Design in Print 9.4 | Designing Wellness by DPArchitects

WWW.DPA.COM.SG |

SINGAPORE 2018 |

4 NUMBER 9 VOLUME

GETTING TO THE HEART OF HOSPITALITY

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DESIGNING CARE

104/08/2018

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CONTEMPLATIVE HEALTHCARE

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DESIGNING WELLNESS

Designing Wellness With the opening of Sengkang Health Campus, we thought it would be timely to dedicate this issue of Design in Print to the design of wellness. The constant and hurried pace at which we habitually engage and respond to every facet of city life is taking its toll on our physical, mental and social well-being. As we increasingly feel that our health is being compromised by urban living, we have become more conscious of the need to seek respite within our urban environment. As a result, wellness has become big business; and designing for wellness has become a standard in architecture. Last year, BCA piloted a new set of Green Mark criteria to include indoor environment for building occupantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health and sense of well-being. Architects and designers are now more focused on the spatial quality of physical settings to positively influence the physiological, psychological and spiritual health. Paying greater attention to the effects of the surroundings on human perceptions, emotions and restorative experiences, designers are purposefully applying biophilic principles, landscape design, lighting, and spatial arrangement including interstitial and transitional spaces, to create living environments that provide sensorial experiences and promote a sense of calm, health and well-being. In this issue we focus on four hospitality and hospital projects designed to create an ambience for wellness. The hotel industry is prioritising the wellness experience because a vacation is the occasion for urban dwellers to rest and recharge. Urbanites who adopt a healthy lifestyle are likely to pick a hotel that allows them to maintain the same lifestyle when they travel. Two recently completed hotels, Yotel Singapore and Novotel & Mercure Singapore on Stevens, have embraced the wellness trend in their planning and design. The design of Sengkang Health Campus was conceived to create an environment that enhances and supports the recovery process. A hybrid of the two project types is Connexion. Integrating a hotel and a hospital seamlessly, the development allows hospital patients to recuperate and continue treatment in hotel suites with the same amenities and equipment as a hospital ward, while having caregivers and family nearby. We hope you will enjoy reading this issue and continue to make health and happiness a priority.

Angelene Chan Chief Executive Officer

c on ten ts 04 u p d a t e s Unveiling a new DPA website

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01 Bukit Canberra 02 Nexity Hyderabad 03 Jurong Spring Community Club 04 Jiangbeizui Urban Regeneration Project 05 The Garden 06 Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh 07 Mayfair Gardens 08 Nansha Green Bay & Innovation Valley

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Designing Care

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Contemplative Healthcare

17 I N D U S T R Y 01 Sustainability is Business 02 EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2018 03 LEAF International 2018 04 d+a Design Affair

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Getting to the Heart of Hospitality

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Designing Wellness

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Team

EDITOR IN CHIEF Angelene Chan | CONTENT Belle Chung, Toh Bee Ping, John Utanes, Josy Koh, Chia Zhao Hui GRAPHICS Rebecca Jin | PHOTOGRAPHER Bai Jiwen | CONTRIBUTOR Jackie Poh

in brief

updates |

THE L ATEST HAPPENINGS IN DP |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

UNVEILING A NEW DPA WEB SITE 51 years of practice and DP Architects has always placed people at the core of our designs. Carrying this principle into our digital spaces, the new dpa.com.sg takes an image-centric focus to enhance the experience of our users globally.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW WEBSITE I N C LU D E : O N E G LO B A L S T U D I O :

To ensure that clients and our various groups of audiences could better reach out to our 16 global offices.

designFIRST:

Understand DP’s design ecosystem that showcases our methodology and insight.

Our Specialist Ser vices:

DP practises as a group of companies that cover a spectrum of services; we are proud to share our specialist services new websites: DP CONSULTANTS, DP DESIGN, DP ENGINEERS, DP FACADE, DP GREEN, DP LIGHTING, DP SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, DP XPERIENCE

D P A + D P f + D P g | nexity hyderabad HYDERABAD, INDIA Spread across ten acres in the heart of Hyderabad’s IT hub, Nexity comprises four unique blocks T10, T20, T30 and T40. The first three towers serve as spaces for offices while T40, called ‘The Loft’, is the jewel of the bustling development. Its design centres on integrating biophilic spaces into the structure of the development. This is achieved by providing seamless green connectivity and blurring the boundaries between the surroundings and the development. The incorporation of interactive and collaborative green spaces throughout the site brings one close to nature while encouraging a pedestrian-friendly environment.

Visit our digital space at www.DPA.com.sg.

The development is oriented to minimise solar exposure without compromising on daylight and serene views of the lake. Its mass is extended along the façade, creating a visually striking balance between the blocks. The angular façade also enhances the sense of arrival and provides sun-shading between the blocks.

in brief |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

D P A + D P d + D P l | Bukit Canberra SINGAPORE Located within walking distance of Sembawang MRT station, bounded by Canberra Road, Canberra Link and Sembawang Road, Bukit Canberra is a people-centric and inclusive sports and community hub, inspired by Sembawang’s local flora and heritage. This multi-agency collaboration development is led by Sport Singapore with Ministry of Health, with facilities under National Parks Board, National Environment Agency and National Heritage Board. The development aims to provide a vibrant, accessible and integrated community hub with sports facilities in a park setting for Sembawang’s residents. The site’s existing lush greenery and biodiversity offer an opportunity for a biophilic approach to design that purposefully integrates architecture

with park elements, heritage and landscape, to create a new typology of Community and Sports development. The programmes are optimised as five thematic cores of Green, Heritage, Food, Water, and Health, with Green as the unifying identity for Bukit Canberra. Recalling the village origins of Sembawang, the diverse community, sports playfields, heritage and lifestyle programmes are grouped into synergistic Village Clusters. This organic planning principle preserves the intimacy and humanised scale of the development with plazas and boulevards that create a pedestrian-friendly and distinctive wayfinding experience. The development’s scale respects that of the former Admiralty House, a national monument located at the top of the hill.

Artist's Impression

D P A | Jurong spring community club SINGAPORE Reflecting the history and heritage of Jurong West district, the revitalisation

borderless boundary, increasing its accessibility and connectivity to its

of Jurong Spring Community Club (JSCC) expounds on its industrial identity

surroundings. A communal streetscape extending through JSCC showcases

in this refreshed community place. The new energy manifests in updates of

numerous communal facilities that promote community engagement and

various facilities and services, with an array of architectural strategies from

resident participation. Some of the key highlights include a large sheltered

articulation of spaces and its façade to the choice of materials and texture.

atrium with its adjacent multi-purpose hall and a new activity deck that

The tectonic assemblage of light, texture surfaces, expanded aluminium

provides shelter for the existing basketball court on the first storey, doubling

meshes, timber panels and greenery come together to create conducive

it up as a flexible space for mass activities and festivities. On the third

backdrops for various social interaction and bonding among the community.

storey, the gym, culinary studio and classrooms are placed within a lushly landscaped communal deck that is also directly accessible from the street

The Community Club also serves as an extension for the neighbourhood.

below. New dance studios are located above this, allowing the residents to

The expanded building edges are softened to allow for a porous and

enjoy views of the communal deck and the neighbourhood beyond.

in brief |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

D P A + D P g + D P l | Jiangbeizui Urban Regeneration project CHONGQING, CHINA The Jiangbeizui Urban Regeneration Project aims to create a quality urban environment that improves people’s everyday life while using the existing infrastructure to make Jiangbeizui a new tourist attraction. To realise this, the master plan simultaneously introduces new components while drawing inspiration from its unique local history and rich culture. The main components of the design are: one central cluster of six towers comprising offices, apartments, hotels, retail and exhibition spaces; a centrepiece of the development, the Vertical Garden which extends the greens from the existing Central Park; and three axes. The historical axis connects people from the CBD to Sandongqiao Folk Culture Street; introducing Chongqing, its culture and history to tourists and holding memories for the locals. The art axis links the central park, Chongqing Science and Technology Museum and Chongqing Grand Theatre to the CBD; offering spaces and opportunities for the enjoyment of art. Lastly, the relaxation axis with its F&B options, is poised to become a new lifestyle destination for the people. Together, the Vertical Garden and three axes will create a greener and more vibrant CBD for Chongqing.

DPA+DPf | the garden YANGON, MYANMAR Sited in a prime location in Yangon, this pioneering mixed-use project comprises a 21-storey office tower, a 22-storey hotel block, a 29-storey long stay hotel tower as well as a two-storey retail podium with ancillary structures. It is designed by Kajima Design (Japan) in collaboration with DP Architects and DP Façade as the appointed façade consultant for the entire project. The lower parts of the building’s facade have been designed with clean lines and beautifully-crafted canopies inspired by traditional Burmese architecture and infused with Japanese refinement. The underside of the canopies, for instance, consist of timber slats in between the steel elements. The glazed shopfronts, some of which reach three storeys, have symmetrically-designed triangular support members for improved sight-lines. Finally, the envelope for the cafés and restaurants consist of tall and wide glazed slide-and-fold doors, offering an al fresco experience to diners during cooler months. Overall, the building envelope for the three towers consists of unitised ribbon glazing system, with deep overhangs for improved thermal performance and glare control. The adoption of the ribbon glazing system was mandated by the architectural vision for the façade, for which the solid spandrel elements appear elongated horizontally, with minimal joints; while the glazed vision elements follow a more classic vertical arrangement. This approach allows the façade to be highly buildable, achieving both speed and construction efficiency.

in brief |

SHORT TAKES ON NEW & NOTABLE PROJECTS |

D P d | Oakwood Premier P phnom Penh PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

D P A + D P e | mayfair gardens SINGAPORE Situated along Rifle Range Road, Mayfair Gardens is a development comprising 215 residential units housed in four towers. Inspired by the affluent and upscale Mayfair district in London, Mayfair Gardens is a modern interpretation of its intricate architectural style, domestic scale and distinctive architectural heritage. While the form is contemporary, the regularity of fenestrations helps keep the façade classical in proportion. In addition to having clear design distinction between the crown, torso and pedestal, the use of wall groove lines, window mullions and Juliet balconies on each tower helps to bring out the flavour of the Mayfair district. All towers are placed at the site’s perimeter due to spatial constraints. This opened up a central communal space for the residents. The congregation of amenities such as the gym, the swimming pool and the function room on a smaller, separate plot creates an exclusive recreational area for the residents of Mayfair Gardens.

Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh is located north of central Phnom Penh. It is a seamless integrated development consisting of luxurious residences, offices, a five-star international hotel and high fashion retail. The serviced apartment comprises two towers, containing 210 rooms, three meeting rooms, five F&B options and a grand ballroom capable of holding 1,800 people. The aim is to create a unique environment that allows guests to experience the timeless Khmer heritage and culture in the hotel during their stay from beginning to end. Thus, Khmer art culture and Khmer textile 'Krama' are the key inspirations in the hotel design; and the influences of local art culture in the design are expressed through interlaced lines and geometric forms. The colour scheme is monochromatic with accent colour to enhance the spaces. By injecting a subtle touch of local elements and patterns, a unique sense of place is created while respecting local aesthetics.

D P A + D P g | nansha green Bay & innovation valley GUANGDONG, CHINA

Nansha Green Bay & Innovation Valley is the entrance point to Nansha Economic Trade Zone and city centre, and covers an extensive area measuring 13.2sqkm, of which the central core is 3.8sqkm. Acting as a gateway, its design intent is to showcase Nansha and comprises various zones collectively termed 6G – Green Environment, Green Industries, Green City, Green Gateway, Green Traffic and Green Infrastructure. Throughout, the design takes into consideration its site context, extending and weaving the mountainous elements in the north and the waterway running across the site, into the master plan ideology for the development. The final outcome – ‘Cityscape in a Nature Setting’ is a vibrant environment that promotes co-sharing within its community.

IN depth â&#x2026; |

FEATURED PROJECT

designing care As needs evolve and demands change the hospitals and healthcare facilities of tomorrow are breaking away from conventions. DP joins up with healthcare stakeholders across Asia to address the matter of 'care' through design.

Medical science and technological advancements have, for a long time, stressed on efficiency and effectiveness of medical systems and procedures. These, in turn, dictated the design of healthcare facilities, placing function above form. Today, however, the focus in healthcare design is shifting. Mounting research showing the correlation between emotional wellbeing and healing processes have brought about an awareness that reliance on hardware (such as the latest in medical technology) alone in patient recovery has its limitations. The call for change in medical approach has then led to an emphasis on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;careâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; among healthcare providers, and brought about a re-examination of healthcare delivery as well as how facilities should be designed with the necessary software to meet the needs of in-patients.

As part of this push to create such needs-specific environments that provide greater comfort to patients, healthcare design trends are taking an interesting turn. This includes a greater sensitivity in the spatial configurations of hospital departments and the incorporation of consumerfriendly environment within healthcare developments. Among those who understand the new design brief within the healthcare industry is DP Architects and its group of companies. With its multi-disciplinary approach, the design teams not only bring their expertise in healthcare design, they also tap on design proficiencies across related disciplines and typologies, effectively delivering integrated design solutions that are carefully calibrated to suit the needs of end-users.

IN DEPTH â&#x2026; |

PERENNIAL INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST MEDICAL CENTRE |

Year : 2018

GFA: 137,100sqm

China

Perennial International Specialist Medical Centre Taking cue from the hospitality industry By Belle Chung

As baby boomers age, the healthcare industry at large has been stretched to its limits in recent decades. A shortage of skilled healthcare professionals combined with an uneven distribution of medical resources has resulted in overcrowding, late diagnosis and poor access. The recognition and understanding of these challenges have prompted the industry to re-examine how medical care can be better administered. What began as a race to increase the number of general hospitals and specialist centres as well as improve the location of healthcare facilities, has since led to unconventional solutions.

This push came with the demand for better healthcare services and delivery. Technological advancements addressed this demand with the introduction of innovative systems such as telehealth, which uses sophisticated patient monitors with robust communications platforms. It enables patients to seamlessly consult physicians and care professionals without the need for additional office or hospital visits. At the functional level, it impacts the healthcare facility of tomorrow in two ways: The infrastructure and spatial programming of medical facilities must be re-configured to accommodate and incorporate these new forms of technology; and, in doing so, it has

led healthcare designers to re-assess their wider design approach. Technological advancements have brought on the aesthetic evolution that we are witnessing in our healthcare facilities today. With mounting research showing the connection between stress levels and healing, stakeholders recognise that design has a crucial role to play. Thus entrusted to transform the spaces, healthcare designers are turning to the hospitality model to inform their design decisions. Drawing from hospitality’s ‘home-away-fromhome’ framework, cold and clinical aesthetics of old are fast giving

way to warm and hospitable yet professional interiors. These soft elements in design implicitly convey a sense of care and assurance to patients, creating an environment of calm and comfort which is essential in their healing process. Poised as a one-stop premier comprehensive specialist medical centre, Perennial International Specialist Medical Centre is one of the newest kids on the healthcare block. Located in Chengdu in the Chenghua District, east of Jinxiu Avenue next to Chengdu East High Speed Railway Station, it joins the healthcare wave as

DESIGN TEAM DP DESIGN: MIKE LIM, JOHN TAN, EMILIE TANLAPCO, RAYMOND LOPEZ, CONNIE GONZALES, ANGELA PEREZ

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: CIRCULATION AND USE OF SPACE BY THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND SPECIALIST CLINICS ARE ANCHORED AROUND THE CENTRAL ATRIUM. MURALS OF FLOWERS FOUND IN CHENGDU NOT ONLY CREATE LOCAL RELEVANCE BUT ALSO INJECTS AN AIR OF POSITIVITY INTO THE SPACE. WHILE CLEAN LINES CONNOTES PROFESSIONALISM ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, THE WARM PALETTE INTRODUCES A SENSE OF HOSPITALITY. SPLASHES OF COLOUR LIFTS THE MOOD AND INSPIRES CONFIDENCE IN PATIENTS.

the Chinese government drives the nation’s medical approach from disease-centred care to 'big health'. To meet healthcare needs and demands of its people, local bodies are collaborating with foreign operators to meet the need for higher quality specialist care and facilities in China. Designed by DP Design (DPD), Perennial International Specialist Medical Centre showcases the possibilities within the space.

The brief: A new kind of healthcare experience The Perennial International Specialist Medical Centre comprises two blocks – A1 was designated for specialist medical clinics with retail in its two basement levels; and A2 with five storeys and three basements became the hospital. Providing top quality medical services in China, Perennial will house a combination of local and foreign specialists, along with a wide range of specialist departments from Optometry, Oncology and Cardiology clinics to Paediatrics and Gynaecology clinics. Completed in 2018, the design brief was a challenging but interesting one. The building was originally designed as a shopping centre and when plans changed in 2016, the retail designs had been approved and construction was already in progress. Following the call for change, however, the development was converted into a hospital and specialist medical centre. This meant re-looking at the spatial programming as well as its interior design.

The design: Where hospitality matters Central to DPD’s design scheme was creating a medical centre that is set apart from its counterparts while working with its existing structures. An example would be the use of the large central atrium, which was a feature of the former shopping mall design, as a central node. Making use of the atrium, various departments were neatly planned around it, making wayfinding and accessibility easy and straightforward. And aside from serving as a central node of circulation, the atrium also serves as an oasis for relaxation. Making full use of the space, a café was positioned in this atrium to provide visitors not just a waiting area but a place for refreshments and respite. Moving away from the cold sterility of a hospital, the design team applied a warm colour scheme with shades of brown and

with timber and fabric contrasting against the bronze strips that line the interior. Lighting quality was also considered in the interior design of the medical centre. To balance out the harsh white fluorescent lights frequently used in healthcare buildings, warm indirect lighting was used in the public spaces such as the waiting areas, enhancing the warm colour palette. Clean orderly lines in the interior design also aid in creating a calm and positive environment. Integrating the centre’s local context, simple art and murals of flowers native to Chengdu are used to add a layer of positive distraction to reduce anxiety and create a positive healing environment. The overall aesthetic effect is a comfortable, warm and hospitable environment that subtly embraces visitors in a relaxing and assuring atmosphere.

THE WARM AND HOSPITABLE YET PROFESSIONAL INTERIORS OF THE MEDICAL CENTRE DRAWS FROM HOSPITALITY'S HOMEAWAY-FROM-HOME FRAMEWORK.

bronze. Materials selected are also textural,

IN DEPTH â&#x2026; |

CONNEXION |

Year : 2014

GFA: 58,400sqm

Connexion Housing Healthcare and Hospitality By Josy Koh

Compared to many sectors, Healthcare has seen a slower shift from a volume-based to value-based delivery system. Today, while operational efficiency remains a key concern, many healthcare providers are also placing greater emphasis at the wellness side of the equation. The reason for this is straightforward: a focus on people-centric care seems to be resulting in happier patients and a decrease in emergency room visits. This is a well-taken lesson in person-centric healthcare and something that Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare system is making room for.

