Source : The Straits Times, Nov 30, 2007
A LOW-RISE eco-village, active canal streets, a coastal shopping promenade, terraced communal green roofs - these are the winning ideas that will serve as an inspiration and catalyst for the future Marine South residential district, which is set to become the new landmark in Singapore.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has set aside 60ha of land between Gardens at Marina South and the Straits of Singapore, on which will rise some 11,000 homes, with a mix of commercial, hotel and community facilities, that are just minutes away from the city.
To get ideas for this project, the URA and the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) held a competition in September.
Open to students and professionals in planning, architecture and landscape, both locally and internationally, it drew 30 entries.
Participants had to illustrate how high-density living can co-exist with a waterfront garden concept, and set a new landmark in residential development.
The URA on Friday announced four winning schemes, which will serve as a starting point to develop Marina South into a distinctive waterfront garden district.
The four winners each won $10,000. Two others, awarded special, will each receive $5,000.
The winning schemes, picked by a five-member panel, are from:
- Compass Studio Limited, Hong Kong,
- Khoo Teik Rong, Singapore
- SKPS - Project, Singapore
- Surbana, Singapore
Special mention went to Chor, of Australia, and ZONG Architects, from Singapore.
Mr Tai Lee Siang, President of the Singapore Institute of Architects who chaired the panel, said of the entries, some of which came from Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, India and the United States: 'The submissions show an exciting array of ideas that reads like a lesson on the history of urban planning.
'There is clearly a strong trend towards an integrated approach: one that seeks to present the master plan as a form of land art that combines, planning, architecture, landscape, transportation and sustainability.
'There are many well conceived schemes that are based on tried and tested principles albeit fresh expressions. There are also gems of bold and unconventional ideas that cause the jury to debate passionately.'
Most of all, he said the competition 'draws upon ideas from Singapore and abroad to bring out the best potential for this part of Singapore and truly creating unique experiences that are memorable'.
The competition further opens avenues for greater participation from private sector to take part in the transformation of Singapore's landscape, added Mr Tai.
Ms Fun Siew Leng, Director of Urban Planning & Design, URA , said: 'We are impressed with the numerous interesting and novel ideas garnered from the competition. These will serve as a starting point that stimulates reflection and inspiration to further develop Marina South into an attractive, distinctive waterfront garden district for generations to come.'
As part of the inaugural Singapore Archifest 07, a prize presentation award ceremony was held at the City Hall Chamber on Friday to celebrate the winners. All 30 submissions are exhibited at City Hall, adjacent to the former Supreme Court building, till Dec 8 as part of the Singapore Design Festival 2007.
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