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UPDATES<br />
DP GROUP OF COMPANIES<br />
NEW LEADERSHIP<br />
IN DEPTH<br />
RIVER SAFARI<br />
AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY<br />
IN DEPTH<br />
ADDIRIYAH GATE<br />
BRIDGING THE MODERN & HISTORIC<br />
RESORTS WORLD<br />
SENTOSA WEST ZONE<br />
AN AQUATIC-THEMED DESTINATION<br />
THE<br />
LEISURE<br />
ISSUE<br />
VOLUME 4<br />
NUMBER 2<br />
2013<br />
SINGAPORE<br />
www.dpa.com.sg<br />
MICA (P) 012/10/2012
<strong>In</strong> 2017, DP Architects will celebrate its<br />
50 th anniversary. During the last five<br />
decades, DPA has undergone several<br />
organisational transformations.<br />
CHAIRMAN’S<br />
MESSAGE<br />
NEW LEADERSHIP AS DP MOVES<br />
TOWARDS ITS 50 TH YEAR<br />
<strong>In</strong> the early 1980s, our office had 120 staff<br />
with its main vision being the search for new<br />
directions in architecture in the Singapore<br />
context. The partnership strived to be the<br />
best design firm that could be, and it was at<br />
this time that the philosophy of the office was<br />
formulated and crystallised. This philosophy<br />
remains with much relevance today.<br />
To sustain growth on a long term basis,<br />
accompanied by the Architects Act of 1991, the<br />
22<br />
21<br />
20 27<br />
16<br />
12<br />
4<br />
15<br />
5<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
3 2<br />
14<br />
13<br />
7 6<br />
1<br />
26<br />
24 25<br />
8<br />
18<br />
23<br />
17<br />
28<br />
19<br />
29<br />
1 Chan Sui Him, Chairman | 2 Francis Lee, CEO | 3 Ti Lian Seng | 4<br />
11 Lee Shee Koeng | 12 Suneeth Changaroth | 13 Jeremy Tan | 14 To<br />
19 Yeong Weng Fai, DP Green | 20 Goh Yong Ping, DP Engineers | 21<br />
26 Ian Liew, China | 27 Rida Sobana, <strong>In</strong>donesia | 28 Yeoh Tok Jew, M
firm was subsequently restructured to become<br />
DP Architects Pte Ltd with a more corporate form<br />
of architecture practice and management.<br />
To stay meaningfully relevant, the firm continues<br />
to evolve through a constant process of selfrenewal<br />
with in-house specialist teams formed<br />
as necessary. Today, the DP group – comprising<br />
DP Architects, DP Consultants, DP <strong>Design</strong>,<br />
DP Engineers, DP Environmentally Sustainable<br />
<strong>Design</strong>, DP Green and DP <strong>In</strong>frastructure –<br />
provides a comprehensive range of services<br />
from architecture, urban planning, interior<br />
design, project management, sustainable<br />
design, landscape architecture to engineering,<br />
with over 1,200 staff in 12 offices worldwide.<br />
<strong>In</strong> addition to enabling our clients with a larger<br />
pool of resources under the DP umbrella, the<br />
firm’s design work has also benefited from<br />
the synergy among the various disciplines to<br />
ensure timely and smooth delivery of projects,<br />
as our track records in the recent past have<br />
quickly proven. Also importantly, this multidisciplinary<br />
approach reinforces the firm’s<br />
continued commitment and deep concern for<br />
the built environment and the desire to create<br />
architecture of excellence that enriches the<br />
human experience and spirit.<br />
To strengthen our multi-disciplinary practice and<br />
to make certain that our various offices continue<br />
to produce exemplary works to meet our clients’<br />
needs towards our 50 th year and beyond, I<br />
take great pride in announcing several critical<br />
promotions to enhance the current leadership.<br />
The new leadership offers a kaleidoscope<br />
of professionals; this diversity of strengths,<br />
special talents and skills creates goal-directed<br />
niches within the DP group, firmly positioning<br />
us to face the challenges ahead and reach<br />
new heights. This promotion will, of course,<br />
mean additional responsibilities and I am<br />
confident that all our newly promoted leaders<br />
will discharge them efficiently.<br />
The Board of Directors joins me to<br />
congratulate the newly promoted introduced<br />
in this issue of <strong>Design</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Print</strong>.<br />
Chan Sui Him<br />
Angelene Chan, Deputy CEO | 5 Teoh Hai Pin | 6 Wu Tzu Chiang | 7 Chin Thoe Chong | 8 Vikas Gore | 9 Lesley Lim | 10 Dadi Surya<br />
h Sze Chong 15 Tong Bin Sin | 16 Mike Lim, DP <strong>Design</strong> | 17 Neil Johnson, DP <strong>In</strong>frastructure | 18 Steven Gan, DP <strong>In</strong>frastructure<br />
Tan Yew Chai, DP Engineers | 22 Lee Boon Woei, DP ESD | 23 Wu Zhi Wei, China | 24 Neo Chen, China | 25 Niew Pey Ran, China<br />
alaysia | 29 Hoo Chuen Piew, Malaysia.
Volume 4 Number 2, 2013, Singapore<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Letter from the Guest Editor<br />
Dear Readers,<br />
With increasing career demands, striking a balance between work and<br />
leisure has become more important. To compensate for having lesser leisure<br />
time, greater emphasis is now placed on the quality of leisure activities.<br />
Correspondingly, the demand for recreational developments such as<br />
integrated resorts, theme parks, and attractions with nature, sports, wellness<br />
and entertainment activities has risen steadily.<br />
With information readily available on the <strong>In</strong>ternet, clients’ expectations and<br />
demands for a wider range of distinctively different leisure attractions have also<br />
increased. They are constantly seeking exciting ’wow’ features in their new<br />
developments to differentiate their products and stay ahead of the competition.<br />
An example of such a shift can be seen in the development of retail malls.<br />
No longer built just for shopping, the retail mall has become a lifestyle<br />
product, a one-stop entertainment and recreational centre that houses a<br />
diverse range of functions and facilities, including atypical provisions such as<br />
performances, sporting activities and the arts. Some of the unusual features<br />
that DP Architects has designed for retail malls include skating ring, largescale<br />
aquarium, indoor waterfall, snow park and retractable fashion catwalk.<br />
As the nature of leisure developments evolves, it is important to keep up<br />
to speed with prevailing trends and be innovative. It is part of the design<br />
process to research widely on the latest recreational developments and<br />
leisure ideas in other parts of the world and learn from the success stories.<br />
This issue of <strong>Design</strong> in <strong>Print</strong> highlights the design and features of several<br />
recently completed and in-progress leisure-centred projects including River<br />
Safari, Resorts World Sentosa West Zone and Downtown East in Singapore;<br />
and Addiriyah Gate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.<br />
We hope this issue will inspire you to head out for some leisurely fun.<br />
Toh Sze Chong<br />
Director, DP Architects Pte Ltd<br />
The latest happenings in DP<br />
DP Architects announces<br />
Appointment of Titleholders<br />
Short takes on new & notable projects<br />
01 Tampines Town Hub<br />
02 Changi Cove Hotel<br />
03 Dulwich College<br />
04 Stephen Riady Centre<br />
05 Singapore Dance Theatre<br />
06 <strong>In</strong>finite Studios<br />
07 Lippo Plaza Beijing<br />
08 RMZ Ecoworld<br />
Featured projects<br />
River Safari<br />
Downtown East<br />
Addiriyah Gate<br />
Resorts World Sentosa West Zone<br />
IN FOCUS<br />
Sustainable <strong>Design</strong><br />
<strong>Design</strong> Optimisation<br />
Awards & events<br />
BIM Strategies<br />
Asia Pacific Property Awards 2013<br />
BCA Awards 2013<br />
Dolphin Plaza Wins First Prize<br />
DPA Is Top Ten Firm<br />
Yangon’s Architectural Heritage<br />
DP personalities<br />
<strong>In</strong>terview with David Liauw & Ng San Son<br />
Editorial<br />
Writing<br />
Graphics<br />
Celebration of past projects<br />
SAFRA Resorts & Country Club, 1994<br />
Chan Hui Min<br />
Nartano Lim<br />
Toh Bee Ping<br />
Leanne Lim<br />
Leong Wei Lin<br />
Tong Tong<br />
Loh Yew Cheng<br />
Fu Tingting<br />
DESIGN IN PRINT TEAM<br />
Additional contributors: Lee Boon Woei, Lek Noonchoo<br />
& Stephanie Yong<br />
Cover image: River Safari
|<br />
The latest happenings in DP<br />
DP Architects announces<br />
Appointment of Titleholders<br />
