design in print july 2012
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Architecture newsletterTRANSCRIPT
Master Planning Cities of the future
Project ManageMentBalanCing Creativity & Control
MyVillagea garden retail experienCe for the residents of serangoon garden
in DePtH
in DePtH
WorlD cities suMMitdp’s Commitment to Creating liveaBle and sustainaBle urBan spaCes
in Focus
tHe Wcs issue
www.
dpa.
com
.sg
VoluMe 3nuMber 2
2012singaPore
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Contents
Architectural issues
World Cities Summit 2012
The Dubai Mall: Sand to Spectacle
DP Group of Companies - DP Architects- DP Engineers- DP Design- DP Consultants- DP Infrastructure- DP Green
Celebration of past projectsMarina Square, 1986
Volume 3 number 2, 2012, singapore
Design in Print team
Ed
itoria
l
Writ
ing
Chan Hui Minnartano Lim Leong Wei Lin
Mandy tootoh Bee Ping
Collin Anderson
Gra
phi
cs
Lek noonchooGowri Krunathan
Loh Yew Cheng
Fu tingting
Additional contributors: Vivian Choy, Jackie Poh
Letter from the Guest Editor
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the latest issue of Design in Print. the launch of this issue coincides with the 2012 World Cities summit where industry and community leaders come together on a global platform to discuss city challenges and share best practices on urban solutions.
In line with the summit’s theme of Liveable and Sustainable Cities, this issue highlights efforts of the DP group of companies in shaping social spaces. the companies – namely DP Architects, DP Consultants, DP Design, DP engineers, DP Green and DP Infrastructure – cover the spectrum of professional services ranging from architecture and master-planning, project management, interior design, engineering, landscape consultancy to infrastructure developments.
In keeping with DP’s philosophy, we constantly strive towards creating architecture where the enrichment of the human experience and spirit is carried through in our city planning and buildings – this continuous pursuit of making our work relatable and inhabitable is what drives us forward.
the following pages showcase DP’s comprehensive ability for envisioning and bringing to life projects at varying scales and locations – in foreign countries such as the master plan for seef Lusail in Qatar and locally at serangoon Garden with the new commercial development, myVillage. We also demonstrate a sensitivity to existing site conditions in our retrofitting projects, such as Paragon shopping Centre at orchard Road where we enable indirect sunlight to filter through the mall interior. our infrastructure arm is responsible for the design of numerous MRt stations, playing a part in the development of singapore’s expanding transportation network; and along the way, our engineering and project management companies serve to support and manage our design endeavours to fruition.
We hope you will enjoy this issue where we share our efforts in contributing to the built environment beyond the mere construction of a building – by enriching the society that we live in.
Chan Sui Him, Chairman, DP Architects Pte Ltd
Cover sketch: Nartano Lim
DP GRouP oF CoMPAnIes
DP ARCHITECTS PTE LTD [email protected]
DP CONSULTANTS PTE LTD [email protected]
DP DESIGN PTE [email protected]
DP ENGINEERS PTE LTD [email protected]
DP GREEN PTE LTD [email protected]
DP INFRASTRUCTURE PTE LTD [email protected]
6 Raffles Boulevard #04-100 Marina Square Singapore 039594Tel : +65 6338 3988 Fax : +65 6337 9989
www.dpa.com.sg
experts, landscape architects, arborists, interior designers, infrastructure experts and project managers to elaborate on the WCs theme. Recognising architecture’s social value and relevance in addressing evolving city challenges, DP, through its works, articulates its commitment to creating urban spaces that will enhance the quality of life of the community.
Great cities are the work of great teams. As DP builds upon the foundation of the firm’s history, the strengthening of the DP team exemplifies the firm’s aspiration to make greater contributions in shaping the urbanscape of its home city, singapore, as well as those beyond its shores.
| Architectural issues
DP 02
since its early founding years, DP Architects has subscribed to the philosophy that the physical environment has the power to shape the human experience and spirit. In the pursuit of creating architecture and planning work that can better the lives of people in cities, DP Architects has for the past 45 years explored through its projects various themes in urbanism. the theme of this year’s World Cities summit, Liveable and Sustainable Cities – Integrated Urban Solutions, presents an opportunity for DP to not only revisit past work with new eyes, but also to generate discourse on ideas to take forward in its future work.
