ABOUT
My name is Brian Khoo, and as a designer, I am interested in the phenomenological influence of architecture, atmosphere, and objects around us; elements that come together as the backdrop for the everyday theatre of life.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from the National University of Singapore in 2018, and am currently running my own interior and spatial design studio, Office Of_
I previously worked as an Architecture Assistant in Type0 Architects, and Designer in Produce Workshop Pte Ltd, an award winning studio specializing in Design, Digital Fabrication and Architecture.
Prior to this position, I’ve had experience working under other award winning architecture firms like Formwerkz Architects, Hyphen Architects and Richard Ho Architects.
On the side, I have a deep curiosity into other facets of design from the hands-on to the conceptual, in graphic and branding design, exhibition design, ceramics, and leathercraft.
EDUCATION
2021 - PRESENT
Founded and running Office Of_ , an interior and spatial design studio
2018- 2021
Worked in Type0 Architects and Produce Workshop
2017 - 2018
MA (Architecture), National University of Singapore
2016 - 2017
Worked in Formwerkz Architects as an Architectural Assistant
2012 - 2016
BA (Architecture), National University of Singapore
PROFICIENCIES
Rhino3D
Grasshopper
Sketchup
Autocad
Enscape
Vray
ArchiCAD
Adobe Suite
Microsoft Office
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
2020-2021
Ode To Smell, for the Singapore Pavilion, 17th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition (VBIAE)
“Ode to Smell”, design and research proposal with Hyphen Architects + Mary Ann Ng, selected for showcase in the Singapore Pavilion for the 17th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition (VBIAE).
2012-2013
Architecture Alumni Fund (AAF) Prize For Distinction In Architecture Design
2012
URA Local Scholarship
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
ARCHITECTURE
Jul 2018 – July 2021
Architecture Assistant at Type 0 Architects, Singapore
Working as an Architecture Assistant at Type 0 Architects on a variety of projects at different scales, from residential architecture to commercial interiors and furniture.
Selected Projects
2021
1A JNS (2018 - 2021)
Project lead for a 466sqm 2 storey bungalow with attic new build for a family of 5. Worked on the design development, value engineering, authority submissions, tender documents, and construction of the project. Project built.
61 SR (2019 - Present)
Project lead for a 341sqm 3 storey terrace house reconstruction for a family of 5. Worked on the design refinement, authority submissions and construction of the project. Project under construction.
26 LD (2018 - Present)
Assisted in the early stage design and space planning of a detached house. Project pending.
17 CD (2020 - Present)
Assisting in the project management and interior design for a reconstruction project for various spaces within the residence. Project under construction.
5MA (2020 - 2021)
In charge of an interior design project for the renovation of a projector and entertainment room with a roof terrace. Project completed.
Performance Premium Selected Limited (PPSL) Design and Renovate Proposal in Collaboration with PICO (2021)
Project lead for the conceptualisation, design and presentation for PPSL’s existing second-hand car showroom for PPSL, BMW Premium Selected and Motorrad. Project pending.
Architectural Competition for Proposed Mixed-Use Development Comprising Association Building with Community and Health Services Hub at Geylang Lorong 18 (2021)
Worked on the conceptualisation, space planning and design for a competition proposal for Char Yong (Dabu) Foundation.
Saigon One Tower Invited Competition Proposal (2021)
Worked on a competition proposal for a façade and plaza redesign of the Saigon One Tower in Vietnam.
2020
Lion City Sailors Invited Competition Proposal (2020)
Worked on a competition proposal for the design and space planning of a football club and pitches for the Lion City Sailors.
HQ (2020)
In charge of an interior design project for an apartment for a couple and 2 cats. Worked on the design refinement and tender drawings for the project. Project unbuilt.
2019
Mellower Coffee Café Interior in Beijing
Part of the project team in the design and documentation of a café in Beijing for the coffee chain Mellower Coffee. Worked on the conceptual design up to the construction drawings for the final proposal for the project. Project pending.
Mellower Coffee Pop-Up Store Research
Research, concept and design for a series of potential pop-up stores at various areas in the urban fabric of Singapore.
Founder’s Memorial Competition
Worked on a competition proposal for the design and space planning for the Founder’s Memorial Competition.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Jul 2017 - Jan 2018
Freelance Designer for Hyphen Architects, Singapore
31A CR
Assisted with the design development and early construction stage of the reconstruction of a bungalow at 31A CR
2017
[Self Initiated] Kaira Looro Architecture Competition
Participated in an architecture competition with a team for the design of a multi-religious worship space, based on the theme, Sacred Architecture
Nov 2016 - Oct 2018
Architecture Intern at Formwerkz Architects, Singapore
Took a year out to intern in a team on a mix of different projects at different scopes and stages; from design development, construction, detailing work and documentation.
Selected Projects
16 CR
Assisted on a Good Class Bungalow that is 2 storeys with an attic and basement, with a conserved house in a 17,000 sqm site. Worked on the design development, authority submissions, conducted site meetings and produced construction drawings for the project.
Grotto House
Assisted with the development of the carpentry and interior detailing of the project. Conducted site meetings and worked on the construction drawings for the project. Project built
St John’s Elderly Home Competition
Worked with the competition team on the competition submission for a 3,300 sqm home for the aged.
