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euHABITAT AN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENT WITH FOUR TYPOLOGIES

INDUSTRY

THE ‘BENCH’ PROJECT

TWIN PEAKSTHE HEIGHT OF CITY LIVING

THE EVOLUTION OF

DPA’S RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

IN DETAILIN DEPTH

VOLUME 4NUMBER 1

2013SINGAPORE

HIGH-RISELIVING ISSUE

CONTENTS

The latest happenings in DP

DPA’s Design Heritage lecture

Child at Street 11

Short takes on new & notable projects01 SBF Center02 Khaya Residential College and College of Alice & Peter Tan03 COSL Singapore Support Base04 Waterfront Waves05 23 Olive Road06 Alexandra Central07 Mövenpick Hotel Heritage 194008 Nanjing Software Park09 Paterson Collection10 The Fullerton Pavilion

Featured projects Twin PeakseuHabitat

Design Solutions

The Evolution of DPA’s Residential Projects

Architecture IssuesThe Changing Singapore Residential Model

Sustainable Design Lighting the Way with LED

Awards & eventsSIT@RP Groundbreaking CeremonySIA Practice Convention 2013The ‘Bench’ Project

DP personalities Interview with Leo Mauricio, Aloysius Lian & Cheng Sin Mei

Awaken the Dragon Festival 2013

Celebration of past projects

Ridgewood Condominium, 1981

Volume 4 Number 1, 2013, Singapore

DESIGN IN PRINT TEAM

Letter from the Guest Editor

Dear Readers,

Designing residential projects in Singapore has become more challenging in recent years as the density is higher and apartment units are getting smaller, leaving less room for creativity and design exploration. Nevertheless, these constraints may also turn into opportunities to examine other aspects like efficient, creative and flexible use of space, or the use of communal and landscaped area.

In order to stay competitive in the local residential arena, we have to continue to hone our design skills for high-rise residences. Besides achieving high efficiency and saleable area for developers, we also need to explore new design concepts and ideas. Projects such as Golden Mile Complex which offers outdoor living with the provision of open roof terrace, River Place which brought the idea of shophouse living into a condominium, Sky@eleven which manipulated the unit layout to capitalise on the site’s attributes and achieve the dual view concept, and Jardin which promotes the garden living concept by introducing duplex units with landscaped sky terraces, are some examples where DP Architects pushed design boundaries.

In a highly reactive environment like Singapore where government rulings are reviewed on a frequent basis – such as the recent control of roof terrace and private enclosed space – designers need to keep up with the changes quickly. Improving our knowledge and application of authority and construction codes at the design stage is also crucial to achieve an integrated and well-resolved design solution.

The opportunities ahead are tremendous: the Singapore government has recently announced that 700,000 new homes will be required, should the population increase to an estimated 6.9 million by 2030. This will not only allow us to capitalise on our market share in local residential projects, but most importantly, to explore and create interesting designs in both public and private housing in the coming years.

Wang Tse Lip Associate Director, DP Architects Pte Ltd

Cover image: Twin PeaksAdditional contributors: Jackie Poh, Kyle Fulton, Lee Boon Woei, Stephanie Yong, Widari Bahrin

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Leong Wei LinToh Bee Ping

Tong Tong

IN FOCUS

DP Architects’ founder and honorary chairman, Mr Koh Seow Chuan, delivered an in-house lecture titled ‘DPA’s Design Heritage’ on 23 November 2012. Mr Koh considers integrity and talent to be the firm’s cornerstones; he discussed in detail how two of DPA’s early projects, People’s Park Complex and Golden Mile Complex, have manifested that the architect’s role is the manipulation of space for community needs. He reiterated DPA’s founding philosophy that good architecture is to create spaces that uplift the human spirit. Living up to its heritage as one of the pioneering and best architectural firms in Singapore, DPA continues to make contributions to the design environment, with the aim to improve the quality of people’s life.

SBF Center is a 31-storey commercial development located in the heart of the Central Business District along Robinson Road. Inspired by the small, urban park that once sat on the site, SBF Center aims to bring back the enclave of green by creating pockets of verdant spaces interspersed throughout the building. A series of terraced gardens breaks down the imposing building mass to a more intimate scale. This collection of tiered gardens forms an urban park which can be enjoyed by the community.

Building corners are rounded to mimic the organic environment. Lines of nature are mapped onto surfaces of various thickness and density. This expression continues to the roof forming a unique roofscape. A sky terrace deck with pool and gym facilities promotes wellness of its users.

| The latest happenings in DP

DP 01

| Short takes on new & notable projects

DPA’s Design HeritageLecture by Koh Seow Chuan

Spreading festive cheer atChild at Street 11

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02Khaya Residential College and College of Alice & Peter TanSingapore

Located in NUS University Town, the design for the 38,000sqm Khaya Residential College and College of Alice & Peter Tan is inspired by the traditional Southeast Asian house. Deep roof overhangs shade the exterior walls and window openings to control interior heat gain. The north-south facing buildings have individual podiums set away from each other, maximising façade area for cross ventilation. Architectural elements including ventilation blocks, louvred monsoon windows, framed glazing with vertical accents, and a unifying railing and canopy across the podium are kit-of-parts employed to create a strong and coherent visual identity for the colleges.

Continuing a friendship that began in 2007, DP Architects brought festive joy and presents to the children at Child at Street 11, a centre that provides education and day care for children from low-income and dysfunctional families.

The Christmas wish list of the centre’s 65 children was checked off by DPians within 15 minutes of its posting. Others bought art supplies and gave cash for grocery vouchers to support the centre’s daily needs. The gifts were presented to the children at the centre on 20 December 2012.

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| Short takes on new & notable projects

The Benoi Road office and industrial facility of COSL, a Chinese offshore oil-drilling service provider, takes on a U-shaped layout which allows greater flexibility and efficiency within the parallelogram-shaped site. The resulting large storage space in the middle, which is adjacent to the harbour, allows effective transportation of goods and materials via the waterway.

