This year’s Archifest looks at the craft of building a city, with exhibitions, screenings and workshops

Photos: Foster + Partners, Singapore Institute of Technology & Soma Folk
Photos: Foster + Partners, Singapore Institute of Technology & Soma Folk

Archifest is back, and this time, the annual festival takes a look at the stories and the craftsmanship behind architecture. Curated by local firm Formwerkz Architects, the 2019 edition hosts exhibitions, conferences, forums, film screenings, and hands-on workshops.

Anchor showcase Making Architecture will be displayed at The URA Centre, offering visitors a look at the production and processes of architecture from the creator’s point of view. Also in the same building, Craft is Great displays bespoke designs by top architects from Singapore and the UK.

Since the festival aims to deliver a new perspective on how the concept of “craft” is continuously reinvented through new techniques and materials, the exhibition Disruptive Digital Craft by the Singapore University of Technology and Design spotlights two installations that surfaced from research projects. One is a 5m-tall structure made out of sustainable bio-plastic, while the other is a configuration that pushes the boundaries of structure.

'Journey' by Zarch Collaboratives
“Journey” by Zarch Collaboratives. Image courtesy of Zarch Collaboratives

Other exhibitions include Soma Folk at Antea Social, with woodworks and natural fibers dyed with indigo and kaki shibu; Crafting Sound at The Projector, which reimagines the future uses of Golden Mile Tower; and Journey at Zarch Collaboratives, a look at Asian architecture.

Plus, The Projector will be screening in September films such as Bauhaus Spirit: 100 Years of Bauhaus, McQueen, and Tadao Ando, with tickets priced at $12.50 to $13.50. Meanwhile, you can try your hand at craft workshops like pottery hand-building, mason jar floral arrangement, artisanal tea blending, essential oil blending and candle making, woodworking, and the art of framing.

'The art of framing'. Photo: Triston Yeo
“The art of framing”. Photo: Triston Yeo

Also look out for the return of the SIA Conference, headlined by keynote speaker David Nelson, Head of Design and Associate Partner of Foster + Partners. There’ll be a series of talks as well, including a forum called The Digital Turn by Singapore Polytechnic and local design studio Produce.

Oh, and let’s not forget the ever-popular Architours, which allows for a glimpse of private residences and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of public buildings. This year’s line-up, which runs from Sept 28 to 29 and Oct 5 to 6, includes places like the Aperture House (by Formwerkz Architects), Camo House (by Wow Architects), Design Orchard (by WOHA), and City Gate (by SAA Architects).

 

FIND IT:
Archifest is on from Sept 27-Oct 9 at The URA Centre and various locations. 



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