Baodi Media and Cultural Innovation Park, China
Worked in the project team for a proposal for an international film & TV culture & innovation demonstration park in China
Various Mixed Development Condominium Proposals, China
Worked in the project team on a number of different residential condominiums and podium proposals in various locations in China; Guangdong, Shen Zhen, Wuhan, among some others.
2016
[Self Initiated] KMSPKS Design Competition
Participated in an architecture competition with a team for the design of an extension for the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
May 2016 – Jul 2016
Freelance Designer for Hyphen Architects, Singapore
2016 Archifest Pavilion Competition
Worked in a team on research, conceptualisation and design of the competition proposal for the theme “Exhale”. Also helped out with a design proposals for a hotel entrance renovation in Bangkok
May 2014 – Jul 2014
Architecture Intern at Richard Ho Architects, Singapore
Assisted in the design development of a residential shophouse and model making.
May 2013 – Jul 2013
Architecture Intern at Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Singapore
Helped out with site research for cycling paths for the Park Connector Network (PCN) in the Urban Planning Department and research on shophouses in the Conservation Department.
EXHIBITION DESIGN
2021
Ode To Smell,for the Singapore Pavilion, 17th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition (VBIAE)
“Ode to Smell”, a selected proposal with Hyphen Architects + Mary Ann Ng for the Singapore Pavilion, involving an exploration of the olfactory identities of the everyday spaces in Singapore, following the overarching theme of “To Gather”.
In this exhibition display, various places in Singapore were mapped out with their distinct scent profiles, with olfactory characters of the space distilled from the compounds of the location into a liquid scent, with the ingredients encased in a resin casted table top.
2018
The NUS M.ARCH Graduation Show 2018
Exhibition Lead for The NUS M.ARCH Graduation Show 2018.
In charge of a team for the conceptualisation, design development, organisation, curation and construction of the exhibition. The exhibition design was born out of a tight budget, construction window and an aim to reduce waste and manpower; the displays were constructed from around 155 cheaply rented collapsible tables, of which frames were tensioned up with nylon shipping straps to create the display island, easily constructed by the volunteers and deconstructed by the rental company, without requiring additional transportation costs.
2016
(Not The) Singapore Venice Pavilion Competition by The Persuasive Design Agency at The Substation
A collaborative submission with writer Daryl Yam.
Our competition proposal seeks to bring to the forefront one of the more forgotten elements of the Singapore landscape, the Kelong, or the underside of it, where a curation of items beneath it would form a locus of collective memory, like the bounties of the sea ensnared in fishing nets.
2015
CityEX Exhibition 2015
Exhibition and Publicity Head for The Architecture Society (TAS)
In charge of a team for the conceptualisation, design development, organisation, curation and construction of the CITYEX Exhibition 2015. Exhibition space was constructed out of an efficient modular cardboard unit, creating a unique spatial experience on a tight budget.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
2020
Branding, Packaging and Graphic Design for Monokei
Concept design and proposal of logo, branding guide, and packaging design for an artisan mechanical keyboard company, Monokei.
2019
Album Art for the Musician Stephycube
Concept design and illustration for the Most Of All EP
Album Art for the Musician Valiantes
Concept design and illustration for the self titled album, Valiantes
2018
The M.ARCH Show Graphics
Developed the graphic design and art direction for the, main display, printed exhibition panels and exhibition guide.
2015
CityEx 2015 Exhibition Graphics
Developed the graphic design and printed elements for the exhibition, from invitation cards, posters and exhibition guide.
HOW 2015 by Paperspace
Cover photography and logo for the publication. Contributed to writing and editorial as well for the issue released during the CityEX Exhibition 2015.
2014
Hear | Here by Paperspace
Cover illustration for the publication.
2013
Commune by Paperspace
Illustrations for an article in the publication.
PRESS START - AKIID Camp 2013
Produced the graphics for the T-Shirt, posters and other publicity elements.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment National University of Singapore
2018
Exhibition Lead for The NUS M.ARCH Graduation Show 2018
Lead for the exhibition design, planning, and construction, for The NUS M.ARCH Graduation Show 2018.
2018
Teaching Assistant for History and Theory of Western Architecture
2015
Exhibition and Publicity Head for The Architecture Society (TAS)
Lead for design, organisation and planning for CityEX 2015 and graphics and publicity for TAS events and activities.
2015
Member of Paperspace for The Architecture Society (TAS)
Contributed to writing, editorial, as well as graphics and art direction for issues.
2015
Teaching Assistant for History and Theory of South East Asian Architecture
2014
Member of the Exhibition team for The Architecture Society (TAS)
Assisted in organisation and curation tasks
Member of Paperspace for The Architecture Society (TAS)
Contributed to writing, as well as illustrations and art direction for issues.
2013
Member of Paperspace for The Architecture Society (TAS)
Contributed to illustrations for issues.
SIDE PROJECTS
2017 - Ongoing
Lilliputian Landscapes; Ceramics
A personal exploration into the ceramic pieces which showcase the tiny messes of everyday life, from the leftover garnishes of a meal to the mess of an office desk; like surprises in a tidepool after the sea recedes, a larger insight to a small and overlooked part of life.