The factories and warehouse are aligned to the northern and southern part of the site. Two L-shaped office blocks separate the office function from the courtyard-facing leisure space and screen the storage area from the main road. The office blocks have a panoramic view of the entire site’s operations with the harbour as a backdrop.

The 50,000sqm Waterfront Waves is a private water-facing residential development at Bedok Reservoir Road that consists of eight 15-storey towers. The project takes advantage of the site’s vast water body in the north and lush greenery in the south.

The balconies of the façade facing Bedok Reservoir are designed to resemble undulating water waves. The towers are strategically planned to maximise the views of the reservoir while minimising the solar effects of the western sun. The carefully studied building orientation places more than 94 percent of the external walls away from the west.

23 Olive Road is a tropical bungalow located at Caldecott Hill. Addressing the steep slope of the site, the house is conceived as a series of terraced pavilions. Blade walls are employed to define the changes in functional spaces and the varying heights of the pavilions.

The L-shaped plan wraps around the garden and allows a vantage view of the swimming pool and green from all rooms. The alternating sliding timber screen enhances the façade of the house, creating a complex play of light and shadow while providing privacy.

Located at the prominent northeast corner of Jalan Bukit Merah and Alexandra Road, and occupying the former SAFRA Bukit Merah site, this 19-storey development comprises a 13-storey hotel tower atop a 6-storey retail and car park podium. The four-star, 450-room hospitality development features lavish landscaped facilities on the seventh storey podium roof and spectacular views towards the green southern ridges in the southwest and the city in the northeast. The commercial component offers hotel guests a mix of food and beverage establishments and speciality retail shops, giving the community more shopping and dining choices.

COSL Singapore Support BaseSingapore

WaterfrontWavesSingapore

23 Olive RoadSingapore

Alexandra CentralSingapore

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A conservation project, the hotel comprises two three-storey colonial military barracks that were built in 1940. Inspired by the historical heritage of Singapore, the design brings together elements of tradition and modernity.

The link between the two buildings is revitalised into a triple-volume space framed by lattice patterns which are inspired by the rice grain. Thoughtful interior details create a cosy, nostalgic experience: the floor joists of old shophouses are introduced as ceiling rafters in the guest rooms, dim sum carriers serve as baskets for toiletries, carpets with intricate batik-inspired patterns that speak of the Peranakan culture, conservation doors that reinterpret colonial architecture and the pitched roof on level three that evokes memories of childhood homes.

Located within minutes of Orchard Road, Paterson Collection comprises two 19-storey towers that look towards the prestigious shopping belt. The 85-unit development is made up of two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, and single level and duplex penthouses; all encased in full-height glass for magnificent views from all corners of every apartment. Aluminium screens, set away from the glass walls and arranged in a playful pattern, ensure privacy. Two levels of amenities including pools, playground, gym, function room and pavilions are located within a landscaped deck. A sky terrace allows outdoor dining and houses a jacuzzi. The buildings respond well to the site, surrounding views and orientation. The sleek and contemporary form exudes style and elegance befitting a high-end residence.

The Fullerton Pavilion, the first and only floating lifestyle destination in Singapore, is a hybrid between a building and a marine vessel. Measuring 6m tall with a spacious 23.5m diameter, it has breathtaking views of Marina Bay. The design of the façade envelope starts as solid opaque panels at the main entrance and gradually evolves into clear glass at the dining area to take advantage of the 360-degree views. The outer layer of the façade is made of laminated glass, providing good acoustics. At the exterior of the façade frames, LED light strips are integrated between the glass panels; the lighting can be customised to suit different event and festive requirements.

Nanjing Software ParkChina

Mövenpick Hotel Heritage 1940 Singapore

Paterson CollectionSingapore

The Fullerton Pavilion Singapore

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Courtesy of The Fullerton Heritage

Courtesy of Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa

Located in Nanjing Pukou, this 35ha development will house centres of technology research and development, investment funding and multimedia. The project employs low carbon eco-technology and modern urban design strategies, and is guided by four key principles: dynamic mixed-use, seamless connectivity, unique identity and ecological design.

Two landmark towers form the gateway to the park, and a green belt acts as a seamless pedestrian connector throughout the development. Physical connectivity is provided by an extensive network of roads and public transport nodes. Open networking spaces improve the porosity of the technology park. Environmental sustainability is a primary driver of the architectural design, and the project employs many strategies such as the generous use of green walls to reduce heat absorption.

| Featured projects

YEAR: 2013 | AREA: 40,500 SQ M | SINGAPORE

DP 05

THE HEIGHT OF CITY LIVING

TWIN PEAKS

To truly understand the future of housing in

Singapore, it is important to first consider the

past. In the 1950s, there was a severe shortage

of housing in Singapore; some 75 percent of

the population lived in crowded tenements and

unplanned settlements. Suburban new towns

were created to re-house the people. By the

early 1960s, this process was well underway,

with spacious new apartment blocks being built

throughout the island.

In theory, these new housing complexes were to

be self-sufficient communities that provide for all

the needs of the inhabitants. However, these areas

were not able to provide sufficient employment and

many residents began to commute into the Central

Business District for work.

Public transport made this journey short enough

that many residents of the suburban towns

preferred to shop and dine in the city. Overtime,

these towns came to serve as commuter

settlements with most daily activities taking place

outside the home.

This trend has continued. Today, we are served by

a transportation system and a city which can fulfill

almost all of our daily requirements. As such, some

Singaporean residents feel they do not require a

large home, but would prefer one that is better

Above: The Sky Loggia

located at the 36th floor.

