The Seam

Year 3 Project
Labrador Park, Singapore
Received a RIBA Bronze Medal Award Nomination

The Seam is an artists residence and gallery

carved out of nature and an intertwining wall, that resides within labrador park, Singapore. A trek up a steep hill in tropical weather reveals some hidden historical gems deep within the dense foliage of the park. Commonly by-passed by park go-ers, these pieces of history could go forgotten.

A seamless wall cuts through the dense forest, acts as a visual and physical guide from the entrance of Labrador park to the hilltop where historically-rich elements lie. The wall aims to slowly assimilate people from the urban environment into nature while retaining their sense of comfort from a typical cityscape.

Similar to the primitive method of storing and cooling food within a pot-sculpted out of layers of clay, a similar idea of passive cooling inspires the making of architecture within this design to produce a comfortable micro-climate using layers of rammed earth walls.

This cooling physical touch of the rammed earth wall and play of intertwining interior and exterior spaces gradually assimilates a common city dweller into the dense forest of Labrador Park and finally into nature. As it approaches the top of the hill, corners of the wall peak out to clear for a panoramic view of the park.

Throughout the design, carefully placed slits help to place emphasis to the monumentality of the wall, by allowing slivers of light to fall through, illuminating the material and creating a contemplative atmosphere which engages the senses of visitors.