Dhoby Ghaut Set To Turn Super Hip

Source : The Business Times, March 27, 2008

COME early 2009, the vacant space above Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station may just be the hippest spot in town, playing host to flea markets, soccer matches, buskers and community performances.

Unveiling a plan to transform the area, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said yesterday it will spend an estimated $4 million on a sculptured outdoor amphitheatre and a cafe pavilion on the yet-unnamed open space.

Architect Chan Soo Khain, winner of the inaugural President's Design Award for Architecture and Urban Design, has been commissioned to handle the project.

According to Mr Chan, the amphitheatre will be the centrepiece that invites people into the space. Designed to 'melt back into the landscape', the partly-sheltered theatre will have a spiral design with woven aluminium louvres inspired by a rattan basket.

It will be built into the ground, with a structural height of no more than 4-5 metres. 'We wanted to create a unique arrival experience, that of walking down a ramp into the theatre,' Mr Chan explained.

The interlocking curves of the amphitheatre will divide the land into three zones: a paved plaza area at the western end; an open field at the eastern end; and the amphitheatre itself, which will house a stage and associated amenities such as changing rooms.

When completed, the 1.3 hectare space will be open to the public at all times, functioning like a neighbourhood park in the city centre. The land will serve the community for at least 10-20 years as there are no plans to develop it in the medium term.

URA said open spaces enhance and enrich community life and add more vibrancy to the city. It is hoped this new project will add variety to existing public parks and open spaces in the city centre.

'We hope this new open space will reinforce a sense of belonging to the city,' said URA chief executive Cheong Koon Hean.