VISIT
Singapore’s highest honour for designers and designs across all disciplines
One of Asia’s premier design festivals that champions design thought leadership
National Design Centre

Address
111 Middle Road
Singapore 188969

Opening hours
Everyday 9am to 9pm

Q&A

Words of wisdom from world architects: Sou Fujimoto

3 min read

Architect Sou Fujimoto completed his tour of duty as juror of the President’s Design Award 2016 with a public forum. He presented to a full-house audience, mostly architecture practitioners, at The URA Centre on 27 July. His perspectives on the state of architecture were enlightening and candid. Here are some of his most incisive, insightful and memorable quotes:

MR SOU FUJIMOTO, Founder, Sou Fujimoto Architects (Japan)

On combining nature with architecture

“From learning about architecture, I found similarities in nature and a city. Both start small: in nature, a leaf; in a city, a bicycle, perhaps. There are large-scale similarities too: both have distinct eco-systems that thrive on their own qualities and resources.”

“My architecture thinking is to look for a combination between nature and architecture; and how they interact with people.”

On opening our minds and eyes to change

“Re-defining everything related to architecture such as boundaries, steps, walls – re-defines how we interact with day-to-day architecture; and shows a variety of potential that exists if we open our eyes.”

“In architecture, it is fundamental to protect what is significant; and at the same time, be open to change.”

Everything I develop is connected to history. Every building is a new understanding of history. The learning journey is continuous.

On dynamic architecture

“If you design the experience properly, the architectural experience can be a dynamic one. Even an ordinary balcony can have new values and meaning when designed correctly.”

On connecting past with present

After 20 years in the business, I realise that the history of architecture is enormous. Everything I develop is connected to history. Every building is a new understanding of history. The learning journey is continuous.”Next up, Words of wisdom from world architects: Matthias Sauerbruch on 29 August

Initiatives

LbD Web Banner
4 min read
PDA-2023-KV_horizontal
6 min read

Latest Events

Supermama-Designed-in-Singapore
Event | Exhibitions
17 Mar 2024 – 20 Mar 2024
Opens Daily 11.30am to 8pm
Future-Impact-2-KV---Website
Event | Exhibitions
16 Apr 2024 – 21 Apr 2024
Opens Daily from 10am to 7pm
SDW2024_1200x800_Open-Call_logo_FA2
Event | Festival
14 Feb – 20 Mar 2024 (5pm SGT)
Dsg-Scholarship-2024-Briefing-Session-(1200-x-800-px)
Event | Talks
28 February 2024
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
VISIT
Singapore’s highest honour for designers and designs across all disciplines
One of Asia’s premier design festivals that champions design thought leadership
National Design Centre