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Project 3, intervenes into an existing four storey building, Tan Swie Hian Musuem, 460 Sims Avenue, Geylang, designed by Tang Guan Bee to exhibit and store the artworks produced by Tan Swie Hian, a Singaporean artist.

The chosen artwork, ‘The Blind in the Field’ is by The Institute of Critical Zoologists. Local Artist, Zhao Renhui presents his works through photographs, which investigates the different modes of the human zoological gaze that is, how people view animals.

The blind is a series of images documenting a camouflage cloak for zoologists and nature photographers to observe nature. This cloak allows the zoologist to blend into the surrounding such that the user becomes invisible to the animals. The artwork shows an image of a man’s attempt to try to be one with nature and it is quite obvious that he is not entirely hidden, and a silhouette is formed.

The proposed design is an artist’s studio and gallery showcase for the artist, Zhao Renhui. The intention is to create an experience of one knowing that something is there but not seeing its totality. Through the use of continuous circulations and the translucency in the walls, it further enhances the experience of the interaction between the public and the artist.

There are two interlocking circulation that brings the public to the galleries and the artist to his studios. The two circulations are designed such that the artist and public do not meet directly but instead, through the translucent walls and placement of artworks, it gives them opportunities to interact visually.

The artist’s studio are divided and placed at different levels. While he walks through to the different studios, the public will see the silhouette of him. There are areas where he starts to reveal himself to the public such as having openings to showcase his art objects, while still having access to them. While the public is viewing his works, they are able to look through into his studio. Through the different levels, the public is also able to look down into the artist workspace. Therefore, the artist studios itself also acts as a ‘gallery space’ to showcase what he does.

The layering of a new façade over the original structure becomes a screening that allows various degrees of interaction between the inside and outside. The pattern is derived from the program within. The radius of the perforated metal gets larger at areas where the galleries and artist’s studios are placed. The silhouette of the movement within acts as a showcase to the exterior.