Continuing the firm’s initiative to share its design process, DP Architects is proud to announce the latest publication in a planned series of books exploring the design methodologies and thought processes of its notable built works. The Dubai Mall: Sand to Spectacle, written by DPians nartano Lim and Widari Bahrin, delves into the firm’s journey in the design and construction of the world’s
DP at WCS Expo 2 - 4 July, Singapore Booth 201Asands expo & Convention Center Marina Bay sands
THE DUBAI MALL SAND TO SPECTACLE
In recent years, DP Architects has formed numerous subsidiary companies to provide the specialist consultancy services that cater to the increasing complexity of the projects that are undertaken by the firm. the emerging voices from this extended family have enriched the discourse on the firm’s work and philosophy by looking at the same issues from different aspects.
DP’s presentation pavilion at the World Cities summit expo aims to celebrate the firm’s work in the context of the multivalent ideas behind them. this accompanying WCs issue aims to give voice to the firm’s architects, urban planners, engineers, environmental
By Chan Hui Min
largest shopping centre. the publication frames the Dubai Mall in varying contexts through critical essays that explore historical, cultural and typological conditions and chronicles the mall from concept to completion. Interspersed throughout the publication are various scale comparisons that allow readers to understand the mall’s immensity and the incredible timeframe within which it was completed.
DP Architects’ Latest Publication
Celebrating its past work, Dp reaffirms its Continuous Commitment to Creating liveable anD sustainable urban spaCes that enhanCe the human experienCe
DP ARCHITECTSDP Architects (DPA), established in
1967, was one of the firms responsible
for the urban landscape of singapore.
A leading architecture practice in Asia,
DPA has a long history in a wide variety
of projects with a particular expertise
in vast undertakings such as suntec
City, esplanade – theatres on the Bay
and the Dubai Mall. Current landmark
projects include Resorts World sentosa
and singapore sports Hub. the firm was
founded with a deep concern for the
built environment and the need to create
architecture of excellence that enriches
the human experience and spirit.
DPA-ESDGreen thinking is an integral part of DPA’s
practice. the firm’s environmentally
sustainable Design department
comprises architects, Green Mark
professionals, environmental engineers
and building scientists who work
closely with design architects and M&e
engineers to provide innovative green
solutions for an environmentally and
socially responsive built environment.
DP 04
Creating Contextual environments both loCal anD global
C i t i e s o f t h e f u t u r emaster planning
By Leong Wei Lin
About one in every 20 people on Earth lives
in megacities. By 2025, this will increase to
about one in every 13 people1. City building
is a relentless cycle of development and
redevelopment. As globalisation continues
its inexorable spread across the world,
demographic and structural changes within
cities will place new demands on urban
development and the planning professions.
While iconic cityscapes and talking-point
architecture are still often seen as the emblem
of successful city planning, people are
increasingly placing a greater emphasis on
the quality of civic life and in turn designers
are tasked with a higher order of redefining
city spaces in a more dynamic, inhabitable
and sustainable manner. DP Architects’ (DPA)
urban design work exemplifies the firm’s strong
commitment towards enhancing cities with new
energy. DPA strives towards creating strong
social centres and opportunities for human
interaction. The aim is to create architecture
that is sensitive to the local climate and cultural
atmospheres; that is not foreign but rather
serves the specific needs of its inhabitants.
In the words of urban theorist Jane Jacobs,
“Cities have the capability of providing
something for everybody, only because, and
only when, they are created by everybody”2. This is the call to everyone from architects,
planners, policy makers and governments to
the common man to gather to fuel international
discourse on urban solutions. When working on
master-planning projects, DPA places a strong
emphasis on having an in-depth understanding
of local conditions and engaging in dialogue
with locals to better comprehend the needs of
the inhabitants. With this understanding, DPA
also makes a concerted effort to design in
context across its entire body of work.
DPA strongly believes that interaction and
exposure on the international platform will serve
to generate exportable solutions that are locally-
oriented, climatically responsive, economically
sustainable and socially cohesive regardless of
nationality or geographic boundaries. This will
equip the firm with the ability to plan for and
deliver a new generation of creative solutions in
constructing liveable and sustainable cities in the
face of the challenges ahead.
DP ARCHIteCts
1 United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division: World Urbanization Prospects, the 2011 Revision: Highlights. New York, 2012. Released: 5 April 2012
2 Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, (New York: Random House, 1961)
Aerial view of Seef
Lusail, Qatar. The
master plan of this
all-season waterfront
destination
integrates with
key infrastructural
features that
enhance the
sustainability of its
buildings.
