Speaker Profiles

Session 1: Human Environment Needs

Marc WEBB, Takenouchi Webb LLP

Takenouchi Webb is an integrated design firm that develops architectural and interior environments specializing in restaurant, hotel and bar projects.

The studio believes in a holistic approach todesign, developing the architecture, interior and furniture for each project. The design approach of Takenouchi Webb is a carefully considered combination of materials, detailing and precision combined with practical problem solving unique to each project. Established in October 2006, Takenouchi Webb is a partnership between British architect Marc Webb and Japanese interior designer Naoko Takenouchi.

After completing his studies at The Bartlett School of Architecture, Marc worked as an architect in London for 10 years before relocating to Asia. After working a Kerry Hill architects Marc then setup Takenouchi Webb with Naoko who was then working at SCDA Architects. They currently live in Singapore with their two children.

Session 2: Design

Colin SEAH, Ministry of Design

Architecturally trained in the US and licensed in Singapore, Colin Seah honed his sensibilities working for the likes of Rem Koolhaas and Daniel Libeskind.  He also spent 4 years at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Architecture researching design pedagogy and serving as design critic.

As Ministry of Design’s Founder and Director of Design, Colin has been named Designer of the Year by International Design Awards USA 2010, and is a two-time recipient of Singapore’s highest design accolade, the President’s Design Award. He is also a two-time Grand Prize Winner of the Gold Key Award, the highest international hospitality accolade, named Hong Kong Perspective’s ’40 under 40 architects’ and Marcus Corporation Foundation Prize2007 ‘emerging architect with potential for greatness’. Recognized as “Rising Star in Architecture”by Monocle, Colin Seah has been invited by the Singapore Tourism Board to redefine Singapore as a destination for 2020 and beyond.

Session 3:Communication

Tihamer SALIJ, Space Intelligence Agency

Tihamér Salij is founding director of Space Intelligence Agency (S.I.A.), an unconventional international operating research anddesign office based in Rotterdam, specialized in making city futures, architecture, design, education and storytelling. S.I.A. is both an experimental and practical studio where different disciplines, such as architecture, urban planning, philosophy, design and art meet.

Tihamér has experience and expertise in developing systematic (cross-disciplinary) design and research methodologies, scenario making, parametric modeling and performance-oriented design. He has worked at the architecture firm MVRDV on projects including The Region Maker, 3D City, Rhine Ruhr Cityand Pig City. He co-curated the exhibition Rhine Ruhr Cityin Düsseldorf and co-edited the publication KM3 –Excursions on Capacity.

Tihamér has been teaching at various universities worldwide, including the HongKong University, Hong Kong Design Institute, the China Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, ENSAV in Paris, the Berlage and Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. He teaches regularly at the Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft. As Research Program Leader of the Future Cities Program he has been affiliated to The Why Factory since 2007. He has written numerous articles and published books for a wide range of topics.

Session 4: Interior Construction, Codes and Regulations

Yul Lin WANG, Chinese Society of Interior Designers

Wang, Yul-Ling is the President of Chinese Society of Interior Designers (CSID) and Vice President of Taiwan Design Alliance (TDA) currently. Wangis keen on participating in internal and overseas interior design activities; he also promotesacademic exchange. Moreover, Wangserves Hotel Star Rating Evaluation Committee for Tourism Bureau Taiwan and Advisory Committee of Taipei City Government strive for World Design Capital 2016. Meanwhile, Wang isanAssociate Professor of Department of Interior Design Chung Yuan Christian

University; besides, he is the President of Master Planners Inc.Wangis the top 10 designers in Taiwan, and he has received Red Dot Awards, Taiwan Interior Design Awards, Japanese Society of Commercial Space Designers, andetc.

Session 5: Products & Materials

Eisuke TACHIKAWA, Nosigner

Eisuke Tachikawa is the founder of NOSIGNER, a design firm aimed at “social design innovation”, which he established in 2006 while still a graduate student at Keio University Department of Science and Technology majoring in Architecture. Specializing in a multi-disciplinary approach that traverses two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and spatial design, NOSIGNER’s conceptual planning, innovative product development and branding have been recognized through global awards such as Design for Asia Award, NY ADC Young Guns 7, PENTAWARDS PLATINUM, Good Design Awards, and many others. His activities extend beyond commercial work to encompass science and technology, education, local industries, andsupport for developing nations.

Session 6: Professional Practice

Joanne CYS, University of South Australia

Joanne Cysis Associate Professor in Interior Architecture and Dean: Teaching and Learning at the University of South Australia’s Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences.Joanne is a Design Ambassador of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and is a pastNational President of the DIA (2008-2010) and past Executive Board Member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (2011-2014).Joanne was a founder of the Australia Interior Design Awards program and has been its convenor of juries since inception. She is co-chair of the Organising Committee for the Asia Pacific Space Designers Alliance 2016 Congress and GA to be held in Adelaide, Australia.