The Multi-Hyphenate Designer

Melvin Keng, principal architect of Kaizen architecture, discusses how his profession is now even more variegated than before.

- Low Shi Ping

What inspires you?

I draw my inspiration from observing the current state of the world, from pop culture to economic shifts, the contemporary art scene, fashion etc. I strongly believe any expression of architecture is a direct derivative of its time. For example, as a practice, we love to inject irony into our projects. This could be through the unexpected application of colours and materials, not unlike how present-day contemporary artists like Kaws and Takashi Murakami approach their work. I also love to look back at architecture movements like the Bauhaus, De Stijl and International Style. To me, the modernity established during the 1930s is still very relevant to the way we design today.

You focus on using architecture as a medium to weave art, contemporary culture, branding and digital media. Please explain how.