In The News : 2005

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Iconic architecture anticipated

April 19, 2005
This article also appears on another site: Radio Singapore International

Singapore has recently announced the approval for two Integrated Resorts, which will house the country’s first casinos, amongst other entertainment venues. Since December last year, multi-billion-dollar proposals have been received. Within each proposal, architectural concepts and motifs were included. Several investors have even roped in some of the world’s most renowned architects, in the hope that their proposal would generate more enthusiasm and excitement.

Some of these names include:

§ Daniel Libeskind, the Polish architect behind the Freedom Tower on the former World Trade Center site in New York, and

§ Jon Jerde, the American architect responsible for the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas and Mall of America in Minnesota.

Without a doubt, the construction of the integrated resorts would change the architectural landscape in Singapore.

Strong views have been expressed about Singapore’s architectural forms in recent years. Professional architects have said that Singapore’s architecture is, “at best, mediocre”.

Since the announcement of Orchard Road’s redevelopment plans earlier this year, many have also spoken up about the lack of X-factor, within our physical environment.

In what ways can the architecture of this integrated resort help to inject that X-factor? I spoke to Miss Rita Soh, President of the Singapore Institute of Architects, to find out.

RS: I think for this resort, because it's something that's very new and on such a massive scale, I hope that the design that comes forward with this proposal would be real cutting-edge, to change our landscape into one that we are looking forward to, to make Singapore a country with the X factor.

In your opinion, what are some of the factors or attributes that the government would look for, in considering the differing architectural proposals?

RS: Different characteristics for the two sides. For the one at Marina Bay, I would speculate to say that it has to be in sync with the Marina Bay development; perhaps a bit more iconic than the one at Sentosa, because that leans towards the family entertainment aspect of it and perhaps, more fun-oriented. With regards to the architectural language, it's anybody's guess really.

Most of the architectural concepts cited in the proposals surround the objectives of providing an “overall look and feel of what Singapore is about”, “respect for local heritage”, “fit the Singapore culture”, and reflect “sensitivity for needs and textures of Singapore”. All these different points have a similar underlying notion of building a cultural symbol for Singapore.

Could you explain what would be necessary to accomplish such themes?

RS: I think the proposed evaluation is not so simplistic that it is just looking at the architecture per se. I think it's embodied in the entire proposal. Obviously, you hope that the final bid would be an architectural piece that will be really cutting-edge, innovative, and put Singapore on the map. Design has a very important role to play here, not just looking at the economic prospects per se.

If the architecture is, indeed, to reflect local culture, do you believe it is important for the architect to have a profound understanding of Singapore, and if so, would a local architect be more fitting of the role, as opposed to some of the foreign talents touted by the majority of the bidders?

RS: Well obviously we would hope that the local architects be given the opportunity to participate in this proposal, but since most of the bidders and developers are from overseas, there is a tendency for them to use foreign architects. But again, in Singapore, for any project to be realized, it needs a counterpart, which is the local architect. So, I really hope that when the project gets selected that local counterparts be given a very major role to play, to inject more local flavor into the project.

Many of the bidders for the integrated resort have used big-name architects like Daniel Libeskind and Jon Jerde to herald their proposals to the Singapore government. The only local architect named amongst the myriad of names is Liu Thai Ker. It is certainly ironic that while this resort is set to create 10,000 -35,000 jobs in Singapore, the local architecture industry may well lose the year’s biggest architectural bid to a foreigner.

In terms of architecture and design, what perpetuates this notion that “foreign is superior”?

RS: Foreign architects have always been looked upon as those who bring in cutting-edge designs, but I think that's not necessarily a correct view because we do see a lot of local architects given a lot of opportunities to realize their projects and you can see that in the many projects that are winning competitions locally and internationally.

Local landmarks are often quickly reduced to caricature - the Esplanade as ‘the fly’ or ‘durian', or the new Supreme Court as ‘the UFO’. Why is this so?

RS: Well, I would take it as a sense of endearment. Maybe the locals have this kind of affection towards our local buildings. I quite positive about that, and I think people identify with it and that's what's important.

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Iconic architecture anticipated
Apr 19, 2005
Singapore has recently announced the approval for two Integrated Resorts, which will house the country’s first casinos, amongst other entertainment venues. Several investors have roped in some of the world’s most renowned architects, in the hope that their proposal would generate more enthusiasm and excitement. Radio interview with Rita Soh, President of the Singapore Institute of Architects by Jack Yong

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