DP Architects announced its annual appointment of titleholders and key positions for the firm and its subsidiary<br />
companies on 1 July 2013. The Board of Directors would like to extend its congratulations to all promoted staff<br />
members and wish them continued success in the years ahead.<br />
DP ARCHITECTS<br />
Deputy CEO<br />
Angelene Chan<br />
Director<br />
Lee Shee Koeng<br />
Suneeth Changaroth<br />
Jeremy Tan<br />
Toh Sze Chong<br />
Tong Bin Sin<br />
Lee Boon Woei, ESD<br />
Wu Zhi Wei, China<br />
Niew Pey Ran, China<br />
Neo Chen, China<br />
Ian Liew, China<br />
Rida Sobana, <strong>In</strong>donesia<br />
Associate Director<br />
Ng San Son<br />
Tania Wee<br />
Toh Li Chuin<br />
Charles Barguirdjian<br />
Li Jian, China<br />
Chai Ming Kuang, Malaysia<br />
Lim Wei Liang, Malaysia<br />
Sonya Kundi, MENA<br />
Senior Associate<br />
Andria Adiputra<br />
Ang Guo Zi<br />
Chan Farn Sheng<br />
Charles Putera<br />
Daisy Layadi<br />
Goh Wei Kiat<br />
Jessica Chow<br />
Lim Sheau Miin<br />
Lionel Leow<br />
Ngata Tapsell<br />
Seetoh Khan Pang<br />
Tan Yean Tsui<br />
Chow Li May, China<br />
Zhao Man Li, China<br />
Smruti D Divker, <strong>In</strong>dia<br />
Lim Su Yeong, Malaysia<br />
Steven Liew, Malaysia<br />
Nafisah Nasid, Malaysia<br />
Senior Associate<br />
(Technical)<br />
Chia Wee Hou<br />
Laura Smagin<br />
Pao Ven Yuen<br />
Paulino Evangelista<br />
Associate<br />
Andi Anggoro<br />
Carina Tang<br />
Foong Wei Jiet<br />
Fransiska Wongso<br />
Gan Xing Yun<br />
Goh Yonghui<br />
Gwee Tong Mui<br />
Hamish Winstanley<br />
Ho Yi Pei<br />
<strong>In</strong>dra Arif Rachman<br />
Jeffrey Ang<br />
Joee Ong<br />
Juliana Chan<br />
Kailas Moorthy<br />
Lau Sze Yee<br />
Lim Su Ching<br />
Mae Seetha Dauth<br />
Maggie Tan<br />
Matthew Yeo<br />
Maureen Chan<br />
Nassar Bin Mohamad Zain<br />
Ng Ching Hsiung<br />
Ng Wenjun<br />
Noer Ucen Hong<br />
Phang Chiew Li<br />
Raden Andhini<br />
Sarah Lim<br />
Serine Chan<br />
Tan Zhi Liang<br />
Tay Chin Nyap<br />
Ting Ying Ying<br />
Trecia Lim<br />
Wong Jet Wai<br />
Yii Yeong Ginn<br />
Yvonne Yeo<br />
Bryan Chow, China<br />
Ding Chuan Dong, China<br />
Goh Yong Qin, China<br />
Wu Xin Chun, China<br />
Zhang Fan, China<br />
Sandeep Kumar, <strong>In</strong>dia<br />
Liang Lok Mei, Malaysia<br />
William Chua, Malaysia<br />
Satrio Dradjat, MENA<br />
Associate (Technical)<br />
Cleofer Malijan<br />
Dennis Bock<br />
Ding Hao<br />
Hanafi Kasnan<br />
Hasanah Bte Ahmad Noor<br />
Jeyachandran Varadharajan<br />
Joe Koh<br />
Kam Yau Fat<br />
Lardizabal Serrano<br />
Ng Ting Yu<br />
Ong Shen Sien<br />
Ramir Rosario Poyaoan<br />
Ian Soliva<br />
Yeo Bee Lay<br />
Associate (Contracts)<br />
Jaslyn Chang<br />
Julia Gwee<br />
Lam Lee Chuen<br />
Mabel Tan<br />
Michael Chim<br />
Nur Alina Bte Mohamed Ali<br />
Nur Atiqah Bte Ahmad Nor<br />
Tan Cheng Pei<br />
Teo Sheng Leong<br />
Teo Shuh Shin<br />
Wendy Tan<br />
Associate (Model Making)<br />
Wu Yan<br />
CORPORATE SERVICES<br />
Director<br />
Raymond Chan, Human Resources<br />
Chief Financial Officer<br />
Siau Kai Bing<br />
Senior Manager<br />
Jacqueline Chua, Office Admin<br />
June Soon, Finance<br />
Linda Choo, Human Resources<br />
Michael Wong, <strong>In</strong>formation &<br />
Communication Technology<br />
Toh Bee Ping, Corporate Comms<br />
Manager<br />
Fu Tingting, Corporate Comms<br />
Stephen Cheok, <strong>In</strong>formation &<br />
Communication Technology<br />
Wong Chuin Hun, <strong>In</strong>formation &<br />
Communication Technology<br />
Linda Chin, Project Admin<br />
Irene Lim, Finance, Malaysia<br />
Assistant Manager<br />
Rena Chong, Finance<br />
DP CONSULTANTS<br />
Associate Director<br />
Lisa Hui, Contracts<br />
Senior Associate<br />
Tan Teng Siew<br />
Bernard L Tapang, Technical<br />
Associate<br />
Kwek Soo Hwee, Contracts<br />
DP DESIGN<br />
Director<br />
Mike Lim<br />
Associate<br />
Zita Carrillo<br />
DP ENGINEERS<br />
Senior Associate<br />
Kong Kian Hau<br />
Leslie Khuan<br />
Louiechito Niño<br />
Renee Cheong<br />
Associate<br />
Thiam Bee Choo<br />
Walter Parcero<br />
DP GREEN<br />
Director<br />
Yeong Weng Fai<br />
Senior Associate<br />
Varit Charoenveingvechkit<br />
DP INFRASTRUCTURE<br />
Director<br />
Neil Johnson<br />
Steven Gan<br />
Senior Associate<br />
Debashish Mondal<br />
Mohammed Ahmed Zakair<br />
Associate<br />
Earl Rebosura<br />
Jimmy Apolonio<br />
Pramod Gangolli<br />
Winnie Wang<br />
Goh Hui Yen, Technical<br />
DP 03
| Short takes on new & notable projects Situated near Changi Village, Changi Cove Hotel is located on a 4ha<br />
recreational & civic<br />
02<br />
Changi Cove Hotel<br />
Singapore<br />
heritage site that comprises a conservation building, a convention centre<br />
and two hotel blocks with 112 modern-style guestrooms. The new hotel<br />
is built around the lush greenery, conserved heritage trees and natural<br />
topography of the site. The sensitively restored Command House on Fairy<br />
Point Hill, originally built by British architects in 1935, provided a further<br />
13 guestrooms. Careful attention was paid to underline the building’s<br />
rich colonial heritage and to retain the essence of the bucolic setting: the<br />
conserved external corridors retain the original neoclassical style, while the<br />
deep verandahs with terracotta tiles are typical of colonial architecture.<br />
hotel<br />
Courtesy of Changi Cove Pte Ltd<br />
Tampines Town Hub<br />
01Singapore<br />
Tampines Town Hub (TTH) is a 120,000sqm development<br />
that will combine recreational, sporting, community<br />
and culture facilities under one roof. Situated at the<br />
bustling suburban centre of Tampines, the building is<br />
designed with a highly porous ground floor that connects<br />
seamlessly with the streetscape. Key public nodes within<br />
TTH link to different key zones in the surrounding context.<br />
03<br />
Dulwich College<br />
Singapore<br />
The Dulwich College Singapore campus was designed to cater to students of<br />
varying ages. From planning, interior design, landscaping to material selection,<br />
the concept revolves around the size and needs of the children from early years,<br />
through junior school to senior school. Shared facilities such as an indoor sports<br />
centre, future performing arts centre and boarding school are designed for all<br />
ages. The focus of each school is its own library, designed as a huge ‘window to<br />
the world’. Brick finishes distinguish the school walls, while the main circulation<br />
paths are characterised by brick-inspired patterns. A boulevard spanning north to<br />
south serves as the main connector linking the schools and shared facilities.<br />
Externally, TTH is primarily organised as interlocking<br />
clusters of spaces, depicting different thematic zones,<br />
facilities and settings, linked by a network of elevated<br />
community streetscapes and programmes. These clusters<br />
are made up of a dynamic range of arts and cultural,<br />
sports and recreational, lifestyle, and F&B components.<br />
Various façade treatments are used for each cluster,<br />
including louvres, mesh panels, green terraces, green<br />
walls, glazings, rendered wall surfaces. The array of<br />
envelope designs adds richness to TTH’s outlook and its<br />
purpose as a vibrant and meaningful gathering place for<br />
the Tampines community.<br />
institutional<br />
institutional<br />
04<br />
Stephen Riady Centre<br />
Singapore<br />
The Stephen Riady Centre at NUS University Town (UTown) is a three-storey,<br />
mixed-use complex that houses a range of facilities for learning, performing<br />
arts, sports, retail and dining. These include a 466-seat auditorium, dance<br />
studios, music rooms, two multipurpose sports halls, an open-air swimming<br />
pool, and a gym that overlooks a large recreational field known as Town<br />
Green. An open plaza lies at the heart of the building and provides a central<br />
gathering point for students and visitors. With covered connections to the<br />
Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) hub<br />
and the Education Resource Centre, Stephen Riady Centre forms a strong<br />
focal arc for student activities at UTown. On the whole, it supports a holistic<br />
education experience and promotes experiential learning among its students.
