M.Arch Thesis Research Report 2020

NeoWorkhome

Choo Qing Yuan A0156847N

M.Arch II Thesis Supervisor Associate Professor Cheah Kok Ming

Crisis Optimist: Antifragility and Architecture Architectural Design Research Report Semester 1 AY 2020/2021

Contents

Acknowledgements

Research

5

1. Research Abstract

6

2. Research Approach 2.1 Methodology

8

3. Research Context 3.1 Premise

3.2 Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Working and Living

3.3 Home-based Business and Sharing Economy

10 10 16

4. Community of Practice 4.1 Literature Review

4.2 Case Studies and Competitions

17 20

5. Analysis of Singapore’s Residential Planning in a Range of Scales

5.1 URA Masterplan - City for Work, Live and Play 5.2 Town-scale Analysis

5.3 Neighbourhood and Precinct Analysis

5.4 Private Housing Unit Analysis

24 25 32 40

6. Research Outputs 6.1 Design Brief

6.2 Preliminary Design Strategies

48 49

7. Conclusion and Contribution to Knowledge

60

8. References 8.1 Bibliography 8.2 Images Sources

61 64

65

9. Self-Disclosure of Research

24

Neo-Workhome

Student Choo Qing Yuan A0156847N Acknowledgements: I would like to express my gratitude to my thesis advisor Professor Cheah Kok Ming for his valuable and constructive suggestions during the planning and development of this research work.

I would also like to extend my thanks to my fellow studio mates for their help and moral support over the 14 weeks of design research.

Guest critics, lecturers and consultants Associate Professor Cheah Kok Ming (Studio Tutor) Associate Professor Chang Jiat Hwee (Guest Reviewer) Associate Professor Tan Beng Kiang (Guest Reviewer)

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1. Abstract

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down into an unprecedented crisis.

Businesses are severely affected and working from home has become the new default. Over the span of a few months, cities have turned into ghost towns when the global population were confined within their homes during the pandemic lockdown.

Like most nations around the world, Singapore has not been spared from the pandemic, especially as infection cases initially spiralled out of control within the workers’ dormitories. This has resulted in fear-driven mob mentality among the general public as Singaporeans turned to panic buying, emptying shelves in stores to stockpile food and sanitation products. In the residential context, the series of inter-related societal issues has also posed challenges to the living patterns and work practices of many Singaporeans.

Situating in Punggol New Town as a prototype for future real estate developments, this thesis aims to develop a new high-rise housing typology that supports working from home and remote working in a post-pandemic scenario. This neo-workhome typology will focus on rethinking existing private high-rise residential developments as a starting point, in order to pioneer a paradigm shift in the way working and living is practiced and observed in a domestic and neighbourhood setting among Singapore’s housing landscape.

To address the challenges that extends beyond the immediate domestic settings, the design proposal will extend to a range of scales that span from unit designs to neighbourhood interventions. It will cater to a variety of family types, providing the flexibility to accommodate different demographics. As a collective community of work/live population, the typology will also be designed to include a range of shared amenities to meet the new needs that arise from the pandemic. The decision to develop mixed-use residential typology will also ensure that it will be self-sufficient and antifragile during a pandemic.

6

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2. Research Approach 2.1 Methodology

Housing is a complex and multifaceted issue affected by a multitude of factors. Therefore, the research aims to cover a range of issues driven primarily by working from home (WFH).

The first phase of research deals with the understanding of present implications of COVID-19 on the living and working patterns of Singaporeans. They include physical and social implications, as well as urban transformations. This is presented through survey findings and behavioural mappings in domestic settings. Following that, the research expands its scope to understand the sharing economy as an important anchor to support the shift in the dynamics of neighbourhood and the lifestyle change of Singaporeans in a post pandemic scenario.

WORK FROM HOME TYPOLOGY

8

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OVERALL CONCEPT & TOPIC OF RESEARCH

SURVEY & RESEARCH FINDINGS

LITERATURE REVIEW

CASE STUDIES & COMPETITIONS

The next phase of research taps on literature resources to increase the depth of understanding on housing through a range of factors. The literature reviewed include dwellings of home-based workers and the impact of the physical environment on emotional well-being. It is further expanded through the analysis of existing case studies and competition entries, which were categorised in sets of strategies through different scales.

The last phase of research methodology follows a series of analysis and analogies of the residential context in Singapore through a range of different scales, from the overall urban scale, to town scale, precinct scale, to estate and unit scale. Lastly, the research will focus on the study of private high-rise real estate as a starting point to formulate a new housing typology that supports working from home, through a set of preliminary design strategies.

WOODLANDS REGIONAL CENTRE

SENOKO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PUNGGOL DIGITAL DISTRICT

SELETAR AEROSPACE PARK

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION PARK SUNGEI KADUT

LOYANG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

SENGKANG WEST

BISHAN

NANYANG TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

JURONG INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

JURONG LAKE DISTRICT

SERANGOON

LORONG HALUS INDUSTRIAL PARK

TAMPINES REGIONAL CENTRE

SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

CHANGI AIR HUB

TOA PAYOH

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK

CHANGI EAST URBAN DISTRICT

CHANGI BUSINESS PARK

NOVENA BUONA VISTA PAYA LEBAR CENTRAL

TUAS INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

TUAS PORT

CHANGI AVIATION PARK

PASIR RIS WATER FAB PARK

JURONG INNOVATION DISTRICT

ONE-NORTH

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

ALEXANDRA

POPULATION DENSITY OF AGE GROUP 15 TO 49

LOW

HIGH

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES / BUSINESS PARKS BUSINESS NODES INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING

PUBLIC RECREATIONAL SPACE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL SPACE

DECENTRALISED BUSINESS NODES OF SINGAPORE

PUNGGOL SITE ANALYSIS (TOWN SCALE)

TOA PAYOH NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES (PRECINCT SCALE)

PRIVATE ESTATE ANALYSIS (UNIT SCALE)

HDB PRECINCT BLOCKS

PRELIMINARY UNIT DESIGN STRATEGIES BUILT SPACES IN VOID DECK (RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL) COVERED WALKWAY

UNCOVERED WALKWAY

VERTICAL CIRCULATION

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION BETWEEN PRECINCT & URBAN NETWORK RUNNING TRACK

PRECINCT PAVILION PLAY AREA FITNESS CORNER

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3. Research Context 3.1 Premise

“When Singapore first announced circuit breaker measures in April 2020 for a nationwide lockdown, a large majority of Singaporeans had to abide by the new stay-home orders to contain the spread of COVID-19 (Baker, 2020). As a result, schools were shut down and students turned to home-based learning, and non-essential workplaces had to be closed, forcing many to work from home. Furthermore, retail and food establishments had to cease operations and in turn rely on online sales and delivery to sustain their businesses. To minimise physical contact, new social distancing measures were put BALCONY in place and wearing of masks outside of home became mandatory for everyone.” (Choo and Lim, 2020)

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In Singapore, high rise apartments make up the majority of the residential demography in the neighbourhoods. (Singstat, 2020) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of working in a home setting is generally regarded as a short-term activity, since most apartment units are designed predominantly for living and resting.

As such, they lack the design considerations for a long-term and conducive working environment.

In typical scenarios, the need for workspaces is loosely satisfied by utilising existing setups such as the dining table, or remaining spaces in bedrooms. Secondary to core functions such as bedroom, living room and kitchen, dedicated work/study spaces are often subjected to availability of floor area.

Furthermore, the residential units are also not designed for prolonged periods of full occupancy. In a pre-pandemic scenario, with the exception of elderly retirees and stay-home parents, typical households in Singapore remain largely unoccupied during daytime on weekdays, only reaching their maximum occupancies from the evening when family members return home from work or school, to the following morning. Spatial organisation of program spaces is therefore planned to cater to the conventional household routines. However, when Singaporeans shift to WFH, new problems have surfaced due to changed living routines. (Choo and Lim, 2020)

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Physical Limitations

While WFH has its advantages such as reduced commuting time and greater flexibility of working hours, there are also significant inconveniences. A survey conducted by the DP Architects reflects that WFH has resulted in an overall decrease in productivity. This is due to a variety of factors such as physical and family distractions, the difficulty in collaboration between co-workers due to the lack of face-to-face coordination, as well as inadequate working supplies and weak internet connections. (DPArchitects, 2020)

However, space constraints proved to be a more significant underlying issue of the existing built environment as it cannot be easily addressed through facilities upgrading or adjustments of working disciplines. This is especially relevant in larger households and multigenerational families, where family members faced difficulties in finding a conducive and private space to WFH, especially for online meetings.

Noise pollution from surrounding environment is another issue that needs to be addressed. (Narayanan, Lee, Chen, 2020)

12 Neo-Workhome

Scenario 1 Young Nuclear Family 3 Room HDB Flat: 2 Working Adult and 2 Young Children

Scenario 2 Multigenerational Family 4 Room HDB Flat: 2 Working Adult and 2 Children and 2 Elderly

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Scenario 3 Roommates in a Shared Apartment 2 Room HDB Flat: 3 Working Adults

3.2.2 Implications on Mental Wellbeing

Consequentially, the lack of privacy due to prolonged periods of home confinement can also lead to family conflicts. Family members are forced to tolerate the differences in each other’s lifestyles and work patterns, resulting in increasing tensions. For instance, working parents have reportedly increased in stress levels due to having to multitask between WFH and caring for their young children (Yip, 2020).

More young working adults are also turning to short-term rental housing for greater freedom and privacy due to family complaints over their preference to work at night. (Wong, 2020)

According to a survey by the Mind Science Centre, WFH has affected the mental resilience of younger professionals even more so than front-lines workers. Many experienced “psychological effects that come with social isolation, boredom, resistance to authority and family tensions” (Tai, 2020) due to the disruption of routines. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has also reported that there is also an overall increase of demand for mental health support services (Hui, 2020). Extended periods of confinement can also result in the feeling of ‘cabin fever’. (gov.sg, 2020)

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3.2.3 Urban Transformations

A change in the dynamics of neighbourhoods is evident as more people WFH. Neighbourhood estates have become livelier throughout the day and there is a greater reliance of nearby commercial and recreational amenities. There is also an increase in visitors from nearby housing estates to neighbourhood parks and The Park Connector Network (PCN) as they serve as the main spaces of respite for Singaporeans especially the WFH population. More people have also taken up cycling to maintain a healthy lifestyle, resulting in the surge in bicycle sales. (Abdullah, 2020).

