I'm Hatanaka from the Production Department. My main responsibilities are producing videos for Case Studies and editing and directing the work. I'm not originally a creative person, so I think it's very important for me to make time every day to input a variety of different things into myself. When I have the time, I'll go to galleries, watch movies, or visit places where something interesting is happening. I especially value traveling, which allows me to experience different cultures firsthand. (Of course, it's also true that I simply enjoy traveling and love it.)
I might get in trouble for saying this, but I enjoy business trips as if they were a journey (laughs).
Just the other day, I visited Singapore to shoot a video, and the cityscape and atmosphere that can only be expected of a multi-ethnic country made me so eager to visit all the architecture that I ended up staying an extra night after work and exploring all the places there.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on my own experiences and write this article about the things I felt at that time, and when and why I started to like buildings.
The relationship between history and architecture as revealed by German cityscapes
"I feel like the culture and history of a country or place can be seen in the details of its architecture and streetscapes."
The first time I felt this way was when I visited Germany.
The all-too-famous Berlin Wall, the turbulent history of the division of Berlin into East and West and the construction of the wall itself, and the unique art on display at the East Side Gallery conveying a message of peace. I remember how the beauty of the streetscape of the old town I saw immediately afterwards, and the overwhelming presence of the Jewish memorial that suddenly appeared in my everyday life, were so stimulating that they confused my brain, and I instantly became interested in the architecture.
The East Side Gallery is an open gallery with paintings on its 1.3km-long walls.
A memorial for Jews suddenly appears in the center of Berlin. This is part of Germany's memory culture, where history is engraved into everyday life.
You can feel the breath of the people there, get a glimpse of their lives and history, and see how they lived and what their lifestyle was like. It can be a famous building or just a private home.
Just admire, fantasize, and research without any prior knowledge.
When I look at buildings or cityscapes, I always try to look at them for the first time without any prior knowledge. There is an abundance of information out there if you research, but I'm a simple person, so I tend to have preconceived ideas based on the information I research, and I feel like my impressions are very different from when I look at them with a blank mind.
When you look at a guidebook, it lists the highlights and other points of interest, but in my case, I start researching the history and points that interest me after seeing the real thing, so I often miss out on things I should have seen.I often think, if only it weren't for my mysterious obsession...but by seeing something without any information, I can freely let my own emotions run wild without any constraints, and I can simply let my imagination run wild and admire it.That's my style.
So, before I forget about the things that interested me, I go back to the hotel and surf the internet furiously. Especially when I start researching architectural styles, the historical and cultural backgrounds are strongly reflected, so each time I research one thing, I find more and more interesting things. I often end up researching a style, but before I know it, I've ended up in the history of a different country, and the night ends with me repeating this process.
History and culture seen from the multi-ethnic nation of Singapore
Singapore is a multi-ethnic city-state made up of a small island roughly the size of Tokyo's 23 wards. It gained independence in 1965 and has achieved rapid economic growth in just 50 years since its independence, making it a country that is attracting attention from a business perspective.
The breakdown of the population is 74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian, and 3% others. The reason why Singapore was established as a multi-ethnic nation in a corner of the Malay Peninsula is related to its origins as a free port with no tariff barriers, where a diverse ethnic group has gathered since the port was first opened.
As a multi-ethnic nation, there are many different religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Since the country's founding, the government has been working hard to promote harmony between ethnic groups, and each religion is respected, with Singapore's public holidays including those related to each religion. This has enabled the country to develop a clear national consciousness, and it is considered to have made progress far beyond imagination.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic nation that has undergone rapid development, and the cityscape there is a unique combination of the good old days and the cutting edge of modernity that is unlike any other country. In this article, I would like to introduce the cityscape from five different angles.
1. The scenery changes right before your eyes, as old and new Singaporean architecture coexists
The first place that shocked me was the area around Orchard Road, known as the Ginza of Singapore. As I stepped into an alleyway from the streets lined with modern buildings in this cutting-edge city, I found myself on Emerald Hill Road, lined with Peranakan-style buildings, a symbol of the city's flamboyant culture that mixes Dutch, British and Chinese culture. I couldn't help but be amazed at the change in scenery and atmosphere, which seemed like another world.
Just by looking back, you can see this huge gap. It's like a different world.
The contrast between the traditional architecture and the modern buildings towering behind it is quite strange, but perhaps this scene is representative of Singapore, where old and new coexist.
The rows of flower and vine-patterned facades are so beautiful that you can gaze upon them forever. Even though they are all Peranakan style, the colors and patterns are so varied that I found myself engrossed in gazing at every nook and cranny without getting bored.
2. You'll almost forget you're in Singapore. This is the streetscape of a multi-ethnic country.
The multi-ethnic nature of the country is clearly reflected in its cityscape.
If you walk along the street with a strong Chinese atmosphere, you will come across Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, in a corner of a residential area along the main road.
This area is called Little India because it is an exotic area filled with the scent of India. This landmark tells the story of Singapore during the colonial era, and was built in 1881 as a temple by immigrant workers from Bengal, India, who wanted to pray to a goddess to find peace in their new home. This temple, painted in the Dravidian style of South India, is dedicated to Sri Veeramakaliamman, the goddess who destroys evil.
The tower gate and roof of the temple are overflowing with statues of gods from Hindu mythology, so much so that they look as if they might fall off at any moment. I feel that the polytheistic Hindu worldview is reflected in this magnificent gopuram. It shows us that there are so many gods. (This is just my opinion lol)
There are many different religions in the world, and the architectural styles of temples and churches are also diverse. One of the things I enjoy is seeing religious buildings in various countries. I think religious buildings are expressions of the spirituality and artistic characteristics of the era through cutting-edge technology.