institutional<br />
05 Singapore<br />
Singapore Dance Theatre<br />
The new 2,000sqm campus of the Singapore Dance Theatre, located on<br />
the seventh floor of Bugis+, houses four professional dance studios and<br />
supporting facilities. A spacious corridor facing the roof garden leads to<br />
the site. With the aim of attracting and educating the public on dance as a<br />
performing art, huge perforated sliding doors are located at the entrance.<br />
These doors, when fully opened, maximise the luxury of space and merge the<br />
public space with the foyer, drawing visitors in to witness the hard work and<br />
dedication of professional ballet dancers at practice.<br />
The impressive height of the site made it ideal to demonstrate the interplay<br />
of volumes. <strong>In</strong> addition to the use of stacked walls, shipping containers are<br />
positioned high above the ceiling level – compressing and decompressing<br />
the space along the corridor. Lastly, mirror panels were strategically placed<br />
on the container walls to create the illusion of an endless expanse of space.<br />
06<br />
<strong>In</strong>finite Studios<br />
Singapore<br />
<strong>In</strong>finite Studios, located at Media Circle, sits strategically at the heart of Mediapolis,<br />
Singapore’s first digital media hub. The development houses a five-storey office<br />
block above a five-storey podium, a single-storey annex block, an adjoining block of<br />
production offices, and up to three fully operational soundstages.<br />
The bold design of the façade is expressed through the creative use of industrialchic<br />
materials and graphic projections. Littered with interstitial spaces to encourage<br />
communal interaction, a distinctive campus atmosphere pervades the development.<br />
Supporting media production facilities are integrated into the public zone, which<br />
results in an interesting dichotomy. A park is nestled within the development to<br />
encourage interaction between the community within and the public.<br />
commercial<br />
commercial<br />
07<br />
Lippo Plaza Beijing<br />
China<br />
Located in Beijing Economic and Technology Development Area,<br />
the 175,000sqm integrated mixed-use development consists of a<br />
4-storey retail podium, a 17-storey office tower, three 13-storey<br />
office towers, and nine blocks of residential and SOHO towers.<br />
08<br />
RMZ Ecoworld<br />
<strong>In</strong>dia<br />
The 2.6ha RMZ Ecoworld development comprises 11 office<br />
buildings located over four plots within a master plan. The<br />
architecture was conceived to enhance the skyline, and adds visual<br />
interest and legibility to the environment. With the silver exterior,<br />
the buildings appear light in contrast with the surrounding masonry<br />
structures. The façade treatment includes stone cladding, doubleglazed<br />
high-performance curtain wall, and architectural devices<br />
such as sun screens and fritted glass panels that allow natural light<br />
into the buildings while reducing thermal heat gain. Lush gardens<br />
with water features, sculpture courts, outdoor resting areas and<br />
plazas create a unique sense of place. The design and planning<br />
is in line with the developer’s commitment to develop sustainable<br />
business parks.<br />
master plan<br />
The residential and commercial activities are seamlessly blended without<br />
compromising the physical needs of each component. Maximising the<br />
retail footprint, four office towers are positioned above it yet maintaining<br />
their appearance as stand-alone offices with dedicated drop-offs. The retail<br />
podium is wrapped with a distinct screen pattern that unifies the entire<br />
development. A wide, fully landscaped, street-front plaza encourages<br />
social activities and interaction. A central promenade lined with cafés<br />
and restaurants connects the north and south zones, leading pedestrian<br />
traffic to the mall. Every residential and SOHO tower is carefully planned to<br />
obtain unobstructed views towards the surroundings, achieving maximum<br />
exposure to southern light and warmer temperatures.<br />
DP 05
|<br />
Featured projects<br />
RIVER SAFARI<br />
AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY<br />
By Tong Tong<br />
While a modern metropolis such as Singapore<br />
offers many amenities and conveniences, there<br />
are times when people seek respite from urban<br />
life and a chance to interact with nature. River<br />
Safari is the first and only river-themed wildlife<br />
park in Asia, hosting Southeast Asia’s largest<br />
panda exhibit and the world’s largest freshwater<br />
aquarium. It is not just a collection of wildlife<br />
exhibits, but blends the animal habitats into a<br />
natural setting – immersing guests and animals<br />
in the same landscape. It allows people to<br />
observe how animals live in the wild and to<br />
establish an open, authentic connection with<br />
the animals, yet offering the same safety<br />
benefits of a more traditional enclosure.<br />
Top: A series of twostorey<br />
huts at the<br />
entrance plaza provides<br />
human scale. Functioning<br />
as a village, the entrance<br />
plaza is designed for<br />
resting and socialising.<br />
Above: Sketch of<br />
the huts at the<br />
entrance plaza.<br />
Sited along the Upper Seletar Reservoir and<br />
nestled between Singapore Zoo and Night Safari,<br />
this 12ha attraction features animals representing<br />
eight freshwater habitats from around the world –<br />
Amazon, Congo, Ganges, Mekong, Mississippi,<br />
Murray, Nile and Yangtze rivers.<br />
On arrival, visitors are led by a covered<br />
walkway to the entrance plaza. <strong>In</strong> response<br />
to the need to provide human scale, the<br />
architects incorporated a series of two-
YEAR: 2013 | SITE AREA: 894,400 SQM | SINGAPORE<br />
storey huts at the entrance. The plaza<br />
accommodates services and facilities including<br />
a gift shop, nursing rooms and a restaurant<br />
on the second storey; offices, a function<br />
room and first-aid station on the first storey.<br />
Functioning as a ‘village’, the entrance plaza<br />
is intended for meeting, socialising, resting<br />
and exchanging greetings before visitors move<br />
through to other destinations.<br />
The structure and appearance of the huts<br />
are informed with an awareness and respect<br />
for the natural landscape. Views and natural<br />
light are two important considerations in the<br />
genesis of the form. This collection of multifunctional<br />
spaces over two storeys is unified<br />
by a dog-legged spiral staircase carved out<br />
of the structure. The staircase is wrapped<br />
with dark brown vertical aluminium trellis that<br />
sensitively filters daylight and views into the<br />
inner spaces. As one traverses the veiled spiral<br />
staircase, direct views to the surrounding<br />
nature and reservoir gradually unfold.<br />
A focus on fine detailing and the use of local<br />
materials when designing the huts created a<br />
structure that is both modest and unique.<br />
Above: Sited along<br />
Upper Seletar Reservoir,<br />
the setting of River<br />
Safari is an attraction<br />
unto itself.<br />
Left: The multi-storey<br />
car park is designed to<br />
bring in natural light and<br />
provide views towards<br />
the surroundings.<br />
DP 07
|<br />
Featured projects<br />
Team Members:<br />
(Sitting left to right)<br />
Yeo Bee Lay,<br />
Angela Ng,<br />
Lim Sheau Miin,<br />
Maria Rizalina L Laforteza,<br />
(Standing left to right)<br />
Tan Kok Ming,<br />
Ng Ching Hsiung,<br />
Ng San Son &<br />
Yeong Weng Fai.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
8<br />
5<br />
7<br />
6<br />
Legends:<br />
1. Transport Hub<br />
2. Ticketing Plaza Extension<br />
3. Entrance Plaza<br />
4. Rivers of the World<br />
5. Giant Panda Forest<br />
6. Bridge over Upper Seletar Reservoir<br />
7. Amazon River Quest<br />
8. Amazon Flooded Forest<br />
0 50 100m
THE ENTRANCE PLAZA IS DESIGNED<br />
WITH AN AWARENESS AND<br />
RESPECT FOR THE LANDSCAPE,<br />
WITH VIEWS AND NATURAL LIGHT<br />
AS TWO KEY CONSIDERATIONS
| Featured projects Applying extensive treated bamboo screening<br />
underneath, the otherwise solid metal roofs of the<br />
huts are transformed into a lightweight canopy.<br />
Each of the four metal roofs are supported with<br />
a cluster of twisting structural steel columns that<br />
terminates at the apex with a circular skylight – a<br />
mimicry of the existing perimeter trees that are<br />
reaching towards the sky.<br />
A similar approach is reiterated in the unique<br />
semi-outdoor bathrooms throughout the<br />
entire development. The central skylight with<br />
a wooden trellis veil enlivens the interior of the<br />
bathrooms in the entrance plaza zone, while<br />
preventing rainwater from splashing into the<br />
space. Another example is found in the Amazon<br />
River Quest zone. The open-air wash basin area<br />
Clockwise from left:<br />
The solid metal roof<br />
is transformed into a<br />
lightweight canopy<br />
by applying extensive<br />
treated bamboo<br />
screening underneath.<br />
Vertical aluminium trellis<br />
filters daylight and views<br />
into the staircase and<br />
inner spaces.<br />
The 165m-long bridge<br />
over Upper Seletar<br />
Reservoir.