3.3 Home-based Business and Sharing Economy

The pandemic has also encouraged more people to cultivate new hobbies as they spend more time at home. An example is urban farming, where people grow edible produce in balconies or common corridors as a form of self-satisfaction. (Chew, 2020) This is also attributed to growing concerns of food security when supermarkets experienced a temporary shortage of food supplies. Other hobbies such as baking and making of handicrafts have also increased in popularity, where some found the opportunity to convert their hobbies in a full-time home-based business. (Yip, 2020) These highlights the potential of including sharing spaces as a consideration for neighbourhood designs.

Aforementioned, demands for office apartments and rental housing have grown over the pandemic.

In Singapore, there are some existing options that caters to co-work and co-live, or private studio apartments for single occupants. For example, lyf Funan is a co-living development with work spaces that facilitate collaboration as a community. The Central@Clarke Quay is an example of a Small office/ Home office (SOHO) development that provide private home-office spaces. However, most of them are considered premium options which may not be affordable to the wider general public and they create significant financial burden.

Fig. 1 & 2: A variety of shared spaces catered to communal living in lyf Funan

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4. Community of Practice 4.1 Literature Review

This research reviews the book Beyond Live/Work: The Architecture of Home-based by Francis Hollis to better understand the significance of building design on working and living in a domestic setting.

The book expands the knowledge of existing housing typologies that combines dwelling and workplace by analysing the homes of different home-based workers in the context of UK. The workhomes were categorised through a series of key principles: dominant function, spatial design strategies and patterns of use. Other principles that differentiates the workhomes of different occupations include flexibility and adaptability, legibility of building façade, and the relationship with the public space. (Hollis, 2015)

On the sociology level, the research also investigates how the notions of happiness and well-being are impacted by environmental factors. Based on the Place Attachment Theory (PAT), it is reflected that the quality of environment can affect the users’ psychological perception and bond with the interacted space. Hence this highlights the importance of the home environment on long-term mental wellbeing of the WFH population. Studies have also shown that features found in green spaces helps to regulate emotions and have positive impacts on stress reduction (SRT) and affective restoration (ART). The inclusion of green features with a built environment can also improve “human emotion, cognition, function and mental health.” (Pringle, Guaralda, Mayere, 2019)

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LIVE

WITH DEDICATED LIVING SPACE

LIVE

ADJACENT

DEDICATED WORK SPACE

DUAL-USE SPACE

LIVE

NEARBY

HOME

WORK

DOMINATED

OFFICE WORKER

WRITER/ JOURNALIST

TUTOR

SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYER

ONLINE STREAMER/ PERSONALITY

EQUAL

DOMINATED

SEWER

HOME-BASED HOME-BASED HOME-BASED PERMANENT BAKER COOK SPACE PRODUCT

STATUS

HAIRDRESSER

MAKER

MANICURE/ PEDICURE

FITNESS COACH

INDIVIDUAL

SHOPKEEPER

ARTIST

STUDIO CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHER

ONLINE RETAILER

COMMUNAL

ADAPTABLE SPACE

OFFICE WORKER

WRITER/ JOURNALIST

TUTOR

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SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYER

ONLINE STREAMER/ PERSONALITY

SEWER

HOME-BASED BAKER

HOME-BASED HOME-BASED HAIRDRESSER COOK PRODUCT MAKER

MANICURE/ PEDICURE

FITNESS COACH

SHOPKEEPER

ARTIST

STUDIO CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHER

ONLINE RETAILER

CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK

NOISE TRAFFIC CUSTOMER STUDENT EMPLOYEE STORAGE IT DEVICE DELIVERY SHARED SPACE SHARED EQUIPMENT

8 8 8 8 8 8 9 8 ~ ~

8 8 ~ 8 8 8 9 8 8 ~

~ ~ 8 9 8 8 9 8 ~ ~

OFFICE WORKER

WRITER/ JOURNALIST

TUTOR

8 ~ 8 8 9 8 9 8 9 9 SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYER

~ 8 8 8 ~ 9 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 8 8 ~ 8 ~ 8 8 ONLINE STREAMER/ PERSONALITY

SEWER

8 9 9 8 8 ~ 9 9 9 9 HOME-BASED BAKER

8 9 9 8 8 ~ 9 9 9 9

~ 8 ~ 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 ~ 9 ~

HOME-BASED HOME-BASED HAIRDRESSER COOK PRODUCT MAKER

8 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 ~ ~

~ 9 8 9 8 8 8 8

8 9 9 8 ~

~ 8 8 8 8

8 9 8 8 9 9 ~ 9 9 8 8 8 ~ 8 8

9 8 9 9 8 ~ 8

9 ~ ~ ~ ~

9 9 9 9 8 9 8 9 9 9 ~ 9 9 9 8

MANICURE/ PEDICURE

FITNESS COACH

SHOPKEEPER

ARTIST

STUDIO CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHER

ONLINE RETAILER

PATTERN OF USE OF DOMINANT WORKER DEDICATED LIVING SPACE

2-ROOM FLAT UNIT

DEDICATED WORK SPACE DUAL-USE SPACE

3-ROOM FLAT UNIT

4-ROOM FLAT UNIT

FLAT UNIT + SEPARATE WORKSPACE

OFFICE WORKER

WRITER/ JOURNALIST

TUTOR

SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYER

ONLINE STREAMER/ PERSONALITY

SEWER

HOME-BASED BAKER

HOME-BASED HOME-BASED HAIRDRESSER COOK PRODUCT MAKER

MANICURE/ PEDICURE

FITNESS COACH

SHOPKEEPER

ARTIST

STUDIO CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHER

ONLINE RETAILER

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4.2 Case Studies and Competitions

The research also looks into architectural competitions, design proposals from architecture firms and existing precedents as reference. On the unit scale, DPArchitects (DPArchitects, 2020) and Gensler (Steidl and Howell, 2020) proposed the inclusion of a dedicated workspace in residential units. In the ‘WFH2020’ competition organised by Archistart, entries showcase home designs with flexible layouts for different activities, and the inclusion of a green corridor within the unit. (Archistart, 2020) SkyTerrace@ Dawson is an example that make use of lofts to integrate multigenerational living.

Fig. 3 & 4: Dedicated workspace and pocket breakout spaces to separate working and living

Fig. 5 & 6: Winning entries of WFH2020 showcasing flexible furniture catering to different activities

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Fig. 7 & 8: Loft units for multigenerational living

On the neighbourhood scale, Paris-based architecture firm Studio BELEM published a housing project titled ‘Aula Modula’ that rethinks traditional housing for societal changes from COVID-19. It proposes a modular structural system that provides the flexibility for users to customize their living spaces.

The courtyard typology and shared terraces aims to encourage social interaction within the community.

The project is also complete with a variety of amenities and shared spaces through the concept of a collective narrative. (Myers, 2020)

Fig. 9 & 10: Self-sufficient housing community that utilises a modular structual system

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Case Studies Maison de Verre, Pierre Chareau & Bernard Bijovet Maison de Verre, constructed in 1932, is a modern example of a workhome that uses mechanical design to define working and living spaces. Spatial division is achieved by the use of folding, sliding or rotatable screens of various materials.

To separate the ground-floor clinic space from the private living space, a screen is used to hide the private stairs from patients during the day, which can be opened up at night.

(Pagnotta, 2012)

Fig. 11 - 14 (Clockwise from top left): Screen separating private & public, retractable staircase, bookshelf doubles as a bathroom screen & usable space behind staircase

Domestic Transformer, Gary Chang Gary Chang ‘Domestic Transformer’ is a contemporary case study that exemplifies the innovations of transformable spaces within a 344 sqft micro-apartment.

The studio apartment is capable of transforming into 24 different rooms with the use of movable partitions, multi-use furniture and clever organisation of programs. (Willett, 2016)

Fig. 15

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Skyville@Dawson, WOHA

Fig. 16 & 17: Sky gardens and stratified public spaces forming micro-villages Skyville@Dawson is a residential project that aims to create micro-communities through stratified community living rooms. By inserting sky terraces between intervals of residential blocks, it ensures that every community cluster have equal access to the public amenities and green spaces.

Future Towers, MVRDV

Fig. 18 & 19: Semi-public pocket community spaces Future Towers by MVRDV is a high-density apartment complex that includes a hierarchy of public spaces stratified within the residential units. The insertion of semi-public micro-community spaces allows the users to interact in more intimate settings, fostering stronger community identity while reducing the spread of transmission through social distancing. (González, 2018)

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5. Analysis of Singapore’s Residential Planning in a Range of Scales 5.1 URA Masterplan 2019 – City for Live, Work and Play

In the URA Masterplan 2019, Singapore is working towards creating a city that integrates live, work and play by bringing jobs closer to homes. This is revealed through decentralising the Central Business District (CBD) into regional business nodes that opens up economy gateways in different regions of Singapore. (URA, 2019) This is especially relevant as Singapore eventually transitions to a post-pandemic norm since many businesses will continue to adopt hybrid work patterns. Overlaying the business nodes with population demographics of Singapore also provides an understanding of the regions that are suitable for the pioneering of the new workhome typology.

CITY FOR LIVE, WORK AND PLAY (DEMOGRAPHIC & BUSINESS NODES)

WOODLANDS REGIONAL CENTRE

SENOKO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PUNGGOL DIGITAL DISTRICT

SELETAR AEROSPACE PARK

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION PARK SUNGEI KADUT

LOYANG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

SENGKANG WEST

BISHAN

NANYANG TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

JURONG INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

JURONG LAKE DISTRICT

SERANGOON

LORONG HALUS INDUSTRIAL PARK

TAMPINES REGIONAL CENTRE

SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

CHANGI AIR HUB

TOA PAYOH

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK

CHANGI EAST URBAN DISTRICT

CHANGI BUSINESS PARK

NOVENA BUONA VISTA PAYA LEBAR CENTRAL

TUAS INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

TUAS PORT

CHANGI AVIATION PARK

PASIR RIS WATER FAB PARK

JURONG INNOVATION DISTRICT

ONE-NORTH

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

ALEXANDRA

POPULATION DENSITY OF AGE GROUP 15 TO 49

LOW

HIGH

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES / BUSINESS PARKS BUSINESS NODES INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING

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5.2 Town-Scale Analysis

Demography and Characteristics of Punggol

Punggol New Town is chosen as a potential site for implementation of the workhome prototype due to its population demography, town planning characteristics and opportunities presented for future developments. First, in terms of demography, Punggol has a generally younger population compared to other regions. (Singstat, 2020) As a sizable proportion of the population are younger working adults with white-collared occupations, they make up the main target group whose working and living practices that are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a densely populated new town, Punggol is largely planned for high-rise living, where high-rise residential typologies make up the majority of dwelling type. (Singstat, 2020) Divided into 7 subzones and 11 planned districts, residential units are projected to double in numbers over the next few years. The canal district and crescent district, which still largely under the planning stages, presents opportunities for new residential typologies to be introduced, specifically catering to hybrid work/live lifestyles.

