THE INSTITUTIONAL ISSUE
AN ARTICULATION OF BEAUTY REDEFINED
NGEE ANN POLY EXPANSION
LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
SINGAPORE: INSIDE OUT
ANGELENE CHAN IN LONDON IN FOCUS
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR SCHOOLS
MIC (P) 058/08/2015
SUTD
INDUSTRY
www.dpa.com.sg
IN DEPTH
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 3 2015 SINGAPORE
Vo l u m e 6 N u m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 5 , S i n g a p o re
Letter from the Guest Editor
CONTENTS
Dear Readers, The 21st century global environment is constantly in flux. For a country like Singapore which counts human talent at the core of its growth, the workforce needs to be prepared for a more dynamic and interconnected future. Society advances with new ideas that respond effectively to contemporary issues, and the cultivation of young minds to address unprecedented challenges has never been more important. Singapore now emphasises peer learning and cultivates innovation across schools. This issue of Design in Print highlights the efforts of DP Architects in shaping learning spaces that respond to Singapore’s diversification and refinement of the education system. Creative learning environments are necessary to inspire students and develop entrepreneurial graduates for the future. As architects, we too are constantly learning; seen in our collaboration with UNStudio for the East Coast academic campus of the Singapore University of Technology and Design where we jointly developed the design scheme, with participation from the university. The result of the long collaborative process is a radical design unlike other educational buildings in Singapore, based on the idea of bringing people together through ‘chance encounters’ to encourage crossdisciplinary discourse and interactivity – the seeds of innovation. With greater emphasis on continuing education and training to improve productivity and competitiveness, more working adults will return to schools. This demand is met by the five Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) distributed campuses nestled within polytechnics, three of which DP Architects had the privilege to design – at Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, the latter done in collaboration with Maki and Associates. Lastly, a productive learning environment is also created when the well-being and happiness of students, staff and visitors are taken into account, seen in the comfortable and relatable expanded campus of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In line with DP’s people-centric philosophy, the featured projects embody a concerted effort towards creating architecture which is sustainable, sensitive to its context, climate, culture and communities. Ultimately, it is the consideration of the end-user’s experience that drives our designs.
The latest happenings in DP
DP hosts women leadership conference
Short takes on new & notable projects
01 Alexandra Central 02 OUE Twin Peaks 03 COSL (Singapore) Base 04 The Amore 05 Orion City 06 Kandy Mixed Development 07 Arcamanik Park 08 Fuzhou Metro Mixed-use Development
Featured projects
Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore Institute of Technology Ngee Ann Polytechnic Campus Expansion
Sustainable design
Sustainable Design for Schools
Awards & events
Singapore: Inside Out in London DPA is Top 10 Firm SG50 exhibition highlights DPA’s The Dubai Mall WAF London on Singapore’s built environment
DP personalities
Interview with Chin Thoe Chong and Jeremy Tan “It takes ten years to grow trees but a century to nurture a generation of good men” Celebration of past projects
Angelene Chan Chan Hui Min
Bonnie Oeni Leanne Lim Toh Bee Ping
DESIGN IN PRINT TEAM
Temasek Polytechnic, 1996
Graphics
Content
Editorial
Chan Sui Him, Chairman, DP Architects Pte Ltd
Loh Yew Cheng Lee Hui Yee Fu Tingting
Writers: Anwar Rashid, Felicia Toh, Lee Boon Woei & Sheena Lim. Contributors: Jackie Poh & Pocholo Mauricio.
Cover image: Singapore University of Technology and Design
| The latest happenings in DP
DP Architects hosts
Women leadership conference DP Architects hosted the first of the Women on the Move conferences – industryled talks organised under the auspices of the Shirin Fozdar Program – on 9 July 2015. The lively session on urban and housing planning, sustainable design and considerations for creating quality city life were presented by industry leaders from CDL, DPA and HDB. Deputy CEO Ms Angelene Chan spoke about the evolution of DPA’s residential projects and shared the firm’s design strategies and responses to the changing housing needs of private homeowners, and of Singaporeans at a national level through the upcoming hubs projects. The Shirin Fozdar Program works closely with organisations to engage women in leadership roles, to develop better understanding among women of their capacity to influence change.
Short takes on new & notable projects
mixed development
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02
OUE Twin Peaks Singapore
residential
Perched elegantly on Leonie Hill, the recently completed OUE Twin Peaks is sited within one of the finest locations in the heart of Singapore. The rare expansiveness of this site around the Orchard Road area sets it apart in its capacity to offer urban living in lush greenery with ample recreational amenities. The development comprises two mirrored 35-storey towers, aligned to a sweeping curve maximising the magnificent views towards Orchard Road, while creating a sense of exclusiveness and intimacy. On the façade, the timber look of the aluminium screens stands out against the lightness of the glass windows. Vertical expressions enhance the slender silhouettes, extending them upwards towards the sky. This sleek verticality remains unbroken, except at the sky terraces that project away from the towers. The landscape extends up the dual towers to the mid-level sky terrace and the roof top, while variety in the unit layouts provide ample selection for various types of households.
