ARC 3113 TALES OF THREE CITIES
MAPPING THE
TOWNSCAPE AN ANALYSIS OF ORCHARD ROAD, SINGAPORE
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
AREA OF INTEREST ORCHARD ROAD, SINGAPORE
URBAN GRID SURROUNDING SITE // shows no distinct pattern or uniformity due to the rapid growth of the city ORCHARD ROAD // features a herringbone pattern with some exceptions due to addition at different periods
SOLID & VOID SOLIDS // Indicative of positive, dwelling spaces VOIDS // Indicative of negative, transitional spaces
SCALE HUMANIZING // Buildings on the right hand side relate well to the human scale INTIMIDATING // Buildings on the left are massive in scale and intimidate the pedestrian
CONTINUITY OF BUILT SPACES COMPACTNESS // Built forms are generally compact, especially on the lower part of the figure ground PERMEABILITY // Yet despite the compactness there is a strong sense of permeability with connecting walkways
TYPOLOGY LINEAR // The street acts as the spine, resulting in a strong sense of linearity ENCLOSED SPACES // Building footprints show enclosed spaces, particularly those with large building footprints
GREENSCAPE SMALL SCALE // These are mostly node points that provide shading and some visual break from the cityscape LARGE SCALE // Large scale green spaces act as event spaces, hosting a multitude of activities of the city
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
ACTIVITY - Orchard Road is known as the shopping street - Presence of a large number of retail outlets and shopping malls - In larger open spaces, public gathers
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
FORM -
General language of Orchard Road is modern Buildings are iconic Verticality is emphasized Somewhat intimidating
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
MOVEMENT PATTERN - Covered, underground and elevated pedestrian walkways - Highly accessible as stops are placed near each other - Overlapping of multiple transport networks
MOVEMENT PATTERN - Connectivity is a main feature - Highly accessible due to established web of public transport systems - Connectivity at vertical levels
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
SERIAL VISION 1
SERIAL VISION 2
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
SOCIAL DIMENSION SERIAL VISION 1
SOCIAL DIMENSION // VISION 1
A
SOLID TO VOID THE
EFFECTS
ON
FAÇADE
ON
HUMAN
BEHAVIOUR
The density of buildings gradually decrease from the Koek Rd junction to Cairnhill junction. In the first half of the journey, the buildings were dense and the facades were in close proximity to the street and walkways. This results in a strong perception of linearity in the user.
SERIAL
Paragon back entrance
313 Somerset
NODES // PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED ACTIVITY
The street is such that it encourages the public to spend time outdoors. With the addition of activities, the streets become nodes.
SOCIAL DIMENSION // VISION 1
B
SHIFT IN MOVEMENT PATTERN
FROM LINEAR TO PRESENCE OF MORE NODES AS A RESULT OF FAÇADE AND FORMS
In the first half of the serial vision, the reflective glass facades and solid structures also creates in the user a sense of intimidation. As the journey progresses, more nodes are present, breaking the monotony of the linear movement that shows a shift in pedestrian behavior.
SERIAL
NODES // OPEN SPACES Places with shelter, be it buildings or foliage act as nodes as it becomes a shading device from rain and shine.
SOCIAL DIMENSION // VISION 1
C
DISCONNECTIVITY TO CONNECTIVITY HOW LINEARITY AND NODES AFFECT THE LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT
It is seen that linearity promotes movement at a pace that is unsuitable for engagement with the surroundings, and this pace is observed by the vast majority. With node points however, dwelling is encouraged and these nodes act as collection points, enhancing the relationship between the pedestrian and their surroundings.
SERIAL
DISCONNECTIVIT Y The proximity of the faรงade planes to the pedestrian walkway promotes linearity, resulting in a disengagement with the the pedestrian and the site.
CONNECTIVITY The large open spaces are nodes as they act as event spaces that attract a crowd. This creates a relationship between the public and the site, resulting in successful placemaking.
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
VISUAL DIMENSION SERIAL VISION 2
VISUAL DIMENSION // VISION 2
A
CHANGE IN GEOMETRY LEAVES STRONGER MEMORY RESULTS IN A STATE OF CALM
Heading towards the direction of Ngee Ann City and Starhill, the element of symmetry becomes more and more apparent. The language of symmetry registers in the mind a vision of wholeness and balance, resulting in a feeling of ease in the viewer.
SERIAL
SYMMETRICAL Symmetry in form was prominent especially in the older buildings. The formal, orderly layout of these buildings lend a sense of harmony to the perceiver.