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Furthermore, Punggol is also an important regional business node of Singapore. The Punggol Digital District (PDD) will be Singapore’s first smart enterprise district that integrates a university, business park and community facilities. (URA, n.d.) Envisioned as a learning and economic hub, PDD will facilitate the growth of key digital and cybersecurity industries and introduce up to 28,000 new high-skilled jobs. As such, it is predicted that PDD will attract more younger white-collared Singaporeans to move to Punggol due to the availability of new job opportunities.

Fig. 20: Masterplan of Punggol Digital District (PDD)

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Geography

Geographically, Punggol is located on the northeast region of Singapore, surrounded by water bodies on three sides of its site boundaries, Sungei Punggol, Sungei Serangoon and the Straits of Johor.

The Punggol Waterway that divides the site into 2 zones and sets up a well-connected network of parks and recreational spaces, providing a green respite and waterfront views for the residents. The PCN that extends along the waterway, around the site boundary and through Coney Island, allows residents to engage in leisure activities, such as jogging and cycling. Commercial nodes, such as the Waterway Point and Oasis Terrace are also located along the waterway.

However, Punggol is geographically disadvantaged due to its close proximity to 2 airbases, the Seletar Airport and the Paya Lebar Airbase. Due to the frequent flight activities conducted at the airbases, the residents face constant noise pollution that are disruptive to their living and working patterns. Hence the proposed typology should consider the inclusion of noise isolating strategies within the dwelling units.

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Connectivity

As an overall master plan, Punggol New Town is planned with an Estate Model which is characterized by the concept of precinct. (Tan and Lee, 2016) It is also designed with the emphasis of efficiency and accessibility, to ensure that the residences and surrounding amenities are accessible by public transportation.

In terms of connectivity, Punggol has a well-integrated public transportation system that comprises MRT, LRT, public buses and the PCN. It is served by the Punggol MRT Station as the main mode of access to other regions of Singapore. Within the town itself, Punggol is linked by 2 well-connected loops of LRT lines that extends from the main commercial hub into its respective districts, which provide convenience for residents to access commercial facilities.

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The precincts are divided by roads into regular and sizable grids of residential clusters, which allows the convenience of zoning and distribution of amenities across the town. This is evident in the distribution of green spaces, where each precinct is allocated with a parklet to serve the cluster of residential units. However, compared to the PCN and waterfront parks, these green spaces are significantly more under-utilised despite their immediate availability, due to their lack of variety over time. (Menz, 2014)

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Distribution of Amenities

For the distribution of public amenities across the neighbourhoods, the allocation of the ‘servant’ programs (amenities) to the ‘served’ demographics (residential units) are largely based upon their overall accessibility by the LRT system. Aside from communal spaces like the playgrounds and fitness corners, amenities such as food courts and community centres are selectively scattered into different precincts to serve nearby clusters, making it challenging for individual precincts to be self-sufficient in the event of a pandemic lockdown.

Ironically, convenience stores, pharmacies and takeout food stores that are designed to provide immediate needs and convenience for residents, are also clustered in main commercial nodes instead of being inserted evenly within the neighbourhoods, thus making them more inconvenient to be accessed.

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Overall, while Punggol has been planned to ensure the physical wellness of the residents through ample provision of green and leisure spaces, the division of precincts into grids has created restrictions for them to be self-sufficient and provide immediate needs for residents. Furthermore, commercial amenities are also inserted as supplementary programs to the residential units, and a high proportion of the residential blocks are not within convenient walking distances from the amenities due to the reliance on the LRT system.

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5.3 Neighbourhood and Precinct Analysis

At the neighbourhood level, Toa Payoh is used as a comparative study to the precinct planning in Punggol. In this analysis, the Toa Payoh Central, Lorong 4 and Lorong 7 neighbourhood centres are used as case studies to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of a mixed-use neighbourhood development in serving the WFH population, as compared to the precincts seen in Punggol. Treelodge, a residential development in Punggol is then used as an example to highlight how the characteristics differences of residential developments affects the fulfilment of the residents’ household needs.

Toa Payoh, unlike Punggol, is planned with a neighbourhood concept with hierarchies of commercial centres, starting from the town centre, to neighbourhood centres and followed by the subcentres. The town centre is located at the central of Toa Payoh, which serves as the main commercial hub for the surrounding neighbourhoods. Within individual neighbourhoods which are divided by streets known as Lorong, the residential clusters are served by neighbourhood centres (NC) or the sub-centres (SC) within a 400m walking radius. The NC and SC are designed to provide residents with a variety of essential needs through small-scale enterprises and eating houses. (Tan and Lee, 2016)

Fig. 21 & 22: Neighbourhood concept of Toa Payoh town planning

32 Neo-Workhome

Lorong 4 and 7 Neighbourhood Centres

In both Lorong 4 and 7 NCs, they are characterised as mixed residential and commercial neighbourhoods with a wide selection of street level commercial amenities, such as bakeries, hardware shops, minimarts, floral shops, hair salons, etc. The wet market and central food centre serve as the main commercial plaza where the residents gather. Surrounding them are residential blocks with commercial shops along the first storey that often extends out onto the pedestrianised alleys. Such street level arrangements help to create a more localised and inviting setting for residents and facilitate pedestrian circulation around the site.

Furthermore, the blocks are also arranged to provide multiple entry points into the commercial hub to ensure accessibility from surrounding neighbourhood clusters by walking. Each entry points are well-defined with signages or landmarks such as the precinct pavilion, indicating a clear sense of invitation into the site. (Tan and Lee, 2016) In addition, hawker centres are also strategically situated at the corner of the blocks near each entry points, serving as important nodes where activities occur.

Lorong 4 Neighbourhood Centre

Lorong 7 Neighbourhood Centre

Neo-Workhome

33

On the other hand, it is also essential to note that some of these small enterprises in the are facing lower customer demands as they mainly cater to the older generations. Younger generations instead, favour supermarkets and food courts over wet markets and hawker centres respectively. (Tan and Lee, 2016) This is especially evident in a mature town like Toa Payoh which is characterised by an older population demographics compared to Punggol. (Singstat, 2020) Serving mainly the older residents, some of the small enterprises are only open on busier days of the week or even shut down, leaving the streets empty on some occasions.

TOA PAYOH LORONG 4 PRECINCT

SENSORY PARK

LORONG 4

PEDESTRIANISED STREET RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL

TOA PAYOH TOWN CENTRE

LORONG 5

RECREATIONAL SPACE FOOD CENTRE WET MARKET COVERED WALKWAY ROAD CIRCULATION

34 Neo-Workhome

However, in the context of pandemic, this can be seen as an opportunity as empty or closed shops could be converted into near-home remote working spaces for those who do not have adequate spaces in their homes. They can also be turned into rentable spaces for home-based businesses. Some of the enterprises (e.g. hardware store, printing shops) can be converted into a system that allows the sharing of tools or household equipment to satisfy the new domestic needs that arise from the pandemic. Furthermore, the wide variety of commercial amenities also ensure self-sufficiency within the neighbourhoods in the event of a lockdown, when cross interactions between neighbourhoods are to be kept minimum to reduce risk of cross-neighbourhood transmissions.

TOA PAYOH LORONG 7 PRECINCT

LORONG 7

LORONG 8 PEDESTRIANISED STREET RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL MSCP GYMNASTICS CLUB RECREATIONAL SPACE

LORONG 6 KIM KEAT AVE

FOOD CENTRE WET MARKET COVERED WALKWAY ROAD CIRCULATION

Neo-Workhome

35

Toa Payoh Central

Toa Payoh Central is identified as a unique case study due to the distribution of its commercial amenities in the form of linear alleys, which is vastly different to typical commercial hubs where shops are clustered within an air-conditioned mall. Though serving as the town centre, Toa Payoh Central is still a mixed-use development, with 33.4% of the Gross Floor Area (GFA) dedicated for residential zoning.

The total distribution for walkable (13.0%) and recreational (4.0%) spaces is also higher than that of both NCs previously analysed.

Similar to the NCs, Toa Payoh Central is planned with the principle of car-lite pedestrianised streets with decentralised commercial shops and sheltered walkways to promote community interaction. The commercial alleys also serve as urban connections to facilitate circulation between social nodes that bound the site, namely the open plazas, transport interchange and the HDB Hub.

TOA PAYOH TOWN CENTRE

LORONG 1

INTERCHANGE

LORONG 2 PEDESTRIANISED STREET

TOWN PARK HDB HUB

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL TCM COLLEGE & CLINIC TOA PAYOH CENTRAL LIBRARY RESIDENTIAL RECREATIONAL SPACE

LORONG 6

FOOD CENTRE COVERED WALKWAY ROAD CIRCULATION LORONG 4

36 Neo-Workhome

Besides acting as transitional commercial space, the linear shophouse blocks are also strategically planned to divide human and car circulation by separating the pedestrian paths and roads with their shop front and back respectively. Hawker centres are placed as intermediary stop points to ensure crowd distribution and regularity of human traffic flow. The open-air concept also means that there will be sufficient ventilation, and this would effectively reduce the risk of virus transmission compared to a centralised neighbourhood mall.

Other opportunities from the site include the possibility of converting open-air carparks into green spaces for recreation, as well as turning residential units above the linear commercial blocks into rentable working spaces.

Neo-Workhome

37

Treelodge@Punggol

The last case study, Treelodge@Punggol, serves as a control variable to compare typical housing estates in Punggol precincts to the ones in Toa Payoh. Unlike the previous examples, Treelodge has the highest proportion of residential areas (74.6%) and is supplemented with substantial amount green and leisure spaces (17%). The pedestrian ground is also segregated from the carpark below to increase walkability around the estate, creating a more private environment of shared spaces for residents to enjoy.

In the precinct context, Treelodge is situated beside a school, a shared public green space, another housing estate and a commercial cluster. However, despite the sufficient provision of recreational spaces, the shared green space in the precinct is repetitive to the ones provided within the estates and are seen as alternative to the more attractive facilities along the Waterway, resulting in the low number of visitors.