01
Alexandra Central Singapore
Alexandra Central, located at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Merah and Alexandra Road, comprises the 19-storey Park Hotel Alexandra above a six-storey retail and carpark podium, with landscaped hotel facilities on the podium roof. Perched at the podium edge, the simple box of the hotel tower is supported by two six-storey columns. Near the top, a cantilevered glass box slides out from the edge to give the hotel its signature form. The linear façade facing Jalan Bukit Merah is arranged in a splay against the hotel tower and maximises frontage. In contrast, a sinuous curved façade sweeps along the entire frontage facing Alexandra Road. An expression of horizontality – from the porous façade expressed by the aluminium louvres at the car park levels, to the linear mullions in front of the glass façade at the retail floors – serves as an integral element to tie in the varied compositions of the different components. DP 01
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COSL (Singapore) Base Singapore
The new regional headquarters of COSL, a leading oilfield services provider from China, located along Benoi Road, assumes a U-shaped plan that provides greater flexibility and efficiency within the parallelogram-shaped site. The office block adopts a rectilinear layout for effective space planning, while screening the storage yard from the main road. Its design placed emphasis on creating a conducive working environment within the industrial park, by introducing a courtyard, a central green plaza, balconies with planters, high-volume breakout spaces for natural daylighting, and offices with views towards the central green, courtyard or Benoi Basin. For the research and development block at the north of the site, and the maintenance and warehouse block at the south, huge jack roof windows and louvres enhance natural ventilation and lighting, while the clever and cost-effective use of corrugated metal sheets on the exterior achieves a sleek industrial look.
04
The Amore Singapore
residential
The Amore is a 378-unit Executive Condominium development. The combination of dark purple hues and light grey is a departure from the usual colour schemes of housing developments. The rhythmic architectural frames with fine groove lines create depth and dynamism while adorning the spaces within. The blocks are arranged around a central activity space. The central pools and clustered garden offer spaces of interaction. Over 50 percent of the units have a full pool view. Twelve loft units with 4.5m floor-to-floor height have been designed at the highest storey. All balconies have vertical architectural fins on one side, providing shade and privacy. The landscape theme was conceptualised around an extensive waterscape, comprising a variety of pools and aqua-decks. The landscape elements are intertwined with the pools and spa beds, creating a unique spatial experience. The wide boardwalks allow residents to enjoy the expansive pools as a water feature.
mixed development
industrial
03
Short takes on new & notable projects
05
Orion City Sri Lanka
Orion City is an integrated flagship development fronting the upcoming Orion City IT Park in Colombo, Sri Lanka. To be developed in three phases, the project features three interconnected blocks that house expansive, open-plan offices, as well as retail and clubhouse facilities. The design revolves around the idea that work and play can co-exist to offer greater flexibility and convenience for users. Apart from vibrant retail spaces that cater to F&B and daily needs, the top floors of the towers play host to a bed-and-breakfast, club and sky terrace. To provide reprieve from the urban environment, landscaped plazas and skillfully crafted reliefs are introduced into the design. The dynamic, faceted design of the towers lend a refined and polished look to the interior and exterior, befitting the forward-looking nature of the IT park.
mixed development
07
Arcamanik Park Indonesia
Located 7.4km from the Bandung city centre, Arcamanik Park is a 15ha mixed-use development. The master plan consists of three phases, the first of which is a flagship campus comprising a business hub for offices, supporting facilities such as a convention centre, research and development nodes, 15-storey condotel towers atop a retail podium, a hospital and a hotel. Phase 2, The Shopping Boulevard, will feature a mall and outdoor retail shops, an outdoor garden stage, condotels and a skate park. Phase 3 completes the development with leisure components such as a country club, resort and water-themed park. The idea of regeneration ties together all three phases, where nature is integrated into all aspects of life, and a holistic experience is created within one site. The extensive greenery, pedestrian and bicycle networks are designed with connectivity and sensory appreciation in mind, encouraging eco-friendly mobility.
08
Fuzhou Metro Mixed-use Development
Located in the ancient capital city of Kandy, Sri Lanka, this mixed-use development sits atop a hill overlooking the renowned Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya and the Mahaweli River, with unhindered scenic views of the gardens. The development comprises a 15-storey private residential block and an adjacent 12-storey hotel with MICE facilities. A commercial podium connects the two blocks, providing convenient access to daily essentials and additional event venues to supplement the needs of its users. The two-tiered roof of the podium doubles as an event terrace that can host a multitude of events such as media screenings and intimate weddings, while the larger and more prominent upper deck with a pool serves as a platform for recreational use.
master plan
06
Kandy Mixed Development Sri Lanka
China
enhance spatial quality and create a distinct identity for the buildings. The concept seamlessly integrates architecture with landscape and lifestyle features, creating a confluence of spaces for people and activities that include inner courtyards, urban farms and a river promenade. A wellconnected pedestrian and cycling network that encourages sustainable travel helps tie together different parts of the development, while providing local residents with plenty of opportunities for leisure and recreation.
master plan
Situated above Suyang Station on the upcoming Fuzhou Metro Line 2 in Fuzhou, China, the proposed master plan for this transitoriented development consists of high-rise residential towers, offices, hotel, SOHO, townhouses, retail, and community facilities such as a kindergarten. The design by DP Architects is the winning entry of a design competition. Set within a natural landscape, the design aims to create a sustainable eco-city, with the introduction of greenery to
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Featured projects
SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN AN ARTICULATION OF BEAUTY REDEFINED
By Anwar Rashid
The establishment of academic institutions has often been a reflection of how far a society has progressed. These learning spaces serve to inspire not only the students and various faculties but also individuals in the larger context. Just as we view the existence of skyscrapers as the modern-day image of urbanity, the creation of this unconventional institution reflects the changing model of learning and a new generation of students.
