Trendboard #1
Description: The buildings flanking this Indian temple have a distinct art deco style of architecture with the gothic lancet arched windows on the left, and fan arch windows on the right. However, the building on the right has a gable roof - in layman's terms, a sloped roof that is highly prevalent in Western countries, especially Italy and France, whereas the flat roof on the left is favoured in Spain and furthermore, seemingly ubiquitous to Singapore with our droves of HDBs & condominiums. It is beguiling how we incorporate a multitude of architectural details in a single area. All this, bordering a place of worship nonetheless!
Nevertheless, the highlight of this trendboard is the way these styles mesh together seamlessly and look perfectly, comfortably in place despite the constrast. We can all appreciate beauty in any form, and this trend circumvents all disciplines from architecture to fashion, where we pay tribute to other cultures and also celebrate our own.
Trendboard #2
Location: Tiong Bahru
Description: Cultural decorations are usually restricted to their areas or only on special occasions (e.g. Lunar New Year), such as Chinatown, Little India and the like. However, to see strongly Chinese elements in Tiong Bahru is, pun intended, a culture shock indeed. Although Tiong Bahru is within the vicinity of Chinatown, where I grew up in, I have never seen it celebrate Chinese culture, instead being modern and Western-influenced. I believe culture is deep-rooted and habitual, however with the rising trends of the decades as they pass such as technology, and rising influence from the West, deviating from our roots is inevitable - but not permanent. As a third-generation Cantonese, it is difficult for me to feel like I belong, and increasingly difficult to preserve my own culture. Thus, this trend hits close to home and touches me deeply. The Heritage Cycle by Simon Thurley explains that by understanding culture, you will then learn to value it, and by valueing it you will care for it and ultimately, enjoy it.
Related to the aforementioned trend of Architecture Assembled, Singapore is indeed taking the steps to make sure everyone has a place where they belong. As we are a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures, this trend will only grow stronger, and for the greater good.
Trendboard #3
Location: Tiong Bahru
Description: As aforementioned, Tiong Bahru has always been Westernized as long as I can remember. There were more than 4 of these similar minimalist cafes that I discovered, with a common theme of a luxurious indoor setting, offering the same dishes such as pizza, wine, and breakfasts at $15-20 per dish, $7 and up for a coffee. The neighbourhood dimsum shops pale in comparison! Tiong Bahru is very clean and caters to the middle to upper class. However, patrons of these cafes range from students to working adults - possibly "working from home" adults.
Such dining places suggest that people want an escape from frantic day to day life, and with the rising trend of technology, this place is certainly "Facebook-worthy", with beautiful decor and a relaxed environment making you feel special and in the lap of luxury - in any business, it is all about making the consumer feel special. Thus, this trend of Luxury Lunching is certainly on the rise as compared to fine dining for $60/plate, I believe $15/plate in a similar environment gives the consumer the same feeling.
Trendboard #4
Location: Chinatown
Description: Singapore, despite all its claims of being a garden city, lacks foliage immensely. We have a multitude of similar trees and bushes every 400 meters or so, but with the exception of Gardens by The Bay, we have hardly any "GARDENS". However, residential areas have started beautifying their greenery, including Paya Lebar and Tiong Bahru besides Chinatown. This trend is definitely here to stay, as we begin to cherish our world and the rising issue of sustainability is addressed. We are finally transforming our concrete jungle into somewhere we can BE ALIVE.
You could have referenced many new buildings around singapore which now incorporate greenery in to the fabric of the building. Park Royal on Pickering designed by WOHA - a Singapore Architects firm which won awards for the building - and now - there arwe many more.
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