(Menz, 2014)

38 Neo-Workhome

TREELODGE@PUNGGOL

PUBLIC RECREATIONAL SPACE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL SPACE HDB PRECINCT BLOCKS BUILT SPACES IN VOID DECK (RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL) COVERED WALKWAY UNCOVERED WALKWAY VERTICAL CIRCULATION PEDESTRIAN CROSSING PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION BETWEEN PRECINCT & URBAN NETWORK RUNNING TRACK PRECINCT PAVILION PLAY AREA FITNESS CORNER

Fig. 23: Analysis of public spaces and circulation in Treelodge

Furthermore, compared to the distribution of green spaces, there is a limited variety of amenities available to serve all the residents in the precinct. As the estate is not directly accessible through street level due to the elevated ground plane, it also poses some inconveniences for residents to reach nearby amenities. Void decks of residential blocks in Treelodge are also isolated without defined functions, which results in inefficient use of space. In order to better serve the WFH population, these void decks could instead be converted into conducive and well-ventilated working spaces.

In conclusion, the neighbourhood centres in Toa Payoh serve as a better model of reference for the development of a pandemic-ready workhome typology, as not only do they have variety of amenities to serve surrounding neighbourhoods, they also have the flexibility to be self-sufficient in a pandemic scenario. Treelodge@Punggol, on the other hand, is successful in providing leisure spaces for residents as a space for retreat. However, as part of the entire precinct, it should be designed with greater considerations of the surrounding contexts and aim to supplement the facilities that are lacking.

Neo-Workhome

39

5.4 Private Housing Unit Analysis

As a consideration to situate the new workhome typology in the existing residential landscape of Singapore, private residential estate has been chosen over public housing as a starting point for the development of the prototype. As most private estates are designed with built-in amenities to serve the residents, they are capable of being self-sufficient by fulfilling basic household needs. Some typical facilities include swimming pool, function rooms, fitness courts and minimart, and these provide DISTRIBUTION OF AMENITIES IN A POST-PANDEMIC NEIGHBOURHOOD opportunities for the insertion of new communal facilities. By studying an existing estate as a reference point, it will alsoESTATE ensure that the quantum of the new typology will not deviate completely from the NEIGHBOURHOOD CLUSTER existing real estate developments in Singapore while still ensuring the flexibility for innovation.

WORK

WORK CO-WORK DESK SPACE

SHARED SPACE FOR HOME-BASED WORK

RECREATE TAKEOUT FOOD

RECREATE

BAKERIES / CAFES & EATERIES

LIVE SUPERMARKET

WORK

RECREATE

LIVE/WORK

RECREATE

RECREATE

PRINTING FACILITES

BICYCLE PARKING

HOME SUPPLIES TORE

HAIR / NAIL SALON

BICYCLE SHOP

LIVE

LIVE

LIVE/WORK

LIVE

RECREATE

VENDING FACILITES

DELIVERY KIOSK

HARDWARE STORE

PRE-SCHOOL

PLANT NURSEY

WORK FROM HOME ISSUES

WITHIN UNIT

CONDUCIVENESS

PRIVACY & SPACE

40 Neo-Workhome

BETWEEN UNITS

BREAKOUT SPACE

REST & RECREATE

COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY

SHARING FACILITES

FOCUS & COLLABORATE

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

COMMERCIAL AMENITIES

Punggol Waterwoods Executive Condominium

This section of research aims to critique on existing private residential units in order to rethink the idea of a living space that support working from home. Hence it is crucial to understand the layouts of existing dwelling units to identify their shortcomings and opportunities.

Punggol Waterwoods, a mid-scale executive condominium development located south of Punggol, is chosen for the research analysis. It consists of a total of 6 residential blocks with 373 units, and the apartment types ranges from 2-bedroom to 5-bedroom, with the additional premium options of 5-bedroom maisonette units and 4-bedroom penthouse units.

Site Plan

Unit Distr Pu

ng

go

W al

k

lF

ie

ld

Legend

ld

W al

lF

k

ng

go

2-Bedroom

ie

Pu

3-Bedroom 4-Bedroom

Legend

5-Bedroom 2-Bedroom

5-Bedroom Maisonette

3-Bedroom 4-Bedroom 1. Main Entrance 2. Sculpture 3. Arrival Court 4. Entrance Feature Wall 5. Aqua Garden 6. Tennis Court 7. Canopy Walk 8. Children Playground 9. Pool Pavilion 10. Alfresco Dining 11. 50m Lap Pool 12. Pool Bed 13. Sun Deck 14. Play Pool 15. Clubhouse/Gymnasium 16. Fitness Pool 17. Multifunctional Deck 18. Spa Pool 19. Relaxing Lawn 20. Cycling Deck 21. Adventure Playground 22. Fitness Park 23. BBQ Area 24. Cycling/Jogging Track 25. Viewing Deck 26. Sub Station 27. Bin Centre

5-Bedroom 5-Bedroom

Pu

ng g

ol

Ea s

t

4-Bedroom

0

15

30

45 Metres Artist’s Impression

Fig. 24: Site plan of Punggol Waterwoods Executive Condominium

Neo-Workhome

41

Through an overall mapping of the apartment units, it is evident that a significant proportion of the floor area is dedicated to circulation. Firstly, the program spaces are planned along corridors for the purpose of convenience and efficiency. Individual bedrooms are placed side by side in a linear layout, and the length of the corridor increases according to the number of rooms. As a result, the proportion of floor area dedicated to corridor spaces increases with the size of units, ranging from 12.7% up to 24.7% of the total floor area. These corridor spaces are often mono-use and inflexible besides facilitating circulation to respective program spaces.

2-BEDROOM (75 m2)

3-Bedroom

5-Bedroom

BALCONY

8.0 m2 7.9 m2

12.8 m2

13.5 m2

Type D1 !" #

*,!-&#

155 sq.m. / 1668 sq.ft.

4.6 m2

4.0 m2

4%#-"51$"25((4

KITCHEN 2

*,!-&#

: #03-03 : #04-03 : #07-03 : #08-03 : #11-03 : #12-03 : #15-03 : #16-03

.

8.0 m2

3-BEDROOM (97 12.8m m)

7.9 m

22

*,!-&#

*,!-&#

sq.m. / 1668 sq.ft.

2 8.2 m155

BALCONY : #03-04 : #04-04 : #07-04 : #08-04 : #11-04 : #12-04 : #01-03 : #15-04 : #16-04

4.6 m2

2

: #02-03 : #05-03 : #06-03 : #09-03 : #10-03 : #13-03 : #14-03 : #17-03

!"5"#)

("#"#)

*$(4&&6%%:

4.6 m2 *,!-&#

.

: #04-03 : #07-03 : #08-03 : #11-03 : #12-03 *,02%8 : #15-03 : #16-03

ENTRANCE

2.8 m2

34"5,0 $ !&**.

3.9 m2

1"0-2$ #

4.7 m2

6,70$4%*$(4&&6

YARD *$(4&&6%%;

*,02%;

Mirror Image ENTRANCE : #02-01 : #05-01 : #06-01 : #09-01 : #10-01 : #13-01 : #14-01

6,70$4 *,024&&6

BEDROOM : #03-02 : #04-02 : #07-02 : #08-02 : #11-02 : #12-02 : #15-02 : #16-02

Mirror Image : #03-01 : #04-01 : #07-01 : #08-01 : #11-01 : #12-01 : #15-01 : #16-01

: #02-02 : #05-02 : #06-02 : #09-02 : #10-02 : #13-02 : #14-02

Mirror Image : #02-01 : #05-01 : #06-01 : #09-01 : #10-01 : #13-01 : #14-01

'

3-BEDROOM (97 m )

KITCHEN

+6

+-

2

4.0 m2

BEDROOM KITCHEN

*$(4&&6%%8

Mirror Image : #17-01

: #17-02

: #02-02 : #05-02 : #06-02 : #09-02 : #10-02 : #13-02 : #14-02

BEDROOM

*$(4&&6%%9

LIVING/ DINING : #03-03

*

4.6 m2

LIVING/ DINING

!"#$%&'%!$()$%*$!& +

BALCONY

.

8.1 m2 4.0 m8.1 m2 7.2 m2 13.0 m2

6.5 m2

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

.

9.5 m2

Mirror Image : #03-01 : #04-01 : #07-01 : #08-01 : #11-01 : #12-01 : #15-01 : #16-01

: #03-02 : #04-02 : #07-02 : #08-02 : #11-02 : #12-02 : #15-02 : #16-02

YARD

13.5 m2

Type D1

13.6 m2

3-Bedroom

2

!" #

$%&'()

Mirror Image : #17-01

: #17-02

7.2 m2

5-Bedroom

15.2 m2

LIVING/ DINING

!"#$%&'%!$()$%*$!& +

ENTRANCE

2-BEDROOM (75 m ) *

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

.

9.5 m2

4.6 m2

$%&'()

: #03-04 : #04-04 : #07-04 : #08-04 : #11-04 : #12-04 : #01-03 : #15-04 : #16-04

70 /0"!"0.

,-%!$()$

,-%!$()$

.,4(

YARD *,!-&#

BALCONY

.

8.2 m2

13.6 m

2

8.1 m2

8.1 m2

: #02-03 : #05-03 : #06-03 : #09-03 : #10-03 : #13-03 : #14-03 : #17-03

!"5"#)

13.0 m ("#"#)

2

*$(4&&6%%:

*$(4&&6%%9

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

*$(4&&6%%8

LIVING/ DINING

6,70$4%*$(4&&6

15.2 m2

ENTRANCE

6.5 m2

4.6 m2 2.8 m2

4.0 m2

42 Neo-Workhome

3.9 m2

34"5,0 $ !&**. *,02%8

1"0-2$ #

4.7 m2

*,02%;

*$(4&&6%%;

6,70$4 *,024&&6

'

+6

+70 /0"!"0.

.,4(

KITCHEN ,-%!$()$

YARD

,-%!$()$

BEDROOM

7.9 m

: #03-04 : #04-04 : #07-04 : #08-04 : #11-04 : #12-04 : #01-03 : #15-04 : #16-04

2

12.8 m2

13.5 m2

Type D1 !" #

*,!-&#

155 sq.m. / 1668 sq.ft.

$"25((41

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

.

LIVING/ DINING

!"#$%&'%!$()$%*$!& +

Mirror Image : #17-01

: #17-02

9.5 m2

4%#-"51$"25((4

152 sq

ENTRANCE

Next, the demarcation of rooms by fixed structural members has also resulted in inefficient use m of space.4.0 For instance, 7.2 m the dimensions of bedrooms are planned with sufficiency of fitting a bed with a bit of4.6remaining area for user to pass through. However, this remaining areaKITCHEN is once again reduced to a m2 circulation space due to restricted usage since it is insufficient to fit any furniture like a worktable or a shelf.

These cumulative thresholds.

2-BEDROOM (75 m2) areas further contribute to the increase in mono-useYARD

4.6 m2

4%#-"5 $%-05((4

2

2

*,!-&#

$%&'()

Typ

: #03-03 : #04-03 : #07-03 : #08-03 : #11-03 : #12-03 : #15-03 : #16-03

.

