Category: Singapuraku

Designing The Al-Islah Mosque

Singapore studio Formwerkz Architects took references from traditional Islamic design to create the intricately patterned and moulded surfaces of this mosque.

The Al-Islah Mosque by Formwerkz Architects caters for the Muslim population of Punggol, a densely populated neighbourhood in north-east Singapore.

The area is currently undergoing significant redevelopment, with the Singapore Institute of Technology due to relocate to a new campus near a waterfront park by LOOK Architects and high-rise housing being erected to accommodate the rising population.

The mosque is segmented into three volumes – a prayer hall, an Islamic education centre and an administration block – to give the structure a more domestic scale within the built-up area.

These blocks are linked by a series of elevated and landscaped terraces that are open to the public.

“The new mosque aspires to be a model of openness, reflective of contemporary Islamic aspirations in Singapore,” said architect Alan Tay. “This ambition for the openness posed much challenges in view of the tight site and its proximity to the neighbouring flats.”

“Physical porosity allows a visual connection to the neighbourhood and extends its spatial field beyond its boundary but poses the issues of sanctity and threshold expected of a mosque.”

Latticed screens form walls and the dome over the prayer hall, to enhance the feeling openness while also providing ventilation and natural lighting for the spaces within.

The reinforced concrete structures are covered with sand-coloured textured paint. Elements such as the dome, arched doorways and a slender minaret are picked out in dark grey paintwork.

“The basic arabesque pattern and arches are influenced by traditional Islamic forms,” explained studio co-founder Alan Tay. “The arches are designed to allow a wider span in the prayer hall and cantilever in the main entrance foyer.”

The 3,700-square-metre mosque can accommodate up to 4,500 worshippers at any one time, with service areas including an underground car park all designed to be used as extensions of a domed prayer hall.

The prayer hall has open sides that allow the congregation to spill into adjacent spaces during peak worship times. These areas are shielded from the weather by a large overhanging canopy.

“In peak periods, most of the floor space – with the exception of bathrooms, admin space and service rooms – is utilised for prayer,” Tay told Dezeen. “Corridors, classrooms, roof terraces and even the basement car park double up as prayer spaces.”

“With no boundary walls and minimum enclosing wall, the worship hall is visually and physically accessible on all sides, blurring the distinction between the mosque premise and the street,” he added.

Related content: more mosque architecture

“Collectively, the blocks with the minaret exude a dignified and subliminal presence while embracing the community spirit.”

Formwerkz Architects was founded by Alan Tay, Berlin Lee and Seetoh Kum Loon in 1998. Past projects include a house-shaped extension that cantilevers over a swimming pool and a concrete residence covered with plants.

Photography is by Albert Lim and Fabian Ong.

Project credits:

Architects: Formwerkz Architects
Project team: Alan Tay, Seetoh Kum Loon, Iskandar Idris, Stephen Lim, Liu Zheng Hao, April Tan, Makhasiri Khanoei, Livina Rahmayanti, Alicia Lazzonroni, Rafael Aronso, Foo Yuet Yee, Fabian Ong, Tan Shuat Zhen, Qistina, Wang Chen Fong
Client: MUIS
Project manager: CPG Construction Professionals
C&S engineer: AECOM Singapore
M&E engineer: AECOM Singapore
Landscape architect : Salad Dressing
Quantity surveyor: Surbana International Consultants
Builder: GTMS

Diagrams – click for larger image

Axonometric diagram – click for larger image

Section one – click for larger image

Source: www.dezeen.com

September 17, 2015
PAP Voter: I Did Not Vote PAP Out Of Fear

To the oppies,

I did not vote for PAP out of fear. I voted for PAP because your ideas did not take into account of global trends.

I did not vote for PAP thinking they can resolve the problems of the world, I do expect them to make the transition more painless for Singaporeans.

If Foreign Talent is to get the job, at least allocate enough money for Singaporeans to upgrade their skills so that they can remain competitive.

I did not vote for PAP because I liked them, I voted for PAP because I think for now they can do the job best. The rest just talk (and anyone can do that).

In fact, I feel that Worker’s Party fashion sense seems to be better. At least there are some colours. White shirts easy to get dirty, hard to maintain.

