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The 2nd Annual Architecture & Design Conference a soaring success in Shanghai - The Expo City.
Speakers at the Architecture and Design Conference this year were all about providing better environments for building and city occupants whether they be in stores, offices, hotels or their own homes. Delegates at the event were happy to hear that rather than following after fanciful details or kow-towing to project owner’s cost constraints, this beauty parade of top designers was intent on delivering on the theme of the conference and of the Shanghai Expo itself – “better city better life.”
The conference kicked off with conference Chairperson, Dr Sujata Govada, setting the tone by explaining that cities need to be responsive to the needs of people not solely centred on commercial realities. She emphasised the need for public space and the dangers of privatising open space as Asia’s metropolises expand.
David Malott, Director, KPF, lead the speakers by discussing the role tall buildings and sky cities would have in the future of urban development. By rostering through tall buildings that KPF have worked on he showed trends that have evolved over the course of the last few years noting that often the composition and design vary from location to location based on cultural factors. The 3000sqm penthouses atop the tallest towers in Dubai, for instance, is not a concept that he could see working in China.
Malott was followed by Michael Wiener long time advocate of the inspirational corporate workplace, working with Gensler, currently based out of Singapore. He took delegates through the evolutionary process that the office has seen in the region. Now people value innovation. He says that the resolve to create spaces for innovation can determine the success of an organisation, or even a nation. Innovation tends not to happen when employees are sitting behind their desks isolated from one another, he says. People can do a lot of so called desk work more comfortably and far less expensively somewhere other than the office. “You cant resist mobility” he warns.
In the following panel discussion led by Govada, developers shared their opinions on the future of design and the role that it plays in their commercial and residential developments. David Wong, Chief Economist, Shui On Land said the transportation network development that has been fast tracked due to the global financial crisis is driving demand development especially in the retail sector. Jules Kwan, Managing Director, Space Development, developer of a number of green hotel projects, thinks quality of life will be a driver for development of future projects. Now, he says, if people have money they want good quality air and water in their house. Christine Brukner, President of the American Institute for Architects in Hong Kong echoed his thoughts saying that there was a drive towards “livability” in all areas of design and planning.
On being asked about how this was to be delivered in a climate of rapid urbanisation Wong said we need solutions as to how to increase density while increasing community and amenities for all sectors in society. He proposed establishment of multi nodal cities. Kwan concluded with by emphasising that it is our responsibility to make sure developments are undertaken with the best intentions towards environment and humanity.
Transportation was again a theme explored in Silas Chow’s presentation. As a Director for SOM in China, Chow has been involved in multiple large scale projects, he commented that transport is a catalyst for regional economies and that good projects should not be evaluated once they are completed but over the property’s lifetime.
Stefan Krummeck, Principal Director, TFP Farrells went into the transportation question in more detail describing the process of designing and building some of the biggest rail station projects in the world. The process started with Beijing South station the first in the number of new high speed rail projects that will connect the cities of China at unprecedented speed. The highly integrated approach in China, he says, would be inappropriate in India where TFP are working on hubs in Delhi.
David Buffonge, Director, Benoy had worked with many of the other world class architects and designers at the event in the retail portion of the mega and mixed use projects they have been commissioned for. He spoke about their recently launched project in Singapore, Ion Orchard. A shopping centre topped with residential units right on top of Orchard Station in one of the region’s most famed shopping districts. Bringing in several new tenants the space was also designed around the connection of people through the public spaces deigned for public performances under the striking undulating glass façade.
After lunch Claire Saeki, Publisher Eco-Build magazine, led a panel discussion on Realising Sustainable Architecture in the Construction and Operation Phases with Ian Milne, Design Principle for Asia, RMJM; Paul Collins, Vice President & Director of Architecture, HOK; Michael Weiner, Principal & Director, Gensler. The vibrant discussion ranged from activities that these architectural heavy hitters are undertaking in their own offices to development of some of the most innovative sustainable design projects in the region. Provoked by a question from Buffonge in the audience asking whether top architectural and design companies should band together to insist upon a green strategy being undertaken in many more projects, moderator Saeki, asked whether the industry couldn’t as a group insist on employing a green consultant on each project. Collins guffawed “I do have to put food on the table, you know”. Implying that this strategy would not win clients for the world’s largest architectural practice and one of the few to have LEED accredited offices in Asia.