Project Team:

(front row from left)

Jacqueline Pong,

Gani Wijoyo,

Ti Lian Seng,

Lee Siat Kiat,

Tan Teng Siew,

Nurul Sumeri,

(back row from left)

Yanuar Kristanto,

Laurence Yap,

Dominador Licup,

Mark Villacampa,

Jeremy Ho,

(not in photo)

Roslinah Ahmad.

By Kyle Fulton

Standing proudly on the slopes of Leonie Hill, Twin Peaks towers above the city,

commanding views along Orchard Road and the Central Business District. It is a futuristic vision of a Singapore to come,

where high-rise buildings embody the tenets of high-density, high-efficiency

and high-end luxury lifestyle.

| Featured projects

Above: The view from

the landscaped sky gym

at the 13th storey.

connected to the city. In a sense,

they are willing to trade private

space for the ease of interacting

in public space and the

convenience of proximity. Out of

this unique sociopolitical climate

has grown the need for a new

housing typology – one which

blends the comfort and privileges

of a private condominium, and

the central location, services and

style of a hotel. With this in mind,

Twin Peaks was created.

Although situated on an

expansive site, the architects of

Twin Peaks decided to restrict

the development’s footprint and

extend the towers vertically,

leaving more space for lifestyle

facilities. This resulted in the design

of two symmetrical 35-storey towers

that hold 231 units each. Not only is

this a highly efficient design, but one of

beauty that is balanced and composed

within its urban context.

The arrangement of the towers

promises residents panoramic views of

the Orchard shopping district, extending

from the living room into the heart of

Singapore. Twin Peak’s position in the

city centre means it is an ideal location

for business and recreation with the

main commercial areas only a stone’s

throw away. Residents will spend less

time travelling and more time for the

things they enjoy.

To this end, Twin Peaks has many

lifestyle facilities for residents to take

pleasure in, including numerous

pools, sky gyms, gardens and

beautiful dining facilities. The

importance of these amenities is

expressed on the exterior where the

vertical volume of the buildings is

punctuated with the landscaped sky

gym, creating a signature void. There

is also a dedicated concierge service

on hand to support the residents’

busy lifestyles. Residents may even

enjoy the privilege of housekeeping

and hospitality services extended by

the Mandarin Orchard Singapore.

In Twin Peaks, every effort has been

taken to make sure the residents

DP 07

Above right: Dining

suites by the 35m pool.

Right and far right: Units

are fully furnished with

high quality and classic

designer furniture.

Left: Site Plan

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Grand Entrance

Water Terraces

Guard House

Sheltered Drop-off Area

Concierge

Outdoor Lobby/Lanai

Administrative Office

Entertainment Lounge

Reading Lounge

Laundry Room

Dining Suites

Function Deck

Changing Rooms,

Steam Rooms &

Jacuzzi/Spa Pool

Swimming Pool with

35m Lap Pool

Children’s Pool

Lawn Deck

Pavilion Garden

Outdoor Gourmet/BBQ

Art Garden

Play Area

Tennis Court

Sculpture

are afforded the luxurious lifestyle they

desire, one which begins as soon as

they receive their new apartment.

For this purpose, each unit comes fully

furnished with high quality furniture and

classic designer pieces.

Twin Peaks is a product of Singapore’s

unique sociopolitical climate and is the

Twin Peaks is the first of a new generation of residences which truly caters to a contemporary city lifestyle

first of a new generation of residences

which truly caters to a contemporary city

lifestyle. In designing this new typology,

the architects of Twin Peaks have

understood that today’s urban dweller

needs a home that is fully integrated with

the city yet at the same time separate,

and have provided a luxurious escape in

which to unwind and enjoy the view.

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| Featured projects

Sited at Jalan Eunos in the Bedok area,

euHabitat is a condominium development that

boasts an integrated environment. Inspired by

the surrounding landscape, this development

is ecologically sensitive. It also aims to achieve

a character that is diverse and personal. The

concept brings together a collection of four

different lifestyles, catering to a variety of

living arrangements of contemporary families.

Four housing typologies are differentiated as:

Townhouse, Condominium, Suite and SOHO.

The townhouses are grouped around an

expansive pool of water, where the terraces to

each townhouse line the edge of the water. The

large pool at the doorstep not only creates a

pleasant comfort climate, but also reflects the

expanse of the sky above it. Here, architecture

truly embraces nature. The scenery changes

from moment to moment as the sun and clouds

pass through the sky. At the entry level of the

condominium, the covered gathering spaces

between adjacent buildings are naturally ventilated

and densely planted, accessible to the residents

AN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENT WITH FOUR TYPOLOGIES

By Tong Tong

euHabitatInspired by different aspects of nature, euHabitat addresses the increasing desire to live in harmony with nature

Townhouse

The first floor is mostly glazed, leading the eyes toward the

water and landscape. The borrowed scenery extends the

nature into the living spaces.

Condominium

The roof plane of the condominium is treated as a malleable

surface to link different condominium units.

Project Team:

(front row from left)

Angela Ng,

San Shang Jui,

Jeremy Tan,

Kam Yau Fat,

Ifshiel Tamayao,

(back row from left)

Arief Budi Ariyanto,

Joey Chua,

Fred Lee,

Majorette Roxas Dumo,

Asep Darmana,

Mou Zu Hui,

Austen Chan.

YEAR: 2014 | AREA: 57,800 SQM | SINGAPORE

DP 09

at all times. The walls and windows of the suites

are adapted specifically for privacy and sun

orientation. The horizontal aluminium louvres shade

the glass and visually unify the elevations of these

single-bedroom units. The interior is animated

by natural light filtering through the folding louvre

panels. The façade gently undulates as the

panels open and fold, creating a rippled surface

of contrasting light and shadow. As a result, it

allows the ability to modulate the sun and air,

and achieves both privacy and openness. As the

demand for ‘flexibility’ has come to the fore, the

SOHO apartments provide a large space where

dining, cooking, meeting and recreation come

together. The open plan is changeable without

losing its coherence. Capitalising on the high

ceiling, the residents are given the opportunities to

individualise their own upper mezzanine space.

