Showing posts with label urban design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urban design. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
Marking George Town
Window to the Past
The proposed George Town marker design was inspired by the traditional ‘5-Foot Way’ that functions very efficiently as urban connectors as well as public spaces. The idea is to use these arches as guiding apparatus to lead visitors to places of interests and framing major landmarks at the same time. The form of the arches was inspired by the ‘Cloud-Shaped’ openings that can be easily found on most of the façade of George Town’s shop houses.
Aesthetically Functional:
The intention is to not only consider the proposed design as merely markers but as urban sculptures as well. They are however ‘practical’ sculptures as they also double up as public furnitures to complement that state’s initiatives in making George Town a livable city. While fulfilling the function of markers and public amenities, these sculptures would also ensure that the existing heritage buildings remain as they are without any intervention onto their building fabric. Their external outlook would enhance the character of the buildings and streetscapes where they are located.
Flexibility:
By constructing the arches in 5 different sections for a single standard unit, the sculpture could be rearranged and twisted as situation requires. In addition, 2 standard units could be combined to form a larger unit at more spacious locations pointing at several landmarks in opposing directions at the same time. The ‘Cloud-Shaped’ arches which will be made of steel could be easily dismantled and relocated to elsewhere whenever such situation arises.
Colours:
The proposed markers come in several colours depending on where they are located. Their colours will follow the nearest landmark which they are located. For example, the colour of the arches will be blue when the marker is located near Cheong Fatt Tze mansion and white if placed in front of St. Georges Church.
With its distinctive colours and unique form that are inspired by the aesthetics of historic George Town, the proposed Window to the Past marker/sculpture would definitely enhance and add to the rich architectural quality of this World Heritage City.
The proposed George Town marker design was inspired by the traditional ‘5-Foot Way’ that functions very efficiently as urban connectors as well as public spaces. The idea is to use these arches as guiding apparatus to lead visitors to places of interests and framing major landmarks at the same time. The form of the arches was inspired by the ‘Cloud-Shaped’ openings that can be easily found on most of the façade of George Town’s shop houses.
Aesthetically Functional:
The intention is to not only consider the proposed design as merely markers but as urban sculptures as well. They are however ‘practical’ sculptures as they also double up as public furnitures to complement that state’s initiatives in making George Town a livable city. While fulfilling the function of markers and public amenities, these sculptures would also ensure that the existing heritage buildings remain as they are without any intervention onto their building fabric. Their external outlook would enhance the character of the buildings and streetscapes where they are located.
Flexibility:
By constructing the arches in 5 different sections for a single standard unit, the sculpture could be rearranged and twisted as situation requires. In addition, 2 standard units could be combined to form a larger unit at more spacious locations pointing at several landmarks in opposing directions at the same time. The ‘Cloud-Shaped’ arches which will be made of steel could be easily dismantled and relocated to elsewhere whenever such situation arises.
Colours:
The proposed markers come in several colours depending on where they are located. Their colours will follow the nearest landmark which they are located. For example, the colour of the arches will be blue when the marker is located near Cheong Fatt Tze mansion and white if placed in front of St. Georges Church.
With its distinctive colours and unique form that are inspired by the aesthetics of historic George Town, the proposed Window to the Past marker/sculpture would definitely enhance and add to the rich architectural quality of this World Heritage City.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Modernism
At the beginning of the 20th century, inspired by the aspiration of Industrial Revolution and agitated by the destruction of World War I to create a better future, a group of architects initiated the Modern Movement. With the arrival of the Machine Age then, standardization was made possible. This mass production approach not only benefitted the auto industry but architecture as well. Architects realized that they could rebuilt their medieval cities into a thriving modern metropolis with the help of the technology of the day in an unprecendented speed. Le Corbusier envisaged the modern city as consists of high-rises organized in an orderly fashion. Thoroughfares would be straight and well connected. Residential floor plates would be stacked one on top of another. The buildings would be standardized as to achieve a consistant order in the scheme.
This idea of urban design has indeed survived today and most notably in Singapore. With about 80% of its population living in government initiated public housing, it makes sense to utilize the modernists' approach in making the dream of house ownership a reality. Hence the creation of the more commonly know HDB (Housing Development Board) Flats all over the island. Mass production and standardizatoin serve this objectives well which is to provide affordable housing to its people at an efficient pace. Most parts of a single unit are precast off-site in order to reduce wastage as well as speed up construction.
