LA 5701 BLA Studio: AY 2025-25, Semester 1
(mis)READING & (re)WRITING THE SITE
A counterbalance to the modern-day Clarke Quay
Studio Tutor: Jasmine Tay
KWA WEI NIAN TIVON
RE-PRODUCING
CLARKE QUAY
Responding to the design brief, (mis)READING & (re)WRITING THE SITE, this project seeks to challenge and reinterpret Clarke Quay’s current identity. While the site has transitioned into a vibrant nightlife hub, characterised by its high-energy consumption, tourism-driven activities, and commercial focus, its historical roots as a bustling riverside trade centre have largely faded. This project redefines Clarke Quay as a counterbalance to its existing character, introducing a locally rooted and community-focused hub.
Central to this concept is the idea of “produce,” not only in the literal sense of farming and creating but also in the symbolic sense of regenerating spaces and relationships. The design emphasises a farm-to-table ethos, community engagement, and education, bringing together elements of Clarke Quay’s trading past and Singapore’s push for sustainability and urban resilience.
Key to this reinterpretation is the creation of five distinct islands, each embodying unique functions while sharing a cohesive design language rooted in topographical forms. These islands offer varied experiences, including:
Farming and Learning Island: Dedicated to local spices, community farming, and educational workshops.
Memory and Play Island: Featuring interactive play spaces that evoke Clarke Quay’s historical and cultural identity.
Wellness and Leisure Island: Promoting health and fitness with serene green spaces and fitness trails.
Social Hub Island: Encouraging connections with outdoor dining and events spaces.
Production and Marketplace Island: A space for showcasing and selling locally grown produce.
Through topographical design, the project integrates multi-level spaces to reflect estuarine forms, offering opportunities for both active participation and quiet reflection. By weaving history, sustainability, and community into the design, this reimagined Clarke Quay becomes a place for locals and visitors to reconnect with Singapore’s cultural and natural heritage.
THE MORPHOLOGY AND TRANSFORMATION OF CLARKE
Historical Narratives and Mapping
A historical collage is used to illustrate the evolution of Clarke Quay from a trading port to the bustling tourist destination in Singapore, showcasing the illustration of the lost of local culture engagement. Alongside are the mapping used for analysing the site’s characteristics.
QUAY
Conclusion Diagram and Conceptual Form Exploration
A conclusion diagram is used to help evaluate the decision making about the site’s main concerns, strengths, and weaknesses. An abstract conceptual breakdown is needed to also further develop the design concept, deconstructing the estuary forms of its primordial landform.
Above and Under Below The Landform
Variant Form Exploration. Modular Concept Model
Site Island Form Exploration
Planting palette is utilised to help cater the different spices and herbs that were inspired by early Clarke Quay, to again, be utilised back into the local context. This helps to bring back relevancy to modern-day Clarke Quay.
Planting Palette and Aerial View Of Site
Plans and Sections LANDFORM ABOVE
The Plans helps provide wayfinding throughout the site, showcasing two different activities such as a proposal for Farmer’s market and Movie Screening. The Sections help illustrate the depth and magnitutde of the landform developed, showcasing the exposed and intimate corners of the terraformed counterpart of Clarke Quay.
SECTION A
SECTION B
These day time activities are impressions that help illustrate the atmosphere and mood of each respective spaces on site. Opportunities are given to the locals and residents to help participate in growing their own produce, as well as having sensorial gardens readily available for visitors.
1. PRODUCE PAVILLION
2. WELLNESS GARDEN
3. LOCAL PRODUCE
4. FARMER’S MARKET
Activities in the night
As a proposal, the large open space in the middle can be served as a movie venue or a farmer’s market for visitors and residents to converge and interact with one another.
6. NIGHT INTIMATE SPACE
5. NIGHT ACTIVITY SPACE
Final
Model Proposal
6. NIGHT INTIMATE SPACE