IN DEPTH Ⅰ |

CONNEXION |

Year : 2014

GFA: 58,400sqm

Elements of the Mediplex Providing better care and value-adding to the patients’ experience, Connexion, a privately funded mediplex, is the first fully integrated healthcare and hospitality complex in the region. Enfolded in the heart of the city, Connexion is easily accessible as it sits next to Farrer Park MRT station. It comprises four main components, namely, The Farrer Park Medical Centre; The Farrer Park Hospital; a luxury hotel, One Farrer Hotel and Spa; as well as the retail and dining zones located at Owen Link. Time is of the essence, especially in the medical arena. Thus, the Farrer Park Medical Centre and Farrer Park Hospital are linked with a high level of permeability between the two. This is to ensure that the cutting-edge medical facilities can be easily and quickly accessed. In addition, with its connectivity to the hospitality programme, the operational efficiency of the layout gives outpatients the option of recuperating in the hotel rooms. This innovative care delivery system not only allows the main medical programme to have greater capacity while providing the best care and service to its consumers. It also

proves to be a vital social determinant of health as the patients’ loved ones may remain close as they undergo treatment. Engaging with users Studies have proven that ‘green exercise’ or activity performed in the presence of nature leads to positive short and long-term health outcomes. Harnessing the power of environmental factors such as landscaping to aid healing, green pockets were strategically incorporated in Connexion. To alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with being in a sterile hospital environment, visitors and patients can seek respite in the sky gardens, terraces and roof gardens found throughout the building. With the feature of floor-length windows, natural lighting is also kept at the maximum in all shared spaces such as the public lobbies and waiting areas. With vibrant artwork and a warm palette, the design intention to welcome visitors and patients into a calming and hospitable ambience is further achieved.

INDUSTRY |

AWARDS & EVENTS |

S USTA I N A B I L I T Y I S B US I N E S S YO N G S I E W O N N I N V I T E D A S PA N E L L I ST Er Yong Siew Onn, senior associate director of DP Sustainable Design, one of DP’s specialist arms, was invited as a panellist at Schneider Electric-Innovation Summit, “Sustainability is Business”. He joined fellow speakers Mr Mathis Wackernagel of Global Footprint Network, Mr Martin Ma of CISCO and Mr Kelvin Teng of MBS in a discussion on the commercial viability of green design. Er Yong proposed that both architects and designers have a responsibility to create green buildings that are not only environmentally sustainable but cost effective through the incorporation of efficient and sustainable energy systems. The event was held on 21 September at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

EDGEPROP SINGAPORE E XC E L L E N C E AWA R D S 2 01 8 E C O B E D O K BY D PA A N D D P E eCO Bedok, a residential development designed by DP Architects in collaboration with DP Engineers, was named recipient of the Sustainability Excellence Award. The project was widely commended by the judges for its various green strategies as well as the integration of 18 heritage rain trees onsite. The award recognises projects that have achieved a high standard in its sustainability and maintainability as well as a high BCA Greenmark certification. DP Green director Ms Yvonne Tan was also invited to be part of the jury for the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2018. The Awards ceremony was held on 3 October at the Fullerton Hotel and had over 200 attendees and saw 48 awards conferred upon the winners.

L E A F I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 01 8 B R I N G I N G C O ST S D OW N W I T H N E W C O N ST R U CT I O N T E C H N O L O GY DP UK director Mr Frven Lim was invited to LEAF International 2018 forum to facilitate a round-table debate “Affordable Housing: New Construction Technology Bringing Costs Down”. The debate covered issues such as whether to rent or to own homes, what the technology disruptors of affordable housing are and whether solutions for future homes could be led by both bottom-up and top-down initiatives. The annual forum was held on 18 October in Frankfurt and invited senior decision makers from leading architectural practices to discuss and share ideas within the industry.

D + A D E S I G N A F FA I R CHAN HUI MIN SPEAKS ON “ S U STA I N A B I L I T Y I N U R B A N I S AT I O N ”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: HEALING SPACES AND CONSULTATION ROOMS IN VARIOUS CONFIGURATIONS INCLUDE A SPLENDID CITY VIEW AS WELL AS ELEGANTLY DESIGNED MEDICAL FACILITIES.

design + anthology (d+a) invited Ms Chan Hui Min, a DP director, to be a panellist for the forum “Sustainability in Urbanisation” on 18 October. The forum was part of d+a’s inaugural Design Affair, a 12-day event held in conjunction with Archifest 2018. Speaking from the perspective of an architect, Ms Chan contributed to the dialogue on the topic of sustainability in urbanisation. Her fellow panellists included experts from other fields such as urban planning, landscape architect, product design and academia.

IN DEPTH Ⅰ |

CONNEXION |

Year : 2014

GFA: 58,400sqm

THOUGHTFUL AND SENSITIVE DESIGN OF CONNEXION EFFECTIVELY BALANCES VITAL MEDICAL AND HUMAN ASPECTS OF CARE.

From treatment to wellness The Farrer Hotel and Spa is a five-star urban resort that embodies three hotels – the Urban Hotel, Loft Apartments and Skyline Hotel, and Sky Villas. As part of the larger Connexion development, it brings a social dimension into play within the person-centric healthcare approach.

traveling for leisure as well as medical tourists an idyllic and soothing space for recovery and rejuvenation. As an integrated resort, it offers a myriad of dining and retail options at Owen Link, complete with a selection of invigorating and restorative spa services and fitness facilities.

While Urban Hotel is catered for business travellers, Loft Apartments and Skyline Hotel are healing havens. Its minimalistic and clean visuals, which allude to Japanese aesthetics, create for individuals

The seamless amalgamation of the services in Connexion through thoughtful and sensitive design attains its goal to make wellness a priority as it balances vital medical and humanistic aspects of care.

BOTTOM LEFT: A SOFT PALETTE COMBINES WITH CURVILINEAR LINES TO CREATE STYLISH AND INVITING WAITING AREAS.

TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT: MODERN CHIC DECOR WAS USED TO IMBUE COMFORT AND INTIMACY ASSOCIATED WITH HOME IN THE HOTEL ROOMS.

IN focus |

CONTEMPL ATIVE HEALTHCARE

Contemplative Healthcare Designing porosity in Sengkang health campus Text by Alfred Chuah | Interview by Belle Chung

With an ageing population, Singapore is experiencing what has been termed the 'silver tsunami', where the elderly are affected by multiple chronic conditions. Anticipating this rise in demand for healthcare facilities, there came a need to decentralise the healthcare infrastructure, progressively move step-down hospitals into the heartlands and relieve the load of first-tier hospitals. Hence, in three decades, Singapore has delivered three public hospitals: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Jurong and the latest addition, Sengkang Health Campus (SKH Campus) in Sengkang.

Completed and officially operational this year, SKH Campus is poised as a cutting-edge facility with a neighbourly appeal. The integrated hospital project, comprising a general hospital, a community hospital and specialist outpatient clinics, is a result of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progressive policies on a nation-wide scale. It is pertinent that the design of SKH Campus harmonises its various components into a seamlessly unified and fully comprehensive medical campus that provides patient-centric spaces in a friendly healing environment. To this end, SKH Campusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design pays close attention to physical porosity as well as clear and

IN focus |

CONTEMPL ATIVE HEALTHCARE

efficient wayfinding, all of which are key to creating a great sense of connectivity between the hospital and the community it serves. This permeable design and planning quality has been evident from the outset; beginning in the podium located on the first storey and the north-south linear breezeway of the development, which encourages interaction between staff, patients, caregivers, visitors and the general public. Pockets of landscape and seating areas within the open spaces on the first storey provide and encourage opportunities for connecting with the community through art programmes and events. In totality, one key design intent is to stimulate an engaging atmosphere for patients, staff and visitors alike. In keeping with the people-centric focus of SKH Campus, the ‘Community Heart’ with its various facilities, fronts the main entrance, and features a contemplative water fountain set in an open courtyard and a pedestrian concourse with a calming soft and hard landscape treatment. Accessibility to the ‘heart’ is further facilitated by extensive pedestrian links to the neighbourhood and the Light Rail Transport (LRT) network. The public outdoor spaces are complemented by training facilities, multipurpose rooms and a lecture theatre which may be used for public and community engagement events. Similarly, the ‘Wellness Garden’ on the fifth storey roof introduces

POROSITY AND EFFICIENT WAY FINDING WERE KEY TO CREATING CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.

IN focus |

CONTEMPL ATIVE HEALTHCARE

a green oasis in the midst of the urban environment. The landscaped garden presents a friendly and therapeutic setting for patients, visitors and staff. The ward blocks ‘ﬂoat’ above the podium floors, allowing glimpses of the Wellness Garden from outside the hospital boundaries. These kelong¹ -inspired ward blocks, stepped terraced sections and pocket courtyards allow natural light to filter into the deeper parts of the podium. The separation of the main ward blocks from the podium diminishes and humanises the overall scale of the project. This has given credence to creating a strong, unique architectural identity for SKH Campus (SKH); and, in distinguishing the main physical and functional components, it aids orientation around the campus. In all, the design promotes meaningful sustainability and an engaging contextual relationship in urban design within the socio-environment fabric of Sengkang. This is also premised on buildability with a modular principle that is adaptable to changing healthcare needs, while staying true to the design intent of creating a welcoming campus that enhances and facilitates the recovery process.

¹Kelong, a Malay term, meaning stake, stick or post. It also describes an offshore platform built predominantly with wood; houses on stilts.

