Architect Sami Mousawi Comments

I am so happy with the result of the drawings done by Sami, because what was in my head finally came out in drawings. If you can say the cancer came out from my mind and my soul is free. I feel so relief, good about myself and elated but unfortunately Sami was disappointed as he went in with an expectation that he will be invited for the competition. As for me being a Singaporean, I know the nature, culture and thinking of the civil servants and I have no expectation. I went ahead because I was so excited to SHARE all my ideas with the Government and people at large. I was like a young child discovering a new toy and love to share it with everyone. Many thought that I wanted to be an architect (Although Mr. Allan Cho from RSP said that I am because I did all the planning for Singapore Arts Center. He told me architectsdon’t do the real drawings, but must do the planning) and one architect told me that it took them 6 years to qualify as an architect, what make me think that I am better then them. The architect community had misunderstood my good intentions to share my ideas with all - My Belief sharing is caring.

26 April 1993

Dear Sunflower,

I am very impressed indeed with your concept for the National Library in Singapore. This is an immense challenge for me and I can assure you that I will make every effort to achieve a meaningful national symbol representing the new image of modern Singapore as the center of Southeast Asia.

Best regards
Sami

28 April 1993

Dear Sami,

I was overjoyed when you agreed to take on the task of drawing my concepts and interpreting my dreams for the National Library. Your drawings will be very necessary and important step to realizing my aspirations for the betterment of Singapore. Please remembered that the Library must not only be a landmark but it must also portray Singapore as fun-loving people who are intellectual, appreciate the quality of life we are having and possess an understanding of the reason for our existence.

I am filled with much excitement and high expectations that the drawings that you will produce can capture the heart, soul and mind of the people and especially the Government. Also I have sent some books for your information.

“Powerful ideals need powerful words and powerful words need powerful drawings.” - Sunflower Chong

With great interest and excitement I have perused the documents received from you via courier, which will be the source of my inspiration for the design of the National Library; in particular, your magnificent book which expresses your spiritual faith in art as the concept of unity. Like you, I believe only true, contemporary architecture can represent the interpretation of the cultural heritage of the place. The cosmopolitan society of modern Singapore therefore represents in itself a unique challenge.

It is on this basis that the new design of the National Library must be eclectic architecture expressing the culture and history of Asia as the Mother of the planet.

As discussed with you in our last telephone conversation, we have been working very hard and have finalized the design concept for the National Library complex, which consists of three main areas:

1. The commercial section including retail, offices and showroom.

2. The building of the National Library designed for 4million books, including auditorium for 1000 people and 1000 covered car parking spaces.

3. The recreation area designed along the waterfront, including open restaurants, bar, coffee shops, amphitheater and playground for the children. This area has been designed and landscaped in a pure organic form to conform to the concept of Fung Shui.

18 June 1993

I hope Singapore can be the leader around this region. I believe Singapore could achieve this ambition if this new kind of architecture could take the lead and set a path for others to follow that ideology is the key for future development that it will hold us together as a peopleand nation. By reaching an answer for Singapore, I hope to reach out to the world. Capitalism had eroded the importance of architecture in our presence existence and I wanted to bring back the power of architecture like in the time of Greek and Roman era. Michael Angelo introduced painting onto architecture and I wanted to instill philosophy and ideology onto architecture. I wanted to create soul in building.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan country and is known as the melting pot for Eastern and Western influences; therefore it is easier for us to bridge the gap between East and West. If we can reach this aim and understanding that we have lot to learn from one another, then I believe this world will be a kinder, safer and better place to live in.

We need space to grow to develop as an individual, similarly, the library needs space to grow to be the leader in this region and eventually be the satellite for the world. We don’t just think of the present, we must also plan for the future to progress and grow in the right direction. I hope this unique library can be name “The World Library” because I envisage little pyramids growing gradually as the years go by and we should integrate arts activities like workshops hand in hand with the Library, especially when this piece of land at the waterfront. I felt Singapore is not ready for the two big theaters, therefore by coming out with this concept I hope to change the minds of the Government and convince them to integrate library with the arts.

I might be too ambitious, but you never know I might pull it off. As long as we plan for such a dream, there is hope for the future. I believe one fine day it will happen, maybe not in Singapore but somewhere else. With the world changing constantly, maybe one day my Government’s attitude will change too. If not I hope the next generation will be inspired by my work and has the aspirations to follow my footsteps. If they do, at least I had done my job right. So whether the library got space to grow is not important but we as human must have the space to grow and blossom. Will the Government get my message from reading my work? That was my main objective in doing this kind of architecture, because I do not see life just making money, but to bring a message out to the masses that there are other approaches and ways of getting things done and that depend on your faculty of thoughts. In short, there are others way for success and happiness and this means Singapore cannot just travel on a one-way traffic anymore if we want to be a great nation.

The submission of the conceptual design for the National Library in Singapore is a declaration of principle. We sincerely hope that it will be acknowledge by the responsible authorities as a step in the right direction and will lead to a direct dialogue with the Client to establish the final brief.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sunflower Chong, who invited us to prepare the architectural design drawings based on her original idea of the pyramid. Sami Mousawi International has known Sunflower since 1985, when she introduced a new, advanced technology (GRC) into the construction of the infill panels of the upper-inner domes on the State Mosque of Sarawak. During her involvement in the project she demonstrated great confidence and care in her work, together with an appreciation of our architectural identity based on the concept of a true contemporary interpretation of the cultural heritage of the place.

Sunflower has demonstrated recently, through the medium of her poems, articles and her various publications, her total commitment to art and architecture as the roots of our cultural heritage and as instruments to enhance our quality of life, based on the concept of unity and harmony.