Inspired by different aspects of nature, euHabitat

becomes a dynamic residential community that

addresses the increasing desire to live in harmony

with nature. The mix of living units of different

sizes and types are distributed throughout the

site, offering a variety of conditions to meet each

tenant’s needs. A variety of interior and exterior

spaces are generated with varying degrees of

access and privacy. Thus each component

opens up its interior to the nature, embracing the

water, weather, sunlight and breezes, effectively

integrating architecture with the elements.

Left: This single

residential community

of four different

housing concepts

is set within a green

enclave.

Below left:

The entrance plaza

near the condominium.

The car park is buried

underground to free

the landscape of

vehicular traffic. The

entire development

is human-scaled and

pedestrian-friendly.

Suite

The concept for the suites is ‘to see and be seen’. The

spacious single bedroom suites are arranged to have direct

contact with the pool and landscape.

SOHO

A metal feature wall wraps the elevation and continues over

the roof, and combines with the glass façade to create a

contemporary expression favoured for office architecture.

DP Architects has been involved in residential design

since its early years as Design Partnership. The firm’s first

condominium project, also one of the first condominiums

in Singapore, Ridgewood Condominium, a 20-storey,

464-unit development was completed in 1981. It offered

a Hawaiian theme to the architecture and a garden

landscape for the residents.

In those days, living in a condominium was associated

with exclusivity and privacy, a prestigious address, an

assortment of on-site facilities and amenities, as well as a

more high-end style of living compared with the cookie-

cutter type of public housing that was predominant in a

young nation like Singapore. Today, condominium design

has become increasingly challenging as developers shift

towards marketing a complete lifestyle package rather

than simply an apartment unit.

Another challenge also originates from the growing

improvements within the public housing sector, as

older estates receive upgrading via the Neighbourhood

Renewal Programme, ensuring that residents are provided

with quality living through the addition of amenities around

the estate. In recent years, in line with the nation’s

strategy to transform HDB estates into a world-class

living environment, the government has also launched

plans to remake Singapore’s heartland. New towns like

Punggol and Sengkang are slated to become ‘eco-towns’

complete with waterfront public housing and amenities,

a typology that was previously reserved only for luxury

condominiums. There is also the rise of other high-rise

public housing developments such as The Pinnacle at

Duxton offering sky gardens and premium location, as

well as SkyVille and SkyTerrace at the Dawson Estate

area which offer flexible flat layouts that encourage

multi-generational living, all of which were selling points

previously identified with private condominiums.

Designers have to rise to the challenge of addressing the

narrowing gap between public housing and condominium

developments, and seek ways to enhance designs so as to

increase the attractiveness and marketability of our clients’

developments. Using a selection of condominium projects,

Design in Print examines the evolution of DP Architects’

design strategies and responses over the years.

DEVELOPMENT MIX

As the public housing market evolves over the years to

provide consumers with diversified offerings, and the

average buyer becoming savvier in evaluating the merits

of a potential home, designers today need to think out of

the box to offer the best of functionality, design features

and aesthetics.

On the macro level, looking at condominium developments

as a whole, it is important to capitalise on site advantages,

as sensitive site response can often contribute to the

uniqueness of a development.

| Design solutions

By Leong Wei Lin

THEEVOLUTION OF DPA’S RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

Natural Ventilation

External Views and Natural Lig

ht

The Bayshore, completed in 1997, is designed

as an up-market condominium within a lush

tropical setting, which has good views towards

the sea. With a high level of visibility along East

Coast Parkway, the objective was to create an

identifiable architectural statement.

The development has a relatively formal layout

with a strong symmetrical axis in the overall site

plan. The development is dominated by two

pairs of 30-storey blocks, each pair linked by

a 12-storey block. Articulation of the façade is

created by the interplay of building elements,

which results in a sculptured massing capped

by a cantilevered trellis. Typical unit layouts

are arranged symmetrically around the service

core. This example of non-differentiated unit

layouts is something less seen in today’s

condominium developments. The success

of The Bayshore lies in the generous garden

setting which provides ample outdoor space for

the occupants.

DP 11

With increasing competition, designers must step up to the challenge to develop new design strategies for condominiums

River Place, completed just two

years after The Bayshore, is situated

at a very strategic location at the

fringe of the downtown district,

where the site is bound by Havelock

Road, Clemenceau Avenue and the

Singapore River, as well as being

adjacent to the historical district

of Robertson Quay. The planning

strategy adopted responds to the

variety of urban conditions present

in the unique site location, offering

three architectural forms within a

single development, which was not

commonly seen during that time. It

consisted of a high-density slab block

that contained the majority of the

required apartment floor area lining the

city edges, a low-density block at a

more intimate scale for the communal

open spaces and the riverfront, and

a taller point block as a focus. This

design approach gave rise to more

than a hundred different types

of apartment layouts, dispelling

any form of anonymity normally

associated with large housing

developments and catered to a

varied group of potential buyers.

This approach also offered each

resident a unique sense of place

and identity.

Above: The Bayshore’s

site plan showing the

formal arrangement of

towers.

Left: The sculptured

massing creates a

distinctive architecture

form.

Above: River Place’s

site plan showing the

varying building grain

within the development.

Above right: View of

the overall development

showing the variety of

architectural forms.

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| Design solutions

Left: Floridian’s site

plan showing the

arrangement of the

residential blocks

around the water

bodies.

Right: The extensive

water bodies along

the spine of the

development is a key

feature of Floridian.

The corner timber

treatment at the

communal platforms

on alternate levels

characterises the

entrance.

Courtesy of Far East Orchard

Courtesy of Far East Orchard

In 2012, DPA completed Floridian, a

development situated along Bukit Timah

Road that redefines residential living via

a hospitality-oriented approach. The

experience celebrates the daily act of

returning home, taking reference from

the coastal lifestyle of Miami, Florida.

