Preface

“To read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles make you a wise man”is one of the famous Chinese sayings. I like to travel a lot. You feel no beauty of a place if you have been there too long.A new surrounding can recharge you.I have been to many cities with each unique charm.What does a city lure you most？ It is also a question I often ask myself.

A city’s beauty is her uniqueness，which gives the collective memories for her dwellers，telling her past，presence and future，which can be nowhere else. No matter where you have been，when you are back here，your home，with all those unique and familiar memories. Singapore is supposed to be so with her historical past，traditions，as well as a fashionable and modern city.

Singapore，a very beautiful Garden City， had known to me， until  2001，only from pictures or talks from friends. I was so keen and eager to know the beau of her within my arm's reach.

My dream came true in July 2001，when I took my first vocation there.The moment I touched down，the dense tropical plants and forests，the beautiful orchid，soft carpeted floors，convenient conveyor system for luggage and the clear signboards...all has left me a deep impression.As a designer，I am very particular and sensitive to the designs of public areas.In a  foreign land or atmosphere， how the designs to help to reduce and minimize the anxieties and fears for a visitor，it is very challenging. The clearly and easily spotted signboards，friendly passages，deployments of the greens，layouts for chairs or benches，Emergency Calls，all can help. Singapore Changi Airport has achieved these successfully，in spite of that she is one of the busiest global Air Hubs. In addition to my initial experiences at Changi Airport，I have been further touched and moved by the designed details which have inspired me to seek for new design concepts. There are three parks nearby where I lived in the west of Singapore.

The Jurong Lake Park is a natural open stretch of hilly meadowland，where many enjoy jogging and cycling. Chinese Garden，with her unique designs and facilities attract many old folks while the third one，Japanese Garden，lures those who are fond of seclusion and relaxation. I feel very much moved whenever I take a stroll to and fro there. Not long ago，I wrote an article about the happiness being a Singaporean，From the Government to each administrative body at all levels； they have given the priorities to the countrymen’s needs. It is not necessarily to say that it is for the people to build or add more parks. The point is how you take care of human needs and humane factors in your designs.Being a small nation，or a so-called Red Dot，Singapore has upheld the humanities with amenities in facilities，and subsequently materialized the spirits in design practices.

My childhood was spent in Ji Nan，Shan Dong Province，and central eastern China.The big family dwelled in a small Si He Yuan，with trees，pond and fish bowls. When it was fine，I played in the courtyards，doing my homework； listening to fairytales…I missed that happy time full of cherishing dreams in a fine star-sky.

It has set me reflecting that current surrounding had been changed a lot，roads widened，building roaring high，room spaces enlarged，life becomes more convenient with luxuries. But look at ourselves，we have been more selfish and secluded with isolation，are we happy？

I dreamed for a tiny cozy green，to give you a peaceful atmosphere to relax among the concrete jungles，a gentle comfort with tranquility from nature in your busily hurried paces. This is the care with humanity，and respect with dignity.

That is why I am happy to share with you what I have seen，thought about and experienced by presenting what has mostly touched me in Singapore.