1. What does it feel like to win the Prize?
It’s surreal having won the Prize and it took quite a while for it to fully sink in. I’ve followed the competition for years now and to have my drawing win the Prize is truly an honour. I had the pleasure of meeting shortlisted and category winners in Singapore and London, all of them have been very warm and have left great impressions and inspiration that I will carry on with my work. This Prize has given me so much energy to continue learning, thinking, and exploring.
2. When did you develop a love for drawing and architecture?
I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. My family took notice of that and gave me immense support starting by gifting me with a small wooden table paired with a blue plastic chair. I had my small drawing corner at our house and would always receive drawing pads and pencils as gifts. Back in high school, I took a technical drafting course as college preparation because my family was already encouraging me to take up architecture. Even though it was not my first choice, I eventually grew an affinity for it. I was at ease and always excited to take on new projects, create drawings, learn new techniques, and formulate concepts.
3. Do you draw in your spare time? If so, what do you like to draw?
Yes! My illustrations are mostly done as a hobby. I mostly draw buildings that I admire with interesting forms, materials, construction, and narrative. Illustrating built works has given me a space to build relationships with my subjects from afar. I feel like I am conversing with the designer when I recreate their work with my pen and paper. When I draw, I am in a constant state of observation and learning which I feel greatly helps me as a designer as well.
4. Do you have a favourite artist or architect whose work particularly inspires you?
Concerning my illustration style, Paul Rudolph’s drawings and work are a big influence. His works are developed through masterful drawings which led him to develop his interesting body of work. When you study his perspective sections, you will immediately understand the structure’s relationship with forces, natural elements, and programme. They’re also visually stunning with great linework and composition. How Rudolph effectively positions the vanishing point is a big part of the success of his drawings. The work of his era, where architectural computer programmes were not yet present, always amazes me. The exploration of form and complexity is materialised purely through the clarity of manual architectural drawings. It is a show of commitment and belief in an idea through manual effort, which will always inspire me.
5. What are your favourite brands and model of pencils, pens and paper for hand-drawing?
I have been using fine liner pens like Uni Pin or Sakura Micron since college. For pencil, my go-to is the green no. 2 Faber-Castell. For paper, I don’t buy branded ones. As long as it has the right texture to make the line work have a jagged edge, then I’m good with it. Nothing fancy.
6. Is there any particular building you’d like to draw or reimagine and why?
I am always drawn to work with either an interesting story that aligns with my values and advocacies as an architect like re-use. I have a folder of loose choices of buildings to sketch, particularly around the interesting interplay of forms, structure, materials, and how sunlight accentuates those features. Buildings that are challenging to illustrate due to their complexity are also fit for a good linework exercise.
7. What upcoming trends do you foresee in drawing?
I think AI is something that will stay for a while, not only in the conversations revolving around drawings but in the creative field at large. I have colleagues who use AI as a tool for rendering; creative programmes are actively being updated with AI features as well. We are constantly being fed of its developments and possibilities which harbours fear to creators who put complete dedication into creating, whether manually or digitally. Conversations I have had during the past few months have lessened my reservations about it, minimising its impact and describing it as another tool for visualisation. I think it is currently cementing its presence and I will stay on the lookout, I guess. We all need to. I am curious to see if the Drawing Prize will also choose to open an AI category in the future.
Another trend might be how we experience drawings through virtual reality tools that might be of great help to our clients, or even to us designers, who need help visualising. The approximation of a space or surroundings might trigger a proper response to help us design better.
A trend that I would like to see remain is for more of us, especially younger designers, to be adept with our manual hand-drawing skills. All our digital tools are of great help but there is a level of maturity and clarity that sketching allows me to have when designing. It is flexible and accessible. Our body and mind are engaged in a state of idea formation. It also allows us to develop a visual style of personal expression.
8. How does it feel like to attend the private preview at the Sir John Soane’s Museum and being in London generally?
To have my drawing displayed alongside other shortlisted and winning entries at the historic celebrated space that is the Soane Museum has been a great honour. It amazes me how a drawing can open up opportunities and bring me to London! It is my first time in Europe and to experience the city and its architecture is amazing. As I’ve mentioned, I draw as a way for me to admire buildings from afar but because of the Prize, I get to see and experience them in person.
The Prize, the exhibition, and the celebration will leave a significant mark for me as an illustrator and designer. I want to express my gratitude to the Drawing Prize and the jury for this honour. Cheers everyone!
This post forms part of our series on The Architecture Drawing Prize: an open drawing competition curated by Make, WAF and Sir John Soane’s Museum to highlight the importance of drawing in architecture. View the winning and shortlisted entries of the 2023 competition.