Located at Lusail, Qatar and occupying a land
area of 60ha, seef Lusail is designed as an
all-season, mixed-use destination. scheduled
for completion before World Cup 2022, the
development will feature an interactive 2.3km
waterfront promenade that will include multiple
world class attractions.
the design process of seef Lusail takes into
account numerous environmentally sustainable
principles. the master plan integrates with
key infrastructural features that enhance the
sustainability of its buildings, such as district
cooling, pneumatic waste collection and park-
and-ride systems. Its deep integration with
public transportation is taken a step further with
a climate-controlled pedestrian network that
connects the buildings to the LRt stations and the
waterfront promenade. the design borrows from
climate-mitigation features in the local architectural
heritage. Rigorous environmental analysis will be
carried out to ensure that thermal comfort in the
pedestrian network can be achieved all year round
with minimal energy consumption.
From ancient records, the island of Bahrain, known as Dilmun, was a paradise garden where
death and disease were unknown. Drawing from this inspiration, Dilmunia Health Island describes
a master plan for a health and wellness island township themed around life-giving water.
Radiating from the centre in swirls of green landscape and blue waterways, this idyllic
development features a comprehensive range of healthcare facilities, including a wellness
hospital, a women’s and children’s hospital, and specialised medical centres.
Four themed hotels anchor the development, each offering specific spa treatments
complemented by restaurants offering healthy cuisines. the outer ring of the development
holds residences, ranging from soHos (small office Home office) to pier side and
quayside townhouses, luxurious condominiums and elegant villas. Complementary
recreational amenities, entertainment facilities and lifestyle retail outlets complete this
health and wellness hub.
Seef LusailQatar01
Jazan Economic Citysaudi Arabia
Dilmunia Health IslandBahrain
04
03
DP ARCHIteCts
Located by the Red sea, 725km south of Jeddah, the vision of Jazan
economic City is based on the philosophy of symbiosis between its
master plan components. Its primary industrial anchors of energy, steel
and copper provide downstream economic opportunities as diverse as
pharmaceuticals, food processing and high value agritechnology. the
master plan components reflect the aspirations for industrial economic
development, human capital development and lifestyle elements to
attract talent to the region.
Covering an area of 103km2, the fully integrated and self-contained
development comprises industrial and non-industrial zones. the
Located next to shanghai Hongqiao Regional Airport, the 157ha
development is targeted at the corporate headquarters of business
organisations.
the master plan introduces a ‘garden-style’ business park, capitalising on
the site’s proximity to the green belt along suzhou River. the business park
consists of six zones – the evolution zone, the concentric arrangement zone,
the linear arrangement zone, the river park zone, the 2-storey office building
belt and the 3-storey office building zone – clustered in lushly landscaped
parcels to promote integration.
the central axis serves as a green connector that terminates at the river
park located at the northern end of the site fronting the suzhou River. A
water transport system will be introduced along the river, dissipating into the
existing waterways in the business park. the 50m green buffer along the
suzhou River will be designed as a leisure park catering to the community.
industrial zone represents more than two-thirds of the project and
will accommodate a port, an aluminium smelter, an oil refinery, metal
and mineral processing plants, as well as fisheries and an agro-based
industry. It will also include a power and desalination plant to support
the industries. the non-industrial zone will comprise the commercial
business district, a variety of residential areas, a marina and facilities for
education, hospitality and recreation.
to be developed over a period of 25 years, Jazan economic City will be
the fourth economic city to be launched in saudi Arabia after the economic
cities of King Abdullah, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Mousaed and Madinah.
DP 06
Hongqiao Linkong Business ParkChina
02
As part of a comprehensive design team,
DP engineer’s (DPe) goal is to ensure that
a project reaches fruition while upholding
the overall architectural design intent and
striving for highly efficient structural and
system solutions by working hand-in-
hand with the environmentally sustainable
Design department.
efficiency is a key driver for structural,
mechanical and electrical systems. through
careful modelling and benchmarking, the
DPe team strives to combine environmental
responsibility and the design’s building
requirements. structures are designed
with the goal of providing safe and resilient
support capability with minimal building
materials. the aim is to both shorten and
ease construction times while reducing the
amount of construction materials needed.
the environmental benefits are obvious
since construction is always a resource-
hungry endeavour – any reduction in
timeframe or materials is a key step towards
a more responsible construction process.
similarly, mechanical and electrical systems
are designed with high efficiency in mind to
both reduce operational costs for the client
as well as the energy resources required. In
singapore’s tropical climate, the complete
removal of air-conditioning is not always
realistic; however, where possible, natural and
mechanical ventilation are used alongside
air-conditioning to reduce cooling loads.