A chat with directors Chin Thoe Chong and Tania Wee, along with their Healthcare design team members Alfred Chuah, Joanner Catiis and Ho Wai Kit for further insights on the design and project challenges behind Sengkang Health Campus.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE DESIGN BRIEF? HOW HAS THE ARCHITECTURAL TEAM FULFILLED IT? Ho Wai Kit: Programmatically speaking, the brief was initially daunting as it was the first time we were working on a hospital from scratch. What was interesting about it was the notion of future-proofing. It wasn’t a widely discussed term back in 2012 or in projects we were previously involved in. Future-proofing extends to understanding the needs of healthcare services, which in turn necessitates knowledge of healthcare-related trends, technologies and infrastructure. This is so that we may create a future-enabled facility.

creating a distinction between the private and the public spaces, we pursued the importance of the role of design in encouraging pause points that provided positive distractions, and in creating a contemplative environment for staff, visitors, patients and all who occupy and inhabit the spaces within the campus. Essentially, the goal was about being able to find that inner calm even when you are sitting in a crowded waiting room. Working with the various specialists and stakeholders, we identified various key nodes for artwork and inspirational viewpoints; carved out skylights and courtyards to bring natural light to the internal spaces; and created contemplative spaces through the introduction of gardens and intimate pavilions for quiet and contemplation.

Joanner Catiis: What struck me most was the amount of services in the project. The complexity of different systems being placed together was something that I was eager to learn. I was part of the technical team and we knew it was going to be a rough road ahead. However, optimism led by knowledge

Chin Thoe Chong Director

Tania Wee Director

and teamwork paved the way for effective solutions for the project. Alfred Chuah: The brief had a wider national agenda, which called for the design to deliver HOPES. This means providing healthcare to the community that is Holistic, Outcomedriven, Patient-centric, Embedded in the larger healthcare network, categorised by Sustainability and wellness surveillance. Chin Thoe Chong: The brief also called for the campus to be a Key Infrastructure (KIN) with a myriad of security and spatial requirements catering to national emergencies ranging from disease pandemics and mass casualties as a result of natural calamities and unrest. The specific conditions for compliance had been both exacting and highly classified which are typically implicit in nature. Fulfilling both these conditions posed tremendous challenges to the team in arriving at the most amiable solutions with the various stakeholders. The enormity of the campus also dictated a complex functional programme of logistic installations. This demanded careful layering of the various services ranging from food, linen, medical supplies to pharmaceutical stocks in their respective flows in conjunction with the life support systems required in a complex, integrated cluster of healthcare facilities, unprecedented in size and scale.

SKH CAMPUS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS PROVIDING ‘CONTEMPLATIVE HEALTHCARE’. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IT ENTAILS? WHAT WAS THE TEAM’S BROAD DESIGN APPROACH TO CREATING SUCH A HEALTHCARE FACILITY? Tania Wee: Early in the project timeline, the concept of ‘Contemplative Healthcare’ was introduced to us by SKH CEO. Instead of talking about

We believe the end-product has been quite successfully designed. But it is early days still. We have already reached out to the hospital about coming back in a year’s time, to review whether our aspirations about these spaces have been met.

THE DESIGN OF SKH NOT ONLY DELIGHTS WITH SPACES FOR CONTEMPLATION BUT ALSO WITH ROUTES FOR POROSITY AND POCKETS OF CONNECTIVITY. WHY WAS CREATING POROSITY AND CONNECTIVITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT CRUCIAL TO THE OVERALL ARCHITECTURAL SCHEME? CTC: The magnitude of the functional programme to be housed within a comparatively tight site posed demands on the desire for porosity across the campus. This is compounded with the need to provide large obscuring fixtures complying with the KIN requirements, redundancies for emergencies, sensitive socio-cultural issue of adjacency with respect to views and operational placements, amongst many other planning constraints.

Our design approach and planning strategy were of simplicity, and clarity of flow and accessibility so as to achieve the quality of openness – these have been realised in the campus today. Visual connectivity besides clear contiguous physical connectedness are key parameters adopted in the design. HWK: We were pushing for a design narrative that is inclusive to patients, staff, visitors and also the existing communities of Sengkang. The two benchmark healthcare projects in Singapore back in 2012 were largely Khoo Teck Puat and Ng Teng Fong hospitals. Both were very well sited. KTPH has a symbiotic relationship with Yishun Pond while NTFH is highly connected to a series of commercial and retail development. SKH Campus, on the other hand, is embedded in a residential new town with relatively limited public amenities. The design vision was to see the hospital not only as a healthcare facility but also as an extension of Sengkang’s urbanscape, which led to the idea

Alfred Chuah Associate

Within the internal planning, we also dialogued extensively on minimising fragmentation and sub-specialisation. With SKH’s working models for collaboration across specialties, as well as a co-sharing of various spaces between departments, we were able to reduce some of the real estate otherwise required. This allowed us to give back more to the environment we were creating in gardens and shared break-out areas. AC: Coming from the clinical perspective of creating porosity, infection control plays a large part in developing the scheme right from the start, especially in a hospital environment. We talked about lockdown strategy, how the wards tower blocks were carefully divided by breezeways yet operationally connected by link bridges; and how corridors of inter and intra-departments were planned to maintain clinical adjacency and workflow. So, should there be a pandemic outbreak, one section of the hospital can be locked down to minimise cross-contamination without greatly affecting the other sections of the hospital.

Joanner Catiis Senior Associate (Technical)

of 'Sengkang Wellness Park'. Thus, while the “look” of the design evolved over time, being permeable was fundamental to it. The notion of SKH Campus as a series of public spaces that are inviting and accessible had always been fiercely safeguarded. If you spend enough time sitting around the plazas, you would be able to see that, quite a lot of residents do walk through the hospital to get to other places. I think in that regard, the design and planning approach for SKH Campus managed to de-stigmatize the impression that a hospital is a dreary place to be avoided, transforming it into an integral part of the larger urban context. TW: Yes, if I might add… It has been heartfelt to see our creation come to life. The hospital has already held a few major community events at the concourse since opening, and they have given feedback that the public interaction with the spaces and activities within the 1st Storey Concourse, on a daily basis, has already exceeded their expectations when we first envisioned this space together.

Ho Wai Kit Senior Associate

GOING FROM PATIENT-CENTRIC TO PEOPLE-CENTRIC, THE IMAGE OF THE HOSPITAL DOES APPEAR TO BE WARMER, MORE INVITING. WHY IS THIS SO? TW: The healthcare model has evolved much over the last 15 years. As a society, we are moving away from silo communities, institutionalised fenced up buildings, and clearly defined boundaries of what is mine and what is yours. The new buzzwords these days are about achieving the new 4 Cs: Co-share, Co-live, Co-work, and Co-llaborate. With all of this talk about ‘co-‘, one might argue that there is too much emphasis on the collective and the public, as opposed to spaces for the individual and the private. With all this talk about people-centricity, would the emphasis on creating more private areas and places for respite take priority?

I postulate, instead, that the concept of ‘public’ and ‘private’ is an old distinction which requires some re-interpretation. Foucault coined the notion of ‘heterotopical’ space, where he expounds on the combination of contradictory social uses in the one same space, and renegotiates the traditional relationship between public and private in a way that alters, or fuses, the experience of space. This concept is especially evident in this day and age where the electronic interfacing of our ‘private’ realms are being pushed out into social media, and are being ‘publicised’ in an information cosmos. The definition, today, of what constitutes a private space, as opposed to one that is public, begets much discourse.

HOW DOES THE DESIGN DEFINE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPACES? CTC: The architectural quality of SKH’s campus is one of understated elegance; modernistic yet appropriately interesting and unique. We had been conscious in being contextually respectful of the urban fabric within Sengkang. This is reflected in the careful and seamless treatment (visual and tactile) of both the internal and external spaces to achieve a holistic outcome with suitable differentiation between the public and the more private domains of the campus.

IN REALISING THE DESIGN VISION FOR SKH CAMPUS, WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES THAT THE TEAM FACED ON SITE? JC: As part of the technical team, what was exciting about doing a hospital was the M&E part. This is so far the heaviest M&E-driven building that I have encountered. The combined services coordination was really an agony and challenge for everyone, especially when a clinical space demanded a high ceiling due to functionality. Certain services could not pass through because of the sensitivity of clinical spaces. Even the simple location of a maintenance access panel took a lot of consideration. AC: The project management aspect of SKH Campus too had its fair share of site challenges. With the project delivery as part of the national agenda, it translates into a very aggressive timeline. Programmatic changes occurred frequently even when the structures were undergoing casting. Meetings were called and key decisions had to be made with the accountability to public funds at the back of everyone’s mind.

The experiential as well as the tangible expression of the various design elements (façade, architectural interiors, signage and symbols as well as landscape design) have been purposefully crafted to achieve the required compositional identity yet integration of the parts as a unified whole. In terms of utilisation of SKH’s functional programmes, we have envisioned the campus to be a communal amenity and having it being the community’s own was one of the design’s motivations. This is manifested in the campus’ physical forms, and structure the framing spaces and platforms that facilitate the staging of community engagement and outreach activities. Such participative programmes take place both within the public domain which are open and accessible within the podium, as well as within the more recuperative environment of the inpatient ward towers. AC: The hospital does not shout; it shouldn't. So in melding the hospital into its environment, we have chosen a rather muted colour palette to blend with the surrounding context. Simultaneously, the spatial programming of the core hospital block was driven by the efficiency of operational workflow and patient-staff privacy. Staff corridors were clearly defined to ensure that back-end operation is not seen from public zones. Patient privacy is paramount and must be preserved via the acoustic value of walls, the choice of door types, and the location of curtains within a room, and so on. HWK: We were also concerned with providing 'green' spaces that relate to different scales of use than in drawing the line between private and public spaces. Of course, there are functional requirements that obliged us to limit accessibility to places like operation theatres, emergency department and other critical clinical spaces. But there is very little poetry in defining public and private spaces in these spaces other than having a secured door. With the more accessible green spaces, we adopted a principle of gradation, moderating the use and activities through careful allocation and placement, always trying to complement the functional spaces. The size of green spaces reduces as we move up the hospital, consequently reducing the sense of 'public-ness'.