KNITTING TOGETHER<br />
ARCHITECTURE AND<br />
LANDSCAPE, NON-EXHIBIT<br />
SPACES ARE DESIGNED<br />
TO CORRESPOND WITH<br />
THE SURROUNDINGS<br />
is surrounded by natural greenery and bamboo<br />
detailing, generating a pleasant microclimate by<br />
tempering the immediate environment. These<br />
distinctive design elements not only give the<br />
bathroom interiors an identity, but also foster<br />
the interplay between openness and privacy.<br />
The park brings together four distinct zones –<br />
Rivers of the World, Giant Panda Forest, the<br />
Amazon River Quest ride and Amazon Flooded<br />
Forest. The paths are carefully orchestrated to<br />
give visitors different experiences at each of the<br />
thematic zones. The charm of River Safari lies<br />
beyond the traditional static animal observation;<br />
the journey is planned as a kind of promenade<br />
designed for both lingering and dynamic<br />
viewing. For example, one of the key features<br />
is a 165m-long bridge which is built over the<br />
reservoir and offers a panoramic view out to<br />
the east. Along with the animal enclosures and<br />
attractions, the setting itself becomes another<br />
attraction as the visitor can experience vistas<br />
which are unique to this part of Singapore.<br />
Above: The central<br />
skylight with a wooden<br />
trellis veil enlivens the<br />
interior of the bathrooms<br />
in the entrance plaza<br />
zone, while preventing<br />
rainwater from splashing<br />
into the space.<br />
Right: The bathrooms<br />
within the entire<br />
development are<br />
designed as semi-outdoor<br />
spaces with a focus on<br />
detailing and the use of<br />
local materials.<br />
DP 11
| Featured projects Undoubtedly, the Giant Panda Forest is<br />
Left: The glazed dome<br />
structure of the Giant<br />
Panda Forest encloses<br />
a temperature and<br />
humidity-controlled space<br />
that maintains a strong<br />
connection with the changing<br />
patterns of daylight.<br />
Below: Preserving the site’s<br />
natural topography, the<br />
panda enclosure is served<br />
by an elevated walkway that<br />
allows encounters with the<br />
pandas at eye level.<br />
Facing page: Amazon<br />
Flooded Forest. The<br />
attention to light and volume<br />
of the space imparts a true<br />
sense of discovery.<br />
one of the highlights of the journey. <strong>In</strong> order<br />
to minimise the physical impact to the<br />
topography, the panda enclosure capitalises<br />
on the existing sloping terrain. From the<br />
entrance, visitors are led by an elevated<br />
walkway so that they can encounter the<br />
pandas at eye level. Looking into the species’<br />
living environment, the architects designed<br />
a glazed dome structure that encloses a<br />
temperature and humidity-controlled space.<br />
The space maintains a strong connection with<br />
the changing patterns of daylight, and at the<br />
same time avoids direct sunlight. The pattern<br />
of bamboo leaves on the glazed dome imitates<br />
the effect of bamboo trees casting dappled<br />
shadows on the ground.
Another immersive attraction is the Amazon<br />
Flooded Forest towards the end of the journey.<br />
The visitors pass through an underwater tunnel<br />
and emerge into a rich underwater universe.<br />
One of the first experiences after the tunnel is<br />
the encounter with the giant river otters. The<br />
barriers between the animals and visitors are<br />
well disguised so the experience is much more<br />
intimate than would typically be expected.<br />
Another darkened tunnel leads visitors to gently<br />
descend into a river environment; the dramatic<br />
control of the ambient lighting from light into<br />
darkness enhances the sense of arrival and<br />
experience. Walking in front of acrylic viewing<br />
panels of more than 22m in length and 4m in<br />
height, visitors are treated to a panoramic view<br />
of the underwater environment.<br />
The manatees and numerous schools of fish<br />
practically envelope the viewers, while stingrays<br />
swim in a fan-shaped tank in the ceiling above.<br />
Natural light permeates this space and plays<br />
off the surface of the water while penetrating<br />
the depths to create an almost ethereal scene<br />
below the surface. The careful and detailed<br />
attention to light and volume imparts a true<br />
sense of discovery to the visitor.<br />
The priority in the design of River Safari is to<br />
place an emphasis on the visitor experience<br />
and to challenge conventional thinking of zoo<br />
interaction. Visitors are guided on a rhythmic<br />
journey that offers intimate observation of<br />
the exhibits in a setting that is an attraction<br />
unto itself.<br />
DP 13
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Featured projects<br />
DOWNTOWN EAST<br />
A SUSTAINABLE LEISURE DESTINATION<br />
By Leong Wei Lin<br />
Team Members:<br />
(Sitting left to right)<br />
Yeo Bee Lay,<br />
Angela Ng,<br />
Lim Sheau Miin,<br />
Maria Rizalina L Laforteza,<br />
(Standing left to right)<br />
Tan Kok Ming,<br />
Ng Ching Hsiung,<br />
Ng San Son,<br />
Yeong Weng Fai,<br />
Varit Charoenveingvechkit &<br />
Thun KongSub.
YEAR: 2014 | AREA: 90,100 SQM | SINGAPORE<br />
Far left: View of the<br />
overall master plan.<br />
Left: Festival Walk –<br />
consolidated dining,<br />
entertainment and<br />
retail options.<br />
Below left: View of<br />
the multi-storey resort<br />
accommodation block.<br />
THE NEW DOWNTOWN<br />
EAST IS COMMITTED<br />
TO PROVIDING<br />
AFFORDABLE RESORT-<br />
STYLE AMENITIES FOR<br />
SINGAPOREANS FROM<br />
ALL WALKS OF LIFE<br />
Downtown East was first developed in 1986,<br />
and has seen several sporadic additions<br />
over the years which resulted in a lack of<br />
cohesiveness of the overall development.<br />
The new master plan seeks to integrate<br />
and update existing amenities and extend<br />
new areas to create a comprehensive and<br />
harmonious development with a sense of<br />
place and identity.<br />
The objective of the new Downtown East<br />
master plan has a three-pronged approach of<br />
Engagement, Universality and Sustainability.<br />
The revitalised and integrated development<br />
will provide a variety of venues of different<br />
scales and settings for a wide range of<br />
community engagement opportunities. These<br />
venues and amenities will be designed with<br />
a conscious understanding of the needs of<br />
all demographics in terms of affordability<br />
for the masses as well as universal access<br />
for all potential users. The master plan also<br />
takes into consideration three key aspects of<br />
sustainability: environmental, economic and<br />
social sustainability.<br />
The master plan zoning consists of four main<br />
nodes – the E-hub; the Members, Union and<br />
Community Engagement (MUCE) facilities;<br />
the Wild Wild Wet theme park and the Costa<br />
Sands Downtown East Resort – with the<br />
nodes connected across the site via a new<br />
pedestrian network.<br />
<strong>In</strong> particular, Wild Wild Wet will see a doubling<br />
of land area, with four additional rides, and is<br />
set to become the heart of the new Downtown<br />
East. Costa Sands will also have brand new<br />
chalets and more amenities for resort guests.<br />
various elements within the site, which helps<br />
visitors to easily orientate themselves in this<br />
extensive development. Dedicated drop-offs<br />
planned for the different components serve<br />
to create a sense of arrival for visitors, as<br />
well as to divert the potential heavy numbers<br />
to manageable levels. This reorganisation<br />
of pedestrian and vehicular circulation ties<br />
together the disparate components under a<br />
coherent master plan while allowing for the<br />
unique expression of each part.<br />
The master plan also considers the site<br />
context where the surrounding developments<br />
are primarily residential, with the developments<br />
north of Pasir Ris Drive 3 being low to<br />
medium-rise, and the high-rise developments<br />
located towards the south. The new large<br />
MUCE centre will be situated along Pasir<br />
Ris Drive 3 to form a strong urban front with<br />