IRREGULAR GEOMETRY Extreme forms were noted on some of the buildings. The intentional use of irregular geometries make the building stand out as it seems to defy all site context. The lack of symmetry while slighting disorienting, is nonetheless an attraction point.
VISUAL DIMENSION // VISION 2
B B
CONTRAST IN FACADE
EVOKES DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SURROUNDINGS
Along Orchard Road, there is a play of opaque and reflective surfaces that cause different levels of engagement with the surroundings. On one hand there are the solid structures, bulky and cold. On the other, there are the glass curtain walls that reflect both the buildings and the pedestrian movements on the streets.
SERIAL
NGEE ANN CITY Solid & bulky structure ATRIA TOWER Opaque & Reflective structure
WISMA ATRIA Organic & Irregularity Pattern
VISUAL DIMENSION // VISION 2
C C
MULTIPLICITY TO SINGULAR POINT
FROM CLUTTERED VISION TO A SINGLE FOCAL POINT
As we progress down the street, the most evident is the shift in vision. The user experiences a distracted mind in the beginning of the journey, the distractions are gradually reduced by a strong finishing element – ION Orchard, in this scenario, that pulls all attention on itself such that the surrounding noise is no longer relevant.
SERIAL
TRANSITION TURN
OPEN SPACE The large open space in front of the building act as a buffer as well as a node. The empty space also frames the building, creating focus. This is where the multiplicity of views is removed of clutter.
90 deg turn documents the transition point of the serial vision as it ends with the dominant figure of ION Orchard.
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
SOCIAL DIMENSION SERIAL VISION 1
DISCONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
VISUAL DIMENSION SERIAL VISION 2
MULTIPLICITY FOCAL POINT
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
SOLID & VOID
MOVEMENT PATTERN
SCALE
NODES OF FOCUS
FIVE-FOOT WAY
BUILDING FOOTPRINT
FLEXIBLE FACADE
FRAMED HORIZONTALITY
OPEN SPACE
CONNECTIVITY
COLLAGES OF THE CITY
AT A GLIMPSE
SOLID VOID
t SOLID & VOID The voids between the solids enhance permeability, creating an alternative path for the user to weave around the buildings Causes free flowing movement/ flexibility
VEHICLE CIRCULATION PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION
MOVEMENT PATTERNS // Coarse grain buildings limit the variety of angles for users when exploring the area // Fine grain buildings forces the pedestrian to circulate in an orderly manner From Orchard Central to ION, there are a range of multiple to limited choices. All these are accessible
INTIMATE SCALE INTERMEDIATE SCALE URBAN SCALE
SCALE URBAN // Large buildings, grand in nature (Eg: ION Orchard, Sommerset) INTERMEDIATE // Smaller building types (Eg: Courts) INTIMATE // Smaller building types (Eg: shophouses etc)
NODES
NODES OF FOCUS FACTORS : (1) Quantities and size of public realm (2) Presence of underpass across street Coarse grain // singular entity to attract users, distorting fine grain Fine grain // Organic pockets of attraction
5-FOOT WALKWAY
FIVE-FOOT WALKWAY ADAPTABILITY // Increases from east to west FUNCTION // provides shading for pedestrians SIZE // varies according to building
SINGULAR MASSING FRAGMENTED MASSING
BUILDING FOOTPRINT FRAGMENTED // Built form consists of tiny massing SINGULAR // Built form consists of one unit of massing
HIGH DENSITY MEDIUM DENSITY LOW DENSITY