In the dynamic 21st century world, international collaborations have steadily become a reality for any field, and it is this spirit that the architecture of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) ultimately embodies – a network of articulated spaces that promotes interaction and dynamism among its diverse users. It is an architectural translation of the connectivity the world is experiencing today. It was thus poetically fitting for DP Architects to work together with
Amsterdam-based architecture firm UNStudio as equal partners in the entire design process. Since the conceptual stage, the axis that defines the entire development has allowed the campus to have an integrative spatial quality. From the exterior, the campus appears to comprise various blocks for many faculties and developments; however, when one enters the building, there is a sense of harmony and
YEAR: 2014
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AREA: 100,600SQM
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SINGAPORE
seamless spatial connectivity that is achieved through ‘non-linear’ structures. Unlike most tertiary institutions, the architecture of SUTD moves away from conventional and traditional forms by having different spaces organised around a north-to-south and an east-to-west axis. This intentionally creates a nexus where students and faculty members are encouraged to interact, fostering better communication and a fertile collaborative environment.
Building orientation, interblock shading as well as shading by corridors keep space-cooling energy requirements low.
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Featured projects
COLLABORATION: THE GERMINATION OF INNOVATION The campus centre is a multi-purpose space that is adaptive and flexible to suit an everevolving academic environment. The architects also planned for the area to be a place where exhibitions and other extracurricular events can be held. The design of this space anticipates a learning environment that espouses collaboration, the cornerstone of a progressive education, especially essential to a design institution.
A sense of transparency and openness has also been successfully created by the architects so that it allows the user to experience the campus in its entirety. This visual dialogue is brought about through the introduction of corridors that are framed with the assistance of horizontal strips that forms the elevation of the campus. The verticality and horizontality of the pathway circulation is expressed by the placement of staircases.
Learning Spine
Learning Spine
V.V.I.P
These localised ceiling drops were then articulated as stepped transitions, making the ceiling plane more undulating and adding a unique cavernous feel to the space. The team felt that the ceiling designs became much better due to the need for partially lowered ceilings. By reframing their perspectives on the situation, viewing the lowering of the ceiling as an opportunity to improve rather than a drawback, resolutions were achieved. The designers were able to maintain their original design intent, the contractor received a design that could
This axial point, seemingly the heart of the institution, is connected with a myriad of corridors at the ground and upper levels. To the imagination, the circulation becomes beautiful and functionally organic. These corridors link to important spaces within the campus such as the main library, the auditorium and the International Design Centre (IDC). The IDC is a hub for technology-driven research and it has been designed to capture the essence of a contemporary design institution – one that is open, porous in the sharing of ideas and dynamic in its collaboration.
The various classrooms, research spaces and laboratories are strategically located across the campus. Individually, they have an almost nodal and intermittent quality amid the whole articulation of corridors and important spaces.
Living + Learning Spine
Interestingly, the design development of the campus centre served up many incidental learning opportunities for the architects, anchoring the end product in the same spirit of organic collaboration, adaptation and innovation. There was an instance where, despite several rounds of coordination, the combined services drawings for the campus centre were unable to fully achieve the intended ceiling heights for this key nodal space. The ceiling had to be lowered locally to relieve congestion of the M&E services within. DP Architects convinced design partner UNStudio to embrace this as an opportunity to enhance the sculptural quality of the campus centre ceiling design.
be executed in a timely manner, and the client received a unique and well-designed product.
Secondary Node
Primary Node
100 metres, 1 minute walk 200 metres, 2 minutes walk
Primary Node
Secondary Node
Above: A diagram showing the choreography of movement along the two spines, and expected walking time between the nodes. Left: The campus centre, the key node of connection across all academic blocks, is a light-filled, multi-purpose space of exchanges.
THE SEAMLESS ARTICULATION OF SPACES AND CORRIDORS CONNECTS PEOPLE, PLACES AND IDEAS ORGANICALLY, ALLOWING FOR CROSS-DISCIPLINARY COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATIONS Anti-clockwise from top: Design strategies blend massing and circulation paths in a non-linear way to enhance the potential for cross-functional encounters. The use of colour gradation and receding wall-to-ceiling modules in the auditorium enhance its directional quality. Classrooms and meeting rooms are distributed across various blocks to amplify moments of interaction. Vertical connections not only bring in natural lighting, they also turn the stairwells into discussion platforms.
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Featured projects
THE DESIGN RESPONDS TO AN EQUATORIAL CLIMATE; NATURAL VENTILATION, DAYLIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING CELEBRATE THE TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT SUTD IS IN
Flow of Landscape
Horizontal Landscape
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: THE GERMINATION OF GREEN EDUCATION Both DP Architects and UNStudio were conscious in responding to an equatorial climate. The architecture has natural ventilation, given the porosity of corridors and open spaces. The linkages and various walkways are sheltered, providing protection during heavy rainfall. Louvred sunshades across the windows shield the rooms and interior spaces from direct sunlight and, at the same time, allow the
Flow of Landscape
Vertical Landscape
Horizontal Landscape
natural filtration of daylighting. The flow of light throughout the day, cast on the walls, adds a tonal effect within the interiors. In terms of landscaping, native trees and flowering plants have been added to celebrate the tropical environment the academic institution is in. The progression of these landscaping strategies and greenery culminate in the placement of roof gardens and terraces at various blocks in the campus. SUTD embodies a paradigm shift in the design of academic institutions. It is an architectural showpiece befitting a time of limitless possibilities, aided by connectivity and technology. It is a testament to the dedication and commitment of a successful collaboration; and the result speaks for itself through the seamless articulation of spaces and corridors that connect people, places and ideas.