“The resolve to create spaces for innovation can determine the success of an organisation, or even a nation.”
The following three presentations explored China and the future of architecture with Milne presenting what he found personally and professionally inspiring about working in Asia from the details through to the grand opportunities presented by such rapid development. Follow in him local architectural heavy weight Li Yao, Department Chief Designer, East China Architectural Design and Research Institute (ESCADI) looked at the influence of vernacular styles on current work. He emphasised that the “style and spirit” of Eastern architecture was different to that in the west and that it was the maintenance of that spirit in their designs rather than specific architectural details that made it eastern in flavour.
“I really appreciated the speakers’ presentations, which provided us with a futuristic vision on urbanism and buildings design, focusing on “human scale” needs. Many thanks to the organizers for letting us experience the “better city & better life” feeling, while visiting the Expo Pavilions.”
Alessandro Fatovic, General Manager - Kasian
Finally Tewa Srilaklang, Partner LDP International closed day one of the conference with a discussion about lighting design. She too focussed not on how big spectacular or expensive a project was but how it made city residents feel also noting that going green for the lighting industry is about more than switching between high energy usage to low energy usage bulbs.
The expo
From themes of dealing with the opportunities and infrastructure of mass urbanisation through to environmental realities of rapid industrialisation the unique position of China and its people was an underlying theme through the event. From last year where talk was of inspiration and hard nosed reality to guide us through the economic crisis this year was about humanity. And so it was that for day two of the event, the delegates got out and amongst them at the Shanghai Expo 2010.
Three pavilions were visited on the official tour: Italy, Switzerland and Hong Kong. Having presented briefly the day before the architect of the Italian pavilion, Valentina Romano now resident on site, walked though a tour of the architectural features and products used in the building. A ‘transparent cement’ product was used on the exterior walls which allows the custom LED installed inside to make a beautiful floating effect as a night time display. Inside everything from the furniture to the air-conditioning system was imported from Italy complete with instructions only in Italian creating practical challenges for Chinese contractors, she recounted. Even now the Architect is called on daily to help with the running of the building.
After coffee and a meet and greet delegates moved from the pavilion to an Italian restaurant in the expo’s F&B centre. Carpaccio, pizza,
risotto and biscotti finalised the delegates taste of Italy. The tour continued through the hot spring sunshine to the Hong Kong pavilion rendered even more tiny by its place under the eves of the massive China pavilion. Apparently eye catching at night, the pavilion’s smaller size made it difficult for delegates to do more than get a brief idea as to the extent of the city however with no queues for the Facility Media delegation, along with helpful staff along the way, the visit passed pleasantly.
In spite of the scorching heat, delegates of the Architecture and Design Conference had a soothing experience in the Swiss Pavilion. Greeted by personal visions of Swiss citizens, our delegates learnt about stories of a diverse group of Swiss locals through human-sized touch screens. The showcase of visual technology of the pavilion did not stop there as the Swiss officials successfully brought the Alps to the visitors by a high-definition movie, which showed the panoramic view of one of the most impressive landscapes in the world. Just as the delegates thought this would be as close as they could get a feel of the Alps without physically being there, the Swiss Pavilion proved them wrong with another treat – a chairlift ride. The Swiss Pavilion certainly has achieved “Rural-urban interaction” and our delegates’ smiles throughout the visit showed their approval.
“Thank you very much for inviting us to participate in this extremely well organized and exciting event. The Architecture and Design Conference is a perfect platform to showcase some of our design work and a great opportunity to share and discuss ideas on future trends with other industry professionals. I truly enjoyed sharing our thoughts, design ideas and inspiration.”
David Buffonge, Director - Benoy
Facility Media would like to thank our sponsors Benoy, Beghellin and Megaman as well as our supporting partner Tecniche Nuove for their support and assistance.
For more information, contact Michael Lam on ml@facilitymedia.com.
