Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) announces the launch of Archifest 08, to be held in Singapore in the month of October 2008. 

A month-long festival celebrating architecture and the built environment is due to return for a second year after the successful event held for the first time last year. 

Look forward to a myriad of exciting events including Exhibitions, Forum, Architours and other Fringe Events at the Archifest. Be inspired by the gallery of the year’s best architectural projects; learn from watching the presentations of a stellar line-up of world-renowned architects; get up-close with some iconic and very interesting buildings on a guide tour. The festival is a public event packed with architectural-related activities and happenings for all to participate in.

The theme “Man + Environment” provides a focus for Archifest 08, as the stage is set for us to re-examine the relationship of Architecture with the Environment. This complex relationship encompasses context, genius loci, history, culture, economics, and technology to the growing concern about the role of Architecture in the degradation of our environment. With clear and present issues facing many countries all over the world, Archifest 08 aims to present the challenges in balancing man’s needs and the environment.

Organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), Archifest 08’s main events will be featured at the festival hub at the National Library Building at Victoria Street. Archifest 08 is an initiative supported and co-funded under the Architecture and Urban Design Excellence (A•UDE) Promotion Programme by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), and sponsored by BlueScope Steel and Johnson Suisse Bathroom Solutions.

HIGHLIGHTS / SINGAPORE ARCHIFEST 08 / www.archifest.sg 

EXHIBITIONS / 6 – 24 Oct 08 / 10am – 9pm / National Library Building Plaza / Free 

The collection of exhibitions will be held at the Plaza of the National Library Building, featuring award-winning works from various architectural competitions as well as internationally acclaimed urban designs. Exhibitions will be launched on World Architecture Day, 6 October 2008. 

+ 9th SIA Architectural Design Awards

The most prestigious award conferred by SIA to promote and encourage distinction in architectural design, the Awards recognizes the achievements of SIA members in their pursuit of architectural excellence and motivates architects to push the boundaries with innovative solutions. The exhibition will feature a selection of the Award recipients, including the winners of the two new awards, namely ‘Best Project Below S$1 Million Construction Cost’ and ‘Building of the Year’. 

+ SIA-Getz Architecture Prize 

The SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia is to honour bi-annually an architect who contributes to emergent architecture in Asia. In the last decade, Asia has seen an overwhelming rate of development. This is beginning to leave an impact in architecture history now as well as in the future. It is therefore timely to recognise and promote emergent Asian architects and architecture - in a similar way that Pritzker Prize has done for the worldwide community of architects. 

+ SIA-Hunter Douglas “Eco Friend Awards”

Jointly organized by SIA and Hunter Douglas, the SIA-Hunter Douglas Awards has introduced a new category – “Eco Friend Awards” – to promote creative use of sustainable products. The Awards invite architects to submit an environmentally friendly design that highlights the creative use of any sustainable products and building materials or innovative new applications. Winning entries will be showcased at the exhibition.

+ SIA-Philips Green Innovation Award

Jointly organized by SIA and Philips, this inaugural award aims to drive adoption of innovative sustainable design in Singapore by providing a platform for architects to showcase their innovations and recognizing industry leaders who champion innovative, yet sensible, green solutions, in their projects. Winning entries will be showcased at the exhibition. 

+ Man+Environment Showcase

A specially curated showcase of the projects undertaken by the speakers at the Archifest Forum with the theme “Man + Environment”. 

Website: www.archifest.sg

Source: www.rubix-cube.com