Asia & The Gulf Commercial Design Trends Asia Commercial Design Vol. 30/9 | Page 70

“In Singapore, the standard typology for
residential developments is a cluster of isolated,
towers, which do little to enhance a sense of
community,” the architect says. “This design, in
contrast, explores a dramatically different approach
to tropical living, providing an expansive and interconnected network of communal spaces within a
natural environment.”
Thirty-one apartment blocks, each six storeys
high, are stacked in a hexagonal arrangement to
create eight large-scale courtyards. The interlocking
blocks resemble a vertical village, complete with
cascading sky gardens and both public and private
roof terraces. Extensive residential amenities and
facilities are interwoven with the landscape, amid
lush vegetation, providing opportunities for social
interaction, leisure and recreation.
“The architecture is more about the spaces
between the buildings than the built-up areas
themselves,” says Scheeren. “While the buildings
provide the residences, they are more importantly a
tool to generate the open spaces.”
The architect says the company experimented
with many different configurations to maximise the
design of the courtyards and natural light.
“In the end, it was the hexagon that won out over
a square or rectangular form. The angles at which
the buildings meet are 120°, not 90°. This means
the buildings are slightly turned away from each
other, which helps to open up the views and provides more privacy. It also creates well-articulated
outdoor areas.”
Scheeren says the stacking principle ensured

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there would always be openings in the blocks.
“There are no sealed envelopes – the buildings
are completely permeable,” he says. “This allows
the light, wind and cooling breezes to penetrate. It
also creates visual openings, so residents don’t feel
cut off from the wider landscape. The development
has a very different feel to a tower block – it is all
about lightness, openness and transparency.”
The architect says the exterior of the building is
layered to create a stratification of outdoor living
areas. These range from highly communal sky
gardens to slightly more private terraces and very
private spaces. All apartments have balconies, and
many have protruding terraces that can become an
extension of the living room.
“It looks deceptively simple, but there is a
richness and complexity to the architecture that
helps to generate a sense of excitement and
freedom,” says Scheeren. “The development never
feels crowded.
“The accommodation itself is also varied within
each block. While the overall building form is highly
dynamic, each individual block is an entirely pragmatic rectangle that allows a very efficient layout.
Spaces are also generously sized and light filled,
and the quality of the fit-out is high.”
As with all OMA buildings, sustainable design
determined every aspect of the architecture.
“We incorporated passive design strategies
throughout the project,” says the architect.
“Daylight is optimised, and there is shading in the
courtyards. Apartments are positioned to minimise
solar gain, while taking advantage of the breezes

Below:The hexagonal form can
be seen from above, in both the
plan and finished development.
Right:Because the buildings are
stacked on a 120° angle, views
and privacy are maximised. The
hexagon motif can be seen on
the underside of the concrete
slabs.