*

5-Bedroom

Mirror Image : #03-01 : #04-01 : #07-01 : #08-01 : #11-01 : #12-01 : #15-01 : #16-01

: #03-02 : #04-02 : #07-02 : #08-02 : #11-02 : #12-02 : #15-02 : #16-02

3-Bedroom

BALCONY

8.0 m2

EDROOM (97 m2) 7.9 m

12.8 m2

13.5 m2

*,!-&#

Type D1 !" #

8.2 m

2

13.6 m2

BALCONY

.

*,!-&#

155 sq.m. / 1668 sq.ft.

8.1 m2

4.6 m2

!"5"#)

13.0 m2 ("#"#)

4.0 m2

*$(4&&6%%:

4.6 m $%&'()

34"5,0 $ !&**.

2

*,!-&#

: #03-03 : #04-03 *,02%; : #07-03 : #08-03 : #11-03 : #12-03 : #15-03 : #16-03

. *,02%8

1"0-2$ #

4.7 m2

'

70

3-BEDROOM (97 m2)

KITCHEN

YARD ,-%!$()$

: #03-02 : #04-02 : #07-02 : #08-02 : #11-02 : #12-02 : #15-02 : #16-02

Mirror Image : #03-01 : #04-01 : #07-01 : #08-01 : #11-01 : #12-01 : #15-01 : #16-01

: #02-02 : #05-02 : #06-02 : #09-02 : #10-02 : #13-02 : #14-02

Mirror Image : #02-01 : #05-01 : #06-01 : #09-01 : #10-01 : #13-01 : #14-01

YARD

*,!-&#

BALCONY

.

8.2 m2 8.1 m2

13.6 m

ENTRANCE

,-%!$()$

.,4(

/0"!"0.

Mirror Image : #17-01

BEDROOM

6,70$4 *,024&&6

*$(4&&6%%;

KITCHEN

+6

+-

4.0 m2

2

*$(4&&6%%8

6,70$4%*$(4&&6

*

2.8 m2

: #06-01 : #09-01 : #10-01 : #13-01 : #14-01

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

*$(4&&6%%9

LIVING/ Mirror Image : #17-02 : #02-01 DINING : #05-01

!"#$%&'%!$()$%*$!& +

: #02-02 : #05-02 : #06-02 : #09-02 : #10-02 : #13-02 : #14-02

ENTRANCE

3.9 m

2

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

LIVING/ DINING

7.2 m2

4.6 m2

6.5 m2

.

: #02-03 : #05-03 : #06-03 : #09-03 : #10-03 : #13-03 : #14-03 : #17-03

9.5 m2

8.1 m2

15.2 m2

: #03-04 : #04-04 : #07-04 : #08-04 : #11-04 : #12-04 : #01-03 : #15-04 : #16-04

2

8.1 m2

: #02-03 : #05-03 : #06-03 : #09-03 : #10-03 : #13-03 : #14-03 : #17-03

!"5"#)

13.0 m ("#"#)

2

*$(4&&6%%:

*$(4&&6%%9

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

*$(4&&6%%8

LIVING/ DINING

BEDROOM

6,70$4%*$(4&&6

15.2 m2

ENTRANCE

6.5 m2

4.6 m2 2.8 m2

4.0 m

2

3.9 m2

34"5,0 $ !&**. *,02%8

1"0-2$ #

4.7 m2

*,02%;

*$(4&&6%%;

6,70$4 *,024&&6

'

+6

+70 /0"!"0.

.,4(

KITCHEN

,-%!$()$

,-%!$()$

YARD

Neo-Workhome

43

The units are also generally divided into 2 main zones: the private resting zone and the public living zone. The balcony, characterised under the living zone, is therefore only accessible from the living room. The air-con ledge, on the other hand, also takes up a sizable area, yet they are inaccessible and serve as unusable space.

ROOM (119 m2)

5-Bedroom Maiso

5-Bedroom BALCONY Mirror Image : #02-16 : #05-16 : #06-16 : #09-16 : #10-16 2 : #13-16 : #14-16 : #17-16

12.2 m2

: #02-12 / #02-15 / #02-22 : #05-12 / #05-15 / #05-22 / #05-24 : #06-12 / #06-15 / #06-22 / #06-24 : #09-12 / #09-15 / #09-22 / #09-24 : #10-12 / #10-15 / #10-22 / #10-24 : #13-12 / #13-15 / #13-22 / #13-24 : #14-12 / #14-15 / #14-22 / #14-24 2 / #17-22 / #17-24 : #17-12 / #17-15

8.2 m

17.5 m

8.1 m2

: #02-05 / / #02-19 / #02-23 : #05-05 / #05-17 / #05-19 / #05-23 : #06-05 / #06-17 / #06-19 / #06-23 : #09-05 / #09-17 / #09-19 / #09-23 : #10-05 / #10-17 / #10-19 / #10-23 : #13-05 / #13-17 / #13-19 / #13-23 : #14-05 / #14-17 / #14-19 / #14-23

12.8 m2 3$7

Mirror Image : #02-06 / #02-13 / #02-18 : #05-06 / #05-13 / #05-18 : #06-06 / #06-13 / #06-18 : #09-06 / #09-13 / #09-18 : #10-06 / #10-13 / #10-18 : #13-06 / #13-13 / #13-18 : #14-06 / #14-13 / #14-18

LIVING/ DINING

: #01-08

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

Type D3

BEDROOM

158 sq.m. / 1701 sq.ft.

.9 m2

9.1 m2

4.7 m2

4.6 m2

7.3 m2

:

ENTRANCE

5.7 m2

3.8 m2

*,!-&#

: #03-08 : #04-08 : #07-08 : #08-08 : #11-08 : #12-08 : #15-08 : #16-08

.

4-BEDROOM (119 m2)

ROOM (152 m2) $%&'()

14.4 m 8.2 m 8.1 m2

17.5 m

8.5 m

2

8.3 m

8.3 m

2

2

)

9.1 m2

4.7 m2

9

7.3 m2 22.3 m2

:

5.5 m2

4.4 m

2

8.5 m2

4.2 m2 3.8 m2

2.4 m2

: #02-05 / / #02-19 / #02-23 : #05-05 / #05-17 / #05-19 / #05-23 : #06-05 / #06-17 / #06-19 / #06-23 : #09-05 / #09-17 / #09-19 / #09-23 : #10-05 / #10-17 / #10-19 / #10-23 : #13-05 / #13-17 / #13-19 / #13-23 : #14-05 / #14-17 / #14-19 / #14-23

: #02-08 12.8 m2 : #05-08 3$7 : #06-08 : #09-08 : #10-08 : #13-08 : #14-08 : #17-08

24.5 m2

16.9 m2

,-.&.- *

5-B

5-Bedroom BALCONY

Mirror Image : #02-16 : #05-16 : #06-16 2 : #09-16 . : #10-16 2 : #13-16 : #14-16 : #17-16

12.2 m2

: #02-12 / #02-15 / #02-22 : #05-12 / #05-15 / #05-22 / #05-24 : #06-12 / #06-15 / #06-22 / #06-24 : #09-12 / #09-15 / #09-22 / #09-24 : #10-12 / #10-15 / #10-22 / #10-24 : #13-12 / #13-15 / #13-22 / #13-24 : #14-12 / #14-15 / #14-22 / #14-24 2 / #17-22 / #17-24 : #17-12 / #17-15

&.8.)3

/.-'0"

YARD

*

2.).)3

2

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

2.4 m2

: #01-08

BEDROOM

4.6 m2

3.4 m

2

BALCONY

BEDROOM BEDROOM LIVING/ DINING BEDROOM BEDROOM BEDROOM

ENTRANCE

8.3 m2 5.7 m2

*,!-&#

: #03-08 : #04-08 : #07-08 : #08-08 : #11-08 : #12-08 : #15-08 : #16-08

.

2.5 m2

4.0 m2 .

Typ

BEDROO LIVING/ DINING

158 sq

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

'

5.4 m2

Mirror Image : #02-06 / #02-13 / #02-18 : #05-06 / #05-13 / #05-18 : #06-06 / #06-13 / #06-18 : #09-06 / #09-13 / #09-18 : #10-06 / #10-13 / #10-18 : #13-06 / #13-13 / #13-18 : #14-06 / #14-13 / #14-18

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

ENTRANCE

YARD YARD

5-BEDROOM (152 m2) 14.4 m2 .

8.5 m2

8.3 m2

8.3 m2

: #02-08 : #05-08 : #06-08 : #09-08 : #10-08 : #13-08 : #14-08 : #17-08

24.5 m2

14.5 m

2

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

22.3 m2 5.5 m2

8.5 m2

4.4 m2

4.2 m2

8.3 m2

BEDROOM

'

5.4 m2

3.4 m2

2.5 m2

4.0 m2 .

44 Neo-Workhome

BEDROOM

6-22 / #06-24 9-22 / #09-24 0-22 / #10-24 3-22 / #13-24 4-22 / #14-24 7-22 / #17-24

: #06-16 : #09-16 : #10-16 2 : #13-16 : #14-16 : #17-16

8.2 m

8.1 m2

: #05-05 / #05-17 / #05-19 / #05-23 : #06-05 / #06-17 / #06-19 / #06-23 : #09-05 / #09-17 / #09-19 / #09-23 : #10-05 / #10-17 / #10-19 / #10-23 : #13-05 / #13-17 / #13-19 / #13-23 : #14-05 / #14-17 / #14-19 / #14-23

12.8 m2 3$7

LIVING/ DINING

: #01-08

2.4 m2

Type D3

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

2.).)3

158 sq.m. / 1701 sq.ft.

2

2

*,!-&#

$%&'()

: #03-08 : #04-08 : #07-08 : #08-08 : #11-08 : #12-08 : #15-08 : #16-08

.

m)

: #02-12 / #02-15 / #02-22 : #05-12 / #05-15 / #05-22 / #05-24 : #06-12 / #06-15 / #06-22 / #06-24 : #09-12 / #09-15 / #09-22 / #09-24 : #10-12 / #10-15 / #10-22 / #10-24 : #13-12 / #13-15 / #13-22 / #13-24 .