the existing E-hub. Further up north, facing<br />
Pasir Ris Park and Beach, will be the new<br />
Costa Sands chalets. This allows the chalets,<br />
which are multi-storeyed to minimise the<br />
building footprint for greater conservation of<br />
existing trees, to also have views towards the<br />
mangroves of Sungei Tampines at the west.<br />
The richness of site opportunities gives rise to the<br />
design of a wide range of environments within<br />
the development. Other design strategies aim to<br />
make the development as inclusive as possible,<br />
by creating an elevated all-weather landscape<br />
deck at the second storey which promotes safe<br />
and pleasant pedestrian conditions by separating<br />
the human and vehicular traffic flows. This<br />
landscape deck is also connected to the first<br />
storey via gently sloping ramps, keeping to the<br />
tenets of universal design.<br />
On the macro level, a main north-south<br />
planning axis is established after accounting<br />
for existing components that were to<br />
be retained from the client’s brief. Major<br />
elements and zones were then oriented along<br />
this main axis, defining the main circulation<br />
system and view corridors linking up the<br />
With a consistent focus on providing affordable<br />
family-oriented activities in a resort-style<br />
setting, the enhancements to the infrastructure,<br />
new clarity of the circulation networks and<br />
improved amenities to cater to increasing<br />
demands, the new Downtown East will be the<br />
leisure destination of choice for Singaporeans.<br />
DP 15
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Featured projects<br />
ADDIRIYAH<br />
GATE<br />
BRIDGING THE MODERN<br />
AND HISTORIC<br />
By Leong Wei Lin<br />
Team Members:<br />
(Left to right)<br />
Eugenie Royo,<br />
John Alejandro,<br />
Anna Narciso,<br />
Rahmanto Darma,<br />
Vera Purnomo,<br />
Ryan Tilao,<br />
Clyde Uriarte,<br />
Ti Lian Seng,<br />
Francis Lee,<br />
Toh Sze Chong,<br />
Andhie Wicaksono<br />
Ahmmad Trisyarahman,<br />
Dimas Satria,<br />
Taufiq Rusdi,<br />
Karlota Nunez,<br />
Ricky Cahyadi &<br />
Maureen Suryani.<br />
Located in Riyadh, with close proximity<br />
to the recently restored Wadi Hanifah<br />
wetlands and the historic Addiriyah ancient<br />
city site, Addiriyah Gate will be the first<br />
mega-scale mixed-use development of its<br />
kind in Saudi Arabia, incorporating retail,<br />
dining, family entertainment, theme parks,<br />
convention space, hospitality and residential<br />
components. Significantly, the design of<br />
the 28 exclusive residential villas facing<br />
the heritage site of Addiriyah responds<br />
sensitively to the site context and echoes<br />
the traditional architecture of the area,<br />
connecting the historic and modern aspects<br />
of the site. The design premise is to create<br />
a family and lifestyle destination for the local<br />
population, and a global city attraction that<br />
can rival the best the region has to offer.<br />
Riyadh is an area that is rich in culture<br />
and has a mixture of both vernacular and<br />
contemporary architectural landmarks. The<br />
development site spanning 1km in length<br />
connects the modern and historic parts of<br />
the city. Taking into consideration Saudi<br />
Arabia’s hot and arid climate as well as the<br />
cultural and social context, the mall’s design<br />
objective is to provide avenues for visitors to<br />
enjoy the different attractions in a comfortable<br />
sheltered environment.<br />
There are three main thematic zones in the<br />
development, namely, the Wadi Walk, the<br />
Aquatic Walk and the Arctic Walk. With the<br />
large variety of programmatic functions and<br />
massive development scale, emphasis was<br />
placed on the design of clear access routes<br />
and simplicity of the internal circulation<br />
paths. The tropical, aquatic and arctic<br />
themes designed for the three zones serve<br />
to clearly demarcate space, and create a<br />
juxtaposition of the external environment<br />
to the climate-controlled interiors, thereby<br />
generating a memorable and distinctive<br />
experience for visitors.<br />
Taking advantage of the proximity to the Wadi<br />
Hanifah, which is popular with families to<br />
gather on its banks on weekends, the mall will<br />
also offer external programming to link the mall<br />
experience to the wadi. <strong>In</strong> addition, designed<br />
to be reminiscent of the natural landscape<br />
of the Wadi Hanifah, the 380m-long Wadi<br />
Walk integrates water landscape design with<br />
the commercial components in the form of<br />
pavilions and islands. Patrons are greeted by<br />
a 10m-wide meandering waterway, where they<br />
can enjoy a unique sensory experience as they<br />
stroll through the mall sheltered by the skylight<br />
and the green canopy overhead.<br />
The Aquatic Walk, which is also the central<br />
spine of the development, will lead visitors<br />
through an urban streetscape to the 2.5-storey<br />
aquarium and indoor amusement park; while<br />
the key feature along the Arctic Walk is the<br />
Snow Park, set to become one of the best<br />
theme parks in Saudi Arabia. The park is sited<br />
such that guests in the adjacent hotel and<br />
dining patrons can also enjoy the snowscape<br />
from their hotel rooms or the fine dining<br />
establishments in the vicinity. Another main<br />
feature located in the basement is The Bazaar,<br />
a grand 20m-wide boulevard that stretches<br />
half a kilometre. Its design reflects the scale,<br />
flavour and charm of a traditional souk.<br />
Addiriyah Gate is a reflection of the<br />
growing economic progress and increasing<br />
modernisation of the country. It addresses the<br />
needs of a modern society and celebrates the<br />
diversified activities that can be enjoyed by the<br />
local and international community, while paying<br />
respect to its native culture and roots.
YEAR: 2013 (DESIGN) | AREA: 496,300 SQM | SAUDI ARABIA<br />
ADDIRIYAH GATE WILL<br />
PROVIDE A UNIQUE MALL<br />
EXPERIENCE WHICH<br />
IS A DELIGHT TO THE<br />
SENSES, AND SENSITIVE<br />
TO THE LOCAL CLIMATE,<br />
CULTURE AND CONTEXT<br />
Top: Wadi Walk, a<br />
380m-long sensory<br />
experience, is a<br />
continuation of the<br />
stunning landscape of<br />
Wadi Hanifah featuring<br />
waterways, waterfalls<br />
and lush greenery.<br />
Left: View of the<br />
overall development.<br />
Consisting of a<br />
4-storey high snow<br />
slope, Snow Park<br />
provides a scenic<br />
backdrop for hotel<br />
and dining patrons.<br />
DP 17
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Featured projects
YEAR: 2013 | SITE AREA: 142,200 SQM | SINGAPORE<br />
AN AQUATIC-THEMED<br />
DESTINATION<br />
RESORTS<br />
WORLD<br />
SENTOSA<br />
WEST ZONE<br />
By Tong Tong<br />
With an active beachfront and a lush tropical backdrop, Sentosa<br />
has been a hot spot for outdoor activities since its redevelopment<br />
started in the early 1970s. Resorts World Sentosa’s aquatic-themed<br />
West Zone encompasses the latest attractions on the island and the<br />
final phase of the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort which,<br />
spanning 49 hectares, boasts a range of hotels, entertainment and<br />
recreation developments including Universal Studios Singapore,<br />
a gaming facility, MICE spaces, and a plethora of retail and F&B<br />
outlets. A design principle shared throughout the entire development<br />
is the concept that the visitor should always be aware of the natural<br />
environment of Sentosa. This results in large, naturally ventilated<br />
plazas and boulevards which are shaded to ensure thermal comfort,<br />
while all vehicular traffic is moved to the basement levels to create a<br />
truly pedestrian-friendly environment.<br />
West Zone is designed to blend with its natural surroundings while<br />
acting as a complementary programme to the existing resort. It<br />
joins Universal Studios Singapore to the east and Central Zone<br />
with a host of accommodation and entertainment facilities. West<br />
Zone’s unique take on leisure is to create a wholly aquatic-themed<br />