Clockwise from right: With its porosity, the campus enables open interaction through meetings at various spaces. A diagram showing the site analysis of solar patterns, ventilation and daylighting, shaping the planning of the campus as a ’breathable’ space. Tree-shaded walkways encourage a walkable, lowcarbon campus. A diagram showing the vertical continuation of the landscape through façade planters, composing a delightful spatial poetry along the exteriors.
Team Members (Sitting left to right) Philip Tan, Jeremy Tan, Woon Chung Yen, (standing left to right) Gokul Vasudevan, Timothy De Guzman, Liong Mei Choo, Teo Sheng Leong, Foo Liching, Cleofer Malijan & Lionel Leow.
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Featured projects
SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN APPLIED LEARNING By Sheena Lim
SIT@SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC The SIT@Singapore Polytechnic (SIT@SP) building is sited along Dover Road and in close proximity to Dover MRT Station. Aside from the new building, the existing sports hall at Singapore Polytechnic was rebuilt as a new sports arena with augmented, comprehensive sports facilities. Belonging to two different clients, the architectural challenge was to ensure the SIT@ SP building and the sports arena were designed to reflect an integrated aesthetic while retaining individual branding identities. The site outline exerted a significant influence on the organisation of the building form. Sited on an undulating terrain, the architects constructed a series of platforms for gradual ascents, including activity decks in response, forming a new set of network linkways and bridges. The site is distinctively apportioned into four different zones – administration, teaching facilities, central plaza and sports hall. Site connectivity and internal circulation are paramount to the micro spatial organisation of the suggested programmes. The central plaza – the medial space between SIT@SP building and the sports arena – was designed as an open circulation and gathering space. Connectivity nodal points are thoughtfully dotted on the first floor, in areas with anticipated human traffic catchment. Classrooms and lecture theatres are deliberately located on the second to sixth storey. For sustainability, pockets of open spaces were introduced to the north-south oriented building, drawing air into the internal, naturally ventilated spaces. With the adoption of building overhangs and façade recesses, solar exposure to the façade has also been minimised.
Right: For maximum comfort, the SIT@SP building features full windows with views, a huge skylight that introduces daylight and naturally ventilated circulation spaces.
Team Members (Sitting left to right) Foo Chai Yee, Chin Thoe Chong, (standing left to right) Eugene Dizon, Maureen Chan, Goh Soh Mui, Sharmini James & Chue Kit Han.
YEAR: 2014
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Incorporated in 2009, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) was established to allow polytechnic students to upgrade to specialised degree programmes, pioneering a new breed of graduates who could adapt to the evolving needs of Singapore’s economy. DP Architects was involved in the design conception and construction for three of five SIT distributed campus buildings – SIT@Singapore Polytechnic, SIT@Ngee Ann Polytechnic and SIT@Republic Polytechnic. While the buildings are set independently apart on three unique sites, they address a similar set of predetermined requirements and site constraints in relation to the existing campus. In this issue, a closer look at the design for SIT@SP and SIT@NP buildings is taken.
AREA: 23,800SQM (SIT@SP),14,900SQM (SIT@NP)
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SINGAPORE
THESE MODERN EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS COMPLEMENT SINGAPORE’S MOVE TOWARDS INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY, PROVIDING A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR APPLIED LEARNING
SIT@NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC Sited along the main pedestrian circulation network, SIT@Ngee Ann Polytechnic (SIT@NP) building is effortlessly connected to the existing campus. The building is composed of eight floors of teaching facilities and administration offices, and two basement floors housing three major lecture theatres. The rectilinear block is broken up to create an H-shaped central atrium space, expanding visual connectivity between floors. A striking red lift lobby – red is one of SIT’s corporate colours – anchors the middle of the atrium as the main vertical circulation distribution to all floors. For the interiors, the concept of a circuit board was adopted and expressed through the manipulation of material selection and spatial organisation to create a contemporary setting. Gem-like structures on the ground floor, referred to as PODs, function as multi-purpose rooms, and are intricately fabricated in glass and steel. These two elements help to characterise the atrium space as a feature spot, cultivating chance interactions.
Above: The SIT@NP building features unique façade openings
Teaching facilities along the atrium void are designed to take full advantage of daylight, achieving uniformly distributed and glare-free lighting conditions. The main circulation corridor spaces are naturally ventilated, with prevailing wind funnelled into the atrium, and the block is intentionally oriented to the north to minimise solar exposure.
to create a wind funnel effect, enhancing passive ventilation.
Team Members (Sitting left to right) Chin Thoe Chong, Foo Chai Yee, (standing left to right) Wendy Tan, Alexis Chan, Connie Supat Gonzales &
These modern educational hubs complement Singapore’s move towards innovation and technology; and the design of these SIT buildings provide a conducive environment for applied learning. While the architectural styles are international in form, the designs are conscious of its tropical locale, making use of innovative passive design strategies to ensure comfortable learning, while respecting the existing characteristics of the polytechnics they co-exist with.
Chue Kit Han.
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Featured projects
NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS EXPANSION LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM By Felicia Toh
N PA
THE REVITALISED CAMPUS IS THE ARCHITECTURAL MANIFESTATION OF A FLIPPED CLASSROOM
IS LA ND EX
Left: Site plan showing the
PR ES
placement of Blocks 22, 51, 58 and
AY SW
their lush green spaces, integrated
SIT@NP
with the rest of the campus.