CTC: Ample knowledge of the project requirements and objectives of the design intent is paramount. This is fundamental and a minimum expectation of all agencies’ representatives, consultants, contractors and support groups involved. Understanding the project’s visions amongst all members of the development team had been satisfactory but wanting during certain periods in the course of SKH’s implementation. Better synchronicity of design resolution, relevance and adequacy of documentation, timely and well-considered procurement of sub-contract packages would have enabled more effective management of the processes for greater quality in construction and installation. Mobilising site inspections carried out by the resident site staff had not been the best as ownership of the design was scant and induction of an integrated supervisory team to design objectives was challenged. Public safety and security were also given due attention at all times besides exercising sensitivity to the well-being of the neighbourhood community as a constant consideration.

TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HOW THE TEAM ENGAGED STAKEHOLDERS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF END-USERS DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS? JC: It was heavy user-group engagement. There were about 40-plus user groups and we had to attend to every one of them. Each department

plays a significant role within the entire campus, so each of their needs had to be addressed. CTC: The process of engaging the stakeholders (management and policymakers) and the multitude levels of user groups had been arduous. The framework of engagement has weighted too heavily on conversations which are not strategic, often lacking purposeful stratification and clarity in common objectives amongst the various interest groups. The decisionmaking process and protocols became onerous and protracted by the diversity of views among the mandated parties. Consequently, the journey of engagement had not been the most productive nor efficient. Much more can be streamlined as the various users rallied are mostly uninitiated to the construction industry and its practices to provide the best collective views on clinical and healthcare needs in physical terms. On a positive note, the team has learnt to understand at greater depth, the challenges and complexities within the public healthcare delivery system as a whole through our conversations. We are truly thankful and appreciative for the exposure and sharing afforded us.

did in approaching design translation and coordination. The mundane and simple solutions often offered the better outcomes amiable to most parties. Perhaps the spirit of engagement when made more altruistic, had guided the team to diligently accomplish the needed buy-ins. In addition as the lead consultant, we had to provide the needed leadership with foresight and competence. The team’s learning curve was exponential, being in pole position as well as being accountable for our actions and decisions. The team’s collective and tenacious effort held us up in good stead when the project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget early this year. JC: The team relied on a simple slogan that has been in our culture: Design Partnership. As Mr Chin mentioned, DPA led the coordination; and together with MOH Holdings, SKH, consultants and the main contractor, we worked together hand-in-hand to ensure all the needs of the hospital were delivered in a timely manner. AC: It took a lot of perseverance. The project saw several comrades from the various organisations dropped out of the marathon. Nonetheless, there were many who stayed the course. We remained objective and hopeful that each day was a day closer to completion.

HWK: In many of the user-group meetings, we also had to suspend our own opinions with regards to how space and equipment are to be used, and understand why certain requirements are so, even if they did not appear as intuitive to us. Many of the stakeholders are very experienced practitioners, who had found an optimised way to carry out their daily tasks. A lot of the workflow is complex and intrinsically linked to their counterparts within the hospital. It is sometimes very difficult for them to explain and articulate their needs to lay-persons like us. The challenge on our end was to understand each of their practices and to find a design solution that would enable them to further refine their practice and processes. It is finding the balance between conducting ourselves as an expert on our craft and discipline, and at the same time acknowledging that we do not have deep enough knowledge of their profession TW: There were many change champions on this project, which made participation, both challenging and invigorating. Sadly, some of the ideas and changes championed did not materialise, as can be expected of such a large scale project involving numerous specialist consultants, stakeholders and policy makers. But I dare say we are all better for having been part of those conversations. Perhaps, because these conversations have become very dear to me. Their dedication to caring for others inspires the worst of us to be a little more mindful of how and what we are as individuals.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE STRATEGIES APPLIED BY THE TEAM TO TACKLE THESE CHALLENGES? CTC: Standardisation and modularisation in process and thoughts were key approaches. These were applied to the format of engagement, both verbal and written. They were supported by comprehensive and conclusive records, and by being proactive in all that we do and say, as much as we

TW: For a project of this complexity and scale, technical competence, and a strong penchant for innovation, is a given. And I agree with Chin. After nearly seven years on this journey, my biggest takeaway is that we also need to heed the importance and relevance of the human spirit. Creating a contemplative environment was not just an aspiration for the SKH Campus; it also became the aspiration for our own work environment. This is not achieved by creating space bounded by walls. It is about attending to the mind-set of the individuals who form part of the collective. It is about encouragement and cheerleading in the face of complex deadlines and seemingly impossible and endless tasks.

THE DESIGN JOURNEY BEHIND SKH CAMPUS HAS BEEN TOUGH. ARE THERE SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT? CTC: DPA has the fortitude in conceptualising the winning design through collaborating with Aecom on the aspect of medical planning. We would like to record our appreciation to Mr Mitch Greene in particular for guiding the team strategically during the competition and concept design stage. Appreciation and gratitude always to the team members, past and the remaining nicknamed the 'Last Mohicans' for their unending belief in the cause. This is similarly extended to the domain expertise drawn down from within the DP Family namely DPD, DPG and DPSD for their partnership and contribution in our SKH journey. To the sufferance we have come to own, in service we pledge, with goodwill we delivered….. Chai Yee, Kit, Xing Yun, Alfred, we have come through! TW: We have been fortunate that we have the DP culture to guide us. The team had to learn to adjust, manoeuvre and flex accordingly; allowing for people to break down, wander off on sabbaticals, celebrate weddings, welcome new-borns into the world, or take time off work because of a broken wrist while playing basketball. To all who were part of this journey, no matter how small a part you think you have played… thank you.

IN depth Ⅱ |

FEATURED PROJECT

Getting to the Heart of Hospitality The hospitality industry is experiencing a different heartbeat – wellness. Yotel Singapore and Novotel & Mercure Singapore on Stevens are examples of how DP Architects delivers designs that delight in the well-being of its end-users.

Designing hospitality developments takes more than the provision of luxurious and comfortable amenities. Today, there is greater emphasis on wellness along with an evolving definition of it. What was once solely defined by spas and fitness facilities is increasingly entwined with the hospitality industry, giving rise to a new concept of wellness as encompassing both health and well-being, and opening a whole new market in wellness tourism. With this, hoteliers around the world are re-looking at what wellness pertains: optimum convenience equates to rest and improved well-being while ideal comfort evokes relaxation and health. These nuances are then manifested in the creation of spaces and use of materials where the guests’ health and well-being are prioritised. Here, eco-consciousness, perceived as having positive effects on well-being through the reduction of negative impacts on the environment, is leading design towards sustainable options and features.

Articulating this in our designs of Yotel Singapore and Novotel & Mercure Singapore on Stevens, wellness is delivered through subtle notes and features. Yotel Singapore goes beyond giving highquality treatment at affordable prices. The development delivers on travel experience through specially curated spaces, incorporation of state-of-the-art technology and sustainability in its design. Novotel & Mercure Singapore adopts a different strategy by allowing its guests to form its narrative. From its range of communal spaces that offer dining, leisure and business facilities to its green urban context, the design of the development is driven by a desire to deliver quality interactions, service and experience rooted in sustainability and serenity. Exploring the design concept and processes, In Depth delves into how DP’s design teams created excellent environments of wellness through architectural schemes and interior design.

IN depth Ⅱ |

NOVOTEL & MERCURE SINGAPORE ON STEVENS

Year : 2017

GFA: 29,600sqm

Inspiring Wellness One Person at a Time By Josy Koh

Walking down the endless supplements aisle, it is no longer a secret that the wider community loves the wellness trend. From Acai drinks to Noni boosts, skincare that protects you from pollution and blue light to home fitness studio and meditation, the concept of wellness has expanded beyond physical fitness to embrace all forms of soft measures. Self-care, with the growing awareness and demand, is no longer an indulgence but an essential. And, it would seem, the momentum is still building.

With the wellness wave in mind, DP Architects partnered with its specialist arms in landscape and interior design, DP Green (DPG) and DP Design (DPD) respectively, to design Novotel and Mercure Singapore as an urban oasis. Their ultimate design goal was to deliver an all-rounded wellness that goes beyond just gorgeous guest rooms.

In the coming decade, the care for wellness will extend beyond themselves. Among this is the consideration that environmental health may have a direct impact on our well-being. Despite America’s pullout from the Paris Climate Agreement, the world is charging in the opposite direction with a mindfulness for the wellness of our planet. Moving past the three 'Rs' – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, discussions about solutions to tackle problems such as extreme weather, climate-related illnesses and questions about the sustainability of our practices are being raised. Onboard with this move towards sustainability are the architecture and the building industries. Urban planners and architects alike are looking into means of future-proofing the built environment while government and building authorities set minimum green mark compliance in a bid to ensure environmental sustainability as well as wellness.