experience. It presents both wet and dry leisure facilities, including<br />
the Marine Life Park which comprises a waterpark and the world’s<br />
largest aquarium, and is connected to the Maritime Experiential<br />
Museum and two distinctive hotels.<br />
Meandering walks divide West Zone, extending from the open spaces<br />
of Central Zone and ending where the Beach Villas and ESPA at Resorts<br />
World Sentosa are located. One of the planning strategies is to condense<br />
the more public entertainment activities towards the more accessible<br />
areas of the site; this is why Maritime Experiential Museum is located just<br />
off the shoreline and adjacent to The Bull Ring in Central Zone.<br />
DP 19
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Featured projects<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
6<br />
7<br />
9<br />
Previous page: Maritime<br />
Experiential Museum.<br />
1,4 & 10: S.E.A. Aquarium,<br />
the world’s largest aquarium<br />
with more than 800 species of<br />
marine animals.<br />
2 & 7: Maritime Experiential<br />
Museum houses a theatre,<br />
gallery, open exhibits, shopping<br />
areas, museum café and souk.<br />
10<br />
6: ESPA, a wellness sanctuary<br />
located in a private corner<br />
away from the bustle of the<br />
main resort.<br />
11
3, 9 & 11: Adventure<br />
Cove Waterpark, a<br />
fun and educational<br />
attraction that offers<br />
thrilling rides and a<br />
chance to learn about<br />
marine life.<br />
5, 8 & 13: Equarius<br />
Hotel, a 172-room<br />
property that offers<br />
stunning views of the<br />
surroundings.<br />
12: Beach Villas, an<br />
idyllic retreat located<br />
at the western end of<br />
Resorts World Sentosa.<br />
4<br />
5<br />
8<br />
RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA’S<br />
AQUATIC-THEMED WEST<br />
ZONE, THE FINAL PHASE OF<br />
THE INTEGRATED RESORT,<br />
ENCOMPASSES THE LATEST<br />
ATTRACTIONS ON SENTOSA<br />
12<br />
13<br />
Team Members:<br />
Francis Lee,<br />
Angelene Chan,<br />
Tai Chooi Mee,<br />
David Liauw,<br />
David McLeod,<br />
Leo Mauricio,<br />
Goh Yong Ping,<br />
Tan Yew Chai &<br />
Chan Shelt Tsong.<br />
Adrian Cheong,<br />
Allan Wang,<br />
Andy Tan,<br />
Ariel Yambao,<br />
Bernard L Tapang,<br />
Chai Ming Kuang,<br />
Charmaine Gamboa,<br />
Christian Tjan,<br />
Chow Kok Pan,<br />
Harvey Lukman,<br />
Jimmy Apolonio,<br />
Joe Koh,<br />
John Tan,<br />
Joy Bautista,<br />
Koh Chua Lian,<br />
Kwek Soo Hwee,<br />
Lau Sze Yee,<br />
Leonard Cheok,<br />
Lisa Hui,<br />
Maggie Tan,<br />
Maureen Chan,<br />
Mercedes Saldana,<br />
Michael Manlapaz,<br />
Nestor P Tiangco,<br />
Oliver Venegas,<br />
Pauline Lau,<br />
Rajendran Vembalagu,<br />
Selvarajan Pandian,<br />
Shirley Tan,<br />
Stefanie Pangestu &<br />
Teo Shuh Shin.<br />
DP 21
|<br />
Featured projects<br />
1<br />
2<br />
WEST ZONE<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
0 50 100m<br />
LEGENDS:<br />
1. Beach Villas<br />
2. ESPA<br />
3. Marina Life Park including Adventure<br />
Cove Waterpark and S.E.A. Aquarium<br />
4. Equarius Hotel<br />
5. TreeTop Lofts<br />
6. Maritime Experiential Museum
6<br />
Beach Villas and ESPA are carefully situated<br />
on the western end, being the most private<br />
tip of the site to ensure that the tranquility of<br />
the retreat would not be affected by the influx<br />
of visitors from the other attractions. The<br />
second strategy is to incorporate a number<br />
of sandy beaches on the site. The beaches<br />
create a series of soft boundaries that allow<br />
people to pass through freely while reinforcing<br />
the natural assets of the island. <strong>In</strong> this way,<br />
the planning allows for a multiplicity of activities<br />
instead of restricting them, and encourages<br />
spontaneous and intuitive exploration.<br />
CENTRAL ZONE<br />
Marine Life Park offers two key attractions at<br />
its ‘wet experience’ and ‘dry experience’. The<br />
former is Adventure Cove Waterpark which<br />
is both an educational and leisure attraction.<br />
The Adventure River lets visitors float<br />
down a meandering river through fourteen<br />
different settings including a tropical garden,<br />
a mysterious grotto and an underwater<br />
tunnel. This 620m-long river is one of the<br />
longest man-made adventure rivers. Besides<br />
a wave pool and water slides, including<br />
Riptide Rocket which is the region’s first<br />
hydromagnetic coaster, the waterpark also<br />
incorporates several attractions for viewing<br />
and interacting with sea animals, such as<br />
Rainbow Reef where guests can snorkel with<br />
coral fishes, and immersive programmes at<br />
the Ray Bay where guests can feed more than<br />
a hundred rays, as well as get up-close with<br />
sharks at Shark Encounter.<br />
Above: Zoning and<br />
circulation sketch.<br />
Much of the planning is<br />
centrally located for VIPs<br />
and attractions. Public<br />
circulation is limited to<br />
the ends.<br />
For visitors in search of entertainment, variety<br />
is essential. Maritime Experiential Museum<br />
provides a variety of experiences with a<br />
multi-sensory theatre for interactive learning.<br />
It presents Asia’s rich maritime history and<br />
tells the story of the ancient Maritime Silk<br />
Route. One of the key exhibits chronicles the<br />
journey of one of the great Chinese explorers,<br />
Admiral Zheng He. The exhibit includes a<br />
full-sized replica of the bow of his treasure<br />
ship. It also recreates the sounds and scents<br />
of the bustling bazaars of the Maritime Silk<br />
Route where Zheng He traded. Responding<br />
to the site’s close proximity to water, an ellipse<br />
creates the museum’s footprint and evokes<br />
the symbol of a boat. At a maximum span of<br />
65m and a height of 20m, the building form<br />
itself is highly unique and resembles a hull<br />
with visible ribs painted red. <strong>In</strong>direct daylight<br />
elevates modest materials of steel, aluminium<br />
and glass.<br />
DP 23
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Featured projects<br />
WEST ZONE IS<br />
DESIGNED TO BLEND<br />
WITH ITS NATURAL<br />
SURROUNDINGS<br />
WHILE ACTING AS A<br />
COMPLEMENTARY<br />
PROGRAMME TO THE<br />
EXISTING RESORT<br />
The large, open-span area inside the hull is a<br />
collection of different spaces – theatre, gallery,<br />
open exhibits, shopping areas, museum<br />
café and souk – and highly developed as a<br />
community space. The different exhibits and<br />
gallery open to a common concourse to ensure<br />
a smooth flow. At night, the interior glows like<br />
a lantern through the hull form and acts as a<br />
beacon to the adjacent shoreline. The museum<br />
is connected to the water by way of a 10m-wide<br />
waterfront promenade which provides visitors a<br />
view of the ocean. This promenade also serves<br />
Apart from the numerous attractions, West<br />
Zone also offers unique hospitality amenities.<br />
The Equarius Hotel has 172 guestrooms that<br />
overlook Marine Life Park to the north and<br />
Sentosa’s natural tropical forest to the south.<br />
One of the key attractions of the hotel is the<br />
restaurant Forest 森 which boasts a canopy<br />
of intertwined branches and leaves supported<br />
by four columns at the centre of the room.<br />
They mimic massive trees influenced by the<br />
abundant rainforests of Sentosa.<br />
The Beach Villas hotel comprises 11 unique<br />
Ocean Suites that take advantage of their<br />
adjacency to the Open Ocean habitat of the<br />
S.E.A. Aquarium. The upper level of these<br />
double-storey suites consists of an open-plan<br />
living area which opens to an outdoor patio,<br />
while the lower level offers one of the most<br />
unique design features of the entire resort –<br />
guests are afforded a private, underwater<br />
view into the massive habitat and its 50,000<br />
marine animals.<br />
Top: The form of<br />
Maritime Experiential<br />
Museum resembles<br />
a hull.<br />
Above: S.E.A.<br />
Aquarium has the<br />
world’s largest acrylic<br />
viewing panel.<br />
as a passage from the Festive Walk in Central<br />