Comprising eleven 10-storey towers with

a total of 336 units, the towers fall under

different themes and, through subtle

differences in architectural language,

manage to have varying characters while

still belonging to a collective whole.

The Keys are positioned like a promontory

right in between the lap pool and main

swimming pool, and characterise the

entrance with the corner timber treatment

at the communal green platforms on

alternate levels. Adjacent to the lap pool, the

Downtown towers play up an urban quality

of clean solid lines and accent colours as a

reflection of the young urbanite’s lifestyle.

Aligned next to The Keys is The Verandah

which is distinctive because of the communal

rooftop terraces and gardens that embellish

the façade and roofscape with lush green

foliage. The Hideaway and Pavilion Towers

house most of the prime four and four-

plus bedroom units and are defined by the

generous, screened balconies.

Overall, the various towers with their varied

attributes and distinctive designs echo the

theme of Floridian living – a touch of good living

with many lifestyle alternatives amid a lush

waterfront environment.

Distinctive characters of the towers cater to a wide demographic

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Left: eCO’s site

plan showing the

residential typology

mix with respect to the

landscape.

Legend:

SOHO

Suites

Condo

Townhouse

Shop Units

eCO, strengthening community relationships while

meeting the lifestyle choices of each individual.

eCO also offers 100 percent pool view for all

units, with tower blocks enjoying a desirable

north-south orientation. While the townhouses

take advantage of the site terrain, and are

located on the highest point of the site to enjoy

sweeping views of the mature heritage trees

along the east boundary, the resultant east-west

orientation of the units is mitigated by providing

ample louvre screening.

Located along Bedok South Avenue 3 and

conceived as a ‘community in a garden’, eCO,

to be completed in 2015, offers 748 living units

with five residential typologies within a single

condominium development. This level of choice

addresses the present trend and future direction

of housing where multitude of needs have to be

addressed, and diversity of options becomes an

expectation within a single development. The

prestige of the Townhouses, comfort of the Condos

and Lofts, exclusivity of the Suites and flexibility

of the SOHO-style units come together in the

While site constraints and floor area efficiency

requirements do not usually allow for extensive

landscape and amenities, eCO atypically

manages to provide different pool types, such

as a 50m lap pool, children’s pool, a recreational

pool and aqua therapy pools. Taking into

consideration busy lifestyles, fitness opportunities

are also provided not simply by providing

exercise stations, but by crafting the verdant

landscape to incorporate an ecological nature

trail, bio ponds, and other themed gardens.

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Right: Perspective view

of the units facing the

heritage trees.

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One example that demonstrates creativity in

the use of greening and landscaping options

is Jardin, completed in 2012. The design of

Jardin incorporates two main ideas – a ‘vertical’

garden setting and the French notion of living.

These concepts are pivotal architectural form-

generators, and encapsulate new pleasures of

high-rise living and modern lifestyles.

In Jardin, where architecture and landscape

merge into a living environment, the pleasure

of living in a high-rise garden environment is

materialised. At each alternate level, extensive

gardens extend from the loft units, serving

as deep communal ‘balconies’. Besides

functionally providing shade and buffer from city

noise, these gardens connect the units’ living

spaces, allowing for use as social spaces.

The experience of the scenic gardenscape

begins upon entry to the development, where

residents and visitors are greeted by a green

terrain that berms and elevates the building.

The combination of French and garden themes

epitomises the spirit of this exciting residential

property, that of providing quality and tasteful

living amid clever landscaping that challenges the

conventional notions of residential landscaping.

| Design solutions

Designers need to generate creative interpretations of the residential landscape to produce high-quality differentiated offerings

COMMUNAL SPACES, AMENITIES & LANDSCAPE

In the past, typically the larger developments would have the luxury

of extensive landscaping, and landscaping was largely limited to the

ground level.

Today, many developments provide landscaping not just at the grounds,

but also at sky terraces and gardens. Vertical greening has also

become popular in recent years. The advent of sky terraces, gardens

and vertical green while being said to address the wants of consumers,

can also be attributed in part to URA’s and BCA’s urban and Green Mark

guidelines. The responsibility of designers is not to simply maximise the

permissible bonus gross floor area afforded by such schemes, but to

utilise every square metre thoughtfully and with creativity.

Left: Earlier

condominiums like The

Bayshore organised

extensive landscaping

and pools at the

ground level.

Right: Jardin’s roof

top amenities offer

opportunities for

socialising.

Below: View of Jardin’s

extensively landscaped

communal balconies.

Courtesy of Far East Organization

Courtesy of Far East Organization

DP 15

Left: The Minton’s

connecting bridges

between the

blocks overlook the

landscaping, such

as the ‘Cascading

Waterfall’ and the

‘Amazonian Lily Pond’.

On the other side of the size and scale spectrum,

currently under construction and to be

completed in 2014, is The Minton, a suburban

condominium development that reflects the

increasingly sophisticated demands of the

modern homeowner and markets a lifestyle

package for the whole family.

The Minton comprises ten 15-storey, eight 17-

storey apartment blocks and two basement

car parks with a total of 1,145 units including

24 units of penthouses. The designers have

taken full advantage of the site topography

in the use of open spaces and landscaping

whereby one can enjoy distinctively different

experiences, facilitated by bridges and sky

terraces connecting the blocks to support the

activities throughout the development that cater

to all ages and lifestyles.

Unlike older developments, The Minton follows

the increasing trend of providing not just the

basic amenities, but a much wider range that

is set attractively within a cleverly designed

landscape. It boasts of one of the largest

clubhouses in Singapore. Beyond the amenities

commonly found in most condominiums, The

Minton also has dedicated rooms for yoga,

billiards, table soccer, karaoke, piano and

table-tennis to name a few. Further commercial

facilities such as childcare and retail are housed

in the clubhouse’s annex building.