Social wellness: Delighting in the community Completed in 2017, the hospitality development spanning 29,600 square metres houses two 10-storey hotels located within the vicinity of Orchard Road. From the bird’s eye view, the distinctive wings accommodating the guest rooms take their form from the Chinese

"FOR ME, THE ULTIMATE ASPIRATION IS THE CREATION OF DELIGHTFUL AND MEMORABLE SPACES THAT FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY." - Ang el ene C han, C EO o f D P Ar c hi t ec t s and L ead d esig ner o f No v o t el and Mer c ur e o n St ev ens

character ‘ren’ (人, meaning people) and serves two functions. It is used as an articulation of the hospitality brand’s ethos. Simultaneously, it is a means of spatial programming; carving the triangular site into three distinctive public places: a drop-off point to the south allows for an inspiring hotel arrival sequence, a hotel pool in the private corner for guests’ respite and a courtyard space to the east, as well as a functional sports zone to the west. This architectural scheme would allow Novotel & Mercure Singapore to deliver more than just a commercial value to the urban fabric along Stevens Road. The providence of spaces that inspire and facilitate interactions would also bring social value to its surrounding community.

IN depth Ⅱ |

NOVOTEL & MERCURE SINGAPORE ON STEVENS

Year : 2017

GFA: 29,600sqm

To do so, the plans allocated dining, hotel facilities and commercial spaces to the sprawling ground floor of the development. Here, its location on the city fringe, free from the dense concrete jungle, presented a unique advantage. Capitalising on its site location, the team was able to design and position the development as an oasis of calm. Green organic pods housing a myriad of food and beverage options are scattered throughout the site, many boasting spacious al-fresco spaces – a luxury rarely afforded by similar hotels or commercial properties in the city centre. Facilities, including two pools and a large gym, are superior to its counterparts, injecting value to the hotel in an increasingly saturated market.

Eco-wellness: An essential luxury The rich interiors are complemented by an equally lush landscape. The landscape design took inspiration from the former development that occupied the site – The Pines Club. Conceived as a picturesque setting of “pines and meadows”, this bucolic environment was created by having pines deliberately planted in random grooves to create a “natural” pine forest. Simultaneously, undulating flowering meadows cover all available grounds. The genius loci of Novotel & Mercure Singapore also features an interlaced “pebbles” of glass restaurants, paths, seats, event lawns, pools and various hotel facilities into the hotel tower hovering above.

Indoors, DPD provided the aesthetic detailing necessary to realise the social goal of its spatial programming. Envisioned as a co-living space, DPD’s design scheme is at once rich and warm, sophisticated yet cosy. This is achieved through the use of a neutral palette of cream and grey, classily accentuated with dark browns and daring pops of blues and yellow. While the use of material such as marble in combination with clean lines adds a sense of luxury, the inclusion

The mood and atmosphere of the hotel are felt upon arrival at the hotel. Guests are enfolded in a blend of zen and contemporary characteristics. This is expressed in the unmissable stepping stone ornaments at the drop-off point. Yet, the design expression does not stop here. Tying all the elements of design together, DPD carries the landscape and architectural scheme inwards through aesthetic nuances such as the ceiling feature of star-lights mimicking the

of softer furnishings and lighting delivers comfort and creates a sense of intimacy. The overall balance of soft and hard, light and dark effectively presents an inviting space and comfortable setting that encourages communal activities and inspire interaction.

tranquil tree canopy walk of a pine forest at the lobby as well as the detailing of geometric iteration that mirrors the triangulation of the development. Timeless, sophisticated and delightful, Novotel & Mercure Singapore is an urban sanctuary of timeless sophistication and green respite.

DESIGN TEAM DP ARCHITECTS: ANGELENE CHAN, TAI CHOOI MEE, KAILAS MOORTHY, WELLINGTON KUSWANTO, NUR ARIFFIAN MUHAMAD, OLIVE MILLAN, MICHAEL MANLAPAZ DP DESIGN: MIKE LIM, ADA SIM, JOHN TAN, MAHALIA ONG, SHARLYN VILLALON, SOH KAI LING, CARMELO CARDINO DP GREEN: YEONG WENG FAI, ONG SIEW LENG, THUN KONGSUB, VARIT CHAROENVEINGVECHKIT

ON LEFT: THE DOUBLE GLAZED FACADE IS BOTH A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION AND AN AESTHETIC DELIGHT AS IT MAXIMISES NATURAL DAYLIGHT WHILE MINIMISING HEAT BUILD UP IN THE INTERIORS.

IN DEPTH â&#x2026;¡ |

YOTEL SINGAPORE |

Year : 2017

GFA: 32,000sqm

Yotel Singapore Designed for a first-class hospitality experience: configured to deliver affordable luxury By John Utanes

DESIGN TEAM DP ARCHITECTS: ANGELENE CHAN, TAI CHOOI MEE, ALLAN WANG, MAUREEN CHAN, FRANCIS GRIPAL, IRISH AQUINO DP DESIGN: MIKE LIM, ADA SIM, JOHN TAN, YAP SHIOW HUA, SITI URAIMAH, LOUISE LAW, SAMANTHA SOH, MARIAH L V PEDRAZA, ESTHER ANG, MAHALIA ONG

MAIN: WITH AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE CITY AND CREATIVE SPACE CONFIGURATION, YOTEL SINGAPORE DELIVERS LUXURY IN AN UNCONVENTIONAL SETTING.

Seated comfortably in a cabin with magnificent views of the Singapore skyline, one might forget that they are still firmly grounded in terra firma, snug comfortably in one of Yotel Singapore’s rooms or cabins as they call it. Yotel uses non-traditional language for its facilities – rooms are cabins, the foyer is Ground Control and reception is Mission Control just to name a few. The hotel brand takes the first-class air travel experience all the way through its service, concept and designs in order to deliver a service that is ultimately for the users’ comfort. As society continues to be more technologically advanced, more open to co-sharing as avenues for networking and community-building, and more aware of environmental issues, so too must hospitality developments adapt to meet these trends. Ultimately, these trends

speak of how society at large is moving towards a greater aspiration for wellness. In Yotel Singapore, DP Architects partnered with the technologically savvy brand to design a hospitality development that meets the ever-evolving needs of the wellness-conscious traveller. Standing at 30 storeys, the site location of the hotel provided an interesting challenge for DP Architects. Situated within a narrow site and flanked on three sides by buildings with storeys ranging from six to 21, there is limited floor space for the guest cabins and obstructed views of the city. In order to tackle the challenge of limited floor space, volumetric height was added to the cabins. This, together with creative configuration of the cabin layouts grant guests with generous volumes of space and bestow a sense of luxury and comfort.

IN DEPTH Ⅱ |

YOTEL SINGAPORE |

Year : 2017

GFA: 32,000sqm

This also addressed the limited views from the confined site by emphasising on the spatial and material comfort of inward-facing rooms located from floors 11 to 20. Clear of the buildings flanking its sides, guestrooms located on floor 21 and above capitalise on this vantage point to offer magnificent views of the Orchard skyline. The interior was designed by DP Design. Stepping into the waiting lounge with the soothing purple mood lighting, patterned grey flooring and predominantly white finishes, one might feel that they have entered a hotel of the future. Complete with a fully automated self-check-in system and robot butlers that deliver items such as water, towels or umbrellas and other amenities that can be easily and discreetly stowed in hidden shelving solutions, the design brings elements of the future that much closer to today.

THE DESIGN CREATIVELY NAVIGATES ITS SPATIAL CONSTRAINTS BY TAKING INSPIRATION FROM LUXURIOUS FIRST-CLASS AIRLINE CABINS. The interior design also faced the challenge of supporting Yotel’s brand while also reflecting its local identity. This was achieved through modern, sleek spaces infused with an Asian influence. The hotel’s signature purple tones are echoed in accent lighting within the cabins with wood panels and flooring that add warmth to the modern vibe. Meanwhile, at the hotel’s club lounge, vibrant splashes of colour in the furnishings add

The trend in co-sharing spaces, which first began in co-share office models, has been building momentum and is culminating in the concept of co-living spaces. Such models are driven by a growing emphasis on social interactions, and how they are beneficial for the exchange of ideas and networking. In an increasingly digitally-connected world, such models encourage offline communication and interactions, which are

a touch of whimsicality to the stylish, cosy and inviting character of the space.

gaining recognition as an important and beneficial component to one’s overall well-being. Understanding this trend, Yotel’s design incorporates all-day dining spaces that create opportunities for co-working as well as informal meetings and social gatherings. Simultaneously, this extends the value of the hotel to not just the traveller but the casual visitor as well.

Underneath all the technology lies the heart of Yotel’s design and service: to offer users the utmost convenience, comfort and luxury. These are core components of hospitality. The automation features and smart room design cater for maximum rest and relaxation for users. With an average room size of only 12 square metres, one might wonder whether a stay in Yotel Singapore would really deliver on the comfort and luxury that the hotel promises. The answer is: yes. The design navigates this challenge by taking inspiration from first-class airline cabins which are all about a luxurious experience in a compact space. For one, the volumetric height of the cabins gives a sense of spaciousness despite the room area. Yotel’s signature SmartBed also allows for extra space by enabling the bed to shift to a couch with a touch of a button.