By ensuring the efficient delivery of power,
conditioned-air and water, DPe contributes
greatly to a building’s cost savings and
resource-effective operation in support of the
design team’s architectural goals.
In a finished project, much of DPe’s work
scope may not be readily apparent – a good
measure of a successful design that is both
efficient and seamless. By not imposing
over-designed systems, DPe is able to
support the architects while greatly reducing
a building’s environmental impact both in
construction and operation – a great benefit
to owners and operators.
from the ground upBuilding system design & environmental responsiBility By nartano Lim
Dp engineers is part of Dp’s holistiC approaCh to builDing Design that aDDresses the struCtural, meChaniCal anD eleCtriCal neeDs of a projeCt from Design ConCeption to realisation
DP 08
DP enGIneeRs
The construction
site for the new
headquarters of
Sunray Woodcraft
Construction Pte
Ltd. Designed by
DPA with DPE as
the C&S and MEP
consultant.
DP ENGINEERS DP engineers (DPe) provides civil and
structural engineering; mechanical,
electrical and plumbing engineering; fire
and hydraulics services. DPe performs
as an interface amongst all disciplines to
ensure fully coordinated design solutions.
Projects have a greater capacity to be conceived as an integrated whole when architects manage the design of both a building’s interior and exterior. the active participation of interior design architects with building architects helps to strengthen a visitor’s sense of identification with a building: the selection of materials, textures and finishes in coordination with lighting and spatial planning leads to interior conditions that are in tune with or help to establish a building’s overall character.
In some cases, shaping internal environments to ensure user comfort can also influence the long-term sustainability of a building – this is especially so when daylighting conditions and material choices are intended to minimise potential heat gain.
DP Design, DP’s interior design arm, serves its role in one of two ways, depending on its engagement in a building’s design process: often working directly with the architects during building conception, DP Design helps to shape a building’s overall design to achieve particular internal conditions; for already-completed buildings, DP Design will re-work internal spaces to achieve a functionality and personality in line with the existing architecture. two projects in particular have been shaped by DP Design to simultaneously increase user comfort and mitigate the buildings’ reliance on energy use:
DP DESIGNDP Design,
established in
1982, offers interior
design, space
planning and
branding strategy
services. DP
Design has been
commissioned for
projects including
esplanade –
theatres on the
Bay, Paragon
shopping Centre,
singapore stock
exchange and the
Dubai Mall.
designing soCial ColleCtorsthe materiality of natural lightBy Collin Anderson
DP DesIGn
the aCtive partiCipation of interior Design arChiteCts with
builDing arChiteCts helps to strengthen a visitor’s sense of iDentifiCation with a builDing
PARAGoN SHoPPING CENTRE, an upscale mall located at the midpoint of singapore’s orchard Road, has undergone three major renovations by DP Architects since 1999. the insertion of a central atrium in 2004 established a new focal point for the mall – its terraced profile and transparent glass balustrades expanded the main space upwards to a large span of clerestory windows, set back from the main space. DP Design’s involvement guided the design of these overhead conditions in place of the oft-used overhead skylight – the position of these bands of windows in coordination with an arched, white ceiling spanning the atrium floods the space with indirect, natural light throughout the day.
the result is an interior which requires minimal artificial lighting and, due to the set-back conditions of the windows, a lack of direct sunlight minimises internal heat gain to reduce energy usage. At the same time, the coupling of indirect sunlight with natural materials – stone and wood – in matte finishes molds an interior space that is comfortable on the eyes and more palatable to the senses of visitors. It is important to note that shopping spaces are commonly understood to be more lucrative when visitors are more at ease within them. the participation of DP Design in the renovation of this existing building influenced its qualities of internal visibility and, in concurrently, its reliance on energy.
similar results were attained with DP Design’s involvement in THE DUBAI MALL, the 12million sq ft civic focal point of the new Dubai City and, at the time of completion, the world’s largest mall. As one of the largest buildings in the Middle east and
DP 10
The thoughtful
design of the
skylights and
clerestories flood
the internal spaces
with natural light,
minimising the
reliance on energy
while achieving
comfortable and
pleasing internal
conditions.
