Singapore
Aedas Architects
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
From Aedas:
Singapore Civic & Cultural Centre is located within the Vista Xchange precinct of
one-north, Singapore. The 54,000 sq.m. development comprises of cultural, civic & retail uses and when complete will provide a premier entertainment, lifestyle and retail experience for one-north and the wider Singapore community.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
The design for the 24,000 sq.m. retail space responds to the challenging site topography as the zone spirals inwards addressing the major entry points and culminates in an open amphitheatre. Above, a 40m high grand foyer creates a visual and spatial connection between the retail, civic and cultural zones. It also provides a canopy under which the public can experience outdoor entertainment and al-fresco dining while protected from the elements. The focus of the cultural zone is a 5,000 plus seat auditorium, which will be the largest venue of its kind in Singapore capable of staging amplified musicals, concerts and other large scale visual events.
The venue is supported with administration, artist and technical support, function spaces, foyers, concessions and circulation spaces making up the remainder of the 30,000 sq.m. cultural and civic program.
The concept design is driven by the desire to blur the boundaries between retail and cultural zones and indoor and outdoor spaces with flowing spatial transitions that encourage discovery and deliver an energetic civic node serving one-north and beyond.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
The nine levels of the Civic and Cultural Zone will complement the range of
performing arts venues currently available in Singapore. It will house a 5,000-seat state-of-the-art auditorium designed by Artec Consultants Inc, the world’s premier performing arts venue design and planning consultants, which will have high quality acoustics and cutting edge technology for amplified music, speech and musical theatre performances. Coupled with support facilities equipped with the latest technology to enhance audience experience, this new landmark cultural complex is poised to become the venue of choice for touring concert productions, stage shows, family entertainment and attractions as well as corporate and community events.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
In addition, the Civic and Cultural Zone will accommodate secondary performance and event spaces, such as an
outdoor amphitheatre, that will support the main goals of the upcoming art and cultural centre, ensuring that the venue acts as a central hub catering to various cultural groups. IMG Artists, the pre-eminent global performing arts management company, has been appointed to consult on and develop the strategies for the marketing and programming efforts for the Civic and Cultural Zone.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
Forming the base structure of the outstanding development is four levels, two above ground and two basement levels, of Retail and Entertainment Zone. The Retail and Entertainment Zone is positioned as a vibrant retail food and beverage, lifestyle, cum entertainment destination of choice for the one-north communities, residents in the one-north precinct and beyond. The 35-metre high
Grand Foyer, which connects the Retail and Entertainment Zone at the base of the Integrated Hub and the Civic and Cultural Zone at the top, is envisaged to become a rich and lush forest garden filled with paths and plazas, outdoor eating and entertainment areas weaving in and out of tall palms, exotic greenery and water features.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
Visitors can walk along the gradually gradient spiral walkway to experience the full array of offerings on the various floors or enjoy alfresco dining or entertainment amidst luxuriant greenery, water features and a verdant cool environment. Greenery and trees also wrap around all sides of the building at street level, where walkways, drop-off points, a taxi stand and outdoor refreshment areas all form part of a lively and shady streetscape.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
On Basement 2, the tenant mix is expected to include a concept food hall, gourmet supermarket, fast-food and family restaurants, casual café and convenience or other services stores. Basement 1 will see hip coffee joints, casual dining outlets, café and dessert bars, beauty services, lifestyle fashion, fashion accessories and lifestyle gift shops taking root. Level 1 will be home to lifestyle cafés, bistros, restaurants and wine bars, whilst Level 2 will comprise chill-out wine bars and talk-of-the-town hip and thematic dance clubs. Level 1 will provide direct access to visitors to the adjacent Buona Vista mass rapid transit station.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
Designed by Andrew Bromberg of Aedas Pte Ltd, the Integrated Hub will be a distinctive landmark in the one-north precinct with its stunning architecture. With exterior decorative lighting features adorning its facade, the Integrated Hub will be a beautiful illuminating structure against the backdrop of the night sky.
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| Image © Courtesy of Aedas Architects |
The unique design of the building aims to harmoniously blend technology and nature, steel and foliage, and at the same time, seamlessly blend the two zones. Sustainability is another key feature of the Integrated Hub. The retail floors, civic area and outdoor amphitheatre open up to the 35-metre high Grand Foyer,encouraging air movement and minimising the need for air-conditioning while offering a cool and shaded environment that can be enjoyed all year round.
The people
Architects: Aedas Architects
Location: Singapore
Client: Rock Productions Pte Ltd (Cultural Complex); CapitaLand (Retail Complex)
Site Area: 19,267 sq.m.
G.F.A: 54,000 sq.m.
Completion Date: 2011
Images: © Courtesy of Aedas Architects
