Hassell x Archifest: Exploring ecosystems, workplaces and other planets

The month-long Singapore Archifest 2021 has kicked off with more than 100 events spread out across the island and online, including surprising options such as kayaking through local mangroves and considering how to design spaces that are specifically inclusive for pets. 

Organised by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), the annual festival celebrates the depth and breadth of design, capturing the attention of enthusiasts and newcomers alike. This year Hassell is excited to play a leading role in the event, with Singapore-based Associate Razvan Ghilic-Micu serving as Festival Director and other global designers and researchers contributing to thought-provoking panel discussions. Hassell participants and sessions include:

• Xavier de Kestelier, Head of Technology & Innovation, and Bonnie Shaw, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Place Intelligence (a strategic partner to Hassell), speaking on a panel about ecosystems at the SIA Conference that’s running as part of Archifest 
• Associate Pam Jouwena talking about the future of briefing and design technology and Senior Researcher Daniel Davis presenting his research on the evolving office at two workplace design forums curated by Hassell and Haworth, and
• A virtual exhibition involving our Habitat for Mars project.

This year’s event reminds festival-goers that architecture is all around us, while the theme – Design Evidence – explores how the complex parameters of our world shape the creative process of designing it. 

“Design Evidence is an invitation to debate, discover and redefine what architecture could be,” says Festival Director Ghilic-Micu. ​“We believe that bringing together a diversity of voices is a step towards more inclusive dialogue.”

“Archifest is curated by architects for everyone to enjoy – whether you’re a designer or not.”

Singapore Archifest 2021 runs from 1-31 October. Check out the full program and ticketing details here.