2 / #14-24 : #14-12 / #14-15 / #14-22 2 / #17-22 / #17-24 : #17-12 / #17-15

2.).)3

14.4 m 17.5 m

&.8.)3

8.3 m

/.-'0"

)

:

+'

,-.&.- *

5-B

BALCONY

12.2 m2

2

5-Bedroom

*

2

8.3 m

2

16.9 m

2

24.5 m2 9.1 m2

)

Mirror Image : #02-16 : #05-16 : #06-16 : #09-16 : #10-16 2 : #13-16 : #14-16 : #17-16

8.2 m

4.7 m

9

2.4 m2

3.8 m2

,-.&.- *

4.4 m2

4.2 m2

22.3 m

8.1 m2

2

12.8 m

2

: #01-08

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

7.3 m

2

4.6 m2

LIVING/ DINING BEDROOM

BEDROOM ENTRANCE

BALCONY

Typ

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROO

158 sq

LIVING/ DINING BEDROOM

KITCHEN

2

21$#%!;%

5.7 m2

*,!-&#

8.3 m2

: #03-08 : #04-08 : #07-08 : #08-08 : #11-08 : #12-08 : #15-08 : #16-08

.

BEDROOM

'

2.5 m2

3.4 m2

Mirror Image : #02-06 / #02-13 / #02-18 : #05-06 / #05-13 / #05-18 : #06-06 / #06-13 / #06-18 : #09-06 / #09-13 / #09-18 : #10-06 / #10-13 / #10-18 : #13-06 / #13-13 / #13-18 : #14-06 / #14-13 / #14-18

: #02-05 / / #02-19 / #02-23 : #05-05 / #05-17 / #05-19 / #05-23 : #06-05 / #06-17 / #06-19 / #06-23 : #09-05 / #09-17 / #09-19 / #09-23 : #10-05 / #10-17 / #10-19 / #10-23 : #13-05 / #13-17 / #13-19 / #13-23 : #14-05 / #14-17 / #14-19 / #14-23

3$7

: #02-08 : #05-08 : #06-08 : #09-08 : #10-08 : #13-08 : #14-08 : #17-08

:

.5 m2

BEDROOM

Therefore, with the understanding of the physical limitations of the existing unit layouts, the 4.6 m 2 ENTRANCE 7.3 m proposed workhome typology should strive to optimise the use of existing area, providing effective and BEDROOM KITCHEN creative space usage without the over-reliance for additional GFA. There is also a need to redefine the 5.7 m program spaces to allow for greater flexibility, catering to a variety of working and living patterns, as YARD well as different(119 family 4-BEDROOM m2types. )

4.7 m2

/.-'0"

: #05-06 / #05-13 / #05-18 : #06-06 / #06-13 / #06-18 : #09-06 / #09-13 / #09-18 : #10-06 / #10-13 / #10-18 : #13-06 / #13-13 / #13-18 : #14-06 / #14-13 / #14-18

YARD

KITCHEN

ENTRANCE

YARD

4.0 m2 .

: #02 : #06 : #10 : #14

5-BEDROOM (152 m2) 14.4 m2 .

8.5 m2

8.3 m2

8.3 m2

: #02-08 : #05-08 : #06-08 : #09-08 : #10-08 : #13-08 : #14-08 : #17-08

24.5 m2

14.5 m

2

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

22.3 m2 5.5 m2

8.5 m2

4.4 m2

4.2 m2

8.3 m2

BEDROOM

'

5.4 m2

3.4 m2

2.5 m2

4.0 m2 .

Neo-Workhome

45

5-BEDROOM MAISONETTE (158 m2)

Type D3 $"25((4117

$"25((4116

158 sq.m. / 5.4 1701 m2sq.ft.

: #02-11 / #02-14 : #05-11 / #05-14 / #05-21 : #06-11 / #06-14 / #06-21 : #09-11 / #09-14 / #09-21 : #10-11 / #10-14 / #10-21 : #13-11 / #13-14 / #13-21 : #14-11 / #14-14 / #14-21

4.5 m2

&.9.)3

4%#-"51$"25((4

#-

$"25((4118

,#-'!!*%%:

7.5 m2

+4 *%52

LIFT LOBBY

,#-'!!*%%:

3.8 m2

8.6 m2

21

Type C1 Penthouse

%'1&"23"

*(+&#'%,(&.'!!*

Type C1 Penthouse

160 sq.m. / 1722 sq.ft.

SECOND STOREY

RECREATE

160 sq.m. / 1722 sq.ft.

12.7 m2

13.1 m2

4%#-"5 $%-05((4

$%-016

!"#$%&#''()#

BEDROOM

*(+&#'%,#-'!!*

,#-'!!*%%:

,#-'!!*%%7

,(&.%:

5.4 m2

1.4m2 2.4 m2 1.7m2

*(+&#'%,#-'!!*

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

21$#%!;%2#-5#%(,!9 #

*(+&#' ,(&.'!!*

7.9 m2

18.8 m2

,#-'!!*%%<

5.1m2

6.3 m2

,#-'!!*%%<

LIFT LOBBY /*

;

0&121& 3

KITCHEN

41&).#$

,(2)!$

11.1 m2

3

()%2#-5#

ENTRANCE

Mirror Image : #02-09 : #06-09 2191$5 : #10-09 : #14-09

: #02-10 : #06-10 : #10-10 : #14-10

,#-'!!*%%8

-1$1$5

LIVING/ DINING

-1$1$5

21$#%!;%2#-5#%,#2!/

FIRST STOREY ,#-'!!*%%8

2191$5

BEDROOM

: #04-10 : #08-10 : #12-10 : #16-10

,#-'!!*%%7

60$1!'%*(+&#'%,#-'!!*

+& +&

,(2)!$

41&).#$

3

,(&.%:

;

: #04-10 : #08-10 : #12-10 : #16-10

46 Neo-Workhome

21

3('-

+&

BEDROOM

21$#%!;%2#-5#%,#2!/

21$#%!;%2#-5#%,#2!/

/)

,(&.%7

21.8 m2

8.6 m2

YARD

"'19(& # 2!,, 3

,#-'!!*%%<

3.8 m

2

Mirror Image : #04-09 : #08-09 : #12-09 : #16-09

BALCONY

/*

/) 3('0&121& 3

()%2#-5#

60$1!' *(+&#' ,(&.'!!*

: #02-10 : #06-10 : #10-10 : #14-10 Mirror Image : #04-09 : #08-09 : #12-09 : #16-09

Mirror Image : #02-09 : #06-09 : #10-09 : #14-09

4-BEDROOM PENTHOUSE (160 m2) 4-Bedroom Penthouse

Type C1 Penthouse 10.5 m2

12.8 m2

3.7 m2 *(+&#'%,#-'!!*

4.6 m2

7.2 m2

SECOND STOREY : #17-05 / #17-17 / #17-19 / : #17-05 / #17-17 / #17-19 / #17-23

Mirror Image : #17-06 / #17-13 / #17-18

12.2 m2 8.2 m2

8.1 m2

17.5 m2

12.8 m2

16.9 m2 60$1!'%*(+&#'%,#-'!!*

9.1 m2

4.6 m2

4.7 m2

;

2.4 m2

3.8 m2

BALCONY

BEDROOM

7.2 m2 5.7 m2

FIRST STOREY

/ #17-23

BALCONY

BEDROOM LIVING/ DINING

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

ENTRANCE

KITCHEN

YARD

Neo-Workhome

47

6. Research Output 6.1 Design Brief

While the workhome typology could eventually be applicable to any neighbourhoods in Singapore, a site has been proposed for the implementation of the first prototype to demonstrate its effectiveness and perhaps address the limitations of the surrounding context. The proposed site will be located within Crescent District of Punggol, which is still largely under development. As it is also the furthest away from the PDD and main commercial centres, the site faces disadvantages due to its remote location.

However, there are various potentials on the site to tap on. Situated in a waterfront district, the site has direct views of the Serangoon river, and it is well-connected with the PCN which is a desirable option for recreational activities. There is also a vibrant recreational scene next to the site, with a F&B container park, prawn fishing farm, plant nurseries and more, which could provide synergy to the new residential scene.

Proposed site of implementation

48 Neo-Workhome

In the site with a plot ratio of 3.0, the design proposal aims to develop a mixed-use, high-rise private housing estate of 500 residential units. The units will cater to a variety of family demographics, including singles, couples, nuclear families, multigenerational families and the option for communal living. Derived from the program distribution analysis in the precinct studies, 60% of the total area will be an appropriate proportion to be used for residential zoning, and the remaining area will be dedicated for various commercial and recreational amenities to support the work/live population.

The shared amenities should also aim to address issues that cannot be solved within the unit scale. This include a collective recreational space for temporal respite from work, sharable facilities for remote or collaborative work, a series of commercial amenities that supports and satisfy new household needs arising from the pandemic.

DISTRIBUTION OF AMENITIES IN A POST-PANDEMIC NEIGHBOURHOOD

NEIGHBOURHOOD

ESTATE CLUSTER

WORK CO-WORK DESK SPACE

WORK

SHARED SPACE FOR HOME-BASED WORK

RECREATE TAKEOUT FOOD

RECREATE

BAKERIES / CAFES & EATERIES

LIVE SUPERMARKET

WORK

RECREATE

LIVE/WORK

RECREATE

RECREATE

PRINTING FACILITES

BICYCLE PARKING

HOME SUPPLIES TORE

HAIR / NAIL SALON

BICYCLE SHOP

LIVE

LIVE

LIVE/WORK

LIVE

RECREATE

VENDING FACILITES

DELIVERY KIOSK

HARDWARE STORE

PRE-SCHOOL

PLANT NURSEY

Neo-Workhome

49

6.2 Preliminary Design Strategies

In this section, A series of design strategies informed by research findings will be proposed as the preliminary iterations of the workhome typology. They will be categorised into two components: physical strategies and programmatic strategies.

6.2.1 Physical Design Strategies

Overlapping Spaces

The first strategy explores the possibility of utilising leftover areas in between rooms by overlapping them to create new pocket spaces. This is explored in 3 iterations, through elevation, movable partitions and space extension.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

COURTYARD

BALCONY

BEDROOM

LIVING

LIVING

KITCHEN

2ND ENTRANCE (CONTACTLESS) YARD/ UTILITY

VESTIBULE

ENTRANCE

50 Neo-Workhome

ELEVATED TERRACE

BEDROOM

TERRACE

B

MOVABLE WALLS BEDROOM

1. Elevated Terrace

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

WORKSPACE

BEDROOM

C

A

A’

LIVING B’

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

C’

TERRACE

The first method combines the leftover spaces between 2 bedrooms and convert them into an elevated outdoor terrace. The terrace will serve as a private breakout space that is accessible from both bedrooms. While this results in the reduction of bedroom size, elevating the terrace frees up some volume underneath, generating space-saving options for storing away beds during the daytime.