Zone to West Zone. Attached to Maritime<br />
Experiential Museum, the underwater journey of<br />
S.E.A. Aquarium follows the oceans and seas<br />
along the Maritime Silk Route. S.E.A. Aquarium<br />
serves as the largest showcase for ocean<br />
creatures in the world. It is officially the world’s<br />
largest aquarium with more than 800 species of<br />
marine animals and aims to educate and enrich<br />
the understanding of the oceans.<br />
Another unique hospitality offering is the<br />
TreeTop Lofts. Nestled in a canopy of heritage<br />
trees, two exclusive loft suites are perched on<br />
top of four thick columns, standing at a height<br />
of seven and twelve metres above the ground.<br />
The lofts disappear into the surrounding<br />
foliage and offer a truly unique experience of<br />
being fully immersed in nature while having the<br />
luxurious comforts of a top resort. The lofts<br />
feature large terraced decks with views of<br />
Mount Faber to the north and a backdrop of<br />
dense trees to the south.<br />
Along the site’s western coastline, ESPA is a<br />
wellness sanctuary in a private corner away<br />
from the bustle of the main resort. The existing<br />
landscape with lush trees inspired the architect<br />
to create a modern tropical design that suits<br />
Singapore’s climate. Discreetly planned around
a man-made ‘eco-pond’, the relaxation lounge<br />
of the villas, spas and café sit directly at the<br />
water’s edge to create a true oasis for rest<br />
and calming rejuvenation. All treatment rooms<br />
offer views of the pond or the heritage forest<br />
adjacent to the site. <strong>In</strong>ternal garden courts with<br />
filtered natural light represent the semi-private<br />
areas for this village-like complex. The sloping<br />
roof, the reflecting pool and the verandahs<br />
reflect the tropical style. Natural materials such<br />
as wood, clay tiles and stone; warm colours;<br />
and subtle patterns and textures complement<br />
the landscape setting. Local materials such as<br />
bamboo, grasscloth, driftwood and shells are<br />
employed to reinforce the sense of place.<br />
The glass façades combined with the timber<br />
verandahs give the impression that the entire<br />
structure is floating on water with a serene,<br />
minimalist aesthetic. Bamboo is used in its<br />
natural form in flooring and ceiling coves in<br />
the treatment rooms. Nature-inspired artefacts<br />
such as twisted roots are installed in a display<br />
niche in the treatment rooms celebrating its<br />
natural beauty. A relaxing environment of<br />
reflecting pools and dense tropical greenery<br />
create a contrast to the excitement of the<br />
attractions which are conveniently near, but<br />
sufficiently separated to ensure exclusivity<br />
and privacy.<br />
As the final stage of the Resorts World Sentosa<br />
development, West Zone offers an amplification<br />
of what makes the integrated resort so exciting<br />
– a wide range of family-friendly leisure and<br />
entertainment options that are truly unique in<br />
Singapore. While the existing Central Zone and<br />
Universal Studios Singapore bring world-class<br />
amenities and attractions, West Zone’s aquatic<br />
theme brings a combination of edu-tainment,<br />
leisure, hospitality and resort-style amenities<br />
to what is already one of Singapore’s most<br />
exciting and diverse attractions.<br />
West Zone’s numerous<br />
and unique hospitality<br />
amenities include<br />
(clockwise from<br />
top) Equarius Hotel,<br />
TreeTop Lofts,<br />
ESPA and Forest 森<br />
restaurant at Equarius<br />
Hotel.<br />
DP 25
|<br />
Awards & events<br />
Winning insights<br />
BIM<br />
Strategies<br />
DP Architects was invited to share<br />
its BIM experiences with the<br />
industry at a session organised<br />
by the Singapore <strong>In</strong>stitute of<br />
Architects (SIA). Representing the<br />
firm, senior associate Ms Laura<br />
Smagin explained DPA’s winning<br />
strategies in the past Singapore<br />
BIM Competitions organised by the<br />
Building and Construction Authority.<br />
She also discussed DPA’s journey to<br />
integrate BIM in its design process,<br />
including the implementation of Revit<br />
training programme for staff, the<br />
lessons learnt, key success factors<br />
and upcoming challenges. The Are<br />
You Ready for BIM Competition<br />
2013 session was held at the SIA<br />
building on 22 May 2013.<br />
DPA clinches four<br />
Asia Pacific Property<br />
Awards 2013<br />
At this year’s Asia Pacific Property<br />
Awards, four projects designed by<br />
DP Architects were awarded for their<br />
design excellence in a combination<br />
of categories. OUE Bayfront won<br />
a Five-Star award for ‘Best Office<br />
Development’ and earned a Highly<br />
Commended accolade in the<br />
‘Commercial High-rise Development’<br />
category. <strong>In</strong> addition, Twin Peaks<br />
and Orchard Central bagged Highly<br />
Commended accolades in the<br />
‘Residential High-rise Development’<br />
and ‘Retail Architecture’ categories,<br />
respectively. The awards ceremony was<br />
held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala<br />
Lumpur on 10 May 2013. The awards<br />
are part of the <strong>In</strong>ternational Property<br />
Awards, and the winning projects were<br />
judged on their concept, finishing,<br />
sustainability, innovation and location.<br />
Clockwise from top<br />
left: Orchard Central,<br />
OUE Bayfront and<br />
Twin Peaks.<br />
| Sustainable <strong>Design</strong> These two conditions imposed some challenges<br />
<strong>Design</strong> Optimisation<br />
By Lee Boon Woei<br />
BUSINESS-AS-USUAL<br />
BUILDING ENERGY<br />
SYSTEM DESIGN<br />
RESOURCES<br />
NEEDED TO<br />
OPERATE THE<br />
BUILDING<br />
ESD<br />
PROCESS<br />
OPTIMISED<br />
DESIGN<br />
within the boundary conditions and constraints.<br />
The certification process is certainly not a mere<br />
documentation process. Green certification<br />
benchmarks environmental performance and is<br />
the product of the sustainable design process<br />
rather than the process itself.<br />
If we were to use a leaking barrel as an analogy of<br />
a design that is suboptimal, the design optimisation<br />
process is to eliminate potential inefficiencies within<br />
the system – plug the leakages; work within the<br />
constraints of the project – produce a similar barrel<br />
but at an ideal size; and achieve a lower running<br />
cost – a smaller tap with slower flow.<br />
Our current Green Mark Office <strong>In</strong>terior certification<br />
process revealed a few interesting learning points.<br />
Unlike Green Mark for new Non-Residential<br />
Buildings which has a total point allocation of 190,<br />
Green Mark Office <strong>In</strong>terior only has 115. This<br />
implies that the ‘opportunities’ to score Green<br />
Mark points have greatly reduced. On top of this,<br />
Office <strong>In</strong>terior requires a Green Mark point of 95 to<br />
secure the highest rating of Platinum while Non-<br />
Residential Buildings only require 90 points.<br />
to the team in the certification process. A SWOT<br />
analysis of the ‘environmental friendliness’<br />
of the office was conducted, and tangible<br />
improvements to achieve our Green Mark<br />
objectives were identified and implemented.<br />
This exercise has deepened our appreciation that<br />
sustainable design is a process that optimises<br />
the environmental performance of a design<br />
The optimisation process is now made possible<br />
with the availability of powerful computers and<br />
simulation software that provide designers<br />
accurate information on the interactions of the<br />
physical geographic conditions encountered by<br />
the site, identifying the site’s inherent strengths<br />
and weaknesses, so that designers could<br />
fully explore the passive design potentials of a<br />
development and generate an environmentally<br />
sensitive and responsive design that will help<br />
mitigate its carbon footprint.<br />
The columnist is the director of DP ESD, a<br />
subsidiary firm of DP Architects that specialises<br />
in environmentally sustainable design.
