For a micro-nation that is just twice the size of Mumbai and gained complete independence only in 1965, Singapore boasts of a number of prominent architectural works. Significantly, these not only encompass institutional buildings, cultural centres and private endeavours, but also more utilitarian architecture such as mass housing.
A novel example of this is The Pinnacle@Duxton, a complex of seven 50-storeyed residential towers that were constructed by the city’s Housing Development Board. They form the world’s tallest public residential towers and are topped with a sky-garden on the 50th floor. Amongst the notable privately constructed residential complexes are Reflections at Keppel Bay by Daniel Libeskind and The Interlace designed by OMA.
Singapore’s development is also shaped by its aim of creating a “City in a Garden”. Focused efforts on renewing urban greenery have seen the opening of the world class Gardens by the Bay. Spread over 250 acres of reclaimed land, highlights of the Gardens include the Supertree Grove and the twin, cutting-edge conservatories – Flower Dome and Cloud Forest – created with sustainable building technologies. Adjoining the Gardens by the Bay is Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort designed by Moshe Safdie, with the towering Marina Bay Sands Hotel as its centrepiece.
In the midst of these contemporary architectural masterpieces, it is easy to forget that Singapore has a rich historical past, evidences of which are also found in its built forms. Keep an eye out for the next issue of Home Review to explore these hidden treasures.
Text And Photos By Kunal Bhatia
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