The project is defined by its landscape feature
The roof is landscaped extensively as a community
where stepped garden terraces extend from the
garden by incorporating planting beds which can
building, bringing the outside environment to the
be used by the locals to practise urban farming.
inside, thus, stimulating a parallel relation between
Thus, apart from serving as a building aesthetic,
the built and unbuilt. These lush green terraces act
the roof garden embraces communal life by
as a binding element, connecting the adjacent
bringing the citizens together and encouraging
waterfront to the community gardens on the roof
social interaction amongst them.
by a series of pedestrian walkways connected via
The structure features an open frame façade with
ramps. The walkways serve as children’s play areas,
balcony spaces wrapped around the perimeter,
communal spaces and a natural amphitheatre.
housing lush green planters. The porous façade
Some of the restaurants and waiting rooms of the
lined with double columns and planters that act
clinics directly connect with the terraces, thereby
as an environmental filter between the exterior
extending their services outside, allowing the
and interior spaces, give a sense of seamlessness
users to spill out into this area and enjoy the views.
within the building, allowing ample daylight and
The terraces not only help in achieving passive
air to percolate inside. The open façade further
ventilation in the building but also enhance visual
symbolizes the openness of the building, referring
interaction with the environment.
to the inviting nature of the design as that of a public building.
Fig 5: Oasis Terraces: A neighbourhood centre in Punggol_©archdaily Weaving communal spaces with terrace gardens allows meandering of the users through the landscaped walkways finding their way from the water’s edge towards the community roof gardens or vice versa, thereby creating a vibrant public space. Thus, nature frames the different activities around the building forming a robust framework where the built is in a symbiotic relationship with the environment.
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