DPA wins 12<br />
BCA Awards 2013<br />
DP Architects has garnered 11 awards at the 2013 Building and Construction<br />
Authority (BCA) Awards which honour building excellence in the areas of safety,<br />
quality, sustainability and user-friendliness. <strong>In</strong> addition, associate Ms Jaye Tan was<br />
conferred the Green Building <strong>In</strong>dividual Award for her outstanding contribution in<br />
shaping a sustainable built environment. The ceremony took place on 16 May 2013<br />
at the Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre.<br />
Clockwise from top left:<br />
H 2 O Residences,<br />
CREATE and<br />
MediaCorp’s new<br />
campus.<br />
Green Mark Platinum:<br />
- MediaCorp’s new campus at<br />
Mediapolis@one-north<br />
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic Blocks 51 and 58<br />
- Singapore <strong>In</strong>stitute of Technology at<br />
Ngee Ann Polytechnic<br />
Universal <strong>Design</strong> Mark Award:<br />
- H 2 O Residences<br />
- 368 Thomson<br />
Green Mark GoldPlus:<br />
- Paya Lebar Square<br />
- VivoCity<br />
- Century Square<br />
Construction Excellence Award:<br />
- The Fullerton Bay Hotel<br />
- Campus for Research Excellence and<br />
Technological Enterprise (CREATE)<br />
Vietnam National Architecture Award<br />
Dolphin Plaza Wins<br />
First Prize<br />
Dolphin Plaza, located in Hanoi’s outlying district of Tu Liem, beat 140 entries<br />
to win first prize in the 2012 Vietnam National Architecture Awards, marking<br />
the first victory by a luxury residential project. The jury praised the design<br />
for its originality and environmentally friendly design, and referred to it as<br />
‘the focal point of new Hanoi’. The biennial awards, held on 26 April 2013,<br />
was organised by the Vietnam Association of Architects, the Ministry of<br />
Construction, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to honour<br />
outstanding architects and architectural works throughout the country.<br />
Director Mr Jeremy Tan (right) receiving the Top Ten Architects Award on behalf of DP Architects.<br />
DPA is Top Ten Firm<br />
for eighth year running<br />
Associate director Mr Tan Jiann Woei (left) receiving the award in Hanoi.<br />
DP Architects has been named one of the top ten architecture<br />
firms in Singapore for the eighth year running at the BCI Asia<br />
Top Ten Architect Awards. The award recognises the most<br />
commercially significant architecture firms in Hong Kong SAR,<br />
<strong>In</strong>donesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and<br />
Vietnam. The awards ceremony took place at Conrad Contennial<br />
Singapore on 14 June 2013.<br />
Professional expertise to help conserve<br />
Yangon’s Architectural<br />
Heritage<br />
At a press conference held on 30 April 2013 in Myanmar, DP <strong>Design</strong> director<br />
Mr Mike Lim gave a presentation on The State House Hotel, an adaptive<br />
re-use project of a prominent colonial building in Yangon. Mr Lim shared<br />
DPA’s award-winning experiences in architecture conservation with the<br />
100-strong audience. He also presented the schematic design for The<br />
State House Hotel, which incorporates design elements inspired by motifs,<br />
materials and handicrafts unique to the Myanmar people.<br />
DP <strong>Design</strong> director Mr Mike Lim interviewed by the Yangon media.<br />
Courtesy of Flying Tiger Engineering.<br />
DP 27
|<br />
DP personalities<br />
An interview with<br />
David<br />
San Son<br />
&<br />
IN PERSON celebrates the firm’s diversity<br />
by profiling members of the DP family.<br />
The interview is conducted as a casual<br />
conversation between individuals.<br />
Meet associate directors David Liauw<br />
and Ng San Son, respective designers<br />
of Resorts World Sentosa West Zone<br />
which includes the Marine Life Park,<br />
and river-themed wildlife attraction River<br />
Safari. They tell <strong>Design</strong> in <strong>Print</strong> about<br />
designing theme parks.<br />
<strong>In</strong>terview by Toh Bee Ping<br />
Where do you draw your theme park design inspirations?<br />
D: We made a study trip to Cancun, Mexico to visit several theme parks<br />
by Grupo Via Delphi where we got a lot of ideas for natural landscaping<br />
and designing within a natural marine environment. I had my first swim<br />
with dolphins there.<br />
<strong>Design</strong>ing a theme park is basically telling a story, and that needs time to<br />
develop. Fortunately, West Zone was the last in Resorts World Sentosa<br />
to be built, after Central Zone and Universal Studios, so we had a good<br />
amount of time for design development. Many highly-talented people<br />
like Kevin Barbee and Steve Ryan, who are both very experienced in this<br />
field and have worked on Universal Studios Singapore, put in the ‘magic’<br />
in terms of creating a story as well as the fancy theming; we helped to<br />
bring the story to life in its built forms.<br />
SS: We discarded all pre-conceived notions about theme park design<br />
and let the environment inform the design. I remember visiting the<br />
forested site before the design process began; the sun was setting and<br />
there were beautiful golden sparkles on the reservoir. The team stood<br />
mesmerised by the landscape, and looked towards where the entrance<br />
plaza would be and visualised in our minds what that would look like.<br />
There were dead trees in the water that, to us, formed beautiful<br />
sculptures and indirectly inspired the look of the entrance plaza. The<br />
twisting and tilted structure supporting the entrance plaza appears to<br />
emerge from the undergrowth. The entrance plaza is the most important<br />
design element in a nature park as it is the start and end of the journey.<br />
“For Marine Life Park, the process<br />
of working with sea life was a steep<br />
learning curve. There were a lot of firsts,<br />
for example, designing hotel suites that<br />
offer underwater views of the world’s<br />
largest aquarium from within.”<br />
- David<br />
How different was the experience of designing<br />
theme parks?<br />
D: Especially for Marine Life Park, the process of working with sea life<br />
was a steep learning curve. Before this, the office had not designed an<br />
integrated theme park of this scale and complexity. There were a lot of<br />
firsts, for example, designing hotel suites that offer underwater views of<br />
the world’s largest aquarium from within.<br />
Like any development, theme parks must meet building codes and<br />
comply with public safety regulations. <strong>In</strong> the case of Marine Life<br />
Park, another dimension in the form of international standards and<br />
certification to ensure the well-being of the sea life, such as water<br />
quality, must be engaged. Working with Aquatic Environmental Systems<br />
(AES) based in Queensland, Australia, who is in charge of the Life<br />
Support System, was also an eye-opening experience.
Additionally the Resorts World development is overseen by the<br />
government-appointed <strong>In</strong>tegrated Resort Working Group which has a<br />
strong hand in controlling what we could or could not do.<br />
SS: To be honest, it was a struggle initially. I found myself asking, how is<br />
this architecture design? Very often, theme parks are about iconographic<br />
designs and ostentatious theming. I found it an interesting juggle,<br />
working with the theming consultant and balancing the simulated visuals<br />
with pure architectural intent.<br />
If you compare with, say, designing a mall where it is about the culture<br />
of constant consumption, we design for people to be integrated in the<br />
experience. Zoo exhibits, even in the most naturalistic environment, are<br />
essentially separated. When designing River Safari, we had to create an<br />
immersive experience while keeping people and animals separate. For<br />
the non-exhibit spaces, such as the entrance plaza and the boardwalk<br />
of the panda enclosure, we provided the architectural experience via<br />
structures, architectonics and detailing.<br />
Another crucial element was the circulation planning to provide a<br />
seamless journey. We worked closely with curators to orchestrate the<br />
visitor’s journey to create vivid serial visions and drama. The other<br />
challenge was to integrate the wildlife park with the landscape of Upper<br />
Seletar Reservoir. We left the rest to the theming consultant to wow<br />
visitors with the thematic visuals.<br />
What do you do for fun?<br />
D: I collect things. I have a good collection of porcelain produced during<br />
the Chinese Cultural Revolution, from 1966-76. I hope to one day<br />
donate the collection to an art museum. This way I enable the future<br />
generations to enjoy these pieces and learn about the history of the<br />
period. I also collect stamps from the same era. I collect watches too.<br />
SS: I enjoy running. It calms me and helps me think better. When I’m<br />
running, I think of problems. Things get clearer after a run and I find<br />
better solutions. Another fun activity is having supper with my students.<br />
I teach part-time at NUS and many of my students are now my friends.<br />
It’s refreshing to hear their perspectives and sometimes naïve points of<br />
view. Plus I feel young when I hang out with them!<br />
Tell us something about yourself that few people<br />
know about.<br />
D: I cried when I watched Ah Boys to Men Part 2. I’m not a Singaporean<br />
and hence was never in the army; but the movie hit many right notes,<br />
underlining a lot of the values that I hold dear including love of country,<br />
loyalty and friendship.<br />
SS: People think that I socialise and talk a lot, but I’m actually a shy<br />
person. I dislike talking for the sake of talking. I’m emotionally involved<br />
with people I work with; it affects me personally when they feel unhappy.<br />
Also, I cannot sleep for more than seven hours a day. If I do, I get a bad<br />
headache and backache.<br />
“For the non-exhibit spaces of River<br />
Safari such as the entrance plaza<br />
and the panda enclosure boardwalk,<br />
we provided the architectural<br />
experience via structures,<br />
architectonics and detailing.”<br />
- San Son<br />
All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission.<br />
DP Architects accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant<br />
consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in<br />
<strong>Design</strong> in <strong>Print</strong>. Any opinions in <strong>Design</strong> in <strong>Print</strong> are solely those of the named authors<br />
of the article in which they appear. Unless named as author, DP Architects, Editorial<br />
Panel and other Contributors do not endorse any such views and disclaim all liability<br />
from their publication.<br />
Copyright © DP Architects Pte Ltd<br />
MICA (P) 012/10/2012<br />
<strong>Print</strong>ed by SC (Sang Choy) <strong>In</strong>ternational Pte Ltd<br />
L028/03/2012<br />
Published by DP Architects Pte Ltd<br />
6 Raffles Boulevard #04-100<br />
Marina Square Singapore 039594<br />
T: +65 6338 3988 F: +65 6337 9989<br />
E: ask_corpcomm@dpa.com.sg<br />
W: www.dpa.com.sg<br />
Photo Contributors:<br />
Chan Min Kang, Dessy Budhianto, Jeremy San, Loh Hai Yew,<br />
Loh Yew Cheng, Pocholo Mauricio, Rory Daniel, Sai Phone Htoo,<br />
Sean Lee and Wellington Kuswanto.<br />
All photos are credited to the mentioned photographers<br />
unless otherwise stated.<br />
DP 29
The 120ha site at East Coast Parkway accommodates a 27-hole golf course, a clubhouse and 40<br />
chalets for the use of SAFRA members. The clubhouse is designed in a distinctive regional style.<br />
Modular lattice work and tile patterns were derived from the designs of traditional basket weavings.<br />
The materials used were predominately sandstone, timber and clay. The open verandahs and<br />
lobbies, punctuated by water features, create an atmosphere of a tropical resort.<br />
Project Team: Gan Eng Oon, Lydia Fong, Yeong Weng Fai, Filemon Tutay and Zaiton Bte Khairon.<br />
SAFRA Resort & Country Club<br />
1994