Almost every week, members of Tembusu College are invited to meet and chat with guests – both local and international – through a variety of hosted events. There is a huge diversity of backgrounds amongst our visitors, who range from politicians to diplomats, artists, writers, poets, and academics. Select an event category on the left to find out more.
As a Residential College, residents of Tembusu College live and learn together with their peers under the same roof. Integral to the learning is the University Town College Programme (UTCP) where residents read five Seminar-style Modules over their two year residency. Find out more About the Programme or browse available modules on the left.
Concerned about the workload? Find out How UTCP Fits with your faculty-based degree programme at NUS.
Living and learning together at Tembusu happens as part of our ‘Out-of-Classroom Teaching‘ programme.
Keen to continue residing at the college after completing the UTCP? Find out what lies ahead in the Senior Learning Experience.
Tembusu College Fellow’s Tea
Mr. Koichiro Ikebuchi
6pm, Tuesday
14th February 2012
Common Lounge,
Level 1, Residential Block
Refreshments will be served. Only 30 seats available!
Please register at dev-tembusu-nus.pantheonsite.io
Born in Osaka, Koichiro Ikebuchi was constantly exposed to different cultures, architectures and lifestyles, both old and new, throughout his childhood. In 1983, Mr Ikebuchi was admitted to the Osaka Institute of Technology. Following his heart, Mr Ikebuchi joined an interior and furniture company after finishing school. However, he says, he was “very disappointed”.
To keep up his passion for design, he spent time attending seminars by famous architects and designers such as Aldo Rossi and Andrée Putman, and tried to participate in design competitions. Mr Ikebuchi clinched the First Prize for Design from Saporiti Italia, the Grand Prize for Diamonds International Awards organised by De Beers, and the Grand Prize for Jewellery Creative Contest in Japan.
In 1989, Mr Ikebuchi’s company offered him a transfer to their Singapore office. After several years of working in Singapore, Mr Ikebuchi returned to Japan in 1993. It was not long before Mr Ikebuchi returned to Singapore, this time in 1995, to start his own company. In 2004, Atelier Ikebuchi Pte Ltd was set up. Mr Ikebuchi won the President’s Design Award in 2009.
Mr Ikebuchi takes a historical view of the importance of design. He says, “Design is important because it is a part of civilisation. Babylonia was designed by 1800 BC. The chair has existed since 3000 BC.” In his perspective, “A good design is one that we can love and appreciate for a long time.”
His design philosophy, he says, lies in following his heart. “Feeling with one’s heart is more important than knowing with one’s brain.” He draws inspiration from “nature, people and unconscious memories”. Says Mr Ikebuchi, “Being hungry for good design is fundamental. If you are hungry, you will definitely do something.”. Among his influences are Chillida, Cy Twombly, Tapio Wirkkala, and many others. Mr Ikebuchi thinks that the driving force behind his success is, simply, a passion for design.
Therein lies a lesson for younger designers who look to him as a role model. Says Mr Ikebuchi, “Being hungry for good design is fundamental. If you are hungry, you will definitely do something, as you can’t wait to die.”
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