CITY TIME TRAVELLER S.01
Jason hosted and consulted on the informative 12-part architectural TV series, ‘City Time Traveller’ on Channel NewsAsia. The first season debuted in 2014, and explored how old and new capital cities within six different Asian countries continue to be shaped by its people, places, buildings and cultural practices. Season 1 received a Highly Commended award at the 2014 Asian Television Awards resulting in a second season being commissioned. It has subsequently been released region-wide on the History and Travel channels, and airline’s in-flight channels.
THE CITY'S COLONIAL PAST In the first episode, eco architect and urban planner Jason explores Singapore where he visits the iconic Fullerton Hotel, the Baba House, a Black and White house and Tiong Bahru estate to uncover remnants of the city’s Colonial Past.
ALONG THE RIVER In Hue, Jason experiences the Nguyen Dynasty along the Perfume River through structures like the Imperial City and the Tomb of Kai Dihn. He then travels to An Hien Garden House, where he learns of the unique garden houses.
THE ROMANTIC PAST In Ho Chi Minh City, Jason rediscovers the city’s romantic past through structures like the General Post Office, Fine Arts Museum, a French Villa and the Hotel Majestic, experiencing how the old city felt under French influence.
CITY OF TEMPLES In the city of temples, Jason explores Ayutthaya’s distinct style of traditional Thai architecture through structures like Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwattanaram and also visits Bang Pa In Palace and a traditional Thai house.
THE DESIGN OF NATURE In the lush and green Chiang Mai, Jason learns about the tradition of working with nature through his exploration of the old walled city and other sustainable structures like the Panyaden School, 137 Pillars House and artist Rirkrit Tiravanija’s creation of a living space.
CHINESE DYNASTIC MIGHT In Nanjing, Jason learns about the Chinese Dynastic Might in the ancient capital through his visits to the Confucius Temple, 500-year-old Zhan Yuan Garden, and the Presidential Palace.
THE 5 ELEMENTS In Udaipur, the city of lakes, Jason uncovers how the city’s architecture, from palaces to rural dwellings, has risen and been transformed by the Hindu philosophy of Panchamahabhuta, the five great elements of earth, water, fire, wind and aether.
THE NEW GREAT WALL OF CHINA In Beijing, Jason understands the economical power of China from the sheer size and scale of its modern architecture. From Linked Hybrid, to the Bird’s Nest and Parkview Green, everything is Beijing screams big and impressive!
THE ANCIENT WAY OF LIFE The ancient civilization of Varanasi, a pilgrim city where spirituality, immortality and legends intersect, it is here that Jason discovers the sacred ghats, temples and forts dictated by the mythical practices dating back many centuries ago.
JAPAN RESILIENT WOODS From mega timbre structures at Higashi Honganji, to century-old Sukiya-style teahouse Eiei-tou, to refurbished guesthouse Minoya-cho machiya, Jason experiences firsthand the conservation efforts that have made Kyoto the custodian of Japan’s cultural heritage.
FUTURISTIC CITY In futuristic Tokyo, Jason explores Kenzo Tange’s ultramodern mega-structure, the Fuji TV Building and awe-inspiring metallic cathedral that is St. Mary's, then awakens his senses in the radical units of Reversible Destiny Lofts, and concludes that ‘futuristic’ is a relative term.
THE ULTIMATE GREEN CITY In the final episode, Jason returns to Singapore to celebrate its commitment and achievements, and visits a few of the city's most sustainable building projects including: PARKROYAL on Pickering, 168 Cecil Street, Solaris@One-North and Treelodge@Punggol.