Innovation Showcases
Designing for Care: Case Studies on Design Education, Social Impact and Environmental Sustainability from Toronto, Canada View Digital Media
Innovation Showcase Ranee Lee
In light of urgent social and environmental challenges, we propose a transformative shift in design education from “form follows function” to “form follows care.” This research highlights three case studies—DESIGNwith, One Lovely Hour, and NOURISH—that embody this care-centered approach. DESIGNwith operates as a design lab committed to social innovation and environmental sustainability within the circular economy. One Lovely Hour is an ongoing research initiative that explores the intersections of care, culture, and memory in design practice. NOURISH, a mobile kitchen project, examines how food can deepen connections to identity and culture, illustrating that cooking can serve as an act of care, fostering wellness and belonging. Together, these case studies demonstrate pathways for integrating care into design education, offering vital strategies to navigate the complexities of the 21st century.
Comparison and Analysis of Multidisciplinary Modular Characteristics for Enhanced Product Development View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Miguel Vieira
A modular product architecture plays a critical role in managing complex systems by enabling the use of customizable, standardized, upgradeable, or interchangeable components. Existing approaches to designing modular architectures tend to emphasize technical or strategic considerations within engineering. However, the development of modular products is inherently interdisciplinary and benefits from methods that integrate diverse disciplines. Exploring modularity across various scientific fields, including Design, Biology and Architecture, have the potential to provide new multidisciplinary insights that enhance the methodologies used to design modular products. Through a literature review of these diverse approaches to modularity, this research identifies unique characteristics such as human-centered design, aesthetics, theories of biological evolution and prefabrication techniques, and evaluates their capability to complement the design of modular products. This research promotes enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration among product development teams, enabling increased innovation in modular product development.
Podcast Studio Design: Form, Culture and Technology View Digital Media
Innovation Showcase Kim Lau
This project highlights the design and commissioning of a media production hub in Singapore, completed in early 2024, emphasizing innovation for a traditionally audio-only form, facilitating cross-cultural interaction and multidisciplinary collaboration, and materialized with technology. The hub incorporates podcast studios, video studios, and post-production spaces tailored to the diverse needs of multilingual production teams working in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Key facilities include the Daily Podcast Studio, equipped for audio-centric content, hybrid video conferencing, and advanced self-operated automation systems; the Visual Podcast Studio, optimized for emerging video podcast formats and doubling as a compact video production space; and the Immersive Podcast Studio, featuring advanced audio technologies for spatial sound experiences. Additionally, XR Podcast capabilities are provisioned for future expansion as part of the Video Studio’s adaptive design. This project’s development involved a multidisciplinary team of audio-visual, interior design, mechanical and electrical (M&E), and acoustics consultants. Engaging diverse stakeholders, including production teams and management, was crucial in ensuring culturally responsive and user-focused outcomes. Spatial planning presented significant challenges during concept design, compounded by an intensive design schedule post the spatial design lock. Advanced audio-visual and networking infrastructure supports distributed production workflows, with a Command Center ensuring centralized control and monitoring. Navigating critical design changes, whether unforeseen or client-requested, required flexibility and innovation. Ultimately, this co-working production hub exemplifies Design for Society, fostering an inclusive and adaptable space that encourages cross-cultural collaboration and creative exchange. The presentation will feature visual examples from both the design process and post-commission utilization.
