Book: Everyday Modernism
Docomomo Singapore is pleased to announce the upcoming book “Everyday Modernism: Architecture and Society in Singapore”. The book is co-author by Docomomo Singapore’s committee member Jiat-Hwee Chang, our founding member Justin Zhuang, with photography by our member and regular contributor Darren Soh. The book is published by Ridge Books, an imprint under NUS Press.
Everyday Modernism: Architecture and Society in Singapore is the first comprehensive documentation of Singapore’s modern built environment. Through a series of building biographies, the book uncovers the many untold histories of the Southeast Asian city-state’s modernisation, from the rise of iconic buildings, such as the Pearl Bank Apartments, the former PUB Building and the Jurong Town Hall, to the spread of ordinary typologies like the condominium, the multi-storey car park, the podium-tower block, the flatted factory, the community centre, the standardised school building, the pedestrian overhead bridge, and the columbarium.
Co-authored by Chang Jiat Hwee and Justin Zhuang, the book’s 33 essays cover the social and architectural lives of many modernist types in Singapore—from their births to theirtransformations in both their social perceptions and uses over time, and finally to their eventual deaths through demolitions and redevelopments. The essays are richly illustrated with some 200 archival images and drawings as well as more than 100 contemporary photos by architectural photographer Darren Soh. By examining the evolution of the once exceptional into the typical and how abstract spaces become lived places, the book traces how modernism radically transformed Singapore, made its inhabitants into modern citizens and has become part of everyday life in the city.
Pre-order the book before 30 November 2022 to enjoy 20% pre-order discount by using the code MODERN20 when placing the order on NUS Press website.
Launch Event
When: 22 November (Tuesday), 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Registration starts at 6:30 pm.
Where: National Design Centre auditorium (level 2)
Tickets (free): at https://forms.gle/jmW4VVBGjBz3wAxN6 or scan the QR code in the image.
Information
Jiat-Hwee Chang is associate professor at the Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore.
Justin Zhuang is a writer and researcher, and co-founder of Singapore-based writing studio In Plain Words.
Darren Soh is an award-winning photographer.
Pre-order the book on https://nuspress.nus.edu.sg/products/everyday-modernism-architecture-and-society-in-singapore
Special pre-order discount of 20%: applicable only until 30 November 2022. Please use the code MODERN20 when placing the order online at NUS Press website.
Publication Year: 2022
376pp || 275 x 175 mm
200 duotone and 96 4C images
Paperback
ISBN: 978-981-325-187-8
Sponsored and supported by the The National Heritage Board
