the ASD Alumni events.
- Why SUTD ASD is working on Continued Education Programs for alumni as well as opportunities for knowledge sharing.
- His message to current students and young architects.
- "Architecture in Singapore should be more _____."
- "SUTD ASD students should be less ______."
- "Lee Siang's secret skill is ________."
Lee Siang has dedicated over three decades to his career in architecture. In 2016, he was elected chairman of the World Green Building Council. During his two-year term, he traveled to nearly 30 cities, advocating for advancements in green building initiatives. After returning to Singapore in 2018, Lee Siang worked closely with the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore to promote the Industry Transformation Map among industry professionals, marking a pinnacle in his career until the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. The following two years proved challenging as he navigated the impacts of the pandemic, learning about the resilience of the built environment sector. In August 2021, he began a new chapter by joining the Singapore University of Singapore as the head of the Architecture and Sustainable Design Pillar. Additionally, he launched the new design center, DesignZ, in October 2021. This return to education and research has reignited his enthusiasm at this stage of his career.
Watch/Listen to all of my Architecture Siol! podcast episodes at http://gabrielchek.com/podcast
If you would like to join me as a podcast guest, feel free to contact Gabriel at hello@gabrielchek.com.
Graduated from Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia, Shanty took up the challenge to work in Singapore to broaden her knowledge about architecture. It continued by taking up a degree in urban design from Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Currently, she holds a position as Principal Architect at Surbana Jurong Pte. Ltd with 15 years of experience, mainly focusing on designing holistic public housing development in Singapore. She participated in a collaborative R&D initiative in 2014, reimagining and projecting the concept of vertical living in cities for the year 2050, which gave her the opportunity to join a business visit to Tokyo, Japan. During the visit, together with the team, she presented the proposal to the students and lecturer of architecture department at University of Tokyo as well as to the architects and management level of Nihon Sekkei. The initiative was eventually published during World Architecture Festival 2015 with the title Project 2050. In 2021, She was invited as a speaker to share about public housing to architecture students of Calvin Institute of Technology, Jakarta and subsequently being invited as speaker at events held by Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) , the likeness of Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA).
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Watch/Listen to all of my Architecture Siol! podcast episodes at http://gabrielchek.com/podcast
If you would like to join me as a podcast guest, feel free to contact Gabriel at hello@gabrielchek.com.
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ABOUT THE PODCAST
Architecture Siol! is a podcast from me, Gabriel Chek, featuring Stories, Issues, Opportunities, Learnings within Architecture.
Tune in as I chat with fellow architects, designers and students to discover more about them and their ‘badass’ work in the built environment industry in Singapore and beyond.
siol - Singaporean slang (Singlish). Commonly used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the 'badass' qualities of someone/something.
Watch/Listen to all of my Architecture Siol! podcast episodes at http://gabrielchek.com/podcast
If you would like to join me as a podcast guest, feel free to contact Gabriel at hello@gabrielchek.com.
---
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Architecture Siol! is a podcast from me, Gabriel Chek, featuring Stories, Issues, Opportunities, Learnings within Architecture.
Tune in as I chat with fellow architects, designers and students to discover more about them and their ‘badass’ work in the built environment industry in Singapore and beyond.
siol - Singaporean slang (Singlish). Commonly used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the 'badass' qualities of someone/something.
Concurrently she was also a key member of the team working on Changi Airport Terminal 5, while being involved in the rejuvenation of Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre. She has also contributed substantially to various feasibility studies for developers’ land bids and competitions.
Jean is also certified Green Mark Professional and is passionate about upholding the highest standard of sustainability in her projects.
Outside of work, she is a member of the Young Women’s Leadership Connection (YWLC), a platform chaired by Minister Grace Fu for aspiring female leaders and a network that aims to empower and connect young female leaders. She was privileged to be selected as mentee under YWLC Mentorship, a prestigious programme offering an exclusive opportunity to be mentored by some of Singapore's most accomplished women leaders across various industries.
Jean is also a Co-chair of SIA Young Architects League (SIA YAL) for the term 2022 to 2024, a public outreach platform under SIA to engage and serve the architectural community, aspiring architects as well as architectural students in Singapore and is currently serving as a mentor for selected students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
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Watch/Listen to all of my Architecture Siol! podcast episodes at http://gabrielchek.com/podcast
If you would like to join me as a podcast guest, feel free to contact Gabriel at hello@gabrielchek.com.
---
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Architecture Siol! is a podcast from me, Gabriel Chek, featuring Stories, Issues, Opportunities, Learnings within Architecture.
Tune in as I chat with fellow architects, designers and students to discover more about them and their ‘badass’ work in the built environment industry in Singapore and beyond.
siol - Singaporean slang (Singlish). Commonly used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the 'badass' qualities of someone/something.
ArchiDabble is a architecture content platform by 3 students studying architecture based in the UK, comprising of Sude, Linda and Elif from the University of Westminster. Sude & Elif study on the Architecture BA course and Linda studies Architecture & Environmental Design BSc. The platform was started back when they have had just finished first year of our undergraduate with the intention of providing extra support for current and upcoming architecture students alongside their studies.
ARCHLOGBOOK CHATS is available on Youtube, Spotify, Google Podcast and Apple Podcast.
ARCHLOGBOOK is an open online resource created by Gabriel Chek for architectural students and budding architects with blog posts on various architecture practice topics, ebooks, podcast episodes and resources which aims to help you gain more clarity and confidence in the design and practice of Architecture. Visit the website at http://archlogbook.co.
Dwayne Smith-Alexander is an architectural designer, urban theorist, singer/songwriter and real estate investor. He has designed affordable housing, civic and cultural structures for the benefit of African American + Caribbean communities in the USA as a design lead and architectural designer for Urban Architectural Initiatives. Dwayne is also a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) as a first-generation Jamaican American based architectural designer in New York City and the Caribbean region. He is also part of LOEM (League of Exemplary Men) A mastermind group focused on providing education on financial literacy and direct guidance to men on how to save and invest through the medium of creative real estate & e-commerce.
ARCHLOGBOOK CHATS is available on Youtube, Spotify, Google Podcast and Apple Podcast.
ARCHLOGBOOK is an open online resource created by Gabriel Chek for architectural students and budding architects with blog posts on various architecture practice topics, ebooks, podcast episodes and resources which aims to help you gain more clarity and confidence in the design and practice of Architecture.