FLEXIBLE FAÇADE HIGH DENSITY // Built forms are packed together, increasing the gross floor area along the road MEDIUM DENSITY // Built form are less packed LOW DENSITY // Built form located away from each other, visualizing greater accessibility and permeability to the users All constitutes visual density
INTIMATE SCALE INTERMEDIATE SCALE URBAN SCALE
FRAMED HORIZONTALITY INTIMATE SCALE // East end of street. Line of horizontality does not vary much and remains on the same scale. URBAN SCALE // West end of street. Line of horizontality varies and are on a larger scale
OPEN SPACES
OPEN SPACES EASTERN END // Buildings are dynamic; circulation (pedestrian) become static WESTERN END // Circulation (pedestrian) become dynamic; buildings become static
UNDERPASSES SKY BRIDGES
CONNECTIVITY UNDERGROUND // Underpasses connect buildings to MRT stations STREET LEVEL // Network of covered pedestrian walkways ELEVATED LEVEL // Sky bridges connect the buildings at multiple levels Contributes to multilayering of the city
ADAPTABILITY
CONNECTIVIT Y
PERCEPTIBILI TY
LEGIBILITY
ACCESIBILITY
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
LAYER TYPOLOGIE S
TANGIBLE INFLUENCE
INTANGIBLE INFLUENCE
CAUSES FLEXIBLE MOVEMENT
- SOLIDS : EXISTS ON VARIOUS SCALES - VOIDS : MOVEMENT INDUCED BY PATHWAYS
- BIGGER FORMS INTIMIDATE - VOIDS PROMOTE FEELING OF EXPLORATION
HIGHLIY ACCESSIBLE
ESTABLISHED NETWORK OF MOVEMENT
- EASE OF TRAVELLING - PROMOTES A SENSE OF EASE
SCALE
MIX OF URBAN, INTERMEDIATE AND INTIMATE SCALES
SIZE, FAÇADE AND USE OF GEOMETRY
- URBAN SCALE INTIMIDATES BUT ATTRACT - INTIMATE SCALE HUMBLE AND UNDERSTATED
NODES OF FOCUS
AFFECTED BY PRESENCE OF PUBLIC REALM
- PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED ACTIVITIES
- POA NODES PROMOTES ENGAGEMENT WITH BUILDINGS - OPEN SPACE NODES WITH SURROUNDINGS
SOLID & VOID
MOVEMENT PATTERN
DESCRIPTION
- OPEN SPACES
FIVE-FOOT WAY INCREASES IN SIZE BUILDING SETBACK AND ADAPTABILITY INFLUENCES ACROSS STREET PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS
- NARROW WALKWAYS CAUSE PURE MOVEMENT - WIDER WALKWAY
LAYER TYPOLOGIE S BUILDING FOOTPRINT
FLEXIBLE FACADE
DESCRIPTION
TANGIBLE INFLUENCE
INTANGIBLE INFLUENCE
- SINGLE UNITS ARE VARIES FROM SINGULAR UNIT OF MASSIVE BLOCKS - FRAGMENTED ARE MASSING TO FRAGMENTED SMALLER CLUSTERS
STATELY AND GRAND BUT INTIMIDATING ENGAGING AND APPROACHABLE
VISUAL DENSITY RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE ELEMENTS
- FACADES VARY IN PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER - OPEN SPACES AFFECTED ACCORDINGLY
FACADES CLOSE TOGETHER RESULT IN FEELING OF TIGHTNESS GENERALLY CAUSES DISENGAGEMENT WITH SURROUNDINGS
LINE OF HORIZONTALITY RESULTING FROM BUILDING HEIGHT AND SIZE
FEELING OF EAST WITH INTIMATE SCALES THE LATTER LEAVES A STRONG IMPRESSION
FRAMED CHANGE FROM HORIZONTALITY INTIMATE TO INTIMIDATING GREEN SPACE
DYNAMIC GROWTH FROM EAST TO WEST OF STREET
- EAST: BUILDINGS ARE DYNAMIC - WEST: OPEN SPACES ARE DYNAMIC
DISCONNECTIVITY TO SURROUNDINGS OPEN SPACE PROMOTE ENGAGEMENT
CONNECTIVITY
MULTILEVEL
- SEAMLESS
- PROVIDES SENSE OF
CITY OF MULTILAYERS COLLAGE CITY
ORCHARD ROAD showcases a city that is a combination of multiple layers, each overlaying on the previous, forming a complex entity of social, visual and functional dimensions. The multiple layers serve not to highlight the similarities or differences, rather, offer a glimpse into the complex body of a city. It aims to show the linkage between all the layers, how one is linked to the next, all contributing to a greater whole.