Together with a focus to deliver convenience and enhance the users’ experience, the design also considers the wellness of the environment. Various smart systems are implemented throughout the hotel such as an efficient air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, smart lighting systems, integrated hot water systems and energy-efficient operational sensors and controls. Efficient use of water is achieved through careful customisation of water fittings based on how water is used in hotels. The fittings also act as a filtration system, thus, high hygiene levels are maintained while effectively conserving water. Sustainable materials, certified and tested to have a lesser impact on the

IN DEPTH â&#x2026;¡ |

YOTEL SINGAPORE |

Year : 2017

GFA: 32,000sqm

environment while positively contributing to the health of end-users, were chosen by the project team to be used in the development. These sustainability features are displayed on several panels at Ground Control, informing and educating guests on the importance of sustainability. Through innovative design and efficient planning, the design team cleverly combined ground-breaking technology to transform a small hotel into a hip, edgy and trend-setting development. Keeping to the elements of comfort and wellness, Yotel Singapore was designed to a first-class experience.

TOP: SKETCHES OF YOTEL'S FACADE. MIDDLE ROW FROM LEFT: THE CONFIGURATION OF THE GUEST ROOMS MAY BE UNCONVENTIONAL BUT IT STILL DELIVERS ON LUXURY. DESIGNED WITH CO-LIVING CONCEPT IN MIND, THE DINING AREA IS PERFECT FOR GATHERING WITH FRIENDS OR A QUIET LUNCH ALONE. PURPLE UNDER-LIGHTS ALONG THE HOTEL CORRIDOR CLEVERLY USES YOTEL'S CORPORATE COLOUR TO AN AESTHETIC ADVANTAGE. SELF CHECK-IN COUNTERS DELIVER THE LUXURY OF CONVENIENCE TO PATRONS OF YOTEL.

IN person |

DP INTERVIEW

DESIGNING WELLNESS Interview by John Utanes

The 'Wellness Movement' is slowly growing in influence; and with wellness at the forefront, healthcare and hospitality typologies are evolving to meet users’ preferences and needs. Its multi-disciplinary approach to design has enabled DP Architects and its group of companies stay ahead of the curve to address this growing development with dedicated healthcare and hospitality teams, landscape architects and interior designers who keep abreast of wellness issues and trends. In Person caught up with director of DP Green, Yvonne Tan; DPA’s associate director and head of hospitality typology research, Pulvy Iskandar; associate director of DP Design, Kim Oh Ra; and associates in DPA’s healthcare design team, Ng Pei Yun and Sharmini Rae James to talk about what goes into DESIGNING WELLNESS.

THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY IN HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALITY'S WELLNESS TRENDS FOCUS ON REJUVENATING MENTAL HEALTH, DISEASE PREVENTION, REHABILITATION AND THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES OFFERING A TOTAL SENSORY EXPERIENCE. IN THE PAST, HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALITY WERE CLEARLY DISTINCT FROM EACH OTHER. HOW HAS THAT CHANGED TODAY? Pulvy Iskandar: In terms of design, healthcare and hospitality are generally still two distinct typologies. However, as more people embrace the holistic notion of 'wellness', we are seeing more and more hotels or resorts that are designed with the well-being of travelers in mind. In healthcare, treatment spaces also need to be designed to evoke other aspects of wellness beyond physical health. In this context, the hospitality design approach becomes relevant in healthcare projects. Sharmini Rae James: Yes, there is definitely a confluence of the two typologies. To meet these expectations, healthcare is increasingly borrowing aesthetic approaches and service models from hospitality, especially approaches associated with contemplation and meditation such as those found in spas. Projects like Connexion which is the first fully integrated healthcare and hospitality complex in the region, for example, borrowed significantly from interior design concepts that would previously have been reserved for hotels. Ng Pei Yun: There are definitely instances of hospitality incorporating healthcare elements. Inversely, it is desired to have good hospitality for the healthcare sector, as the operator will want the patients to feel at ease compared to the traditional sterile medical environment. To me, hospitality and healthcare have always been closely related. Kim Oh Ra: I agree. Healthcare and hospitality are now more closely linked than ever before. This is especially apparent in interior designs where the look-and-feel of private hospitals are increasingly emulating luxurious and upscale hotels. A good example is in our interior design of Farrer Park Hospital, which is part of Connexion. Conceptualising the hospital of today, we infused elegant and modern design akin to a hospitality project while maintaining the functionality of the healthcare development. Yvonne Tan: Both industries are undergoing intense growth fuelled by increasing consumer desire beyond only emotional experiences to more permanent, personal transformations and lifestyle changes. The experience economy in healthcare and hospitality’s wellness trends focus on rejuvenating mental health, disease prevention, rehabilitation and therapeutic experiences offering a total sensory experience. This expansion of wellness includes therapeutic and healing landscapes in both healthcare and hospitality developments.

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HOW DO YOU THINK THE WORD ‘CARE’ IN HEALTHCARE HAS EVOLVED AND WHY? SRJ: The shift towards more holistic care first spawned the notions of patient-centric care and then of person-centric care. This is borne out of the body of evidence supporting the relationship between patient and family-focused design and better patient outcomes. NPY: Today, the perception for the word ‘care’ is more encompassing such that ‘person-centric’ care refers to both patient and medical staff. With it, there is also a greater emphasis and recognition that the mental wellbeing of a patient shares a directly proportionate relationship with their physical health.

TECHNOLOGY IS A BENEFIT IN SO MUCH AS IT DOES NOT REPLACE THE HUMAN TOUCH, WHICH IS CRITICAL TO A PATIENT'S EXPERIENCE. - sharmini rae jame s

HOW DOES THE EVOLUTION OF CARE TRANSLATE INTO THE DESIGN OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TODAY AND HOW DOES DP MEET THOSE CHANGES? NPY: One can see the differences in healthcare facilities such as the current Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which was constructed in the late 1990's, as compared to those built in the recent decade. The bed area per patient at inpatient wards and nursing homes have significantly increased. More greenery is being introduced within the healthcare facilities for therapeutic healing. For DP, we try to de-institutionalise healthcare facilities. For example, the first storey of Sengkang Health Campus features thoroughfare with retail and F&B features to encourage community interactions. SRJ: We also embrace a few key concepts in our designs to respond to the trend toward person-centric design. Firstly, we look toward incorporating biophilic design concepts for improved patient outcomes. Secondly, we aim to incorporate spaces for contemplation and meditation so as to foster re-centering and recovery. Thirdly, we encourage the use of non-visual cues to influence atmospheres. Going back to our work on Connexion, the interior design is driven by contemplation and piped in smells are utilised to distinguish between the hotel, retail and healthcare components. Finally, we also incorporate general good design principles in concurrence with universal and age-friendly design guidelines.

SPEAKING OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN, THERE IS RESEARCH TO SUGGEST THAT THE ABILITY TO TAKE IN NATURAL VIEWS IS CORRELATED WITH ACCELERATED HEALING. HOW CAN INCORPORATING LANDSCAPE INTO THE DESIGN IMPACT ON AND PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING? YT: Since the 19th century, the therapeutic benefits of natural environments have been documented. Dr Benjamin Rush, the ‘Father of American Psychiatry’, was first to document that working in a garden

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DP INTERVIEW

had positive effects on individuals with mental illness. Now, wellnessempowering places are known to provide four key interactions with natural environments – views to nature, being in nature, respite in nature and rehabilitation in nature. At DPG, therapeutic landscape principles guide the early design stages to ensure a more evidence-based approach to designing healing and restorative landscapes. This research on therapeutic and healing landscapes is also shared with DP’s healthcare and hospitality groups to the infuse principles of therapeutic landscape in their architectural projects – that’s an advantage of DP’s multi-disciplinary approach to design.

ARE THERE SPECIFIC LANDSCAPE DESIGN PRINCIPLES THAT CORRELATE TO USERS’ WELLNESS? YT: As landscape architects, we take the user-centric approach to design and understand the process of healing and wellness empowerment to create a natural environment that will support this process. This can include stimulating the senses, creating calming zones of respite or areas for healthy active living. For healthcare projects, landscape will include spaces for Horticultural Therapy where users can engage in gardening and plant-based activities facilitated by a trained clinical therapist. This achieves specific therapeutic treatment goals.

VEERING AWAY A LITTLE FROM HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALITY INTO ANOTHER FORM OF THERAPY – RETAIL THERAPY. WE KNOW THAT IT ISN’T JUST ABOUT THE SHOPPING SO TO SPEAK, IT IS ALSO ABOUT THE RETAIL EXPERIENCE. IS LANDSCAPING TRENDING IN RETAIL DESIGN AS WELL? YT: The garden experience is very much part of the retail experience. Biophilic design, these days, has blurred the boundaries between outdoor and indoor. The intimate connection with nature is extended indoors with natural light and materials, greenery, views of nature and other experiences of biophilia in the modern built environment. DPG’s basic philosophy brings wellness design into retail spaces to provide more specialised and ‘out of the ordinary’ brand experience. The emerging trend of bringing nature indoors gives direct and indirect exposure to nature in many forms. These seamless transitions between internal and external environs through landscape design, have proven to have a significant and positive impact on mental and physical health.

WHAT DOES THE WORD ‘WELLNESS’ MEAN IN HOSPITALITY AND HOW IS IT EVOLVING?

WITH PERSON-CENTRIC CARE, THERE IS GREATER EMPHASIS THAT ONE'S MENTAL WELL-BEING CORRELATES TO ONE'S PHYSICAL HEALTH. - ng pe i yun

PI: The concept of wellness in hospitality design today is embraced at different levels beyond just the provision of wellness facilities such as gyms, swimming pools and spas. For example, designing lobby spaces that can help guests unwind upon arrival or crafting guest rooms that give travelers a better sleeping experience or helping guests reconnect with nature through landscape is now a fundamental consideration in hospitality design. YT: Wellness in physical and mental health is a global movement and trend. Consumers today seek memorable experiences focusing not only on physical measures like nutrition and fitness, but also on the less tangible aspects like emotional states and stress relief.