an air-conditioned building set in a desert environment, a critical balance between natural and artificial lighting was necessary to minimise energy costs and maximise user comfort.
the Dubai Mall’s numerous multi-storey atria and grand internal boulevards were shaped with the help of DP Design, a collaborator in the project from its conception. over the building’s ice rink, for instance, a series of 26 skylights dot the 33m high ceiling to provide ample daylight and balance outdoor temperatures nearing 40°C with ground-ice temperatures of -5°C. In each of the building’s nine major atria, daylight and apertures were designed to provide a distinct look and feel for purposes of wayfinding and spatial identity: variations in lighting interplay with a range of surface materials to accommodate an array of volumes, and establish different moods and internal environments.
projeCt management
B a l a n C i n g C r e at i v i t y & ControlBy David McLeod
Project management demands a careful balance: the project manager must
not stifle the creativity of the designers while providing guidance on aspects
of the project to encourage the use of materials, technology and detailing
that adopts labour-efficient construction methods – all done in a timely and
cost-effective manner. the end result must ultimately satisfy building stability,
functionality and serviceability.
Building sustainability is increasingly important in a world of depleting
resources and the construction industry must take the lead in applying new
technology, management methods and construction processes to manage
resources in a proper and responsible manner.
Project management methods can improve resource efficiency by implementing
the appropriate levels of control and making sure that a project programme
is closely adhered to. similarly, a firm control on project costs during design
and construction phases – a critical part of value engineering – can minimise
abortive work and wasted resources.
DP CONSULTANTS DP Consultants (DPC), established
in 1981, offers project management
services from design through post-
construction phases. DPC specialises in
the management of urban planning and
architectural design projects worldwide,
such as the sGD6.5 billion Resorts World
sentosa in singapore. DPC comprises
a team of specialists with extensive
professional expertise in the construction
and building industries.
projeCt management methoDs Can improve resourCe effiCienCy by implementing the appropriate levels of Control anD making sure that a projeCt programme is Closely aDhereD to
DP ConsuLtAnts
the experience of working on the construction
of small and large-scale projects in southeast
Asia and the Middle east provided the key
members of DP Consultants (DPC) invaluable
exposure to both design and management
issues influencing sustainable practices.
these extended and varied experiences
have led to the development of established
management protocols which aim to utilise
resources efficiently.
Working from the same office allows DPC
and DPA to collaborate closely, reaping the
benefits of a shared-knowledge perspective.
this holistic approach improves the cross-
disciplinary capabilities of both teams, which
is optimised in projects where both teams are
appointed for; Resorts World sentosa Central
Zone, DPC’s largest project to date, is a case
in point.
In the early stages, DPC worked closely
with the client, lead architect DPA and
other consultants to quickly establish the
design features and sustainable elements
to be incorporated into the master plan
and essential buildings. With a common
understanding and shared goals determined
early in the design process, all teams were
able to move forward cohesively, minimising
potential time loss.
superior project planning for enhanced
productivity does not stop at the design
stage. During construction, DPC proactively
encouraged the contractor to review their
normal construction methods and look for
options that improved overall quality control,
particularly for mass-production components.
DPC and the main contractor also worked
closely to explore construction methods
that could actually allow fabrication prior to
the design being fully committed. there are
several examples where the materials used
for the building envelope, the interiors and
intermediate acoustic partitions were all part-
assembled off-site, reducing the construction
time considerably while maintaining a high
standard of quality control.
As a result of this proactive management,
all four hotels in Resorts World sentosa
Central Zone – Crockfords tower, Hotel
Michael, Hard Rock Hotel and Festive Hotel
– were completed within tight schedules
and awarded Green Mark GoldPlus status.
Resorts World sentosa also won the honour
of being the first development to receive
Green Mark GoldPlus in the District category.
DP 12
Resorts World
Sentosa achieved
the first Green
Mark District
GoldPlus award for
its energy efficient
practices and careful
considerations of the
environment.
transport infrastructure is the cornerstone
of urban development and urban mobility
assumes an important portion of the
liveability score of a city. Among other
indices like political stability, crime rate and
health care, how efficiently and effectively
the public transportation functions
determine how good a place is to live in.
singapore places high as one of the most
liveable cities in Asia, and one of the
common praises sung of this high-density
city-state is its well-connected transport
system. the country’s transportation
infrastructure has been the subject of studies
by foreign governments interested to learn
how a densely populated city like singapore
averted the crippling congestion faced by
neighbours like Bangkok and Jakarta.