Even within the same sect, architectural styles vary greatly depending on the era, lifestyle, and country, so it's too deep to keep up with, but the appeal of religious architecture, where the historical background of the time when it was built is simply reflected in its decorations, is incredible.
As I walked through Little India Arcade, I came across Buffalo Road, where Indian goods stores and stores filled with gold goods were lined up. Around here, most of the people walking around the street were Indians, except for tourists. As I walked further, I suddenly saw a colorful building in front of me.
The use of colors is innovative and bold, yet the building is so well-harmonized that it feels like something out of a fairy tale, and it really captured my heart.
It was a lively area with a vibrant culture, with a mix of old and new businesses, including old-fashioned wreath sellers, trendy restaurants, murals by art groups, and a huge shopping mall.
3. Where history meets the cutting edge
Now in the Civic District, the birthplace of modern Singapore, the National Gallery is a majestic building that has been renovated from two historic buildings: the old City Hall, where Singapore declared independence, and the old Supreme Court.
Even when it was reborn as a gallery, the conservation guidelines for maintaining these two national monuments were thoroughly followed. It is a building where history and the cutting edge of the present meet. I regret that I can only describe it in a naive way, but the exterior and interior are seriously cool in every detail. Really cool. I will say it again and again: cool. The classical parts such as the dome-shaped ceiling and Corinthian columns remain intact, while the exterior, which incorporates cutting-edge technology and design, has a sophisticated and dignified appearance that is simply captivating.
Once you pass through the entrance, you will see the spacious Padang Atrium. This huge space connects the old city hall and the old Supreme Court. The open ceiling and glass roof let in plenty of natural light, creating a wonderful sense of openness.
The Supreme Court Wing, which used to be the Supreme Court, is unified in monotone and has a very impressive, stately feel. The dome-shaped ceiling of the court building has been preserved in its original form.
The City Hall Wing, which was the city hall, has a clean and elegant impression with a white base, which is a stark contrast to the Supreme Court Wing. Just looking at the building is enough to satisfy you.
4. A symbol of Singapore's development, with an intriguing and innovative design
As you all know, Marina Bay Sands is a symbol of Singapore's development. It is an iconic building in Singapore, with a unique structure of three 57-storey skyscrapers connected at the rooftop. It was designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. (Moshe Safdie is famous for the apartment complex "Abita 67" built as part of the Montreal World Expo.)
The ships coming in from the sea liken the hotel to a gate, representing the gateway to Singapore. Also, when viewed from the side, it is shaped like the character "入" (entrance), but in order to achieve this shape, the building on the east side is tilted at a 52 degree angle, which is nearly 10 times more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy (5.5 degrees), and due to the difficulty of construction, it was said to be the most difficult building in the world at the time. Is it really okay? Won't it collapse soon? The way it is tilted, or rather curved, makes you think simply, "Is it really okay? Won't it collapse soon?"
The 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay, a huge botanical garden designed by Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre, is also an iconic building in Singapore. The numerous Supertrees lined up in the gardens have a continuous design reminiscent of the world of science fiction, and are like giant living organisms themselves. The dome is so huge that it was impossible to capture the whole picture from inside the garden...
Singapore's development and architecture are deeply connected, so I will be keeping a close eye on the future of architecture in Singapore.
5. Local culture amidst skyscrapers
On the other hand, there are hawkers (street vendors, food stalls) - Singapore's kitchen - which exudes a local atmosphere. Hawkers are dotted all over the country, and as Singapore is a multi-ethnic nation, they serve a wide variety of local Singaporean food, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian, as well as Japanese, Korean, and Western cuisine.
Restaurants in tourist areas are filled with tourists, but hawker centres are bustling with locals, so they are a great way to get a glimpse into the lives of Singaporeans.
Behind you are the skyscrapers of the business district. This mix of local culture and newness is typical of Singapore.
While each ethnic group retains its own unique culture, the diverse people living there as one country, Singapore, are creating a new culture, and I felt that this is the process that is happening right now. Although the country has only a short history of 50 years, this was a moment from my business trip that made me want to see what kind of Singaporean culture will be born and take root in the future.
Culture that can be felt from the streetscape
Finally, a little bonus.
It may seem obvious, but I actually find it very interesting that you can clearly see the differences between countries just by comparing their streetscapes. The scenery is as diverse as the number of cities, because each country and place has its own unique culture.
Since I have the chance, I would like to list some of the famous cityscapes I have seen so far. (I feel bad about showing my past photos because they are so poor...)
First, let's take a look at this neon town.
A place that surely everyone knows. The city that never sleeps, once known as the epitome of danger, is now a popular tourist destination and mecca of popular culture: New York's Times Square.
The famous bridge is located less than an hour away by train.
Brooklyn is a city with a long history, but in recent years it has been a place that has a unique culture of being natural yet stylish. Even though it is in the same city as Times Square, the atmosphere has changed drastically depending on the origins and development of the city.
Next is Germany.
As you stroll through the city, you will see a Protestant church in the middle of the city.
Berlin Cathedral is the highlight of the city's landscape and faith, with its striking neo-baroque turquoise dome. The cityscape is so beautiful it makes you feel like you've been transported to a movie world.
The last one is from Asia. A nostalgic scene of lanterns shining in an old building.
I'm sure you're all familiar with Jiufen in Taiwan. There are still many old buildings built during the Japanese colonial period, giving the town a nostalgic atmosphere.
I would like to open more cityscape folders, but there is no end to it. Buildings and cityscapes are very interesting because they strongly express historical culture just by being there. There are still many cultures and countries that I have not seen or experienced, so I would like to continue walking around and looking at the cityscapes of various places.