Delve deeper into Singapore’s urban environment, its city life and the spaces around you, as Archifest returns for its tenth edition. This year’s annual architecture festival is set to the theme of ‘Exhale’, in part as a response to the non-stop flurry of SG50 activities last year, and also to challenge the rapid pace of life we’ve come to familiarise ourselves with in this concrete jungle.
Packed with more than 30 exhibitions, workshops, conversation sessions, markets and, of course, the ever-so-fascinating architecture tours, the massive event finds its base at the Archifest Pavilion in Raffles Place Park, where the winning design by a team from DP Architects will sit proudly. Crafted completely from construction site materials, the huge technicolour sculpture is made of safety netting suspended on a frame of steel scaffolding. And if you ask us, it sure injects a much-needed dose of multi-hued layers to the office drone central of our city.
Besides this architectural beaut, here are 10 other highlights you’ll wanna pencil in your calendars when the festival rolls around.
Archifest X Barter Market
Oct 9, 2pm-6pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Support local makers, artists and craftsmen at this barter market, where cash is not king. Yes, your dollars are useless here, so bring along whatever you think can get you a nod from the traders. And don’t forget the good vibes — those are always welcome.
Architours
Sept 24 & 25, Oct 1, 2 & 8, various timings across various locations. Meet at Archifest Pavilion. Get your tickets from the website.
This curated series of guided tours brings you across the country for an architectural look at private houses, public institutions, landscape projects and religious buildings. Highlights include the Al-Islah Mosque, Charlton 27, Goodlife! Makan, National Gallery Singapore, Westgate, new wings at the Asian Civilisations Museum and a couple gorgeously-designed houses (like these pictured below).
Books & Beers
Sept 24, 3pm-6pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Ready for an afternoon of literary intoxication? This travelling book swap invites you to bring up to 10 pre-loved titles, swap ’em around, down a couple brews, and head home with your ‘new’ finds. If you’ve got books on architecture and design, do bring them; otherwise, all genres of books are welcomed.
Conversations
Sept 30 & Oct 7, 7pm-8.30pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Creatives from various disciplines — think architects, designers, artists and special guests — get together in this intimate discussion to share insights, inspirations and experiences.
Elevate
Sept 24-30, 9am-7pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Escape from the stressful distractions of the real world and experiment with virtual reality and soundscapes in this multi-sensory session that blends visuals and sounds to bring you to a state of deep relaxation.
#FlipTable
Sept 23, 27 & Oct 3, 11.30am-2pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Unleash your work stresses at this interactive installation where you can vent through a creative and constructive outlet.
How to Take Kicka** Architectural Photos on IG
Oct 2, 4.30pm-5pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Wanna find out how to take striking snapshots of this metropolis we call home? Learn from the master himself, Yafiq Yusman (@_yaisyusman_), and absorb all the advice you can in this quick crash course.
Hush
Sept 28 & Oct 4, noon-2pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Immerse yourself in a quiet afternoon (literally) at Hush, Singapore’s first silent tea bar. It’s also a social initiative to collide the hearing and deaf worlds — at this taster edition of the Hush TeaRitual (albeit without the tea), you’ll learn to sign with the deaf ‘TeaRistas’.
SG Farm
Farm: Sept 23-Oct 9, 9am-7pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Talk: Oct 9, 10.30am-11.30am at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Ever wondered what it means to create a farm in the city? This pop-up farm shows you what urban farming looks like, so pop by to take a peek and turn up for the talk to discover more.
SIA Architectural Design Awards 2016 Exhibition
Sept 23-Oct 9, 9am-7pm at Archifest Pavilion. Free.
Marvel at the display of this year’s winners from the Singapore Institute of Architects and get your creative juices churning after checking out their thought-provoking projects.
Archifest 2016 is from Sept 23-Oct 9, various times and locations around the city. Archifest Pavilion @ Raffles Place Park (above Raffles Place MRT Station) is open daily 9am-7pm. Programmes are free and ticketed.