51 58 Convention Centre
Team Members
22 Potential new route from PIE
(Sitting left to right) Goh Soh Mui, Chin Thoe Chong, Foo Chai Yee,
Secondary entrance from SIM
Serine Chan, Armando F Arino, (standing left to right) Chue Kit Han, Wu Yumei, Jorisza C Llaguno, CLEMENTI
Exit
ROAD
Main Entrance
Ngee Ann Polytechnic launched a 26,000sqm expansion plan to improve connectivity between campus blocks and to revitalise the learning environment. DP Architects was appointed the design architect to create a holistic educational landscape through the design of Blocks 51, 58 and 22 of the campus. Pedagogical approaches are constantly evolving, and learning is now encouraged outside the classrooms through an inversion of traditional teaching methods, known as the Flipped Classroom concept. The architects’ strategy was thus to provide ample learning and study spaces branching off the main circulation routes, which would spill out into adjacent landscaping. The deliberate placement of these breathing spaces along the periphery of the buildings, together with generous light-filled atrium spaces and thoughtfully designed landscape areas blur the boundaries between inside and outside. The result is an integrated campus tied together by pockets of gathering spaces and lush landscaping, with blocks that are visually identifiable through different façade colours and textures. As opposed to conventional campus environments that tend to consist of disparate academic blocks housing segregated faculties, the focus of this expansion was to strategically integrate the campus through communal landscaped areas for learning and interaction.
Joanne Ng, Hanafi Kasnan & Rosa Mercedes Mateo.
YEAR: 2014 (BLOCK 51 & 58), 2015 (BLOCK 22)
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AREA: 26,000SQM (BLOCK 51 & 58), 12,400SQM (BLOCK 22)
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SINGAPORE
BLOCK 51 Centrally located within the campus and rising eight storeys above the existing Makan Place food court, Block 51 is Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s latest faculty building containing eight lecture theatres and 26 classrooms. Wrapped in a triangulated steel-and-glass façade screen, the large atrium interiors are washed by the dynamic movement of shadows. The façade skin also doubles up as a climate modulator, reducing heat and glare to the spaces within. The design celebrates the Makan Place as an important node, and expands its connectivity to the rest of the campus via the Eco-Deck. Inspired by the tapering volumes of the lecture theatres, the slanting forms of Block 51 float above the deck, encouraging the flow of air through the naturally ventilated communal areas.
Top: Block 51 features a sleek triangulated steel-andglass façade screen that also reduces heat and glare. Left: Reflecting the architectural language, the interior design applies the same triangulated pattern in gradated shades of grey.
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Featured projects
Below: Threads of green landscaping feature throughout Block 58, forming informal study areas or research gardens. Bottom: Aerial view of Block 58, with its distinctive triangular skylight and Eco-Deck, an external activity nucleus.
BLOCK 58 Block 58 occupies an important intermediary position within the site, connecting the lower level Green Mall, Student Village and EcoDeck. It consists of a six-storey new insertion that houses a 300-seat lecture theatre, lecture and seminar rooms, and a curvilinear Eco-Deck on the second storey. The elevated Eco-Deck is a prominent addition to the campus, rising above the grand concourse steps and extending within the building through a series of folds. The green landscaping threads through the building, forming important interstitial pockets for informal study areas or research gardens. Conceptualised as the heart of the campus, the Eco-Deck functions as the vibrant platform for student interaction and expression. Housing programmes such as the mosh pit, graduation agora and study spaces on an undulating
terrain, the Eco-Deck promises to be a nucleus of activity where faculty members and students can activate learning and enterprise outside classroom walls. The Eco-Deck is wellconnected to the rest of the campus, with a series of ramps leading to the Student Village and to the Makan Place food court, as well as vertical circulation connections to the lecture spaces and student recreational club clusters. Within Block 58, a chamfered triangular skylight draws daylight deep into the atrium, creating a comfortable environment conducive for learning. A central atrium on the third storey forms the main thoroughfare that connects to the classrooms. The visual permeability of the atrium intentionally opens up view corridors towards the lawn and the rest of the campus, dissolving the boundaries between the interior and exterior.
THE ECO-DECK, THE HEART OF THE CAMPUS, IS A VIBRANT PLATFORM FOR INTERACTION AND EXPRESSION
BLOCK 22 Block 22 is a four-storey building situated next to an existing sports hall. The architects sought to provide common outdoor spaces that could be shared between the existing and the new sports hall. Employing a sinuous terracing language for its floor plates and landscaping proposal, a continuous verandah was created around the building perimeter that provides shade to the floors below. Terracing landscape planters within the sunken courtyards are lushly planted in vibrant red, purple and pink flowering trees and shrubs. The vibrancy of the landscaping is reflected internally as well, with the student service office, student lounge, seminar rooms, discussion pods and a food court furnished by DP Design. Colourful sofas and armchairs pepper the interiors, creating a cheery and inviting ambience for discussions and study groups. Visible from Clementi Road and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), the western façade features a bold red entrance wall that serves as a visual anchor for the campus.
Right: Block 22’s floor plates and landscaping adopt a sinuous terracing language, creating a continuous verandah around the building perimeter.
Block 58
Block 51
Eco-Deck / Agora
Student village
To SIT
THE THREE BLOCKS RELATE TO EACH OTHER AS A COHESIVE WHOLE, WITH COMMUNAL LANDSCAPED AREAS ENCOURAGING INTERACTION The three blocks were thoughtfully planned to relate to each other as a cohesive whole, with view corridors, layering of programmes and verdant landscaping to encourage connectivity within the entire campus. Through the erasure of boundaries between the inside and outside, the revitalised Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus may be viewed as the architectural manifestation of a flipped classroom – where learning opportunities unfold beyond the four walls.
SIT@NP NP Car park
Left: Exploded axonometric diagram showing the various blocks, key components and relationships within the campus expansion.