In implementing this approach, building design has to comply strictly with HDB's guidelines. Drastic modification from the prescribed floor plans are not encouraged. As a result, the buildings ended up very similar to each other and not much individual characteristics in them. The only ways to identify the block you are staying are through Block Number and sometime the color scheme on the wall. There are some variations on the facade but mostly not substantial. This certainly gives rise to problems pertaining to identity of place. With no significant natural features such as hills and water to define a place, these mass-produced buildings lack unique identity to create a recognizable 'place'.
Howeve, HDB housing is a success story in that it makes house ownership easier to be achieved. Consequently, there is no slum in Singapore. Many countries have tried to emulate its success to achieve their own social agenda. In terms of practicality, it has achieved its objectives. Its downside lies in its failure in 'place making' which will give the city a unique identity to its inhabitants as well as an admiration to visitors.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Creating Identity
MASTER PLAN / URBAN DESIGN CONCEPTS
The Housing District West at Punggol has been envisaged to be a new benchmark for housing development in Singapore. The uniqueness of the site is the creation of the Punggol Waterway and hence the emphasis of the relationship between development and water. The mapping and reading of the master plan is multivalent rather than hierarchical. The architecture, public spaces, connective tissues and movement systems are dispersed across a series of interpenetrating green connectors that weaves across the site to facilitate bridging to the waterway. There are two major elements in our design: visual connections and eco linkages. These elements are superimposed on a pre-determined general layout of major road networks and water infrastructure. The superimposition generates a sequence of interstitial spaces suggesting fluid movements and connections to various parts of the development.
Visual ConnectionThe entire Housing District West is designed and developed as a whole based on generating vistas open towards MRT/LRT stations, water and communal nodes. By emphasizing direct visual connections, the entire site establishes strong relationship with its surrounding context. Distinct places are created which could be easily identified and differentiated from one another. Each communal node is different in terms of its form and levels. Visual axis are created to enable way finding from wherever location throughout the site. Key visual connections are from communal nodes to LRT/MRT stations, community node to communal node and communal nodes to the waterway. These connections enable one to position him/herself within the site in relation to its surroundings. The visual connection between one communal node to another also enlarges the perceptible dimension of each park within its own precinct and thus add to the qualitative experience of the public domain.
Eco LinkagesThe entire Housing District West was looked at as a potential large green lung in line with HDB’s idea of ‘Green Living by the Waters’. The housing quarters are composed of series of linear buildings twisted to form clusters that enclose major public spaces within the site. The clustering of the residential blocks enhances sense of community as well as privacy at the same time. These individual precinct parks will then be connected to each other by means of eco pathways. These landscaped pathways meandering through the entire site to form a continuous ecological structure. Within each precinct, the landscaped platforms are flexible, reacting to site conditions. These platforms vary in width to accommodate different public activities. They are programmed with sports, leisure playing fields and playgrounds. Everywhere one goes, the qualities of a green housing district can be felt due to the dynamic arrangement of building blocks that resulted in a very porous environment within each plot. The criss-crossing of broad paths and trails takes one past a series of courts, lawns and a range of recreational activities. The creation of the E Deck within each precinct also means that car parking is kept below the platforms to make way for an uninterrupted and safe pedestrian network above.
With the merging of green, water and residential, Housing District West will be an area that has strong unique identity and conducive for living. It is a synthesis of approach focusing on the ideas of connection and bridging; interaction and interrelation of ordering systems; and integration of natural systems of green and water with the built environment.
HOUSING DESIGN SCHEMES
The buildings are designed with sustainability and flexibility in mind. With the ever increasing demand of the end users, a lot of consideration is taken into account in order to produce a good design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical at the same time.
Building Orientation
Most of the building blocks are oriented along the East-West axis wherever possible in order to exploit the full potential of the waterfront site. This orientation also helps in solar shading of the building blocks and thus reducing the need for artificial cooling.
