MANNIK SINGH, BORN IN 1998
Who is Mannik?
Mannik Singh, 26, is an Architectural Graduate, Illustrator and Creative Writer. Mannik was born in Ferozepur, Punjab and lived in Chandigarh until the age of 19. He studied at the Yadavindra Public School, Mohali before moving to Melbourne, Australia to pursue his tertiary education in Architecture at the University of Melbourne.
Having worked in Melbourne for 5 years as a Student & Graduate, Mannik has a solid foundation of Architectural experience under his belt. He has a keen interest in Residential & Heritage Architecture. His thesis, 'Pub+: A place where you go when you don't know where to go' tackled adaptive reuse of a Brutalist Psychiatric facility garnering him a nomination for the prestigious Bates Smart Award in November 2023.
Mannik has always been a storyteller. Through his paintings, prose, and poems, he likes to paint a version of the story he wants to narrate. The same is applicable for the type of architecture that he tries to design – something that tells a story. Something that makes the user reflect, introspect and project their version of their story on. Simultaneously, his work pushes the boundaries of design towards one that is sustainable & sensitive to individuals' needs and contributes to the betterment of society and the environment.
In 2024, Mannik released his debut poetry collection, '26: A collection of Poems & other Writings'. His interest in writing poetry began in high-school when he was trying to escape into the secret wardrobes, or wondrous worlds within his mind, weave stories of his fantasies and caprices. Inspired by the timeless verse of Emily Dickinson, particularly her poignant reflection on mortality in “Because I could not stop for Death,” Mannik embarked on a journey of self-discovery through poetry.
EXPERIENCE
November 2024 - Present
Director/ Part-Time
Mannik Singh Design Studio, Chandigarh, IN /Melbourne, AUS
Multi-Disciplinary Design
September 2024 - October 2024
Project Lead (Architecture)/ Part-Time
Simbal Studios, Chandigarh, India
Experience in Schematic Design in Industrial Typology
December 2023 - August 2023
Graduate of Architecture/ Part-Time & Full-Time
Architectus-Gonrad Gargett, Melbourne, Australia
Experience in the Construction documentation of Health Projects; also Melbourne Studio design Champion for 2024.
November 2022 - December 2023
Project Co-ordinator/ Part-Time & Full-Time
Architectus-Gonrad Gargett, Melbourne, Australia
Contributed in the preparation of the Schematic, Detailed & Construction documentation sets of Health & Heritage/Railway/Public Projects.
January 2020 - November 2023
Student of Architecture/ Part-time & Full-Time
Katz Architecture, Melbourne, Australia
Contributed in the preparation of the Schematic, Detailed, Marketing, Tender & Construction documentation sets of a variety of Project typologies.
December 2017 - February 2018
Intern
Satnam Namita & Associates Architects,Chandigarh, India
Contributed in the preparation of the Marketing packs and assisting with post-producing renders & Plans for client presentations.
PUBLICATIONS
Compiled and profiled, as a group, architects from nine different cities around the world into a catalogue for Global Architecture Profiling (GAP), A University of Melbourne Student Led initative to profile contemporary Architects and their works from Countries that are often left out of Architectural Discourse.
26 is a self-published feat that stems out of Mannik's desires to understand life up until the age of 26. Through verses crafted from unposted letters, diary entries, and heartfelt confessions, the book unveils a world of love, pain, regret, and vulnerability.
He opens up his life, exposing secrets and unspoken confessions. Despite touching on familiar topics, his expressions shift between the ordinary and the vividly imaginative, blending cliches with novel personifications of emotion and memory. Above all, this book serves a dual purpose: it’s as much an offering to readers as it is a personal exercise in healing and self-preservation. In many ways, the act of creating it became a form of salvation, helping him document and process his experiences.
Architectural Portfolio
This portfolio presents a selection of my professional and academic architectural works as of December 2024. It features projects from my Master of Architecture studies, showcasing my design approach and academic growth, alongside professional work completed during my five years at Katz Architecture and Architectus | Conrad Gargett. Together, these works highlight my experience, creativity, and dedication to architectural innovation.