My rant on Cars in the City

Recently, I have started running from from tanjong pagar back home to balestier. Trying shed some pounds as my wedding will be in six months, and the quickest way is definately to run home, since it takes the same amount of time for me to get home by bus.

And boy, is it a pain. The running is the easy part. It is the minimal amount of space available for a decent amount of pedestrians to be on the same side walk as the shoppers on the streets. Roads are so wide and generous for the automobile, but not for the pedestrians. Not to mention the amount of smoke I breathe in whenever I approach Balestier. Was the city built for the people or for the vehicle?

Thus begins my arguement about cars in the city. Dont get me wrong, I completely understand the convenience of the car; although as someone practicing architecture I die a little inside when clients have to forgo clean and fresh public space in order to provide for carpark spaces according to building regulations. The car is reliable, especially for business users and families.

However, cars weren’t in such a high demand in the olden days. How is it we were able to get around without the aid of the automobile? Like an addiction, we grew to be reliant on the vehicle. As a result urban planning ways changed to adapt to the shift of lifestyle, people hardly walked or cycle, we took the car. Propably explains the rise of overweight Singaporeans throughout the years.

I often get into arguements with the laymen that if Singapore were to try reduce the usage of the car or limit the ownership of the car, the elders wouldn’t be able to move about. What caused it in the first place? The dependence on the car, just like how alcoholics are dependent on alcohol to get them through the day. If my grandfather can work and move about without a car (because the japs seized his car back in the 60s), I don’t see why I can’t. My dad is one fine example. He has always been overweight and can’t move about because he was so reliable on the car to get around. And now, everywhere is too far from him.

There is only so much space we can free up for public space through expanding the building by height. In fact, our now shrinking HDB apartment buildings would be much larger if we didn’t need to provide for carpark spaces. This fact pisses me off.

We can’t compare with car dependent countries in Europe, because it is irrelevent. Singapore is a small city state, and everything is so near! People often have their jaws dropped when I told them I run home from work, though through my experience running Tanjong Pagar is not even that far away from Balestier.

City Planners shouldn’t reduce building setbacks to provide for larger pedestrian walk ways, but reduce the road space for the automobile to give way for pedetrian paths. This is OUR CITY. Why should we design around the vehicle? Make driving a car difficult. Increase on COE fees AND road tax on private cars. Provide subsidy for business owners who have proof they require a car for their daily use, families who need it and elders who really can’t move about.

Infact, why can’t HDB use the HDB home ownership method to restrict car ownership? Just a thought.

Bottom line it starts from matter of choice. I decided to chose a healthier lifestyle to keep my body moving. Does the government want people to avoid taking a healthier lifestyle to give way for the automobile? I am not going to let the automobile stop me from doing so. INFACT, I am going to make sure they don’t get in the way.

Bachelor of Architecture with Honors

This post may be a bit late, as I have graduated a month ago, but I have yet to post up pictures! So here, the picture all have been waiting for, the glamourous RAINE CHONG who have finally graduated with BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE WITH HONORS!

Things could not be more perfect as most of my close friends and family have known, I have landed myself a Job with Aedas Singapore! Woop Woop! Though probably Babak (my current boss) might have not have taken it to well...

As much as I am sad to leave Sasanbell Architects where I have had such fun working, that was also my retreat from hectic studio days, I am excited for where my career would take me... provided I don't screw my 3 month probation with aedas _-_ . I would end this post with a painful summer expression....

BRAIN FREEZE!

A Sad day for Glasgow, Architecture and the World.

On Friday, 23rd May 2014 was a tragic moment in Glasgow. The World renown Mackintosh Building on Reinfield Street caught fire due to an explosion of a projector.

"The blaze, which appeared to have started in the basement of the building shortly after midday, was brought under control on Friday evening,"

- the guardian

Although lots of restoration work will be done, it somehow won't be the same anymore, especially the irreplacible Mackintosh Library. This appears to upset many more than we thought, given that this building has inflence Architecture worldwide.

Upon seeing the news, all I could think about is why the mackintosh? Of all the buildings in Glasgow, it had to be the MAC. Had the Reid building (new artschool by Steven Holl) caught fire, I wouldn't think it would had affected so many people.

There is only ONE Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and it is impossible to have another. His masterpiece designed in the 1800s and completed in 1902, definately touched my soul the moment I stepped into the building in 2009. The intricate details, light wells, raw surfaces and spiritual identity the building has is so ahead of its time and out of this world.

Now, it is when I realize how proud I am to say, yes I am from the Art School. I am part of the Mackintosh History, I was a Glasgow School of Art Student and soon to be Alumni.