Building Massing
The buildings were deliberately designed to have different heights in order to avoid the whole scheme being read as series of monotonous concrete walls throughout the entire site. Those blocks that are closer or fronting the waterway are intentionally designed as low rise buildings which will then create a more human scale streetscape along the promenade. To make up for the required density, maximum number of units are stacked up at those blocks located at the deepest end of the site furthest away from the waterway. This configuration allows for views towards the waterway for most of the blocks including those at the back.
Views and Identity
The linear blocks are meticulously shifted and twisted in order to allow maximum number of dwelling units having views towards the waterway as well as Sungai Punggol. The twisting form of the buildings give the much needed identity to each block so as to avoid rigid and ‘faceless’ architecture. Residents will be able to identify their home by the form of the buildings instead of merely rely on block number signage on the walls.
Green Roof
Planting on roof surfaces acts as thermal barrier for the top floor units creating a cooler environment.
Thermal BarrierInsulated west facing gable end walls increase U-Value thus keeping homes cool, reducing the need and energy load for air-conditioning.
Natural Ventilation
Units are pulled apart allowing prevailing North-South winds to keep the corridors cool and naturally lighted.
Modular SizingDimensions of structural elements are standardized together with use of precast elements for efficiency.
Reconfiguration PossibilitiesThe unit floor plans are designed to suit various residents’ needs. Structural clarity and standardization are emphasized to enable flexibility in rearrangement. Columns and shear walls are kept at the periphery with all the intermediate walls being partition. This allows for the intermediate walls to be omitted or added at ease.
The Housing District West at Punggol has been envisaged to be a new benchmark for housing development in Singapore. The uniqueness of the site is the creation of the Punggol Waterway and hence the emphasis of the relationship between development and water. The mapping and reading of the master plan is multivalent rather than hierarchical. The architecture, public spaces, connective tissues and movement systems are dispersed across a series of interpenetrating green connectors that weaves across the site to facilitate bridging to the waterway. There are two major elements in our design: visual connections and eco linkages. These elements are superimposed on a pre-determined general layout of major road networks and water infrastructure. The superimposition generates a sequence of interstitial spaces suggesting fluid movements and connections to various parts of the development.
Visual ConnectionThe entire Housing District West is designed and developed as a whole based on generating vistas open towards MRT/LRT stations, water and communal nodes. By emphasizing direct visual connections, the entire site establishes strong relationship with its surrounding context. Distinct places are created which could be easily identified and differentiated from one another. Each communal node is different in terms of its form and levels. Visual axis are created to enable way finding from wherever location throughout the site. Key visual connections are from communal nodes to LRT/MRT stations, community node to communal node and communal nodes to the waterway. These connections enable one to position him/herself within the site in relation to its surroundings. The visual connection between one communal node to another also enlarges the perceptible dimension of each park within its own precinct and thus add to the qualitative experience of the public domain.
Eco LinkagesThe entire Housing District West was looked at as a potential large green lung in line with HDB’s idea of ‘Green Living by the Waters’. The housing quarters are composed of series of linear buildings twisted to form clusters that enclose major public spaces within the site. The clustering of the residential blocks enhances sense of community as well as privacy at the same time. These individual precinct parks will then be connected to each other by means of eco pathways. These landscaped pathways meandering through the entire site to form a continuous ecological structure. Within each precinct, the landscaped platforms are flexible, reacting to site conditions. These platforms vary in width to accommodate different public activities. They are programmed with sports, leisure playing fields and playgrounds. Everywhere one goes, the qualities of a green housing district can be felt due to the dynamic arrangement of building blocks that resulted in a very porous environment within each plot. The criss-crossing of broad paths and trails takes one past a series of courts, lawns and a range of recreational activities. The creation of the E Deck within each precinct also means that car parking is kept below the platforms to make way for an uninterrupted and safe pedestrian network above.
With the merging of green, water and residential, Housing District West will be an area that has strong unique identity and conducive for living. It is a synthesis of approach focusing on the ideas of connection and bridging; interaction and interrelation of ordering systems; and integration of natural systems of green and water with the built environment.
HOUSING DESIGN SCHEMES
The buildings are designed with sustainability and flexibility in mind. With the ever increasing demand of the end users, a lot of consideration is taken into account in order to produce a good design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical at the same time.
