Ole Scheeren, the architect of Singapore’s iconic Duo buildings, recently spoke with an interviewer about his creative process and approach when it came to architecture. The artistry in his buildings and thought that goes in to each and every project is evident. Scheeren is an architect who truly cares about making his work work for the communities it appears in.
The Duo towers in Singapore are works of art in themselves, but Scheeren said he wasn’t exactly looking to make art when he first struck out to complete the build. He had the concerns and needs of the community first and foremost in his mind. While the Duo towers are definitely beautiful, the buildings themselves curving over a sloping courtyard, all sleek glass and metal lattice, the design was mindful of what it needed to do. The Duo towers function as residences, workspaces, and a hotel for both business and tourism. If Scheeren had only wanted to shovel the project into the completed pile, he could’ve easily achieved it with a simple high rise building. Instead, he took the time to design purposefully. The curved towers create a bracket around a beautiful green space, bringing in breezes to cool down from hot temperatures. And the lattice serves a dual purpose — to both look visually striking and to keep direct sunlight out of the buildings’ windows, reducing energy costs. Scheeren even considered the ancient spiritual practice of feng shui in his design of the space, noting that poor feng shui was probably why the site was left empty for so long. His design moved to correct that balance of space, shifting the energy into something much more positive.
Singapore isn’t the only country who has been touched by Scheeren’s designs. A similar site in Beijing, China, required just as much finesse. An art museum between the ancient old city and the modern new city needed to fit in as much space as possible. However, the construction site had limited acreage. So Scheeren took advantage of all the space in design he could, all while being mindful of adhering to an aesthetic that would blend the old with the new. As a result, the art museum takes up residence in a thoughtful and interesting building, most of which is underground in order to pack in as much art as curators can.
With the kind of designs Scheeren makes, there is often pushback. In one project in Vancouver, in particular, critics have decried the architect’s modern work. He doesn’t let the often scathing remarks stop him, explaining that if his designs don’t cause controversy, he isn’t pushing himself hard enough.
Architecture is just one unexpected place people can find art — if they know how to look. Learn how to see even more art in your everyday life by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. Whether you’re interested in cityscape painting, portrait drawing, or something else, there is sure to be an art class for you.
Read more about Ole Scheeren’s work at http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/2141578/cctv-headquarters-architect-ole-scheeren-building.