I am aware that our government may have lost some money in some investment, but I think that is part of the game of investment.

As long as the investment is not lost through dishonesty but through inevitable global / market / business trends, I am fine.

I don’t think I deserve to receive any part of the reserves, I am just wondering why do the oppies feel so dignified and justified that they deserve our reserves.

The reserves (through our fixed asset) should be used for the betterment of our country, provide infrastructural framework for our learning, leisure & work.

I feel very amused that the oppies say that the whole country is against 6.9 million white paper, but I am very happy with the white paper.

There are people who say I am happy with the white paper because I am a businessman and will benefit by having more customers in the country.

Actually that is true as well, but what is more true is that with more population, it will drive business cost down, and some business will provide services / products affordably to the less well off segment.

With no big population to support businesses, no businesses can afford to help the poor. The oppies are understanding this so so wrong.

It is true that higher population will drive certain segment’s goods prices up, but it will also drive certain products and services’ prices down as well.

Higher population is good for the poor.

The oppies, think again of those people voting for the white uniformed PAP. It is not because we are upper class and want to maintain our edge over the poorer half of the population.

We are voting for PAP because it will take care of the whole country. The oppies need to polish up their plans.

And don’t get me started on the CPF problem. Yes, it is true that the government is increasing the age to withdraw CPF, and there is a logical reason to it, we are living longer.

Also, as a funding guy, I have seen millions of dollars or hundreds of thousands at one shot. Most people in the working class has never held 100-200k in their hands before, what do you think would happen when they hold that amount of money?

The money would be squandered. Cheated by some younger women / men. The country is doing you a favour by safeguarding for you.

If you know how to handle the finance, the minimum sum of 100+ K is not going to make a difference to your lifestyle. If you do not know how to handle finance, then the 100+ K is better off safeguarded by the government of Singapore.

Thanks.

Yours Loyally,

Source: Raymond Ng

September 17, 2015
Quad Research – We Predicted GE2015 Outcome
This article originally appeared on Vulcan Post.

At the end of a battle when all is won and lost, and some forsaken along the way, there will always be someone who will come out and say, “I told you so.” The battle in question here is the recent General“Swinging Votes” Elections 2015, and the “I told you so” is…the power of research.

I mean, there’s going to be a vast difference between the armchair critic and hard, solid facts obtained by the most honourable and also time-consuming method: actual cold hard field research — somethingQuad Research champions. Regular political pundits were generally unable to pick up on the vote swing and pre-election predictions were all proven wrong with the results. But it was Quad who somehow, from the skirmish, had the evidence to show that this was the expected result of the elections.

Quad Research believes in expanding the space for data-driven discourse, and assisting in better collective decisions for Singapore’s future. According to them, they are a “non-partisan and not-for-profit collective of individuals acting in a personal capacity” who only publish “statistically rigorous findings that are of research interest.”

So between August 5 and August 17 — a good month before election fever began, Quad Research conducted a survey on the upcoming General Elections to measure Singaporeans’ perceptions on the issues that matter to them and how this affects their political choices.

Among their findings in election and party matters, they discovered that:
- Opposition supporters might be likely to vote for other opposition parties if their preferred party was absent
- ‘Best local candidate‘ (in each SMC/GRC) mattered most in candidate choice, especially for opposition supporters
- PAP voters are more concerned with party loyalty and government quality
- PAP supporters’ voting motivations tend to mirror Conservative voters, while Opposition supporters’ motivations tend to mirror Labour voters
Moving on from party talk, Quad also found that while a slight majority of Singaporeans think that Singapore is meritocratic, there may be evidence that social mobility is slowing in the country, especially for those in the lower and middle classes. Interesting.

What else is interesting is that Singaporeans perceive our rate of unemployment to be higher than it actually is. How many of you thought it was at least 20%? Real talk — it’s only 2.6%.

If you’re up for some lunchtime reading, power up with some factual knowledge via Quad Research. You might even find yourself somewhere in the statistics. Happy reading!

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com
September 17, 2015
Lee Li Lian: Why I Rejected NCMP Role

I was in Parliament this afternoon to clear my cupboard. This particular book was especially memorable. I delivered my maiden speech on this and although there were butterflies in my stomach, I was glad that I was able to speak up on this topic.