Other recreational and sports facilities

are strategically placed around the entire

development like an indoor badminton court,

playgrounds, an 82-seat library, a 50m lap pool,

a 20m heated pool, hydromassage pavilions,

onsen spas, fitness stations and a jogging track.

The extensive provision of communal facilities

goes above and beyond the typical facilities

found in most public housing estates, coupled

with exclusivity and privacy; and is made

possible by the critical mass of households in

this large estate.

Right: The sky terraces

connecting the

blocks accommodate

amenities such as the

onsen spas and hydro-

massage pavilions,

a gym and changing

facilities in specially

designed environments.

Above: Pavilion 11’s

typical unit layout which

shows the living room

space at the furthest

points of the floor plate.

Left: The staggered

towers allow for optimal

view angles.

Completed in 2009, Pavilion 11 consists of two elegant towers that

stand proudly on a gentle sloping site in a staggered arrangement for

optimum solar orientation and full capitalisation on the magnificent

views towards Orchard Road, the Central Business District, and the

nearby nature reserve.

Living rooms are deftly ‘nudged’ slightly out of alignment, resulting

in 270-degree, unobstructed, extraneous views from the living area

balconies. Creative use and positioning of dedicated, private lifts allow

access to units via the living rooms; and the flowing seamless space

creates an expansive view beyond the balcony.

Among the tallest condominiums in Singapore, Sky@eleven was completed in 2010

and comprises four blocks of 43-storey apartment towers within a verdant landscape

in Thomson Road.

The blocks are planned in linear form to capitalise on the city view to the south and

MacRitchie Reservoir to the north. Privacy and exclusivity are reflected in the planning

of the typical vertical circulation core, where just two or three apartments share a

common lift lobby. Each apartment is dual-facing, ensuring good lighting and cross-

ventilation throughout. By strategically stretching the unit layout, and situating the

entrance to open to the family space, long narrow corridors leading to bedrooms are

avoided while enabling all bedrooms and living spaces to have unobstructed views.

Such a layout is refreshing and conducive to home life as it brings family members past

common living spaces before entering the individual’s space.

| Design solutions

Left: Sky@eleven’s

typical L-shaped unit

layout showing unit

access at family area.

Right: Architectural

form enclosing

amenities and sky

terraces creates

a point of visual

interest.

UNIT CONFIGURATION

Condominium developments usually have the advantage of location, and,

oftentimes, the site affords beautiful vistas that designers capitalise on by

maximising viewing angles for as many units as possible.

Besides utilising tower orientation to capitalise on prime views, designers

also have to take into account other site factors such as sun orientation,

whereby provision of prime views have to be balanced with the treatment

of the less desirable east-west facing façades. Creative, atypical unit

layouts is one way of achieving this with success.

N

0 5 10m

N0 5 10mViewing Span

Balcony

Entrance foyer

Family space

N0 20 40m

DP 17

The Trillium is a premium high-rise

condominium situated within an urban setting

in River Valley and was completed in 2011.

Comprising three 29-storey towers and one

basement car park, the development is sited

on a long and narrow plot along Kim Seng

Road, surrounded by other high-rise buildings.

This created a potential issue of overlooking

units. Each tower was then designed with a

clover plan with only three promontory units

per storey for maximum 270-degree views

and privacy.

The clover plan gives The Trillium its signature

trefoil form – with it, each tower is articulated

as three slender stacks, thus avoiding the

massive-block effect. The towers are then

spaced apart at the maximum distance

possible with lush landscaping in between

to minimise the overpowering effect of the

towers over the Kim Seng Road streetscape.

The private lift lobby, balconies and living room

can be amalgamated into one continuous

deck by means of sliding doors, allowing

residents generous spaces for contemporary

outdoor ‘sky-living’.

DP Architects’ portfolio of condominium projects dating from the 1990s to the present demonstrates that designers’ abilities, adaptability and creativity is critical when dealing with the challenges over the years, be it site constraints, urban and building guidelines, or changing societal trends. With numerous residential developments currently under construction and in the pipeline, innovation takes priority so as to continually refresh design solutions.

Above: The Trillium’s

site plan showing the

spacing and orientation

of the towers.

Left: The ground storey

approach to one of the

towers.

Left: The Trillium’s tower

orientation maintains

the privacy of each unit,

and overcomes the

constraints of a

slender plot.

Unit layouts have to maximise functionality while optimising site opportunities

In early 2012, DP Architects embarked on an exercise to replace in phases all office light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. Our office in Marina Square is made up of three main studios, and Studio 1 is the first to make the switch. Led by our Environmentally Sustainable Design Department, the aim is not just to save energy, but, more importantly, to encourage DPians to go green at work.

| Sustainable Design

Singapore’s high-density residential tower blocks have evolved since the housing crisis of the 1960s. Today’s architects must respond to Singapore’s complex housing regulations, but also create exciting and engaging places to live within this tight urban setting. The Singapore model for space-efficient, tropical residential architecture is perpetually being reconciled with the needs of the population. With a commitment to design integrity, DP Architects responds to planning guidelines while providing clients and developers with a product that addresses the needs of the end user and community. Here, the architects tread the fine line between tightly controlled space restrictions and functionality.

DPA’s residential projects engage with the exigencies which shape the way we live. The eCO project in Bedok embraces a multi-disciplinary approach to design, fully engaging with external consultants in order to make every square metre count. Landscape and public spaces were a special focus, driving the design of the

overall development. Envisioned as an eco-friendly development with an emphasis on community and garden-living, the design of eCO pre-emptively focuses on the need for shared, green, open vistas. Recently revised URA guidelines related to Private Enclosed Spaces and private Roof Terraces will most likely result in a reduction of outdoor private spaces. Architecturally we may see a greater priority placed on the quality of shared communal spaces in response to this reduction.