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DP INTERVIEW

HOW HAS THE EVOLVING CONCEPT OF WELLNESS AFFECT DPD’S DESIGN APPROACH TOWARDS HOSPITALITY PROJECTS? KOR: Understanding the current trend is key. It is not simply about having massage facilities for a spa or gym equipment for a fitness centre. DPD’s approach is one of research and application of current trends. For example, the integration of smart technology in our designs. With the trend of multi-generational projects on the rise, smart functions are increasingly being requested and so that is something that we are developing expertise in. As designers, we push ourselves to understand fully what the current needs are and meet them.

CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH WHAT THE TYPICAL DESIGN PROCESS IS LIKE?

TRADITIONALLY, THE DISCIPLINES OF ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE AND INTERIOR DESIGN ARE VIEWED AS SINGULAR AND DISTINCTIVE. BIOPHILIC DESIGN EMBRACES A SHIFT IN THINKING TO MEET THE WELLNESS NEEDS OF THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY. - yv o nne t an

PI: Hospitality design, especially, requires an integrated design approach. Hotels have moved away from cookie-cutter designs to meet the expectation of today’s experience-driven guests. As hospitality designers, we have to understand the hotel brand identity and guest profiles before we start our design process. We have to balance the functional and aesthetic issues with careful considerations for interior, landscape, lighting, operation and engineering requirements to deliver a product that can meet the needs of the guests, owners and hotel operators simultaneously. With the hospitality typology focus, besides keeping us abreast of the latest trends and developments in the hotel industry, we bring all these different aspects of design together from day one. YT: Traditionally, the disciplines of architecture, landscape and interior design are viewed as singular and distinctive. Biophilic design embraces a shift in thinking to meet the wellness needs of the experience economy. This shift requires new collaborative and integrated approaches and through our various specialists in DP, we are able to glean from each other for creative solutions.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACED IN THIS COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME IT? KOR: As we work under different teams, there are bound to be occasions of miscommunication and differing expectations. However, this drives us to work more closely and resolve any issues as soon as they arise. NPY: I agree. Miscommunication, differing expectations and working styles are some challenges faced during collaborations. However, these are also opportunities to learn from one another and better our skills, such that the office improves as a whole together. YT: Achieving the fine balance between different disciplinary aspirations requires a rigorous process. Thankfully, at DP we have measures in place to ensure proper curation of ideas. These include designGate, which are weekly design critique sessions led by the firm’s directors, and informal workshops. These help to sieve out the great ideas from the not so good. SRJ: That is why the concept of One Global Studio is so critical to us working seamlessly and there are definitely signs of progress here.

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WHAT IS THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE THAT SUCH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CULTURE BRING TO THE PROJECT AND CLIENTS?

NPY: Yes, especially sharing across disciplines at the early stages of a project. This allows us to have a more holistic design approach where the key design concept can be carried through to construction.

KOR: At DP, the advantages of being able to provide full-scale services, from architecture to landscape and interior design are that of shortened project duration and enhanced quality control. Cost and time-wise, this is a huge benefit to all involved. For this reason, clients and operators are starting to prefer companies who can provide a one-stop solution.

YT: : Across DPA and its group of companies, there is a unified understanding that the ultimate design goal is to create better environs. Thus, despite the breadth of disciplines, disciplinary boundaries are diffused and a common core emerges; thereby facilitating the coming together of specialists for impromptu brainstorming, sharing of design knowledge and design methodology of problem solving through analytical and outcome processes particular to individual design disciplines and shared between them. This synergy, I believe, is unique to DP. PI: The outcome of this synergy is a fully integrated design proposal that translates to a holistic product design, which is beneficial to the users of the space and the clients. SRJ: This is especially true of the new age of wellness projects where we will increasingly see the lines between healthcare and hospitality blur. We are currently working on a couple of projects that demonstrate this, falling in between the traditional highly clinical models of hospitals and the ambience and programmes of spas and meditation spaces. Landscape and sustainability services are particularly important here too.

DESIGNERS MUST UNDERSTAND CURRENT TRENDS AND NEEDS, AND CONSTANTLY PUSH DESIGN BOUNDARIES TO MEET THEM. - kim oh ra

WHERE WELLNESS IS CONCERNED, DO YOU THINK THE ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IS A BANE OR A BOON? KOR: Technology and wellness are closely tied together. With technology now being integrated into lighting, sound systems, furniture, temperature control and so forth, I believe that it is definitely more advantageous. PI: I think this depends on what type of technology and how it is used in our daily life. Excessive use can upset balance, resulting in negative outcomes. However, when appropriately harnessed, more often than not, we can enjoy positive changes. Technology, no matter how advanced, is just a tool. SRJ: It is definitely a benefit, in so far that it does not replace the human touch, which is often critical to patient experiences. Mobile apps can smoothen patient registration process. Wearables or apps can reduce the need for long waits, and digital doctors powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) may even reduce the need for doctors doing repetitive or administrative tasks. Examples range from remote consultations via apps to chatbots that can diagnose simple illnesses and programmes that utilise AI to scan X-rays for tuberculosis. This translates to more time and space dedicated to serving patients who really need face-to-face medical attention. The key thing is that technology must remain a tool for optimising patient experience and resource allocation. It should not become a preoccupation in and of itself.

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HOW SAVVY ARE DP’S DESIGNS IN INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGY? KOR: As technology becomes more pervasive, travelers become more tech-savvy. Simple provision of lux amenities are not enough to awe travelers into staying at a hotel. Guests expect even more convenience, accessibility and artistic design – all of which can be achieved through innovation and technology. Yotel Singapore is a great example as it incorporates various technology features in the ‘techno wall’ that a modern traveler will need, from smart TVs to charging docks for mobile phones. PI: We leverage on technology to perform environmental analysis such as sun-path studies, especially in the early design stages. Technology allows us the ability to adopt more sustainable construction materials and methods. We use it as a tool to bring our ideas and dreams to life. YT: We are increasingly creating biophilic environs that are in sync with the new developments in sensors and bio-sensors. We also integrate indoor and outdoor spaces with embedded monitoring and measurement capabilities. Ultimately, they are used to enhance our quality of life in a big way. SRJ: When it comes to designing for technologies, we have two key aspects. The first is about catering spare capacities within the infrastructure – in terms of mechanical & electrical capacities and IT network infrastructure. We do this through designing soft spaces that are utilised as public, retail, waiting or garden spaces in the interim or soft floors on office spaces that can be converted into consultation rooms or ward floors. The second is about creating flexible systems. Our designs are modular to facilitate flexible conversions as technology changes models of operation. This is done through the adoption of a universal grid system into which the wards and consultation rooms can be designed.

DO YOU FORESEE A GREATER CONVERGENCE BETWEEN HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALITY IN THE FUTURE AND IN WHAT WAY? KOR: Absolutely. There is a growing trend in mixing these typologies especially with the emphasis on medical tourism which leads to increased partnership between hospitals and hotels. PI: Wellness is and will continue to be a strong driving factor in hospitality design. With our changing lifestyle and development, we will definitely observe more people in the world aspire to achieve wellness in their everyday life. I personally believe that there will be a convergence of hospitality design with many other typologies, not just healthcare. YT: Health and wellness tourism is already mainstream. We see a shift and increasing convergence in both healthcare and hospitality industries towards providing preventive, rehabilitative, rejuvenating and healthgiving experiences; embracing and meeting the wants and needs people are seeking in wellness experiences.

LEVERAGING ON TECHNOLOGY TO PERFORM ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS IN THE EARLY DESIGN STAGES, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADOPT MORE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS. IT IS A TOOL THAT BRINGS OUR IDEAS TO LIFE. - p ul v y i sk and ar

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IN History

DILMUNIA H E A LT H I S L A N D Fro m a n c ie n t rec o rds, t h e isl a n d o f B a h ra i n , k n own a s Di l m u n , wa s a p a ra d i s e g a rd e n w h e re dea t h a n d dis ea s e we re u n k n own . Draw i n g f ro m t h i s i n s p i ra t i o n , D il m u n ia Hea lt h Isla n d des c ri b e s a m a st e r p l a n f o r a h ea l t h a n d we l l n e s s i s l a n d t ow n sh ip t he m e d a ro u n d l i f e - g iv i n g wa t e r. Ra dia t in g fro m t h e c en t re in sw ir l s o f g re e n l a n d s c a p e a n d b l u e wa t e r ways, t h i s i d y l l i c deve lo p m en t fea t u res a c o m p re h e n s ive ra n g e o f h ea l t h c a re f a c i l i t i e s, i n c l u d i n g a we lln ess h o sp it a l , a wo m e n â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a n d c h i l d re n â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s h o s p i t a l , a n d s p e c i a l i s e d m e d i c a l c e n t re s. Th is we lln ess h u b is a n c h o red by f o u r t h e m e d h ot e l s t h a t o f f e r we l l n e s s t rea t m e n t s a n d c u isin es. T h e o u t er rin g o f t h e d eve l o p m e n t h o l d s re s i d e n c e s, ra n g i n g f ro m S O H O s ( S m a ll O ffic e Ho m e O ffi c e ) t o p i e r s i d e a n d q u ays i d e t own h o u s e s, l u x u r i o u s c o n do m in iu m s a n d e leg a n t v i l l a s ; c o m p l e m e n t e d by re c rea t i o n a l a m e n i t i e s, en t e rt a in m en t f a c i l i t i e s a n d l i f e st y l e ret a i l o u t l et s.

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