In an industry that heavily depends on visuals, aesthetics and appearances, it would be an understatement to say that Korean Pop Music (aka K-Pop) industry is very extra. Although I’m not a hardcore enthusiast of the K-Pop music industry, I still find myself drawn to their efforts. There have been many times when dinner table conversations at a Korean restaurant have been interrupted by captivating images of their music video on the television hanging by the corner. K-Pop somehow embodies some of those fantastical elements that may be kitsch yet enticing. Not to mention, the ensemble of staging, storyline and styling has offered a window of escape into an alternative form of architecture appreciation when I need a break from reality.
And so, I thought it would be fitting to highlight some of my favourite music K-Pop music videos that I enjoy revisiting for various reasons.
Read MoreDear Louise Bourgeois,
I’ve been dying to invite you to my dinner table - where it will be just the two of us within a humble kitchen. We would feast on stories about memories of heartbreak, grief and family conflict while enjoying the food magically prepared before us.
Whether it’d be a letter, an email or a video introduction, I have always wanted to write to you in many ways. Whenever I come across the trivial question “Who would you like to have dinner with?” without a doubt, you would always be the very first guest.
Read MoreLast year in December, I embarked on my first solo trip to Japan. I visited Osaka's Expo 70 site. Yes, I saw the sizeable child-star statue (I did not realise that the figure had another face at the back!). I went to the lone standing pavilion (Pavilion of Technology, I believe) and saw a collection of all the exhibits and items that were displayed in the exhibition. When I saw Australia's artefact, my heart broke at the preserved Corals from the Great Barrier Reef. Given the state of it now, who would have thought that we could be so destructive to our landscape?
Read MoreDear Le Corbusier,
I have been meaning to tell you… you are a frustrating architect I cannot escape from.
It all started in first-year of architecture school when our communications teacher assigned us a building to rebuild with Rhino. Guess what I’ve got: your infamous Villa Savoye.
I know. I know. I was fortunate in getting that building – that my friends and I could rebuild it with ease. While I was rebuilding Villa Savoye, what were your clients thinking when they were forced to compromise with living in an experimental house? How did they feel about the ramps and the spiral staircase (which was a pain to remodel)? What did they think of the bathtub (the photos make the bathroom look tiny)? Just how did they cope?
Read MoreA few evenings ago, I attended a MUPSS discussion on ‘Planning for Pandemics’. While the conversation opened up a floodgate of talking points, I am finding myself overwhelmed by topics that have surfaced in the face of this crisis.
I’ve tried many times to pen an entry to this, however, the result left me writing a two-meter long mind dump on a list of things that I wanted to say and common threads that have been mentioned in the news, conversations, and social media. Below is condensation and an overview of what I’ve written.
Read MoreLast week, I found myself in an emotional mess as I watched a pair of heroes bid their farewell to the show. It has been two days since I’ve braved myself again to finish the show I regretted binging. At this point, I have prepared myself mentally by reading the synopsis recaps to prevent myself from wallowing at the conclusion. I was already holding onto a melancholy after intensely watching the story, and I did not want it to spill into my week.
I could not be more wrong.
Read MoreThis morning, I caught up on one of my favourite author’s (Rupi Kaur) writing workshop. I’ve been stuck in a writing block and rut for a while, and so participating in these has really opened up floodgates of inspirational ideas. One part of the workshop included writing list poetry - which is one of my favourites. Coincidentally, I’ve illustrated snapshots highlighting my current routine at home! Highly recommend budding writers to give the workshop a go!
Read MoreEighteen years ago, while I was still growing up in Hong Kong, I was in a similar crisis – SARS. Yes, I know that SARS is very different from the current Corona Virus, but I can’t help but notice how the reactions have closely mirrored the present. Eighteen years ago, our worries were not as amplified. Our central source of information was restricted to television and newspaper – all we could do was monitor the numbers and statistics. Each day was a count down for us, slowly tracking the declining numbers of deaths, those who were infected and being reminded to be thorough with our cleaning. The SARS did overtake Hong Kong’s paranoia, our schools did shut down (we had online homework as well), professional practices began to introduce casual clothes into the weekdays beyond Friday to regulate our laundry habits. Public places were perfumed in bleach – the caution was evident.
Read MoreAlthough it can be argued that because we are rather proud of what we do, it wouldn’t be surprising that many would attack Barbie’s outfit. It may seem harmless, yet it is a reflection on how society (and our industry) views women in architecture. Must she always wear black? Just because she’s wearing a dress and carrying a helmet doesn’t mean that we can assume that it will be her official outfit for a site visit! These comments, initially said with humour can quickly become detrimental if spoken in a professional environment.
Read MoreHappy New Year everyone! I hope all of you have had a lovely start to 2020.
Currently sitting here with my trusty pen and paper (this has been typed up!), I have already learned a few new things about myself, and I hope that after the exciting countdown, the fireworks and festivities, we have found some kind of light at the end of our own tunnels.
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