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Source:
www.ura.gov.sg
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URA unveils design of new open space at Dhoby
Ghaut MRT Station |
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The vacant State land above Dhoby Ghaut MRT
Station will soon offer more than just a convenient access point for
pedestrians making their way from the station to the surrounding malls.
To capitalise on its central location, the Urban Redevelopment Authority
(URA) has unveiled plans for the site to be home to a new open space
that will play host to community events and performances. It will also
feature a sculptural outdoor amphitheatre and a Food & Beverage (F&B)
pavilion. |
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The development of this open space
is in line with the URA’s Public Spaces and Urban Waterfront
Master Plan to have a variety of public spaces that will make
our city centre more dynamic, distinctive and delightful.
Instead of leaving the State land vacant as there are no
development plans for the site in the mid-term, it will be
better served in the interim as a public space for community
events and activities. |
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The project will add to the variety of
public spaces that are already found in our city centre. These include
green spaces such as parks and open plazas within commercial
developments that have become popular venues for community activities.
Such spaces not only enhance and enrich community life, but add more
vibrancy to our city. The new open space, with its strategic location
and architecturally inspiring design, is thus envisioned to be yet
another community and gathering focal point that will add a new
dimension of life to the Orchard Road shopping belt and its
surroundings. |
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To create a public platform to showcase good
design and to celebrate our local design talents, the URA commissioned
Mr Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects Pte Ltd, to conceptualise this
public space in 2006 as part of a community project. The commission was
to specially mark the inaugural President’s Design Award, in which Mr
Chan clinched the Designer of the Year title in Architecture and Urban
Design. |
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The Award is Singapore’s highest accolade
for excellence in design and is jointly presented by the DesignSingapore
Council and URA. Said Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, CEO, URA and who also chairs
the President Design Awards’ Architectural and Urban Design jury,
“Appointing Mr Chan Soo Khian to design the open space was a way for a
recipient of the President’s Design Award to contribute to good design
in the public realm. Through the project, we hope to promote a greater
awareness of good design in our environment and help the community
better appreciate how well-designed spaces can positively influence our
day-to-day experiences and reinforce the sense of belonging to our
city.” |
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Three zones with their own unique
characters |
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The URA will implement the construction
plans for the open space and the National Parks Board (NParks) will
oversee its maintenance and programming to cater to different
interests and activities. |
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The key highlights of the open space
include three main activity zones, each with its own character and
distinctive atmosphere: |
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a) Intimate plaza space at the
western parcel |
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Taking advantage of the existing
shade trees and with a proposed field of white gravel added as a
feature, this segment of the open space will serve as a platform for
various community activities such as busking, flea markets and
tai-chi sessions. |
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b) 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre at
the central space |
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The outdoor amphitheatre’s design
consists of a series of interweaving aluminium screens inspired by
the natural lines of a rattan basket. The structure when lit up at
night will glow like a lantern. It will be a stage for community
performances. |
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c) Playing field at the eastern
parcel |
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The eastern part of the open space will
feature an open green field that can play host to community and
sporting events. A F&B pavilion will also be built. Reflecting on
his experience in conceptualising the design of the open space, Mr
Chan Soo Khian said, “We wanted to create a new space that would
capitalise on the unique landscape of its current surroundings. For
instance, the existing trees will be retained to provide natural
shading. |
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In addition, a centrepiece element, the
outdoor amphitheatre is designed to create a sense of place. The
amphitheatre is composed as a continuation of the ground plane and
has an intimate relationship with the surrounding landscape. |
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We were also very conscious of the need
to create an atmosphere in the open space that is welcoming and that
will become an integral extension of the public realm. In essence, a
public gathering space that caters to a range of activities and
events that will appeal to the community. The views and feedback
from our user groups were thus invaluable in helping us to develop
our design.” |
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Fostering closer community
partnerships |
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In the spirit of the open space being
conceived as a community project, the URA organised several
dialogues with the consultancy team, stakeholders and end-users,
including NParks, the National Arts Council, People’s Association,
the Singapore Management University (SMU) and event organiser Street
Revolution, to seek their feedback and better understand their
programming needs. These inputs were incorporated into the design of
the open space. |
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Corporate sponsorship opportunities are
also now being made available to allow the business community to be
part of this project. Organisations are welcome to explore
opportunities for naming rights and sponsorships for infrastructure
such as the outdoor amphitheatre as well as for the finishes and
fittings of the F&B pavilion. Interested parties may contact the
Garden City Fund at Garden_City_Fund@NParks.gov.sg or call 6471 9969
to learn more about other sponsorship opportunities. |
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Located along Orchard Road and at the
gateway into the Arts, Culture, Learning and Entertainment District
of Bras Basah.Bugis, the new open space will also be served by three
MRT lines. Its accessibility will make it an attractive venue for
community events and performances. It is also expected to be become
a popular meeting place for visitors from the nearby museums,
shoppers from malls just a stone’s throw away, as well as students
at SMU and the upcoming School of the Arts. |
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The open space is scheduled for
completion in the first quarter of 2009. |
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Source:
www.ura.gov.sg News Release 26
Mar 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Wed 26 March 2008
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