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Sustainable design
Planting Seeds of Change: Sustainable Design for Schools By Lee Boon Woei
As incubators of innovation and places where young minds are cultivated, schools are critical spaces where students learn to build a healthy future for their communities and the planet. The adoption of passive design strategies for institutional projects at an early stage translates into tangible benefits, in enhancing the indoor environmental quality of the learning space and creating energy efficiency. These sustainable design features will become live teaching examples of how design features can contribute to a conducive learning environment.
Wind Direction
Left: A model showing wind corridors created by building axes. Bottom: Corridors were designed with specific Wind Tunnel
Passive Design: A Case Study of Singapore University of Technology and Design The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) illustrates this well. Right from the start, during the master planning stage, the campus was designed to be environmentally sustainable. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) study was conducted to study the prevailing wind conditions of the site. The building form was skewed to align the axes of the buildings so that wind corridors were carved out, naturally ventilating outdoor spaces within the campus. This passive design feature is especially critical in an institutional building as outdoor spaces also double up as activity spaces, study and breakout areas. The buildings were also oriented to minimise east-west solar exposure, while corridors were designed to double up as effective
Component 1A (glass balustrade)
shading devices. An in-depth analysis led to an optimal selection of glazing for the development. A relatively clear glass which allows ample daylight into the learning spaces was selected and the overall thermal insulation property of the façade was five percent below the stipulated value required under the Green Mark Platinum certification, attesting to its effectiveness. The façade design is a dedicated balancing act between daylighting qualities, an essential element for a comfortable learning environment, and solar heat gain, a key contributor to a building’s air-conditioning load. To further ensure an ideal learning environment, a daylight and glare analysis was conducted to understand the impact of glare caused by natural lighting. Mitigation measures can then be implemented at the design stage to preserve good indoor lighting quality.
Component 1B (solid balustrade)
Component 2 (planter)
glazing selection to provide optimal shading.
Most institutional projects have future-proofing provisions to cater to the ever-evolving curriculum and educational needs. Hence, in working on the system efficiency of the building services within an institutional development, environmental sustainable design and M&E consultants need to take into consideration the possible operating profiles of the development at three stages: the start, when the institution hits stability, and in the future. When optimising the design of various building services to suit needs across these three stages, a balance needs to be attained. Only then can long-term sustainability for the development be achieved.
The columnist is the director of DP Sustainable Design (DPSD), a subsidiary firm of DP Architects that specialises in environmentally sustainable design.
Component 3 (solid parapet)
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Awards & events
Angelene Chan in London
Singapore: Inside Out
DP Architects’ director Lesley Lim receiving the Top Ten Architects Award. Photo courtesy of BCI Asia DP Architects’ Deputy CEO Angelene Chan is the moderator for a panel discussion on urban design at the Singapore: Inside Out showcase in London.
DP Architects’ Deputy CEO, Angelene Chan, was invited to participate in a panel discussion on Singapore design as part of the Singapore: Inside Out showcase organised by the Singapore Tourism Board. Ms Chan was the moderator for the session titled “The Singapore Dialogue: Design – Does Design Matter in Urbanisation?” Held on 25 June 2015 at Brick Lane Yard in East London, the panel includes architects Randy Chan and Voon Wong, and World Architecture Festival director Paul Finch. Part of Singapore’s SG50 Golden Jubilee celebrations, Singapore: Inside Out is a travelling showcase of the country’s creative talents from various disciplines that aims to broaden the international community’s perspective of the nation.
DPA is Top 10 Firm For 10th year running
DP Architects has been ranked among the top ten architecture firms in Singapore for the tenth year running at the annual BCI Asia Awards, demonstrating its excellent performance in the local architecture industry. The ‘Top 10 Architects Award’ recognises the most commercially significant architecture firms that had the greatest influence on the built environment in Southeast Asia. The awards ceremony was held at The Westin Singapore on 19 June 2015.
SG50 exhibition on Singapore’s growth highlights DPA’s The Dubai Mall
DP Architects and its milestone project, The Dubai Mall, have been featured in an exhibition titled ‘Singapore’s Economic Miracle’, held to commemorate Singapore’s 50 years of independence. Presented in the ‘Hands That Built Our Nation’ section of the exhibition, which showcased homegrown companies that have brought the Singapore brand and expertise overseas to put the country on the global map, The Dubai Mall is a flag-bearer of the quality and expansion of Singapore architectural design beyond local shores. The exhibition was officially opened on 11 August 2015 at VivoCity by the Minister of Social and Family Development, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin. Organised by SPRING Singapore, the Economic Development Board, IE Singapore and JTC Corporation, the exhibition travelled to Changi Airport and Capitol Piazza.
DP Architects’ management representatives show their support at the exhibition.
DP Architects’ Deputy CEO Angelene Chan presenting Singapore’s achievements in the built environment.
WAF London
Angelene Chan on Singapore’s built environment DP Architects’ Deputy CEO, Angelene Chan, was invited by World Architecture Festival London to give a detailed presentation on Singapore’s built environment as part of the City Update series of talks, held on 24 June 2015 at the University of Westminster, London. Ms Chan recapped 50 years of growth and urban planning in Singapore through the story of DP Architects, closely intertwined with the government to achieve the unique vision of Singapore today. Projecting into Singapore’s future and the nation’s aspirations, Ms Chan also spoke at length about the latest architecture and design trends in retail, residential and education, as well as distinctive buildings and developments to the who’s who of the design scene. DP 17
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An interview with
Chin Thoe Chong & Interview by Bonnie Oeni
IN PERSON celebrates the firm’s diversity by profiling members of the DP family. The interview is conducted as a casual conversation between individuals. Meet directors Chin Thoe Chong and Jeremy Tan. Chin Thoe Chong is the Project Director of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) campus expansion and the Singapore Institute of Technology campuses at NP and Singapore Polytechnic, while Jeremy Tan recently completed the progressive Singapore University of Technology. They speak to Design in Print about lessons in school, in architecture, in life.