BEDROOM

BED

AA’

ROOM EXTENSION (MODULES)

LIVING

LIVING

BED

BB’

PLAN

TERRACE

BED

SECTION

LIVING

BED

CC’ PLAN

SECTION

Neo-Workhome

51

2. Movable Walls The second iteration breaks the convention of dividing rooms with fixed structural walls. This is achieved by replacing fixed walls with movable partitions, which has the flexibility to be arranged to create a pocket workspace in between the bedrooms.

This will increase the usability of floor area which were once left as wasted circulation spaces.

MOVABLE WALLS BEDROOM

BEDROOM

A’

52 Neo-Workhome

ROOM EXTENSION (MODULES)

BEDROOM

WORKSPACE

BEDROOM

A’

3. Room Extension The last iteration explores the concept of space extension by integrating movable module parts within MOVABLE WALLS the unit layout. The module serves as a space-saving working corner that has the option of extending out of its designated space, or even as an extended façade protrusion.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

WORKSPACE

BEDROOM

INTERIOR EXTENSION ROOM EXTENSION (MODULES)

A’

LIVING

PLAN

SECTION

ROOM EXTENSION (MODULES)

SECTION

PLAN

LIVING

PLAN

SECTION

EXTERIOR EXTENSION

PLAN

SECTION

Neo-Workhome

53

Expandable or detachable unit elements

Space extensions can also be interpreted as a variety of prefabricated unit elements that are installable within the same structural frame, with the considerations of self-assembly by users themselves.

Such options can include retractable balconies transformable from a window (Dornob, n.d.), or attachable modular pods which can be purchased as a flat-packed furniture that can be installed from the interior.

(Choo and Lim, 2020) To meet the demands of these extensions, the building can use a gondola system that doubles as installation facility and automated building cleaning system.

Dual Entrance (Flexible Living Schedule)

The next strategy sought to address conflicting living schedules of members in the same household by introducing a second entrance into the unit. The L-shaped spatial arrangement creates a more effective use of corridor spaces as they can be converted into workspaces without affecting the living and resting spaces. This allows for better privacy and focus for different activities. Such layout also ensures sufficient ventilation across the unit when arranged as a cluster, creating internal voids that facilitates wind flow across the block.

54 Neo-Workhome

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BALCONY

COURTYARD

LIVING

VESTIBULE

LIVING

BEDROOM

ENTRANCE

LIVING

KITCHEN

2ND ENTRANCE (CONTACTLESS) BEDROOM

TERRACE

BEDROOM BALCONY

BEDROOM

YARD/ UTILITY

WC LIVING

VESTIBULE

WC

KITCHEN

ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

LAYOUT

ENTRANCE

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BEDROOMWC

WC

LIVING WC

TERRACE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

WC

WORK

WC

WC

BLOCK LAYOUT

KITCHEN ENTRANCE

WORK

KITCHEN

KITCHEN ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

LAYOUT

ENTRANCE

LAYOUT

BEDROOM

ENTRANCE

TERRACE

WC

WORK

BEDROOM BALCONY

WC

WC

WORK

KITCHEN

WORK

KITCHEN

WC

WORK

ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE WORK MODE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

LIVING

WC

WC

ENTRANCE

TERRACE

WORK LIVING

LIVING

WORK

WORK MODE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

BALCONY

ENTRANCE

TERRACE

BLOCK LAY

LIVING

LIVING

BEDROOM

BALCONY

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

BALCONY

TERRACE

BALCONY

BEDROOM

TERRACE

BALCONY

BEDROOM

KITCHEN ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE WORK MODE

VENTILATION

Neo-Workhome BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

BEDROOM

TERRACE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM Y

TERRACE

CONY

BEDROOM

55

BEDROOM BALCONY

TERRACE

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BALCONY

BEDROOM

WC WC LIVING

BLOCK LAYOUT

WC

N

BLOCK LAYOUT

ENTRANCE KITCHEN ENTRANCE

LAYOUT

LAYOUT

ENTRANCE

BEDROOM

BALCONY

M WORK BEDROOM

WORK

TERRACE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

WC

WORK

BALCONY

OOM

LIVING WC

WC KITCHEN

WORK

ENTRANCE

N ENTRANCE

WORK MODE

ENTRANCE

WORK MODE TERRACE

BEDROOM WORK BEDROOM

WC

WORK

BALCONY

BEDROOM

LIVING WC

N

BALCONY

M WORK BEDROOM

WORK

WC

WORK

KITCHEN ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE

BLOCK VENTILATION

VENTILATION

Served and Servant Spaces (Multigenerational Living)

ENTRANCE

BLOCK VENTILATION

VENTILATION

Building on to the dual entrance concept, the third strategy further investigate and rethink the conventional spatial relationship between served and servant spaces. Designed to cater to multigenerational families, the kitchen serves as the central transitional space that divides the conventional living room into 2 separate living spaces, connected by the dining corridor. As an open kitchen by default, it also has the option to be enclosed such that it acts as a physical boundary to create privacy between the 2 living zones. This arrangement reinforces the importance of spatial flexibility in ensuring self-autonomy members’ living patterns within the same household.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM BALCONY TERRACE

TERRACE

LIVING/DINING

LIVING

LIVING

BEDROOM

BEDROOM KITCHEN

VESTIBULE

ENTRANCE

56 Neo-Workhome

YARD/ UTILITY

YARD/ UTILITY

VESTIBULE

ENTRANCE 2

MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING

TERRACE

BEDROOM

BALCONY

TERRACE

BEDROOM

DINING LIVING

BEDROOM

KITCHEN

WC

LIVING

BEDROOM

WC

YARD

DWC

DWC ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE 2

FAMILY MODE TERRACE

BEDROOM

BALCONY

PRIVATE/WORKING MODE TERRACE

BEDROOM

TERRACE

BEDROOM

BALCONY

TERRACE

BEDROOM

WORK

WORK WORK

LIVING

BEDROOM

WC

OPEN KITCHEN

LIVING

BEDROOM

WC

CORRIDOR

DWC

WC

DWC ENTRANCE

LIVING

BEDROOM

LIVING

KITCHEN

WC

YARD

DWC

ENTRANCE 2

BEDROOM

DWC ENTRANCE

ENTRANCE 2

Mezzanine Workspace

This strategy aims to rethink vertical spatial arrangements, specifically seen in the maisonette and penthouse units. The unit analysis has highlighted the opportunity to activate mezzanine levels to maximise the effective use of space. These mezzanine spaces can be extended from the staircase landing to create new workspaces, providing multi-uses within the circulation space. A mezzanine level can also be inserted vertically in between programs of two separate storeys so that it can be shared.

TERRACE

TERRACE

BEDROOM

WORK

WORK

BEDROOM BALCONY

LIVING/DINING

KITCHEN

Neo-Workhome

57

Threshold Entryway for Sanitisation

The last unit-scale strategy serves as a reactional measure for containment to minimise cross transmission of diseases from the exterior environment to the interior living space. This can be achieved through the reinterpretation of a threshold entryway seen in traditional and modern Japanese apartments known as the genkan. Originally designed as a temperature buffer for apartments in temperate regions, they allow users to remove shoes and coats before entering the house. Such buffer space is also an essential design requirement for infectious wards in hospitals, where filters in the anteroom will remove contaminated particles from a person before entering the ward.

In the proposed unit typology, the vestibule will serve as a threshold space for users to disinfect themselves and shed their outer garments before entering the house. It should be equipped with a sink (Heathcote, 2020), disinfecting closet and a dedicated chute to dispose of used masks or any contaminated materials. (Choo and Lim, 2020)

CONTACTLESS DELIVERY

ENTRANCE REST

LIVING SHOES DISINFECT LAUNDRY

LIVING KITCHEN

YARD

LAUNDRY

ENTRYWAY FOR SANITIZATION

DISPOSE

DISINFECT CONTACTLESS DELIVERY

PUBLIC CORRIDOR MAIN ENTRANCE

58 Neo-Workhome

DISPOSE

Communal Balcony

This strategy extends beyond the individual units by creating social connections across units.

The pandemic has revealed the importance of balconies as a place for retreat and a venue for social networking between residents confined to their homes (Humphries, 2020). As such, the proposed typology can tap on the benefits of the balcony by linking individual balconies into an external social corridor to facilitate recreational activities such as jogging or urban farming. (Choo and Lim, 2020) Interlinking balconies through staircases can also create variations on the building façade that creates an unique identity to the architecture.

Fig. 25 Social Balcony Communal Courtyard, Intermediate Amenities

The last physical strategy explores the concept of the micro-communities through providing communal courtyard shared between immediate neighbours. This allows residents to spill their lives out by interacting through shared interests. Commuity support systems should also be inserted in between strata to provide amenities and social support.

COMMUNAL COURTYARD

SKY TERRACE

WORK SPACE / PODS

RESIDENTIAL CLUB (CLUSTER)

URBAN FARMING

INTERMEDIATE SKY BRIDGE

DIY

COMMERCIAL AMENITIES FITNESS

COLLECTIVE COURTYARD BETWEEN UNIT CLUSTER

Neo-Workhome

59

6.2.2 Programmatic Strategies

Sharing Facilities and Equipment

To facilitate new household needs that arise from the pandemic, the proposed development should consider the organisation of a system that provides shared facilities and rentable equipment, including household tools and supplies that are only used on an occasional basis. For example, the provision of a self-service printing station at the foot of each residential block allows home-based workers to fulfill work needs without having to acquire personal printers. To cater to increasing interests in household activities, a multipurpose facility centre can be designated to equipment rental, such as hardware tools or sports equipment. (Choo and Lim, 2020)

Besides equipment sharing, the estate should also designate areas for space-sharing. This include the need to redesign existing condominium function rooms into spaces optimised for co-working, home-based work or even storage. For instance, a co-working space should be well-equipped with high-speed internet connections and vending facilities available in a typical office, and a communal kitchen could provide shared cooking tools for home-based cooks. These spaces should similarly be rentable on a time-based schedule and staggered in between unit levels to ensure equal access and reduce congregation. (Choo and Lim, 2020)

7. Contribution to knowledge

To conclude, this thesis aims to address the issues of working from home through the proposal of a new private housing typology as a prototype for the future. It will be achievable by the intervention of dwelling through a range of scales. Through various aspects of survey findings, case studies and analysis of the built environment, this research will set the premise as a continuation to inform the eventual architectural design for the neo-workhome. While the project may not solve all the underlying problems of the living and working during and post-pandemic, it aims to add on new perspectives of ideas to existing studies and design ideas that have been shared to the wider public.

