Archifest 2014 Pavilion Design Competition yields unexpected results with two winning proposals

The Archifest 2014 Pavilion Design Competition in Singapore had the unexpected outcome of two winners. The competition invited local architects this past June to submit entries for the festival's main event pavilion.

Out of a record-high 28 submitted proposals, the jury chose the following winners after two rounds of deliberation:

• "Fugue 1357" - Fong Hoo Cheong of HCF and Associates
• "Cloud Arch" - Kelvin Kan of AgFacadesign and Shinya Okuda of NUS

The final design of the pavilion will fuse the ideas of both winning proposals. Both firms will receive a $50,000 construction budget and an additional $8,000 in professional fees.

The Pavilion, which will span up to 623 sq.m wide, will physically embody the spirit of this year’s Archifest theme "CROWD". The theme seeks to encourage open discussion of the Crowd's role and contribution to architecture and urbanism.

Taking place from Sept. 26 to Oct. 11, 2014, the festival will feature an engaging line-up of exhibitions, activities, and speakers.

Scroll down further to see the winning designs.

HCF and Associates 
Architect: Fong Hoo Cheong 
Title: FUGUE 1357 

Design Concept:

"'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,' by Aristotle. 

An aggregation of distinct individuals in a given space and time, each person at random directions, creating motions dictated by spontaneity and space becomes a ‘CROWD’. Occasionally, they gravitate towards a common cause, for a moment that crowd make an identity that is beyond itself, an identity that is greater and more powerful.  

In our pavilion the common plastic stool, the everyman object of void decks and kopi-tiams comes together in an aggregation that makes it greater; into monumental Architectural space, into narrative space. The stool is transformed. The design mirrors the gathering of individuals into a crowd for the festival. The stool of everyman in a ‘CROWD’." 

"Found objects are used in a celebration of alternatives; golf ball clasps tubing conduits, plastic insulation, foil roofs; all unusual and usual at the same time. They are brought together and held in similarly unusual bonding regimes. Yet when the bond is unmade, all can be disassembled and become ‘individuals’ again.

Like crowds dispersing each element of construction goes back to their usual lives as stool and golf  balls and so on... back to being individuals. Like the festival, when it is done all will also return to their lives." 

"The pavilion outlines a stark silhouette on the site, a great wall that forms a massive banner for the festival with light and sound. It conceals a layered cloister of chambers and passages, entered from a hypostyle hall. The hall defines entry and gives orientation.  

The porosity of the structure allows a layered transparency creating views from inside as well as from outside. The rhythm of the space is a fugue of 1, 3 and 5. Openings are meticulously etched to sculpt movement and discovery. The foil roof reflects heat and is a silver cloud, warping light and shimmering like the sunlight on the bay."

AgFacadesign and NUS 
Architect/Lead Designer: Kelvin Kan and Shinya Okuda 
Title: CLOUD ARCH 

Design Concept:

"Innovative Design: Cloud Arch is an innovative ultra-light outdoor architecture system proves that beautiful forms can be light and sustainable. Cloud Arch is designed for daily use for international exhibitions and events, outdoor party and café. The idea is to enjoy the nature of the outdoor environment for the crowd to be gathered for the Archifest, by balancing protection and interaction with sun and rain, while emphasizing the scenic landscape through the design of cloud-inspired roof-scape. 

It is assembled with over 3 large canopies, each of which is dynamically framing an iconic landmark  view, such as Esplanade, Fullerton and CBD skyscrapers. Those series of canopies with a span of 8-26   meters and depth of 12 meters are primarily hosting one open-café, while they can be flexibly partitioned with hanging exhibition panels, in order to host various size of events, such as Opening ceremony, Architours and Workshops."

"Integrated Structure: Cloud Arch provides first-of-its-kind long-span canopy utilizing Class 0 fire-rated EPS composite   system, with only 5% weight of same volume of concrete, yet it can withstand the maximum wind force considered in Singapore. It is lifted above 2.4m with 7 steel columns, in order not to block the magnificent Marina Bay views from the Promenade in front of the site.  

Each column is stabilized by 8-12 typical water-filled roadside barriers with their water weights, without damaging the site environment. Those series of water barriers foundation integrates most of necessary functions, such as Information counter, Bars, Lockable storages, Tables, and even 40 movable EPS foam benches to be stored between the barriers."

"Sustainable Aesthetics: The pristine white colour of Cloud Arch reflects natural and artificial lighting for days and nights in order to create an elegant ambience, as well as to host projections for events, even possibly to complement the nightly multi-media lightshow in front of the site. After the event, Cloud Arch is to be relocated to an open greenery space, as multi-functional event shed. In the event of dismantling, EPS foam and other key structural elements are 100% recyclable, so as to contribute to the Zero-waste provision."

Images courtesy of Archifest 2014 Pavilion Design Competition.