1. ISSUE 2 : Reviving Singapore's lost monuments via technology
1.1. Monuments are durable & transcend time > Spaces/monuments which defined Singapore's history are no longer physically present. However, technology is able to replicate (to some extent) the spaces and their monumentality, of the past
1.2. Monuments give a sense of identity > The AR trail provides a humbling experience showing the origins of Singapore as a small trading post along with the lifestyle of the different communities in the past, in relation to the reality now. The realization of Singapore's growth might bring about a sense of pride and reinforce the identity of locals.
1.3. Monuments engages the senses to invoke emotions and monumentality > The AR trail is unable to fully encapsulate and engage the senses to replicate the exact atmospheres of the monuments in the past, degrading the true monumentality of the spaces of the past.
1.3.1. The AR trail provides users with animations displaying the events that occured during those significant days such as the signing of the treaty, conversations between Sir Stamford Raffles & Major William Farquhar, and the environmental conditions, providing a glimpse into the past
1.4. Though much of the historical way of life in Singapore has been displaced, the experience of viewing old images while learning about the past allows one to feel/imagine the phenomenology of its zeitgeist
2. ISSUE 3: Conserving Singapore's History - Physical or not? (A Founders' Memorial to stand the test of time)
2.1. Physical structures serves as a memorial that can stand the test of time, with strong historic meaning.
2.1.1. A Founders' Memorial to honor Singapore's leaders was conceptualized. It was to be a physical structure with exhibitions to educate the future generation on Singapore's History.
2.2. Physical memorials will eventually worn out, or lose the appreciation value when the space is not actively lived.
2.2.1. Lee Kuan Yew did not want his house to be conserved as a physical monument, as it felt like it would be unused and worn out. Instead, it was to be repurposed for future generations to keep using
2.2.2. There were multiple ideas to memorialised Lee Kuan Yew, such as creating commemorative notes. However, those were merely physical manifestation.
2.3. Conserving ideals and history can be achieved through concepts and symbolism, rather than purely physical structure.
2.3.1. Lee Kuan Yew would like to be remembered through ideals, not monuments. These came in forms of awards and naming schools after him, that represent his ideals and principles.
3. ISSUE 4: Of Spatial and Mindset Change: An interview with Tay Kheng Soon
3.1. Rubanisation provides residence with a new found identity within each community
3.1.1. Rubanisation aims to tackle social hierarchies by integrating work, play, learning and living into a small settlement that blurs the boundaries between the urban needs and the rural needs. Food is no longer seen as a commodity, but as an integral role in the ecosystem of a city, likewise with waste management.
3.1.1.1. With social hierarchy no longer the defining principal of class and ethnicity, it creates a new found balance into the class systems, where every worker is the same as the next. This in turn creates a new identity within the community, whereby each resident feels like he is part of a larger ecosystem as opposed to being an individual.
3.1.1.1.1. Critique: Though communities may form their own identities, human nature will conform to the way of living in these ruban cities. If everyone lives the same way, then the unique identity of each ruban city becomes diluted and each community becomes the same as the next.
3.2. The doctrine of Rubanisation is one that is timeless as the manner of living stays constant.
3.2.1. Out of necessity for the survival of humanity, the agrarian way of living has been that of many centuries old. It is systemically the defining factor of the rise and fall of many past civilisations, and its importance has stood the test of time and even today, we still prescribe to many ancient methodologies of farming, albeit with the help of technological advancements at larger economies of scale.
3.2.1.1. Hence, the cycle in which a ruban city goes through not only in terms of its urban aspect, but also its environmental cycle becomes timeless as its fundamentals as well as human nature ground the ideology into one that stands time. Our necessity for food, fresh air and economic prosperity is always constant, and though the individualist nature of people and the way in which they live might change in time, the bare necessities will always remain constant.
3.3. Rubanisation is one that shows empathy to nature and society
3.3.1. Rubanisation also attempts to combat the issue of one's loss of humanity from living the city life, with one's priorities fixated on the worldly desires of economic prosperity. The touch with the ecosystem of knowing where one's food comes from to the disposal of waste is often overlooked, and rubanism integrates the very prospect of an ecosystem that embraces the often discriminated services, and in a way celebrates them.
4. ISSUE 1:Future of HDB Living/Smart & Sustainable HDB Living
4.1. HDB's new design principles to improve the lives of residents and cope with the ageing population
4.1.1. The constant need to revitalise the Kampong Spirit or the "gorong-koyong" has become vanity as it no longer lives as its once true intended bonding spirit, but rather a piece of the past that is held on to for the sake of a common bond that we can all relate to.
4.1.1.1. More community spaces e.g. sky terraces might not be effective in reviving the kampung spirit like HDB planned for
4.1.2. HDB designs the future homes based on community participation with the use of smart and sustainable technologies
4.1.2.1. implementing smart features to homes
4.1.2.1.1. harnessing solar energy with PV cells
4.1.2.1.2. energy-efficient cooling systems
4.1.2.2. HDB encourages residents to design their own common spaces e.g. void decks
4.1.2.3. HDB encourages residents to live a more sustainable lifestyle
4.1.2.3.1. incentivize residents for participating in sustainable activities
4.1.2.3.2. allows residents to check their homes' energy consumption
4.1.3. User-centric/needs and pedagogy design approach to homes which are defined by the users of the space
4.1.3.1. This attempts to create a space where the residents can form a snese of identity in the community in their neighbourhood
4.1.3.1.1. designs with facilities (e.g. childcare center) to fit the targeted demographic
4.1.3.1.2. integrating developments with polyclinics
5. ISSUE 5: Conserving Urban Heritage in Singapore
5.1. Repurposing of old buildings
5.1.1. e.g. the Old Supreme Court building is now a museum. Historical in its usage but its revitalisation has given the building a new breath of life while its monumentality is preserved through its architecture
5.1.1.1. Conserved buildings are renovated yet keeping true to the original architecture, making it possible for building to be preserved for years to come
5.2. Physical monuments, to an extent, illustrates a sense of identity and nostalgia to Singapore. This ideals can potentially carry on for generations through the shared spaces and memories.
5.2.1. The protest and outcry of the public that came with the demolition of old National Library, an icon of its times, showed that physical monuments posed a sense of identity for the users.
5.3. Buildings with modern architecture or lack of distinctive architectural language were prone to being demolished, despite the strong community spirit, or meaning behind the architecture.
5.3.1. Condominiums (in 1970s) were demolished as the memories it contained were specific to individuals who lived there.
5.4. Public opinion matters in creating a sustainable future, monumental spaces
5.4.1. With the feedback and discussion of conservation and restoration with the public, a more general consensus was achieved. This demonstrates that the users of the space have a say in the space.
5.4.2. With more public input, more buildings were conserved and restored.
5.5. There is a dilemma on balancing the economic needs of the country, against the high cost of conserving and restoring buildings in Singapore.
5.5.1. With an increased cost required to conserved buildings, private owners are less keen on conserving and would rather redevelop it for higher monetary gains.
5.5.2. Buildings in conservation areas such as China Square, was conserved and also repurposed into uses that fit the modern society, e.g. shops.