60 Neo-Workhome

8. References

8.1 Bibliography

Abdullah, A. (2020, August 24). Singapore sees cycling boom amid COVID-19, with increased ridership and bicycle sales. Channel News Asia. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.channelnewsasia. com/news/singapore/covid-19-cycling-popularity-bicycle-sales-shared-bikes-13034350 Baker, J. (2020, June 15). Singapore’s circuit breaker and beyond: Timeline of the COVID-19 reality. Channel News Asia. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ covid-19-circuit-breaker-chronicles-charting-evolution-12779048 Co Living Singapore: Lyf Funan, Singapore Official Site. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https:// www.lyfbyascott.com/en/singapore/singapore/lyf-funan.html Chew, H. (2020, May 09). Interest in urban farming sprouts amid COVID-19 outbreak. Channel News Asia. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ singapore-urban-farming-sprouts-amid-covid-19-outbreak-12700424 Choo, Q.Y & Lim, Z.X. (2020) Implications and Design Strategies For A Post-pandemic Neighbourhood (unpublished report).

Crook, L. (2019, May 10). Studio Bark’s flat-pack U-build system lets anyone self-build. Dezeen. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/10/ubuild-studio-bark-modular-architecture/ Department of Statistics Singapore. (n.d.). Old-Age Support Ratio. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/old-age-support-ratio Dornob. (n.d.). Balcony on Demand: Space-Saving expanding-balcony-space-saving-fold-out-deck-design/

Design.

https://dornob.com/

DPArchitects. (2020, July 3). Design In Print Vol 11.2: COVID-19 and The Next Norm. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://issuu.com/dparchitects/docs/designinprint_11.2_issuu-20200703 González, M. F. (2018, November 29). Future Towers / MVRDV. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https:// www.archdaily.com/906774/future-towers-mvrdv?ad_medium=gallery Gov.sg. (2020, May 8). Cabin Fever 101 Are you feeling it. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www. gov.sg/article/cabin-fever-101-are-you-feeling-it Housing Development Board. (n.d.). My Neighbourhood. https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/ living-in-an-hdb-flat/my-neighbourhood

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Housing Development Board. (n.d.). Public Housing – A Singapore Icon. https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/ infoweb/about-us/our-role/public-housing-a-singapore-icon#:~:text=The%20flats%20spell%20home%20 for,optimal%20living%20environment%20for%20residents Heathcote, E. (2020, May 19). Is it time for sinks to come out of the closet? Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.ft.com/content/bf4c704a-8fb3-11ea-9b25-c36e3584cda8 Holliss, F. (2015). Beyond live-work: The architecture of home-based work. London: Routledge.

Hui, C. (2020, September 4). News Highlights. Ministry of Health. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/covid-19-related-stress-from-working-from-home Humphries, M. (2020, March 27). People around the world are playing bingo with neighbors from their balconies. Insider. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.insider.com/ people-playing-bingo-with-neighbors-across-balconies-coronavirus-2020-3 Iau, J. (2020, May 14). Coronavirus: More cases of family violence during circuit breaker; police to proactively help victims. The Straits Times. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/ singapore/courts-crime/coronavirus-more-cases-of-family-violence-during-circuit-breaker-police-to Lai, L. (2020, October 16). 8 in 10 in Singapore want to work from home or have more flexibility. The Straits Times. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/ singapore/8-in-10-in-singapore-want-to-work-from-home-or-have-more-flexibility Lim, J. (2017, March 20). Public-Student Social Experiment: L45 Lorong Kurau. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from http://blog.japhethlim.com/index.php/2015/04/23/public-student-social-experiment-l45-lorong-kurau/ Liu, V. (2020, May 12). Nine multi-storey carpark rooftops in Singapore to be converted to urban farms.

The Straits Times. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ nine-multi-storey-carpark-rooftops-in-singapore-to-be-converted-to-urban-farms Menocal, C. G. (2014, January 22). Suitcase house by gary chang hides program beneath floor. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.designboom.com/architecture/ suitcase-house-by-gary-chang-hides-program-beneath-ground/ Menz, S. (2014). Public space Evolution in High-density Living in Singapore Ground and Elevated Public Spaces in Public Housing Precincts (Publication). Singapore: Future Cities Laboratory, ETH Singapore SEC. Myers, L. (2020, May 15). Studio BELEM rethinks traditional housing for changing lifestyles post COVID-19. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.designboom.com/architecture/ studio-belem-rethinks-traditional-housing-post-covid19-05-14-2020/ Narayanan, D., Lee, B., & Chen, J. (2020, May 08). COVID-19 and the Future of Work. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/blog/covid-19-and-the-future-of-work/

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National Parks. (2020, August 14). Punggol Waterway Park. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https:// www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/punggol-waterway-park Pagnotta, B. (2012, June 27). AD Classics: Maison de Verre / Pierre Chareau + Bernard Bijvoet. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.archdaily.com/248077/ ad-classics-maison-de-verre-pierre-chareau-bernard-bijvoet Pringle, S. (2019). Urban environment characteristics and their implications on Emotional Happiness and Well-being: Proposal of a Theoretical and Conceptual Framework (pp. 33-66). Adelaide: Association for Sustainability in Business.

SkyTerrace at Dawson. (2016). Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://sdw.designsingapore.org/ presidents-design-award/award-recipients/2016/skyterrace-at-dawson.html Steidl, T., & Howell, B. (2020, April 28). Will the Work From Home Trend Impact Residential Design?: Dialogue Blog: Research & Insight. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.gensler.com/research-insight/ blog/will-the-work-from-home-trend-impact-residential-design Tai, J. (2020, May 08). Mental health fallout: How Covid-19 has affected those in Singapore. The Straits Times.

Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/mental-health-fallout Tan, B K & Lee, A (2016). “Development of Neighbourhood Centres In Singapore A Comparative Study Of Public Spaces And Its Impact On Public Life”, In Crossroads: Asian Streets In The Dynamics of Change (pp. 93-108) Tan, M. (2016, December 27). The story behind when the “void deck” was introduced and how it was invented. Mothership. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://mothership.sg/2016/12/ the-story-behind-when-the-void-deck-was-introduced-and-how-it-was-invented/ The Central at Eu Tong Sen Street. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.fareast.com. sg/en/commercial/the-central The Japan News. (2016, March 30). Rental DIY Workshops: A New Concept Gaining Ground In Japan.

Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.forconstructionpros.com/rental/news/12188481/ rental-diy-workshops-a-new-concept-gaining-ground-in-japan Toh, T. (2020, April 26). Food delivery sector booms in a time of coronavirus. The Straits Times.

Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/ sector-booms-in-a-time-of-coronavirus Willett, M. (2016, May 26). This 344-square-foot apartment in China can transform into 24 different rooms. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com/ gary-chang-transforming-apartment-hong-kong2016-5

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Wong, P. (2020, August 23). Yearning for more privacy and space while working from home, some young S’poreans turn to rental market. Today Online. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.todayonline. com/singapore/space-squeeze-home-prompts-more-young-singaporeans-move-out Yeo, S. (2016, March 23). Void decks remain a vital slice of HDB life. The Straits Times. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/void-decks-remain-a-vital-slice-of-hdb-life Yip, J. (2020, August 4). Home Bakery With 750-Pax Wait List Opens Central Kitchen After Orders Hit 2350.

Today Online. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.todayonline.com/8days/eatanddrink/ newsandopening/home-bakery-750-pax-wait-list-opens-central-kitchen-after-orders Yip, W. (2020, August 17). Staying one step ahead of twin toddlers to get work done at home. The Straits Times. Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ staying-one-step-ahead-of-twin-toddlers-to-get-work-done-at-home Urban Redevelopment Authority. (2019, March 27). Draft Master Plan 2019 - Proposals for an Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient City. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/ Media-Room/Media-Releases/pr19-13 Urban Redevelopment Authority. (n.d.). Punggol Digital District. Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Planning/Master-Plan/Urban-Transformations/Punggol-Digital-District Singapore, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Trade & Industry. (2020, September). Population Trends, 2020 (16th ed.). Retrieved November 19, 2020, from https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/ population/population2020.pdf

8.2 Images Sources Fig. 1 & 2: [Digital images]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.lyfbyascott.com/en/ singapore/singapore/lyf-funan.html Fig. 3: [Digital Image]. (2020, April 28). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.gensler.com/ research-insight/blog/will-the-work-from-home-trend-impact-residential-design Fig. 4: Lee, W.F. (2020, August 28). Re-imagining Home in a post-pandemic world. [Webinar PowerPoint slides] Fig. 5 & 6: [Digital Images]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.archistart.net/ competitions/wfh2020/ Fig. 7 & 8: Property2030. (2009). SkyTerrace-@-Dawson [Brochure Images]. Singapore.

Fig. 9 & 10: [Digital image]. (2020, May 14). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.designboom. com/architecture/studio-belem-rethinks-traditional-housing-post-covid19-05-14-2020/

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Fig. 11-14: [Digital images]. (2018, November). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www. atlasofplaces.com/architecture/maison-de-verre/ Fig. 15: [Digital image]. (2013, February 18). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from http://www.innerdesign. com/blog/architecture/Domestic-Transformer-by-Gary-Chang Fig. 16 & 17: SkyVille@Dawson [Digital images]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https:// architizer.com/projects/skyville-dawson/ Fig. 18 & 19: [Digital images]. (2018, November 29). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www. archdaily.com/906774/future-towers-mvrdv Fig. 20: [An artist’s impression of the aerial view of Punggol Digital District]. (2020, January 17). Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ upcoming-punggol-digital-district-offers-businesses-and-students-real-time-data-platform Fig. 21 & 22: [Images]. Hee L. & Heng C.K. (2004) Transformations of space: A retrospective on public housing in Singapore. Suburban form: An international perspective. London: Routledge, 140-142 Fig. 23: [Image] Menz, S. (2014). Public space Evolution in High-density Living in Singapore Ground and Elevated Public Spaces in Public Housing Precincts (Publication). Singapore: Future Cities Laboratory, ETH Singapore SEC. Fig. 24: Sing Holdings Ltd. (2013). Waterwoods Where the river meets urbanity [Brochure Image]. Singapore Fig. 25: [Social Balconies connects existing balconies to encourage social interaction]. (2019, January 14). Retrieved November 04, 2020, from https://www.dezeen.com/2019/01/14/ video-social-balconies-edwin-van-capelleveen-mini-living-movie/ All other diagrams by author Choo Qing Yuan

9. Self-Disclosure of Research

Some of the research materials and design strategies explored over the course of the design research report have been used for a collaborative research report by the same author for a separate elective module, AR5958A Housing (Pre and Post COVID-19 Pandemic). (Choo and Lim, 2020) However, all materials in this report are produced and sourced directly by the original author and they will be primarily used to inform the eventual design proposal for the thesis project. The collaborative report will only serve as a supplementary source of research material.

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Master of Architecture Design Thesis AY 2020/21 Department of Architecture School of Design and Environment