Meaningful green space in eCO has driven the design of its shared spaces. Tenant allotments are provided to encourage a sense of ownership over the space. Tending a piece of the garden becomes a community activity. Near the top of the site is a

tree conservation area into which the architects inserted a raised timber deck creating an easily accessible, usable space. This otherwise unusable space, due to a steep slope and restrictions on Tree Protection Zones, becomes a unique part of the garden journey through the site.

The strategic location and design of these highly accessible green spaces in eCO contribute to its highly successful commercial sales at the end of 2012. Innovative design solutions which take a multi-faceted approach in reaction to user demands and authority guidelines remain critical in order to keep up with Singapore’s rapid pace of change.

The Changing Singapore Residential ModelBy Widari Bahrin

Lighting the way with L.E.D. By Lee Boon Woei

Right: With an

emphasis on

community and garden

living, the design

of eCO focuses on

shared, green, open

vistas.

The switch began late last year. Starting with our Studio 1 office, all fluorescent and halogen lights were replaced with light-emitting diodes (LED). To ease the transition, three ‘Nos’ were set at the start: No replacement of existing light fittings, No reduction in the lighting level and No major disruption to the office processes.

Unlike fluorescent tubes which emit light in all directions, LEDs radiate in a limited beam angle; and as LEDs are sensitive to heat, it was important to find the right bulbs that could dissipate heat effectively in the existing fittings. It took eight months of testing supplier samples to evaluate the suitability of the office fittings and to

finally choose the ones that closely matched in lighting intensity.

Besides using less energy than fluorescent tubes, LED bulbs turn on instantly with no flicker and emit virtually no Ultraviolet rays or Infra Radiation. LED also has a better colour rendering index than fluorescent light, which means it reproduces the colours of objects more faithfully, an important consideration for designers.

As lighting quality has not been compromised, I’m sure some of our colleagues are in the dark about the switch. The $2,000 monthly savings in electricity bills for Studio 1 alone, however, makes a glaring difference. This switch also brought a 51 percent improvement in the lighting power budget stated in the SS 530 guideline for energy efficiency in buildings – a full-marks guarantee in the artificial lighting category of the Green Mark Office Interior assessment.

The columnist heads the Environmentally Sustainable Design Department at DP Architects.

| Architecture Issues

T8 LED

40,000hours

20watts

T8 (FLUORESCENT)

40watts

15,000hours

SIA Practice Convention 2013

Leadership in Architectural Practice

| Awards & events

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) held a groundbreaking ceremony on 29 January 2013 for its new building located at Republic Polytechnic. The design for the new SIT building is undertaken by DP Architects with Maki and Associates of Japan. The 13,300sqm, nine-storey building is expected to be ready by 2014.

SIT, Singapore’s fifth university, offers undergraduate degree programmes for polytechnic graduates and will have a building at each of the five polytechnics. DP Architects has been commissioned to design and implement three of the five SIT buildings.

DP Architects director Mr Chin Thoe Chong was one of the speakers at the Singapore Institute of Architects Practice Convention 2013. The theme for this year’s programme is ‘Leadership in Architectural Practice’ and Mr Chin was invited to present on the business model of a large international practice.

Mr Chin began his presentation with the importance of sharing the Singapore Experience, and discussed the complexities and uncertainties of operating on foreign soil. He also stressed the necessity of having different strategies for different markets, and the importance of good local partners, resource management and flexibility to an effective overseas operation. He continued with case studies of DPA’s undertakings in countries as diverse as Dubai, Indonesia, India and Myanmar, and shared the firm’s strategies in adapting and sustaining its business model in these territories.

The convention was held on 1 March 2013 at Furama Riverfront Hotel.

DP Architects at

SIT@RP Groundbreaking Ceremony

DP 19

DP Architects is one of 25 local designers and artists invited to take part in the ‘bench’ project using wooden plank seats from the former National Stadium as a creative way to commemorate the national icon.

DPA’s design, named ‘The To-Gather Bench’ is a team effort from Amirullah Zulkifli Hartono, Bayu Prayudhi, Hans Park, Jazelle Ang, Koh Aileen, Seah Chee Huang and Wong Rouwan. The design brings together wooden planks and recycled concrete aggregates that made up the seats at the old Kallang stadium, and steel gabion modules to create a two-tiered bench that can be reconfigured for different uses. The bench can be used for sitting, standing, leaning, as stands for plants and as see-saw for playing, giving the community new possibilities of gathering and bonding.

The 25 commissioned designs and five winning public entries were unveiled at an award ceremony held at The URA Centre on 28 February 2013 and then exhibited at design event SingaPlural from 8 to 15 March 2013. A public exhibition in April will follow. ‘Bench’ is organised by cross-disciplinary design firm FARM, and presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council.

The ‘bench’ project

The To-Gather Bench

Courtesy of Singapore Institute of Architects

Below:

The To-Gather Bench

can be configured

for different uses

and possibilities of

bonding.

Tell us about your home.

A: Sin Mei and I moved into a resale five-room HDB flat in Chai Chee

about two years ago. I was inspired by the old-fashioned charm of

loft apartments in New York, having spent three years studying and

working there. Hence, we knew this was our home when we saw

the original cornices of this old flat, which we kept, as well as its high

ceiling and full-height windowed balcony. The overall look is clean and

simple. I wanted white to be the main colour because it gives a bright

and expansive feel.

SM: We specifically shopped for HDB point blocks because of the

spacious unit layout and the privacy of having only four units per floor.

Yet, the units are connected by a communal lift lobby that is quite the

gathering space for our neighbourly chats. It’s an ingenious layout for

living, but sadly not replicated by HDB anymore.

