Good Evening Your Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very pleased to join you this evening for the opening of the Alvar Aalto exhibition, co-organised by NUS Museum, the Embassy of Finland and the Alvar Aalto Foundation. This exhibition highlights 16 single-family houses by famous Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto.

2 These 16 houses are selected from the almost 100 single-family houses that Aalto conceived during his 55-year career as an architect since 1921. Yet, as much as he has achieved recognition within and beyond his home country, Finland, this aspect of his work receives little attention.

3 The single-family houses formed an important part of his extensive output. Aalto was known as a master of form and planning, as well as of details that relate a building successfully to its users. His houses remind us about the significant role thoughtful architecture can play in enhancing the quality of everyday life.

4 This exhibition is made more special by the fact that it will also feature a selection of studies by first-year NUS Department of Architecture students who worked on interpretations and analyses of Aalto’s houses in comparison with other masters of modern architecture like Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Geoffrey Bawa, Luis Barragan and Tadao Ando.

5 I am told also that other than the exhibition, there are seminars and talks lined up to facilitate exchange of ideas between students and experts in the fields of architecture and design.

6 There are exciting times ahead in the urban redevelopment of Singapore. In our effort to develop Singapore into a distinctive global city and an endearing home, it is necessary for us to promote architecture and urban design excellence. Singapore needs to distinguish itself in providing a quality living environment through the built environment and creation of public spaces.

7 Good architecture and urban design is more than just aesthetics. It is about functionality, quality, good planning and usability. Good designs are those that give character to a place, evoke imagination and draw appreciation. In other words, they are painstakingly thought through, with the objective of creating a quality product that all can enjoy, and can be proud of. We can strive for design excellence in all developments, whether they are tall skyscrapers, or more modest buildings like post offices, public spaces, or structures like bridges, or simple everyday features like bus stops.

8 This year, HDB invited three award-winning local architects to design its new generation of public housing in Dawson Estate, to bring HDB living to greater heights. We asked them to design not just flats but neighbourhoods, with common spaces where residents and families can meet and mingle while retaining the area’s heritage. We also challenged WOHA Architects, SCDA Architects and Surbana International Consultants to design within a strict budget, so that we can continue to keep public housing affordable. The results were, as The Straits Times (1 September 2007) described, “cutting edge HDB designs” and were well received by the general public.

9 Singapore architecture has come a long way and architects are now designing in a very exciting environment with more opportunities to stretch their imagination, creativity and innovation. We have a pool of highly talented architects who are passionate about what they do, and many of their projects in Singapore have in fact earned international recognition. This is a testimony of the high standards and talents of our industry professionals. It also attests to the appreciation Singaporeans have of good architecture. And we should encourage this. It is through such appreciation of good designs that gives the impetus for the architectural industry to produce more fine works of distinction, works that can help transform Singapore into a global city of distinction.

10 I am encouraged that the University, the Museum and various partners have come together to present this exhibition and to promote the architecture and urban design scene in Singapore. I hope the programmes will stimulate artistic creativity among our architects of tomorrow, who will one day help transform Singapore’s cityscape and improve the quality of everyday life.

11 I would like to congratulate all parties for their excellent efforts in putting this exhibition together. It is now my pleasure to declare the Alvar Aalto exhibition officially opened.

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