WWW.DPA.COM.SG |
SINGAPORE 2019 |
3 NUMBER 10 VOLUME | 041/08/2019 (P) MCI
IN
DEPTH
ALTERNATIVE FAÇADE MATERIALS
ADAPTIVE BUILDING FAÇADE DESIGN
INs ight
PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
I N
Pers o n
FACE-TO-FACE WITH DP FAÇADE
DP FAÇADE SPECIAL The creation of space and its quality – a development in its entirety, is hardly ever derived from a singular person’s vision. It is, in fact, the result of the collective input from multiple groups with specific areas of expertise, aligned to shared values in design deliverables and design excellence. And in this age of socio-political and economic flux, brought on by the onset of digital disruption, unprecedented rate of urbanisation and increase in environmental awareness, architects must see the value of an integrated design approach so as to better meet the increasingly complex needs and demands of end-users. Recognising this early on, DPA had established DP Consultants, our project management consultancy arm and DP Design, our interior design and spatial planning arm in 1981 and 1982, respectively. They were our first two specialist companies. Over the last five decades, we have not only deepened our design expertise, DPA has also broadened our scope of design services by establishing six more architecture-related specialisations. Today, we work as the DPA group of companies to offer clients around the world, a multidisciplinary approach across project types and scale. In this issue, we provide a deeper insight into our building envelope design arm, DP Façade (DPF), which was formally established in 2016, and helmed by director Mr Mathieu Meur and his diverse team of architecture-trained designers and engineers. Through their extensive portfolio in façade design, we look at how DPF taps into its knowledge and experience in a wide range of façade materials to deliver desirable yet fully functional envelope designs. We will also discuss the advantages of DP’s integrative process and multidisciplinary ethos in creating differentiated but well-calibrated design outcomes. In the In Person pages, we ask DPF to tell us what sets them apart from contemporaries, and how they make their unique dynamic and diverse talents work. We hope this sharing will further explain who we are and how the larger DPA group works to deliver excellent design. Happy reading.
Angelene Chan Chief Executive Officer
c on ten ts 04 I N d u s t r y 01 Heartware Network Named Popular Choice Winner 02 Frasers Tower Wins Gold 03 Er Yong Siew Onn, wins Green Engineer Award 2019 04 Decoding Enhanced ETTV and RETV Formulations 05 Pushing Frontiers Globally
05 u p d a t e s Smart. Green. Delightful.
I N
06-07 B R I E F
01 The Exchange TRX 02 The Skyview 03 Sun Tower 04 The Garden 05 Guoco Midtown – Midetown Bay 06 Islamic Financial Centre
I N
08-21 D E P T H
01 Alternative Façade Materials 02 Adaptive Building Façade Design
22-23 I N s i g h t Pushing The Envelope
I N
24-25 f o c u s
Integrative Façade Design
I N
26-30 P E R S O N
Face-to-Face with DP Façade
D e si g n
i n
P r i n t
Team
EDITOR IN CHIEF Angelene Chan | CONTENT Belle Chung, John Utanes, Josy Koh, Toh Bee Ping, Chia Zhao Hui GRAPHICS Rebecca Jin, Amanda Lin | PHOTOGRAPHER Bai Jiwen | CONTRIBUTOR Jackie Poh
4
AWA R DS & E V EN T S
INDUSTRY
HEARTWARE NETWORK NAMED POPULAR CHOICE WINNER Architizer A+ Awards 2019 Designed by DP Architects, Heartware Network was named Popular Choice Winner in the 2019 Architizer A+ Awards under the Concepts – Plus – Architecture +For Good category. The design of the 350sqm office for the non-profit organisation, was a Community Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution from DPA and a design exploration into flexible and creative workplace environment. It also explored how design can be used as a powerful tool to reach out to the youths. To influence the way they reimagine and identify with space while nurturing life values. The Architizer A+ Awards is the largest awards programme focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture and products.
FRASERS TOWER WINS GOLD Melbourne Design Awards 2019 Frasers Tower was named Gold winner in the 2019 Melbourne Design Awards in the category of Architecture – Commercial – International after two weeks of voting and judging. Frasers Tower is a commercial development situated at the entrance to the Singapore’s Central Business District and epicentre to a fascinating mix of modernity and tradition where cutting-edge architecture stands amid heritage shophouses. Designed by DP Architects with consideration for the heritage, nature and well-being of the users and wider community in the area, the building was recognised for its design excellence.
ER YONG SIEW ONN, WINNER OF GREEN ENGINEER AWARD 2019 SGBC-BCA Sustainability Leadership Awards Er Yong Siew Onn, director of DP Sustainable Design, was the nominated winner of the Green Engineer Award 2019 in this year’s Sustainability Leadership Awards co-organised by Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) and Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of local companies and green building projects leading the way in sustainability, as well as recognise outstanding industry practitioners and professionals, organisations and project teams for their consistent contribution and significant achievements in the development of a green and sustainable built environment. The awards ceremony was held at Orchard Hotel during SGBC’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 5 September.