L: I have two homes. One is a house in Mugliston Park in Yio Chu

Kang. I’ve lived there for two years now. It’s a large house with a

garden, a frontyard and a backyard, and comes with a mango tree

and a coconut tree. The house is nestled in a quiet community of

mostly landed properties. The other is my house in Manila. It is my

pride because I built most of it with my own hands. Like my house in

Singapore, it is surrounded by greenery. My wife Vikki and I are both

blessed with green thumbs, and I spend many good hours tending

to the plants.

Which is your favourite corner?

A: That would be the balcony that we converted into an extension of

the master bedroom. The brick wall is my wife’s touch; we love the

texture and the old-school charm. There is a comfortable couch that

I read, play with my iPad and listen to music on. Sometimes I just sit

there and watch my beautiful wife and baby sleep.

SM: This is where we used to sit and feed the baby at 4am in the

morning! Now we read to her and play with her here. It’s the place

where the memories of our baby’s first years are forged.

L: In my Singapore home, the place where I wind down after work is the

living room sofa in front of the TV. Other times you’ll find me at the dining

room table, hunched over the drawings of my house in Manila, a work

in progress since 1997. It’s a three-storey house with a patio at the back

surrounded by my homegrown ‘jungle’. The patio, after the bedroom,

Aloysius and Sin Mei playing with baby Kate at their favourite corner

| DP personalities

Design in Print talks to associate

director Leo Mauricio, and

married couple associate

Aloysius Lian and architectural executive Cheng

Sin Mei about where they live and

what makes their house a home.

An interview with

,

&

Interview by Toh Bee Ping

“I was inspired by the old-fashioned charm of loft apartments in New York, having spent three years studying and working there.”

- Aloysius

Seventy DPians took part in a workshop on 28 November 2013 to learn about the art of pottery, the history of dragon kilns in Singapore and to sculpt their own clay work. This was one of many workshops held around Singapore as part of a community art project, of which DP Architects was a proud sponsor.

The workshops culminated in the historic firing of the Jalan Bahar Dragon Kiln in January. A total of 3,000 clay pieces produced by members of the public was fired in the kiln, the first time in over thirty years that its entire length of 43m was

fired – a significant event for Singapore ceramics, arts and culture. The pieces were then

exhibited at the National Museum of Singapore from 9 to 24 March 2013.

Awaken the Dragon Festival was organised by Ms Michelle

Lim, a design lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic, and Post-Museum.

Awaken The Dragon Festival 2013

DP 21

All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission. DP Architects accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in Design in Print. Any opinions in Design in Print are solely those of the named authors of the article in which they appear. Unless named as author, DP Architects, Editorial Panel and other Contributors do not endorse any such views and disclaim all liability from their publication.

Copyright © DP Architects Pte Ltd

MICA (P) 012/10/2012

Printed by SC (Sang Choy) International Pte Ltd L028/03/2012

Published by DP Architects Pte Ltd6 Raffles Boulevard #04-100 Marina Square Singapore 039594T: +65 6338 3988 F: +65 6337 9989 E: ask_corpcomm@dpa.com.sg W: www.dpa.com.sg

Photo Contributors: Leo Mauricio, Loh Yew Cheng, Pocholo Mauricio,Rida Sobana &Yong Hock Seng

All photos are credited to the mentioned photographers unless otherwise stated.

“The patio is where I spend most of my time. The greenery and sound of water cascading from the pond has a soothing effect; coupled with a mug of freshly brewed coffee... heaven lah.”

- Leo

Courtesy of Awaken the Dragon Festival

Leo relaxing at the patio of his Manila home

is where I spend most of my time. The greenery and sound of water cascading from the

pond has a soothing effect; coupled with a mug of freshly brewed coffee... heaven lah. I did

almost everything: the carpentry, plumbing and electrical works. The house is 90 percent

complete; what is left is the covered roof deck I call Leo’s Eagle Nest (laughs).

One of the proudest features of our home is what I call ‘the drama of the staircase’. It

is easily noticed as you enter the house when you enter. Half of the stairs serves as a

display for knickknacks that Vikki and I have collected over the years in our travels. The

staircase wall is a gallery for our collection of artworks by Filipino artists, my son and me.

It was not only designed but built by me, down to the metalwork of the railing which l cut,

welded, painted and assembled.

What do you love about your housing choice?

A: We live on the eleventh floor and we have a very nice view, especially of the sunrise,

the treetops and the roofscape of Opera Estate. Good natural light is very important. It is

also very windy. There is a small green space right next to our flat where Sin Mei will take

the baby for a stroll every evening after dinner. The neighbourhood uncles and aunties

love to play with our baby.

SM: Although it has the bustle of an engaged neighbourhood and the low rumbling of

MRT trains, it’s not noisy. The lift lobby is a communal space for the four units. Our floor

is a multi-racial one; a Chinese, Indian and Malay family live in the other three units. They

were curious and excited when a young couple like us moved in. There is neighbourly

camaraderie not common in newer estates. To us, this is an idyllic place.

L: I lived in a high-rise apartment back in 2000 or so, but there was just not enough room

for gardening and my DIY carpentry projects. With the space that comes with landed

homes, I can work extensively on the house and the garden, get my hands dirty and

transform my home into a resort-style haven. It is also easier to wash my car!

1981

The design of Ridgewood Condominium, one of the first condominiums in

Singapore, places a strong emphasis on good orientation and luscious landscaping.

With 75 percent of the land area devoted to both hard and soft landscaping, the

setting created is of a lush tropical garden.

The buildings are sited to respond to the gently sloping topography. Two major

open spaces are created: an open hilltop area and a lower tree-covered area where

the swimming pool, squash and tennis courts are located. In this lower area, the

presence of trees and plants creates a sense of privacy for the users of the facilities

and for the residents in nearby units.

In association with Hogan, Cobeen, Weitz and Associates of Hawaii.

Project team: Koh Seow Chuan, Gan Eng Oon, Loke Kwong Yoon,

Teo Koon Hai and Peter Lee

Ridgewood Condominium