Going back to origins and the source of where ideas are formed – how did your learning experiences contribute to why you became an architect? CTC: Growing up in the heritage-rich George Town in Penang, a melting pot of cultures, and having an artistic home environment instilled in me an appreciation for the arts. My dad was a Chinese music teacher who had an interest in the arts. The environment shapes you – whether it’s man-made, historical or natural, basic or highly ornate – and it was the music at home, food flavours, visual textures, ornamentations, colours, beaches, picturesque landforms and the unique blend of physical and natural compositions of the city that fostered my appreciation for arts and design. That was
before I could even put various formal names to architecture. As a kid, I often marvelled at these sophisticated undertakings of mankind.
“I thrive more on celebration than on the sadness of things. We should be able to find joy in whatever we do – like creating spaces that can inspire people. ” – Chin Thoe Chong I was an active Scout in my youth. We learned about social responsibility early and partook in
organising fundraising events for school and social causes. For instance, we had our own lion dance troupe, pop band, professionally published scouts’ magazine – opportunities to pursue interests in the arts, writing, social work and the like, all self-funded, and leftover funds would be shared. This provided the impetus for my well-rounded educational journey beyond the confines of the classroom. When I decided to read Architecture at the National University of Singapore, I found a great shift from the traditional rote schooling I was accustomed to up until that point. The independence was liberating and it suited my free-spirited, freewheeling nature as I didn’t like being trapped in a classroom. Through extracurricular activities, I quickly soaked up
learning and intellectual exchanges along the corridors of the campus – greatly enriched with cross-cultural and multidisciplinary discourse. JT: My identity is a constant dialogue between respecting Asian traditions and embracing Western habits, culture and literature, as I studied in a Methodist school. I’m a quarter Peranakan so I grew up in a fairly traditional family, steeped in Confucian values, appreciating Eastern literature and cultural arts. I also read voraciously in my youth – Western writers from Homer to Agatha Christie. I was interested in the pursuit of knowledge – whether it was philosophy, art, architecture, design, theatre, geography, anthropology, history, even biology. This passion was fuelled by interacting with people who open your mind and evoke you to think. I remember being at a crossroads in my life, trying to decide between architecture and medicine; walking through the grounds of the old Tan Tock
Seng Hospital prompted me to think about whether one could better human lives through medical care or through thoughtful design. Architecture was the answer for me then, since it is not just about buildings, but an embodiment of history, geography, stories, things that I love.
What lessons or experiences have helped shape your design principles? CTC: Scouting influenced me to respect nature. This follows through with my architectural pursuits, aligned similarly with respect to the genius loci – spirit of the place. We endeavour to verbalise and translate this spirit into physical architectural forms, forms that harmonise with their environment. I do not tread on a singular design theory or approach. It’s more about what the site means and wishes to be, rather than what I want it to be. Form-making underscores the objective in expressing image-able architecture – without
form, people can’t recognise or relate to the building, and form serves as the setting for an experiential function. How much a building is ‘liked’, depends in part on how the space is sampled. In addition, artistic concerns are the main drivers and motivational force here. Clarity of one’s architectural message is key – this follows why our intent must be communicated well in design. That said, great architecture does not need to be something which wins awards, or acknowledged as such by your industry peers. If the space is greatly enjoyed and identified by people at that particular time and place, and suits the function it was built for, could it not be deemed as a successful space or good architecture? Architecture plays an enormous role in shaping our psyche – learning spaces, places that offer refuge, or spaces which engage our senses through light and shadow, quietude and peace in a true ‘sense-surround’. These can be
Jeremy Tan
“I have to open my mind, my heart, my ears, my eyes...everything comes through the highway of life. Today’s education is not so formal. It is all about interactivity, serendipitous encounters, unplanned moments.” – Jeremy Tan
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very common places – not necessarily heroic architecture, but no less important as national landmarks and symbols. Otherwise you fall into the trap of creating ‘empty’ physical shells. A great space needs to consider how people feel within its confines; it must evoke sensations that can be positive or otherwise. We should strive to be pure in ideals – clear and simple in thought, in creating inspiring designs with a great sense of spatial qualities and artistry within. JT: For me, I like to work from the ‘inside out’. I’m a visual person so I start from what one experiences and sees, orchestrating the user’s whole journey from inside to outside,
and then from outside in. From the built form, to the ambient interiors, down to the tactile details, ensuring everything comes together as a cohesive, integrated experience. Through this process, I’ve realised that I cannot just rely on what I’ve learned in school, but I have to open my mind, my heart, my ears, my eyes to everyone I meet. Everything comes through the highway of life, and so I’ve learned education is not so formal. It is all about interactivity, dialogue, serendipitous encounters, unplanned moments. If we can find a quiet moment each day to reflect on, synthesise and formulate what we have observed, we can learn something and build
“Just viewing people from all walks of life and trying to understand how to design the right environments for them ensures I am never complacent in my craft. I am relentlessly challenging what I know, relentlessly pursuing the betterment of my craft.” – Jeremy Tan
on it. Today, learning is not about formal boxes. It’s more about the spaces in between boxes and rooms, how users approach the buildings and learn how to use them intuitively. It’s about the journey.
