IXA 20

Celebrate our 20 years!

20th Anniversary Commemorative Book: ‘Embrace an Odyssey’

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Over the past two decades, we have embarked on a remarkable journey, motivated by our passion for innovative design and commitment to delivering exceptional and personalized services. On the mark of the 20th year, we are proud to present our new book, ‘Embrace an Odyssey’, a commemorative publication celebrating the 20th anniversary of our architectural practice.

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Preview of our book

This book encapsulates our relentless pursuit of design ingenuity, highlighting our journeys, challenges, and triumphs along the way. Divided into two sections titled “Our Practice” and “Our Venture”, this publication encompasses a testament of our transformative journeys throughout the years, both local and regional. “Our Practice” includes an overview of our design methodology, office culture, and accomplished architectural projects. “Our Venture” describes our voyages that transcend beyond the Singapore context, committing to regional projects and philanthropic endeavors that strive to improve lives and leave a lasting imprint in the built world. Within this publication, our character, Ixie, will be guiding you throughout the 240-page journey. Ixie will depict our experiences, inspirations, and perspectives in life through vivid icons, aiming to inspire an adventurous heart.

Through illustrating our accumulated knowledge and experiences, we aspire to alleviate the current industry phenomenon of working in isolation, and foster collaboration with fellow practitioners by sharing useful lessons that enrich and nurture practices. The pursuit of an architectural career is a colorful and enriching process. By sharing our journey, we also hope to inspire aspiring designers in their future endeavors. While the compilation largely illustrates the fun and exuberance of the practice, we certainly had encounters with hardships and frustrations. However, it is crucial to understand obstacles as opportunities for growth and improvement, to practice resilience to overcome hurdles, and celebrate the little victories along the way.

For the past 20 years, we have firmly upheld our mission of creating meaningful architecture with passion. We hope to instill inspiration and positivity into the readers, and to inspire them to experience the immense enjoyment and sense of fulfillment in an architectural career. Together, let us celebrate the beauties of architecture and wholeheartedly embrace our odysseys to empower people, and enrich lives.

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Purchase our book!

Purchase your copy today and embark on a journey of discovery that will inspire and enrich your architectural endeavors for years to come.

NOTE: INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.

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View our book “Embrace an Odyssey” here!

 

