012_crow trap

singapore is considered one of the safest places in the world. the government try every way to make sure the citizens are well taken care of. therefore some animals that cause public nuisance must be eliminated. crow is one poor fellow. they are not cute, make a lot of noise, steal your food, mess up your stuffs and can even hurt you sometimes.

011_busy thumbs

it's not easy to find a public phone in singapore. everybody, even some little kids, has got mobile phone. on a crowded train during rush hour, mobile phones have given people a private realm , a little virtual seclusion from the bustling crowd. getting in touch faster and easier is not the only gift that advance in telecommunication technology has brought to humanity. well, we all know what mobile phones can do nowadays.

people in this country are hard-core sms users. according to singtel's record, some people send more than 1,000 sms texts a month. and in case you don't know, a singaporean woman holds the guinness world record for the world's fastest texter. she typed 'the razor-toothed piranhas of the genera serrasalmus and pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. in reality they seldom attack a human' in just 43 seconds...

010_a city within a city

this is the people's park complex, one of the earliest examples of mixed-use developments in singapore. the lower podium part is for commercial uses while the above block is for residential purpose. if the concept is successfully applied, you should be able to live, work and play without leaving the building.
i think the building is cool by itself. no need to talk much. please read more at www.ura.gov.sg/spore1_1/publication1-26.htm

009_public housing

since the land is super limited, about 84% of singaporeans live in HDB flats. (HDB = housing & development board, http://www.hdb.gov.sg) HDB is perhaps able to be called the architect of the country because tons of buildings are built by them. the designs of the flats differ by their generations so it's not difficult to estimate the age of a neighbourhood by looking at architectural style of its HDB blocks.

008_green structure 01

how many things we need to consider when designing a flyover?
1. density and directions of pedestrian flow
2. availability of space for insertion of the structure
3. length of span across the street and type of structure, material
4. need for handicapped access. ramp?
etc. etc.
in singapore, there is another major concern, how to blend it with the surroundings. in other words, how to make it green. every single flyover, both pedestrian and vehicular, has standard details to naturalise the unpleasant-looking concrete structure.

007_beating SARS it starts with you and me!

another cool notice found on a taxi. the world had just recovered from sars the first time i arrived in singapore. this is a historic sticker. you can't find this anymore.

006_seating capacity

ok here is the story. you and other 4 friends are invited to a saturday-night party but, hey, this guy's house is damn far and there is no public transportation there. you know what happen next? well, you need 2 taxis.

here, it is not allowed to fit in more than 4 passengers in a car. but how about 4 of us and a little boy? to get rid of all confusion and excuses, in singapore they have made it very clear that seating capacity = 1 adult + 4 children = 2 adult + 3 children = 3 adult + 2 children = 4 adult = 6 children. what does that make? 1 adult = 1.5 children ??