President 's Design Award Singapore 2012

Nine design projects and four local designers were awarded at the President’s Design Award ceremony in December. One of Singapore’s top design honours, the prize has been given out annually since 2006 to celebrate local designers of all walks, whether they’re independent or part of larger international firms. This year’s winners include Hans Tan Studio for their Nyonya pottery collection, Yang Yeo of JWT Shanghai (behind the award-winning advertisements for Adidas and Samsonite in China) and the local teams behind Pelé Sports’ 3E shoes and the Dell All-in-One PC family. Of those awarded, the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is likely the one with the most lasting local impact. Having just completed a $76 million revamp earlier this year, it integrates an eco-friendly river feature, which allows for recreational activites and maintains a natural water setting and flood plain. Also honoured was Tan Cheng Siong of Archurban Architects, who was behind Singapore’s first condominium (Pandan Valley) and Pearl Bank Apartments, one of the city’s first high-rise apartment blocks. Other buildings spotlighted include a private residence at 19 Sunset Place, the office building at 38 Martin Road (also housing paella restaurant Bomba and Thai joint Kha on the ground level) as well as the local artist/architect pair Grace Tan and Randy Chan’s installation on the façade of the Substation (which was taken down last April). The best way to see the buildings is to check them out in person, but for the less accessible or defunct pieces, an exhibition of the winners is on display at the URA building.