Bishan Depot, completed in 1988, was the
first metro contract awarded by the Mass
the moving demandsresponsible infrastruCtural planning for an expanDing transportation network
DP INFRASTRUCTURE DP Infrastructure (DPI) focuses on
infrastructural projects such as
rail transport, roadways, airports,
telecommunications and special-purpose
industrial buildings. An early pioneer of
infrastructural works in singapore, DPI
is skilled in a wide range of complex
projects and has rich experience with
specialised collaborators and wide
exposure to a broad range of contract
procurement models.
Rapid transit Corporation of singapore. It is
the first such facility in the singapore metro
network, and one of the key early infrastructural
works of DP Architects, beginning with the
singtel building in 1970 (then known as the
singapore telephone Board). since then the
firm has worked on a multitude of infrastructural
developments locally and overseas – from
numerous MRt stations, seletar earth station,
sentosa Gateway Bridge and singapore Cruise
Centre at HarbourFront (A&A) in singapore; to
the design for the new Mumbai International
Airport in India and the underground bus station
in Wellington, Perth.
DP Infrastructure (DPI), the latest member
of the DP group of companies, was formally
set up last year to consolidate the members
who have been involved in DP’s infrastructure
projects and the expertise required to drive
the planning, architectural design and
management of infrastructure developments,
By toh Bee Ping
o f a G r ow i n G M e t r o p o l i s
Project Listings
DEPoTS:
1988 | Bishan Depot
2009 | Kim Chuan Depot
2014 | tuas West MRt extension Depot
UNDERGRoUND MRT STATIoNS:
1987, 2007 | orchard MRt station and subsequent alterations
1987, 2007 | somerset MRt station and subsequent alterations
1988 | tiong Bahru MRt station
2002 | outram Park MRt station
(north-east Line)
2002 | serangoon MRt station
2002 | Woodleigh MRt station
2009 | Promenade MRt station
2015 | Beauty World MRt station
2018 | thomson MRt Line
DP 14
DP InFRAstRuCtuRe
particularly in metro rail projects. the firm’s
metro transit experience includes elevated
and underground MRt stations; from entire
metro lines to complex city-centre stations
that integrate interchanges, civil defence
shelter requirements, and civic or commercial
structures. Current projects include thomson
MRt Line – awarded the largest of the
four packages, DP’s contract covers eight
stations, two of which are interchanges – and
Hyderabad Metro Line 3 and uppal Metro Rail
Depot in India.
With efficiency and ease of use as key
drivers for its work, DPI continues to
provide infrastructural facilities that support
the expanding transportation network – a
necessity to satisfy the pragmatic demands of
a growing metropolis, reduce the reliance on
automobiles and the accompanying carbon
footprint, while ensuring the architectural intent
enriches the built environment.
LEGENDS
MRT Stations
Depots
North South Line
East West Line
North East Line
Circle Line
Future Development
ELEVATED STATIoNS:
1988 | Buona Vista
1988 | Commonwealth
1988 | Clementi
1988 | Queenstown
1988 | Redhill
MRT STATIoN ALTERATIoN:
2002 | outram Park (east-West Line)
2005 | Raffles Place
2007 | City Hall
2007 | tanjong Pagar INTEGRATIoN oF CoMMERCIAL PRoJECTS AND RAIL SYSTEM:
1994 | Bugis Junction
2000 | novena square
2002 | Compass Point
2006 | VivoCity
2007 | Central
a garden retail experienCe
By Mandy too
FoR THE RESIDENTS
the recently completed myVillage – a two-storey, two-basement mall nestled in the low-rise private residential estate of serangoon Garden – placed utmost importance on the concept of a liveable building. the client’s brief was to have a mall tailored to the needs of the residents. Hence, myVillage was conceptualised as a welcoming garden courtyard that the neighbouring residents could ‘come home’ to.
sitting on the grounds where Paramount theatre once stood, myVillage seeks to inject new life to the development. For a personal touch, the main Village signage of the mall even has the handwriting of some hundreds of residents (each of whom personally wrote the word ‘my’) inscribed on it as a permanent mark.
the architectural strategy was to use natural elements at every level of the mall to create a recreational haven and evoke homely sentiments. An immersive garden experience was designed with the intention of providing the residents with a cosy retail environment: there is a sunken courtyard in the basement; an open backyard on the first storey; a sky terrace on the second storey; and a spacious garden on
the rooftop.