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SUSTAINING A PRACTICE FINDING JOBS An unhealthy declining professional fee remains one of the forefront issues faced by all. While our construction cost is one of the highest globally, the architect fee in general does not commensurate with the extremely high liabilities and immense expectations of an architect. Stiff competition results in cut-throat fee diving as well as the absurd giving of free designs and even physical models before an official appointment of a project. At IXA, we strongly believe in upholding our professional conduct and ethics. We do not condone any actions that are detrimental to our profession in the long run. In our office, our strategy has always been focused on diversity and going regional. Our capability in a broad spectrum of projects has made it possible for us to take on a variation of projects. As such, we do not need to be dependent on jobs from a single sector of building type. This creates a variation of projects that are in many ways stimulating and enriching to our studio. Instead of resting on our laurels, we constantly look out for our own blue ocean since our inception, just so that we do not rely on a single market. Going abroad has a significant impact on our revenue as our clients abroad do not judge us by our capacity but rather by our capability and reliability. It is a great way for small practices to embark on larger projects which they otherwise do not have the opportunity to do so locally. RETAINING TALENTS Finding an architectural talent to join us has always been a challenge over the years as Singapore is a small economy with a tight labour force. Many graduates choose to join the established firms with the expectation of better credentials and career prospects. In addition, there are many more young architects who choose to leave the profession after some years. As a result, the industry generally faces a high attrition rate and growing difficulties of attracting and retaining talents into the company. We at IXA have experienced our fair share of challenges but we believe that we can do our part to retain our talents. For a start, we believe in nurturing our staff instead of waiting for that ideal candidate. Believing that every candidate has potential, we channel a huge amount of energy into various activities to guide new staff and to continuously improve their proficiency. It is not about spoon-feeding new staff, but about working closely with them and guiding them to the right resources so that they are empowered to solve problems by themselves as time goes by.  FUELLING ENERGY The world around us is ever evolving and moving forward. We should never stay stagnant as a group or be complacent in what we have accomplished so far. With all the mobility and market forces, the fact is we can be easily replaced by the next better player locally or globally, or even by technology. The issue is where can we find that energy and drive to keep us going against all odds? We have also faced challenges and setbacks over the years. What keeps us going is the powerful belief that we are carrying out a piece of meaningful work of making a better world through our creations in the built environment. Our motto is ‘Empowering People, Enriching Lives’. This is a driving force that keeps us moving and provides a clear direction for us to march towards. Along the journey, we believe in cultivating a work environment that is enriching, and infused with an element of fun, where possible. At IXA, mega-scale projects may be rare. However for every other project, regardless of scale, we embrace the opportunity and take pride in making each one of them great. The life of an architect is always enlightening. We just need to constantly fuel the passion and it will guide us along. It is a fulfilling career to be an architect! BEAUTY OF A SMALL FIRM SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL As a small firm, it means that our team can have better attention to different aspects of the practice and more genuine interaction and bonding between us. Without the corporate bureaucracy, we will always have direct access to the management on a regular basis. In fact, the team is always encouraged to step forward to make a change and lead the way. Having a small office also means that each of us has good exposure to our work across the whole spectrum from design to business development. Nurturing the capability of each staff is a significant part of the company’s focus. With a smaller practice, the management can mentor the staff directly and work with them to develop projects. The chain of communication is less complicated and staff are motivated to raise issues and make changes without concerns of their voices not being heard. On the business front, our projects are smaller but they have a shorter turnover period. Smaller jobs require even more meticulous attention as the outcome tends to be focused on the quality of details up close. Any shortcomings are amplified when a project is small. We love small design assignments as long as we can develop and give them meaning. We are certain that with the right support from our client, we can add value and make small projects great too. Ultimately, we are able to impact the quality of people’s lives through improving their spatial experience and enhancing their interactions with the environment. LITTLE THINGS MATTER Little things matter as they bring us joy! Addressing the minutiae of everyday office life gives us a sense of connection and purpose. Taking care of a small firm like how we will take care of our own home and family, we instil a sense of belonging amongst us. It may seem like a lot for an office. However, if we could appreciate the simple pleasures, the little things could actually fill a large part of our heart. This phenomenon is a reminder for us to balance our time, to be grateful for what we have and take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. As an office, the appreciation of these little things relieves us from the stress and anxiety of our projects. We will always be tied up with work and chasing deadlines, but stepping away from the workstation, to do gardening or cleaning up a work area is a form of cathartic relief. Subconsciously, it is the development of a positive mindset that encourages a designer or architect to be curious, meticulous and caring. As a small firm, all members are trained to care for the little shared space. As long as we all care enough for the things we do, we can tackle any other bigger challenges that come our way. LEAN AND MEAN We strive for our firm to be well organised and effective, just like a cheetah that sprints with laser focus and agility. We need that muscle for strength to leap forward and more critically, the ability to leap sideways as well as to change direction abruptly. Being lean also means that we can run projects with a small team instead of having a larger team with specific staff to perform specialised roles. As an office, being lean requires an efficient management of our resources. Adopting technology such as Building Information Modelling with softwares such as Archicad has allowed us to function with a leaner workforce. Having detailed planning and checks in our workflow has also minimised redundancy in our manpower utilisation, allowing us to mobilise staff to address other critical items that may require attention. Besides sharpening the individual’s ability, having the discipline and dedication to persevere as a team is far more important than anything else. It is all about the team’s mindset and camaraderie! 