I went to the library to thank the staff who were always so patient with each and everyone of us smile emoticon I had to once again explain my decision not to take up the NCMP role. I hope residents of PE can understand my decision. I would like to thank ELD for the NCMP appointment, however I will not be accepting it.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me on and have shared your disappointment with this decision. I wish to explain my reasons:

1. Respecting the electoral process and the voters’ choice.
I’ve done my part in Parliament in the 2.5 years. Residents have seen the issues that I have raised in this period,and we have shared my parliamentary work as part of our door-to-door outreach during GE2015 to every household except Rivervale Crest (Condominium) which we have no access to.

Majority of the voters in Punggol East decided to not give me the mandate after 2.5 years, and we must respect this. The NCMP role is better suited for an aspiring MP who has no such experience and should take this up to show how he/ she can contribute in Parliament.

2. Being Fair
In 2013, after I was elected. I resigned from my job to become a full time MP. The reason for doing so was to be fair to both my residents and employer with my commitment of time. If I were to take on the NCMP role, the commitment in Parliament is quite similar to a full fledged MP.

However, unlike for an MP, it is not possible to be a full time NCMP. It will not be fair to my future employer to take leave from work every month. During budget debates, for example, you need to be away from work for at least 2 weeks.

3. WP has many good candidates.
Hopefully with my decision, Parliament can allow one more from East Coast GRC to be appointed as NCMP. This gives a chance to our other aspiring MPs to show the people what they can do in terms of speaking up for them.

In addition, I would like to spend some time now with my family, who has supported me throughout this journey but have also missed my presence in their lives. I had my first child while being an MP, and while I do not have any regrets, I did miss out on key moments in her life as I walked the ground in Punggol East.

Although I did not take up the seat, I will continue to contribute to society and to Singapore. I will continue to keep in touch with PE residents. I have made many friends there, including those that wept for me. I will also continue to support and make my contributions to the Workers’ Party.

I left Parliament with a heavy heart and the hazy weather reflects my feelings. It has been a fantastic 2.5 years.

The election is over and results are final. Let us move on as a country and may all new MPs enjoy the process as much as I did.

Source: Lee Li Lian 李丽连

September 17, 2015
Gerald Giam: I Will Continue To Serve Residents On The Ground In East Coast GRC

Last night, the Workers’ Party’s CEC (Central Executive Council) met to decide on which candidates would accept the Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) positions, following the results of General Election 2015. The press release on our decisions is here.

Before a vote was taken on the nominee from the East Coast GRC team, I asked the CEC to consider nominating Leon Perera and, if Parliament decides to open up the vacated seat left by Lee Li Lian, for Daniel Goh to fill it.

I am happy that the CEC unanimously agreed to this proposal. The East Coast team had earlier discussed this matter amongst ourselves and we agreed that Leon and Daniel would be the most suitable candidates as NCMPs. They have both taken leading roles in policy work within our Party, and I am confident they will be able to make very positive contributions to Parliamentary debates and speak up for not just residents of East Coast GRC, but all Singaporeans.

I am grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to serve as an NCMP in the 12th Parliament of Singapore. It was a very fulfilling four years. I learned so much from the debates, the policy research that we did, and from my fellow MPs, volunteers, residents and the subject matter experts I consulted.

I am very thankful to all those who helped me fulfil my NCMP role, including the WP volunteers who gave up so much time to help me in policy work and ground outreach. Special thanks go to my wife and parents who stood by me through all the trying times, as well as my two young kids who were always understanding when I told them I couldn’t spend time with them because I was going out to a certain “Party”.

While I will no longer be an NCMP, I intend to continue serving residents on the ground in East Coast GRC and through my Party in the areas of policy research and media. I would like to thank all the residents of East Coast GRC who have supported me and WP in the past two elections which I contested, and I look forward to greater interactions with you over the next five years. For those who did not vote for us, I especially look forward to an opportunity to understand your concerns, hopes and dreams, and to be able to serve you better in the future.

Source: http://geraldgiam.sg

September 17, 2015