FIRST SToREY & BASEMENTS: WELCoMING GREENERY
In conceptualising myVillage as a welcoming garden courtyard for the residents, it was an integral part of the strategy to assimilate with the surrounds. the planning constraints ensured that the height of the building would not impose on the low-rise nature of the surrounding context. Further to that, natural elements were consistently assimilated with the lush greenery of the surrounds.
DP GREENDP Green (DPG) is a multi-disciplinary
practice that comprises architects,
landscape architects and arborists,
whose firm belief is that architecture and
landscape are inextricably linked. offering
full landscape and arborist consultancy
services, DPG creates landscape designs
that respond to a site’s natural genius loci.
for the residents of serangoon garden
DP GReen
with a keen respeCt of the human sCale,
myvillage emboDies an evolveD typology of a neighbourhooD retail
offering that offers numerous amenities
without overwhelming the Context of its
surrounDings
Above:
The contextual scale
of the building is
echoed in the soft,
low plantings at the
entry point.
Facing Page:
The integration
of landscape and
architecture were
initiated from the
earliest concept
sketches.
DP 16
The seamless
connection between
interior and exterior
influenced planting
choices and material
selection throughout
the project.
Geometrically arranged planter beds with abundant foliage of Terminalia Mollis trees surround the mall at ground level. the soft edge created by the planter beds along the periphery of the site composes an inviting frontage for the mall from each of the four roads along the boundary.
It was part of the landscaping strategy to ensure that the greenery on the exterior is allowed to permeate the mall. the mall incorporates thoughtful details which materialise into a continuous garden walk, bringing external space in. these include the pattern on the outdoor walkways which seamlessly continue into the interior floor;
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MICA (P) 008/10/2011
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Published by DP Architects Pte Ltd6 Raffles Boulevard, #04-100 Marina square, singapore 039594t: +65 6338 3988 F: +65 6337 9989 e: [email protected] W: www.dpa.com.sg
Photo Contributors: Irfan naqi, Jeremy san, Loh Yew Cheng, ng san son & Yong Hock seng.All photos are credited to the mentioned photographers unless otherwise stated.
DP 18
DP GReen
Above:
the rooftop terrace
becomes a garden for
the neighbourhood’s
enjoyment.
Left:
natural light features
prominently and is often
filtered through a graphic
of leaves to invoke the
exterior environment.
the glass canopy at the main entrance which bears imprints of foliage which simulate the Angsana trees found nearby; the same motifs used on skylights to cast leafy shadows into the atriums; and the vertical greenery comprising flowering vines, Clerodendron Thomsoniae and Philodendron Scandens, which clad the wall along which one descends into the basement via escalators.
natural light pours into the sunken courtyard in the basement which was designed to evoke feelings of warmth and comfort synonymous with being at home. Here, a stone-cladded water wall, timber-decked floors and décor of green plants add to the natural ambience for the enjoyment of alfresco diners.
SECoND SToREY & RooFToP: ELEVATED GARDENS
shoppers on the second storey are given the opportunity to unwind on the sky terrace which wraps around the southwest corner of the mall, overlooking Farleigh Avenue and sandown Place. on these two fronts, the elevated garden not only provides a green haven for shoppers on the inside; it also softens the façade by providing pockets of green on the exterior.
the continuous garden walk culminates on a vast rooftop garden where mall patrons can enjoy unobstructed views of the neighbourhood. one can walk on the concrete pavers, pebbles and grass interspersed among the vast timber-decked terrace while appreciating the peaceful view of the suburban landscape.
1986
The design of Marina Square’s retail structure is evidence of new explorations in mall typology
for the mid-1980s: while the design in many ways follows inward-looking trends of mall
architecture, it also externalises the programme in new ways. The design establishes its main
concourse one level above the streets to provide uninterrupted pedestrian circulation and link
all elements of the site. The T-shaped development of 300,000sqm is anchored by three hotels:
Marina Mandarin, Oriental Singapore, and Pan Pacific. These share a familial architectural
coherence driven by shared neutral finishes, pyramidal forms of receding balconies that fan out
symmetrically, and open corridor atria that extend the full height of each building.
Marina Square has been the headquarters of DP Architects since 1992.
Designed in collaboration with John Portman and Associates, USA.
Marina Square