10 LESSONS ON MANAGING AN OFFICE WITHOUT A PLAN, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN A plan can always be changed but the worst is when no plan is in place. Very often, there is a fear of committing to a deadline. A work plan defines an end point and it guides us in achieving our goals. The best moment to make a plan is usually now rather than later. FOLLOW YOUR HEART As a leader, we follow our heart and go for it courageously. As a team, we follow our heart to strive for a goal together. By and large, if we care enough, much can be accomplished without any excuses. The challenge would be on how to inspire and align all the hearts around a common objective. DISCIPLINE CAN BRIDGE A GAP Talent is nothing without discipline and dedication. With discipline, we are able to arrive punctually and accomplish our task timely. With dedication, we can make confident progress in getting things done and making things happen. CULTIVATE YOUR OWN CULTURE We just need to be truthful to ourselves and cultivate a culture that is truly us. A culture does not need to be sophisticated. It just needs to be comfortable and assuring in helping us to make progress. With our very own culture, we can find our identity and a sense of belonging. DEVELOP A SYSTEM TO FALL BACK ON A system in place can help us move forward even after people leave the company. A developed system keeps records of useful information, which can be retrieved upon needed. Such a system of information can keep the office going in years ahead, despite adversity. CREATE AN ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT Going to work should be enjoyable and our work environment is a determinant of our mood and overall wellness. A happy workspace may also be reflected in our work as we find delights in it and your satisfaction is manifested in what we do. BE FRUGAL AND PRUDENT WITH FINANCE There will be no architecture if an architect office cannot manage its finance well. Being frugal helps us to be mindful of our management of productivity and redundancy. To act prudently in our finance, we will need to make projections and brace ourselves through unforeseen tougher times ahead. MAKE LEARNING AND GROWTH ESSENTIAL Our work life should never be stagnant but always be filled with opportunities for learning and growth. Making progress is especially significant for a smaller firm such as DCA as it helps to improve our capability and create a stimulating environment for sharing to happen. A nurturing place is healthy to our mental wellness. It just makes us happy. FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE Human resource is probably the greatest asset, especially from a small firm’s point of view. We do not necessarily need the best job candidates. Rather, we need people who are able to align to our values and ways of working. The right people will have the right positive impact on our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. They gel the team together and take a leap with the firm. DISCOVER THAT SENSE OF PURPOSE Not all the firms will have a clear sense of vision right from the inception. If we were to constantly reflect upon our accomplishments during our journey, we will become clearer in our thoughts and more focused as a firm. With a sense of purpose, we will be able to find the rainbow and the joys that come with it. NOT A SWEAT SHOP BCA Green Mark Award 2014 2A Asia Architecture Design Award 2018, Barcelona Not a Sweat Shop is envisioned as a leading development, which aims to be environmentally conscious, promoting a socially and economically sustainable future for Cambodia. The master plan outlines a phased transformation for Not a Sweat Shop, emphasizing energy and environmental sustainability in its designs. The site has a linear and deep layout, featuring a bottleneck entrance that is typical of sites in Cambodia due to limited infrastructure and a need for site frontage. Being a factory amidst local villages and paddy fields, the project prioritizes sensitivity to pollution concerns in the surrounding environment. The vision for this precinct is anchored in sustainability, integrating eco-friendly residences with an operational apparel factory, R&D facilities, and a dedicated showroom, all within Phase 1. This sets the stage for a thriving community where living, working, and environmental consciousness coexist harmoniously. At the building level, the design tackles critical issues of factory conditions and environmental stewardship, particularly in a developing country like Cambodia. Conceived for seamless replication on future areas within the master plan, the apparel factory is conceived to be a self-sustaining micro-ecosystem, where air, water, heat and energy flow in ways that mirror nature’s harmony. The principles of ecology have been woven into every stage of this project, from the master plan down to the design of individual buildings. This approach fosters increased biodiversity within the development, creating a more productive and enriching working environment. The design strategically places water features and landscaping to cool the building massing, more effectively. The lush landscape design is achieved with native shrubs, trees, and dry landscaping elements like stones. The soil mix even utilizes recycled organic compost from horticultural waste. A key aspect of the design approach is the creation of an internal “green lung” that harmoniously integrates indoor and outdoor spaces. This thoughtful design enables workers to experience the soothing embrace of nature from every corner of the building, providing a peaceful place of respite for them during their long and laborious work day. The central oasis is the vital spine that connects individuals of the organization through shared amenities such as the gym, spa, food kiosks and gardens. This serves a focal point for workers to convene and unwind with nature and each other, strengthening the relationship between urban living and the verdant environment. The design embraces indigenous construction methods and utilizes locally abundant materials. Employing raw materials throughout the structure authentically conveys the essence of the context-sensitive design and seamlessly integrates within the site. The local builders are also familiar with the local materials and construction techniques required. With a focus on sustainability, the design embraces the natural aging process of the materials, allowing the building to maintain a timeless appearance. The aesthetics is achieved by using elemental materials such as raw concrete, bricks, bamboo and greenery. The deliberate avoidance of extensive artificial afinishes accentuates the intrinsic beauty of these raw materials and celebrates rustic modernity. The design makes use of passive measures to create a positive working environment. The workspaces feature high ceilings, skylights, a retractable metal roof and a light colour palette. Roof ventilators facilitate the stack effect, thereby dissipating heat while allowing natural ventilation in the interior. Wall finishes are coated with low VOC paint and in a white colour scheme that promotes light bounces and reduce the need for artificial lighting in the space. Employing a double-skin façade with openings to an external bamboo façade effectively shields occupants from the sun and wind-driven rain while still facilitating airflow within the internal spaces. Similarly, areas such as toilets and corridors incorporate roof openings and perforated brick wall patterns to promote natural ventilation. Through collaborative efforts, the project attained the Green Mark Gold certification in 2016, reaffirming our commitment to sustainable design practices.