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
SINGAPOR E HONG KONG MANHATTA N
Tangible
Singapore
Hong Kong
Manhattan
Built Form
- A garden city which emphasizes on large open spaces, landscapes and greeneries
- Concentrated city without street grid
-Building blocks arranged according to the grid system
Activity Movement Pattern
- Buildings shaped like tower blocks
- Grid lines are perpendicular to one another
- Informal trading - Diversity - Easy to move from one place to another - Large and wide pedestrian walkway
- Narrow pedestrian walkway
- Division between the vehicle circulation and pedestrian walk with flyovers etc
Intangible
Singapore
Social Dimension
- Limited public expression and personal freedom
Visual Dimension
Hong Kong
Manhattan
- Mix use of the space for different activities to display the city - Organized planning characteristics in terms politics, economy and social - Combining work and living spaces
- Quick changing and adapting to new demands and environments
- The blending between the nature and the built environment
- Orientation of the street is related to focus on certain views
- Compact in nature. Streets are tight with buildings built to the edge of their boundaries. - Lack of open public spaces
- Competing among each other
- Iconic skyline and architecture is displayed at different point of junction
Intangible
Singapore
Hong Kong
Morphological Dimension
- Blocks built on grid - High rise and line to follow the city vertical built form planning - No existing grid - Compact living due system to continuous vertical building
Temporal Dimension - History and culture - Lost of heritage are still preserved buildings due to well and classified as the rapid part of the heritage construction of high rise buildings - Mixture between traditional and modernity
Manhattan - Horizontal and vertical grid system enhances the circulation - Highly accessible from one point to another - Onate building detail and grand boulevard - Public spaces and plaza at the middle of the city
CHARACTERIZATION OF
ILLUSTRATION OF
URBAN FORMS
DISTINCT CHARACTER
FIGURE GROUND ACTIVITY FORM MOVEMENT PATTERN
COLLAGE CITY CITY OF MULTILAYERS
ESTABLISHMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF
SERIAL VISIONS SOCIAL DIMENSION VISUAL DIMENSION SIGNIFICANCE & POETICS
TALES OF
WISH
COMPARISON OF THREE CITITES INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT
DAVID My favorite city will be Manhattan. I am so fascinated by the buildings in Manhattan. The colors, the forms and the design of the buildings are like celebrating the life of the city and injecting energies to the city and make the whole city comes alive. The skyscrapers in Manhattan has shaped the city skyline. I believe every city has its own distinctive skyline but the Manhattan will be the one which will not be forgotten by anyone. As the Manhattan’s skyline is show the life of the city and it is like a dream place that everyone wants to go and a place where a dream start from. It is place where everyone will remember and eventually in love with it.
GEORGIUS Singapore has succesfully express her love and servitude to its people in its own way. Though singapore is known for being a small country, it doesn't stop serving its people which consisted users from different enthnic and cultural backgrounds, at its best without comprimising any small details of architectural element in its design. Yet from it, singapore has came out with a very unique style architecture that celebrated every particular elements in it. When they say architecture is the canvas or a media that control people's behaviour. Singapore architecture has shown itself as a true masterpiece that influence those who experience it.
KAH WENG My favorite city will be Hong Kong as there is always an overlapping of old and new. You can always see the traces of the old building when you are walking down a street in Hong Kong. Recently, I can see how the Hong Kong government trying so hard to reshape and recreate new faces of the city by discovering the different possibilities of the form, usage and design of a building and how the building create an impact to the public or become an attraction that able to pull people together. However, it is a must to preserve the old and allowing the old coexist with the new within a same street. Then the old and new, the interesting modern building and the old traditional building, will form a really unique image of the street that embedded in the people mind. ALEX I consider Singapore as the best example due to various experience the city preserve could gave to its user. The combination between various cultures, ethnic and religion background create a very unique heritage that stands out on its own, added with the rapid development that is influence by the  western. Singapore has transformed from straits times architecture to international and modern developed entity or Singapore is ready to welcome users from all over the world. The transportation system is designed in a way that it prioritize s pedestrian users.
ALEXIS Hong Kong is my preferred city due to its survival instincts and ability to adapt. Life in the city is rough and cut throat, people are constantly in a rush and days are packed to the brim with activities and deadlines. Hong Kong, as a city, is a mirror image of its people. The compact buildings, tight spaces and vibrant streets are constantly morphing to adapt to the challenges faced. The city grows and adapts to the function and flow of the streets as opposed to being form driven. Instead, the city is a derivation of its people. It is a raw city, unfinished and honest.
WEI KEAT In overall, I prefer Singapore as the city to live in due to the rich engagement of green spaces into the urban context. Wide greeneries are planted all over the street to enhancing the visual dimension and as natural shading device. The multi-layering of the city which interconnects the spaces from underground to each floor level which provide multiple routes for people to access. I also enjoyed indulging in the beautiful landmark of the city especially in Marina Bay which full with modernity faรงade double up my interest of living in the city.
0312617 0316922 0311181 0300000 0312501 0303646
CHONG KAH WENG CHUNG KA SENG (ALEX) DAVID KOO MEI DA GEORGIUS INDRA PUTRA OH KENG YEE (ALEXIS) POH WEI KEAT