Building Orientation
Most of the building blocks are oriented along the East-West axis wherever possible in order to exploit the full potential of the waterfront site. This orientation also helps in solar shading of the building blocks and thus reducing the need for artificial cooling.
Building Massing
The buildings were deliberately designed to have different heights in order to avoid the whole scheme being read as series of monotonous concrete walls throughout the entire site. Those blocks that are closer or fronting the waterway are intentionally designed as low rise buildings which will then create a more human scale streetscape along the promenade. To make up for the required density, maximum number of units are stacked up at those blocks located at the deepest end of the site furthest away from the waterway. This configuration allows for views towards the waterway for most of the blocks including those at the back.
Views and Identity
The linear blocks are meticulously shifted and twisted in order to allow maximum number of dwelling units having views towards the waterway as well as Sungai Punggol. The twisting form of the buildings give the much needed identity to each block so as to avoid rigid and ‘faceless’ architecture. Residents will be able to identify their home by the form of the buildings instead of merely rely on block number signage on the walls.
Green Roof
Planting on roof surfaces acts as thermal barrier for the top floor units creating a cooler environment.
Thermal BarrierInsulated west facing gable end walls increase U-Value thus keeping homes cool, reducing the need and energy load for air-conditioning.
Natural Ventilation
Units are pulled apart allowing prevailing North-South winds to keep the corridors cool and naturally lighted.
Modular SizingDimensions of structural elements are standardized together with use of precast elements for efficiency.
Reconfiguration PossibilitiesThe unit floor plans are designed to suit various residents’ needs. Structural clarity and standardization are emphasized to enable flexibility in rearrangement. Columns and shear walls are kept at the periphery with all the intermediate walls being partition. This allows for the intermediate walls to be omitted or added at ease.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Personal Space
I've been procrastinating to update my blog for too long already and I decided that I must write something today!
As I've mentioned in my previous blog that things around me are quite different nowadays. The most obvious one is the closeness of the people. The word 'closeness' here means the measured distance and not the emotional bond between people. Official figures came out 2 weeks ago that Singapore's population has reached 4.84 million! Comparatively Penang island's population is only around 678,000 people. Some of you must be thinking right now that Penang is much smaller than Singapore. So lets put the figures into perspective:
Land area of Singapore: 692.7 sqkm
Land area of Penang Island: 295 sqkm
Simple calculation will then show you that the density of Singapore in terms of no. of people per sqkm is 6,987 people while that of Penang is only 2,298 people. Singapore's density is 3 times higher than that of Penang. Imagine that you are queueing up to purchase your GSC movie ticket on a typical Saturday night, the line in Singapore will be 3 times longer!!! Imagine again that you are on the Rapid Penang bus and you used to swing your arms around talking and gesturing exitingly about the current political situation, but here in Singapore you will be happy if you still can move your fingers in the packed MRT train!!
In other words, Penang is actually quite spacious eventhough it is smaller in terms of land area. We do have quite a comfortable personal space in Penang so we should stop complaining that Penang is small.
As I've mentioned in my previous blog that things around me are quite different nowadays. The most obvious one is the closeness of the people. The word 'closeness' here means the measured distance and not the emotional bond between people. Official figures came out 2 weeks ago that Singapore's population has reached 4.84 million! Comparatively Penang island's population is only around 678,000 people. Some of you must be thinking right now that Penang is much smaller than Singapore. So lets put the figures into perspective:
Land area of Singapore: 692.7 sqkm
Land area of Penang Island: 295 sqkm
Simple calculation will then show you that the density of Singapore in terms of no. of people per sqkm is 6,987 people while that of Penang is only 2,298 people. Singapore's density is 3 times higher than that of Penang. Imagine that you are queueing up to purchase your GSC movie ticket on a typical Saturday night, the line in Singapore will be 3 times longer!!! Imagine again that you are on the Rapid Penang bus and you used to swing your arms around talking and gesturing exitingly about the current political situation, but here in Singapore you will be happy if you still can move your fingers in the packed MRT train!!
In other words, Penang is actually quite spacious eventhough it is smaller in terms of land area. We do have quite a comfortable personal space in Penang so we should stop complaining that Penang is small.
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