About our
Architectural Studio
Our Story
Seeing the missing link where architecture and façade designs are often not “interdependent”, Kelvin Kan established AgFacadesign Architects (AGFD) in 2009 to provide a holistic response where the “envelope” are responsive to the external environment and maximizes the user experience internally.
AGFD provides a full fledge architecture services and aims to exceed the Client needs.
Our approach is to identify opportunities at all levels to achieve sustainable solutions through our research and experimentation-based methods to achieve holistic and technically integrated outcomes that increases in value with timeless aesthetics.
Our Approach
“Inside-Out, Outside-In” Ethos
Our studio’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that Architecture is greater than the sum of its parts. We approach our projects with a holistic “value-add” mindset to optimize building efficiencies and exceed both user & building requirements. Built upon our Facade technical expertise, the studio thrives on developing bespoke facade systems that seamlessly complement the indoor & outdoor environments.
Transfer Technology in Architecture
As the industry evolves with Construction Technology, our “hybrid” expertise in the various fields of Glass, Green Technology, and Facade Systems, allow us to generate innovative & timeless “Environmentally Responsive” Architectural designs. We believe in maximizing the material’s potential through exploration and emphasis on details.
Experiential Architecture
The studio firmly believes collaboration between experts in the built industry to achieve a common goal is key in achieving harmony between spaces, forms, and details. Establishing good relations allows for a variety of problem-solving methods for complex issues to bring about simplicity in design for the end-user with solutions to stimulate the senses with form (spatial) and texture (material) experiences in the details.
Biophilic Architecture
AGFD firmly believes that it is important to give back to nature, as more land makes way for high-rise buildings in the urban landscape. Through collaboration with “Green” Specialists, AGFD transforms urban spaces into living habitats with sustainable ecosystems via introduction of Responsive 3D Green Walls with integrated lighting & Media Walls into Architectural internal spaces and facades providing unique identities that enhances the value exponentially.
About our Facade focused Studio — GFD
G FACADESIGN Pte Ltd (GFD) was established back in 2013, as a subset of AGFD. GFD offers Full Façade Consultancy works to support Developers, Architects, and Contractors to resolve Technical & Facade design-related issues within the “Building Envelope”, with a forte in glass issues and “expert witness” for facade disputes.
🔬 Art x Science
G FACADESIGN Pte Ltd with a hybrid of architecture knowledge and facade expertise, are able to achieve innovative solutions using established technologies/methods. The details are practical and end solutions results in the “functional aesthetics” that “speaks for itself”.
🤝 Teamwork makes the dream work
G FACADESIGN Pte Ltd has collaborated with CMP an established engineering company on facade inspections. To provide a wider and complete range of services, facade engineering design are also provided.
🔍 Facade Diagnostics
Buildings, like people, often require routine check-ups and/or get sick. GFD provides complete analysis via Inspections or Investigations of Facade-related building defects (e.g. Glass breakages) to uncover the causes & provide solutions to resolve issues, as required.
📄 Expert Witness
Construction environment are getting more demanding and litigations often results. GFD approach is to offer a holistic view to attend to the issues ranging from concept design to maintenance aspects beyond building completion timeline to attend to problems associated from technical to contractual matters.
The Principal
Kelvin Kan
A firm believer in the power of details and its ability to transcend into Architecture. Illustrated through his sketches and drawings, he approaches each project pragmatically and holistically with attention to detail to achieve functional solutions to meet building and/or Owners requirements.
Acquiring extensive knowledge from his ventures as a Glass Specialist and a Facade consultant, Kelvin combined his expertise to establish his own Architectural firm, AGFD (formerly known as AgFacadesign) in 2009, after more than 15 years in private architectural practices locally & abroad.
His profound eagerness to go beyond the limits of Architecture & Facade brought about an “Inside-Out, Out-In” integrated solution to amplify a building’s efficiency and value. This led to the set-up of a Facade Consultancy, G FACADESIGN (GFD), in 2013.
Kelvin embraces a collaborative environment, enjoying the process of combining differences in ideas to benefit and further improve the outcome of the design.
Outside of his practice, Kelvin is an educator to Tertiary Institutions and the Construction Industry. He imparts his holistic knowledge and hands-on experience to mould “unpolished gems” in Architecture schools albeit sharing his expertise in Glass & Facade Technologies to fellow colleagues in government linked teaching academies.
Academia
2020-2021
National University of Singapore Architecture Dept, Yr 4 Advanced Architectural Integration Studio Tutor
2007-2016
National University of Singapore Architecture Dept, Masters Students Design Tutor and Yr4 Façade Studio Master
2005 & 2006
Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Architecture, external tutor-critic
Invited Talks
2021
🇬🇧 City of London: Green City Briefings “Greening The Concrete Jungle”
2016
🇨🇳 China, Beijing University Architecture School
🇹🇷 Turkey, EXPO @ Antalya : Façade Conference
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, Biophilic Architecture & Innovative Facades Annual Conference
2015
🇨🇳 China, Tongji University Architecture School
2014
🇸🇬 Singapore Institute of Architects
🇵🇭 Philippines: 16 Worldbex Seminar
2013
🇵🇭 Philippines, University of Philippines & University of Sto. Thomas (UST) School of Architecture
2008
🇲🇾 Malaysia, Taylor’s University Architecture School
Facade Technology Trainings
2020 – Present
Building Façade Inspection Course conducted under: IES Academy, Under BCA
2007 – Present
Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Course
• Building Construction Authority (BCA) Academy
• Sustainable Energy Association Singapore (SEAS)
• Insitute of Engineers Singapore Academy
Collaboration
Façade Inspection
In 2021, GFD has in collaboration with CMP Consultants Pte Ltd, an established engineering practice enables GFD-CMP to undertake much bigger assignments with a bigger pool of engineers and specialists inspectors. The aim is to value add to specialist facade inspections and any facade related issues including designing bespoke facade systems with full engineering services.
Our Clients
