Architecture: A Reflection
It was the summer of 2018. I was thrilled as I was moving to Singapore, the city which boasts of some of the most iconic structures of the modern world. You’ll find here The Jewel at Changi Airport which is the tallest indoor waterfall, The MRT - a public transport system that is unrivalled, The Gateway designed by the famous Chinese American architect I.M.Pei, or The Sky Habitat by Ar. Moshe Safdie. My personal favorite is The Interlace by architect Ole Scheeren. Add to this, Singapore’s striking downtown core dotted with skyscrapers in steel and glass. Now, which person who lives and breathes design wouldn’t be excited about moving to a city such as Singapore!
The Jewel at Changi
As I explored the city and its buildings, I started observing the remnants of a past era – the quaint and colorful shophouses and the unmistakable black and white houses. The contrast of these buildings tucked away in pockets amidst modern architecture intrigued me. I started reading about these buildings, and soon realized that one first needs to understand the history of a country to be able to understand its architecture. And so began my quest.
In 1965, when Singapore became independent, it was considered a slum city. People lived in cramped quarters, riddled with disease and overflowing sewage. The country had no natural resources, industries and trade along the Singapore River had become non-existent. How then did this country transform to become a ‘City in the Gardens”?
Well, the credit goes to the father of the nation, Late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his party, who chartered the country’s path towards growth and development. One of the first issues to be handled by the new government was to build affordable housing for all. The Housing Board Development (HBD) was established to take up this task. Architects of the country stepped up and this can be marked as the genesis of the first HDB living in Singapore. In the early days the HDB units were basic and simple, but as the nation developed and the mammoth task of basic housing for all was achieved, the quality of HDB’s improved vastly, giving us gems like The Duxton at Pinnacle.
The Duxton at Pinnacle.
Image Credit: Avantika Gargya
The next task was to generate employment. Late Prime Minister LKY invited foreign investors to set up shop in Singapore. But he realized Singapore had to become a city that would attract investors. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) was charged with the task of the city’s urban planning and conservation of national properties. Again, it was the architects who took the mission to success. The Black and White bungalows of the British era were restored, becoming a much-coveted address for the rich. Istana, The Supreme Court, Victoria Theatre and other civil buildings were preserved, creating a sense of identity for the new country. Shophouses were given heritage status. The architecture industry boomed, giving young architects such WOHA, SCDA, DP Architects, RSP Architects and others an opportunity to grow their practices. Foreign architects such as Kerry Hill, Bedmar and Shi also found their place in Singapore.
The Shophouses at Joo Chiat.
Image Credit: Avantika Gargya
Marina Bay Sands and The Art Science Museum
Image Credit: Avantika Gargya
Continuing with their promise to deliver a clean and green modern city, the government commissioned a number of new projects. Amongst these were the Marina Bay, which is a 360-acre extension of Singapore’s downtown area, built on reclaimed land. Some of the world’s most iconic buildings stand here. Marina Bay Sands and The Art Science Museum by Ar. Moshe Safdie, Gardens by the Bay, MBFC towers have changed the city’s skyline, raising Singapore from a humble island to a country to reckon with.