Was there anyone who influenced you as you were growing up? CTC: Good storytellers who bring you away from physical reality to another plane of possibilities, broadening your imagination. They help you visualise things as the stories are told, things you had never considered before. By storytellers I mean anyone who does personal recounts of their joys and jubilation. I thrive more on celebration than on the sadness of things. We should be able to find joy in whatever we do. Happiness isn’t just about the process, it’s about the outcome too – how spaces can shape and inspire people. There were great storytellers in my journey. Some of them were teachers, some were neighbours, some were leaders in their chosen fields. Stories told of both individual and group triumphs served to inform my concerns as an architect for the community and self. One of my father’s best friends is quite an inspiring figure. He had forsaken the creature comforts of urban living to pursue the reclusive life of an artist, away from the city. He was educated in English, spoke fluent Chinese but taught the Malay language. That spurred me to the view that one need not be good at only one thing, but can be multi-focused and do every task within your focus just as well. JT: I can’t isolate everything I’ve learned down to a single person as I believe everything you know and have experienced has contributed in some way to your growth; it’s more about the amalgamation of experiences and encounters. I remember my lecturer once said, “To do design, you must feel comfortable.” Taking that to heart, I find I am most inspired when I am in my most relaxed state, which happens during the most mundane routines of the day. Waiting in traffic, doing laps in the pool, sitting amid people at a busy café and watching life drift by – it is during such moments the mind sees things with clarity and I am able to think out of the box to respond to what the client needs. Finally, my school motto was “the best is yet to be”, which I have adopted as my personal motto. Adapting that, I feel the best day is perhaps the next day, the best encounter is perhaps the next experience, the next dialogue. Spontaneity is best.
Can you share how you approach the role of being a mentor to younger designers in the office? CTC: Design is a highly collective process. You can only crystallise great ideas through collaboration. Mentorship, to me, is a continuous process. It is about getting people to buy into your vision from the beginning; the sense of fulfilment is heightened when the vision is a collective one. I think it is critical for younger designers to feel ownership over the design, to imbue design with meaning and engage with it. I always say, to be a good designer one has to be perceptive and observant. Visit as many countries as you can and be inspired by anything well-crafted and designed by nature or man. After all, we learn best through emulation; like children, we pick things and ideas up from our environment, which greatly influences us. We observe and try to understand spaces that resonate with us. From there, we might be taken to the greater heights of our imagination. JT: It’s about engagement – understanding the psyche of younger designers, what moves them, so that you can communicate effectively with them and bring them with you on the same journey to meet a common objective. They may have had different experiences growing up but such knowledge can always be shared openly and organically for a better understanding. No young architect or intern is too inexperienced in that sense.
What do you consider to be the next learning opportunities in architecture? CTC: I think technological advancements will be a real game-changer for architecture. Technology is an enabler in our virtual exploration. It helps us visualise different spatial and abstract dimensions, particularly the experience of physical spaces. Technology is sophisticated enough now to accurately realise, in the physical sense, everything imagined in the virtual world. We must master this enabler. We have not fully exploited technology in architecture and construction. Another opportunity would be convertible
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“It’s more about what the site means and wishes to be, rather than what I want it to be… We should strive to be clear and simple in thought, in creating inspiring designs with a great sense of spatial qualities and artistry within.” – Chin Thoe Chong forms of architecture, such as portable housing, or buildings that can be reassembled depending on ever-changing needs. There would be a lot less wastage and therefore greater sustainability. These are things that architects should be thinking about. We must chart new frontiers to create more pleasing, greater and more meaningful physical environs. JT: Learning never takes place in just a formal environment – moments both big and small could be great learning opportunities.
Copyright © DP Architects Pte Ltd MIC (P) 058/08/2015 Printed by SC (Sang Choy) International Pte Ltd L008/03/2015 Published by DP Architects Pte Ltd 6 Raffles Boulevard #04-100 Marina Square Singapore 039594
Your educators could be anyone you meet who makes an impression on your mind. Just viewing people from all walks of life and trying to understand their varied socioeconomic situations, how to design the right environments for them ensures I am never complacent in my craft. I am relentlessly challenging what I know, relentlessly pursuing the betterment of my craft – for socio-cultural benefit or to meet the client’s brief.
T: +65 6338 3988 F: +65 6337 9989 E: designinprint@dpa.com.sg W: www.dpa.com.sg Photo Contributors: Loh Yew Cheng, Marc Tey, Pocholo Mauricio, Rory Daniel, Sean Lee, William Young & Wu Yumei. All photos are credited to the mentioned photographers unless otherwise stated.
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Temasek Polytechnic – DP Architects’ first major polytechnic project after the Singapore Polytechnic’s expansion in 1986 and the forerunner of many to come – is located in Tampines beside the idyllic Bedok Reservoir. A raised entrance plaza, enclosed by a horseshoe-shaped administration building, is the focus of the 30ha campus, while the four schools are organised along spacious pedestrian concourses that radiate from a promenade. For energy efficiency, the project features numerous voids and breezeways that enhance ventilation. In addition, optimal room dimensions and careful design of the façade helped in maximising natural daylighting while minimising energy consumption. The project received an SIA Architectural Design Award in 1998. The project was done in collaboration with Michael Wilford & Partners, London (previously James Stirling, Michael Wilford & Associates). Project Team: Koh Seow Chuan, Ti Lian Seng, Toh Sze Chong, Lee Shee Koeng, Clyde Uriarte, Eliseo Jr P Tenza, Catherine Lo and Toh Kwee Jong
Temasek Polytechnic
1996