DECODING ENHANCED ETTV AND RETV FORMULATIONS IBEW: Energy Efficient Building Envelopes As part of the International Built Environment Week (IBEW) organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore, Mr Mathieu Meur, director of DP Façade, was invited as a panellist to discuss the enhancement of energy efficient building envelopes. This included thermal optimisation strategies with available façade technology; current and future methods for recognition of façade performance within BCA Green Mark; and the forthcoming updates to the Code for Environmental Sustainability of Buildings.
PUSHING FRONTIERS GLOBALLY offsite expo 2019 Director of DP Architects' London studio, Mr Frven Lim was invited as a speaker at the Offsite Expo 2019 on 24 September at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, England. Representing Singapore in the Singapore/Australia session, he provided insights on PPVC projects in Singapore and how DP’s global studio is pushing boundaries with reference to some of its projects such as Mariner’s Quarter (at Royal Wharf) in London and Bonnevaux Meditation Retreat near Poitiers in France. The expo brought together inspiring industry leaders to focus on knowledge sharing and creating collaboration opportunities through UK’s largest exhibition of offsite construction technology.
UPDATES
5
T H E L AT E S T H A P P E N I N G S I N D P
PLYWOOD USED IN THE NEW RECEPTION ARE GREEN LABEL CERTIFIED AND COME FROM A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE.
S M A RT. G R E E N . D E L I G H T F U L . LEVERAGING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND MINDFUL PRACTICE, DP ARCHITECTS PUSH TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY AND WELLNESS WITH ITS NEW OFFICE.
In September, DP Architects consolidated its Studio 1 and Studio 2 offices in Marina Square, Singapore. The decision to merge the two studios into a singular office location serves to address two things close to DP’s heart – collaboration and sustainability. Built on its People+Partners ethos, DP Architects has since expanded to include nine specialist arms from interior design and building envelope design to landscape and arboricultural consultancy, and environmentally sustainable design. Housing all 800 Singapore-based DPians, the expansion of Studio 2 further enhances the interdisciplinary collaboration, design process and workflow between departments and within the DPA group of companies. The design of the new office, which will be officially opened in January, features a stunning new reception and meeting rooms. Each design decision – from minimising wastage to material choice – was sustainably grounded. Ultimately, by encouraging an open and flexible plan with re-configurable layouts for maximum space usage, the DP design team retained and re-used 50% of its existing furniture stock, and used sustainable products and systems for construction. These include low VOC paints, certified green labelled partitions and energy-efficient light fixtures.
Along with new hardware, the office invested and upgraded its software. This allows DP to digitise more of its processes as well as leverage the power of technology and data so as to achieve its sustainability goals. A smart feature implemented is the live monitoring system which comprehensively tracks electricity and water consumption levels to save utilities in the new office wing. Besides being energy efficient, good indoor-air quality through fresh air intake and air purging are provided for the wellbeing of DPians. Smart lighting, for example, has automated dimming that adjusts based on daylight availability and occupancy to create a work environment that improves mood, energy and productivity among DPians. Complementing this, is the incorporation of indoor landscaping throughout the office space; which is maintained by an automated irrigation system with private digital water meters to monitor water consumption. Other sustainable practices that DP has adopted include going paperless and a more eco-conscious procurement process to promote responsible sourcing and consumption of materials. These measures are part of DP’s aim to promote good materials resource stewardship.
6
IN BRIEF
DPA + DPf
DPA + DPf+ DPsd
the exchange TRX
the skyview
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
HYDERABAD, INDIA
The Exchange TRX is the 17-acre world class lifestyle epicentre of the upcoming Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), a city defining new financial and lifestyle district in Kuala Lumpur directly connected to the MRT interchange. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the retail precinct of the development is a multiexperience destination with about 500 stores and is set to become the vibrant new social heart of the city. Due to the large building footprint and diversity of offerings, it was essential to create faรงades that identify with each area. This breaks up the building mass and gives variety and interest to the faรงade by using diverse materials and systems โ ranging from glazed shopfronts to GFRC screens, steel canopies, vegetated skylights and more. Despite this disparate set of materials, the faรงade remains coherent and cohesive through integration and clever arrangement of colour swatches and texture palettes.
The Skyview is an office complex that accommodates 40,000 employees. Key design considerations included enhancing end-user comfort and sustainability. The faรงade employs unitised high-performance low-emissivity coated curtain walls and perforated aluminium triangulated sunshades at exposed areas. Their shape and orientation reduce solar glare and gain, while its perforation opens views to the surroundings. Simultaneously, double-glazed glass units improve thermal behaviour and acoustics against nearby traffic. Faรงade maintenance is facilitated by elegantly integrated catwalks all around, within the curtain walls and triangular screens, doubling up as horizontal sunshades. Lastly, subtle light fittings complete the faรงade, creating a striking appearance at night.
DPf
Sun Tower HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM DP Faรงade has been appointed as the faรงade and Building Maintenance Unit consultant for Sun Tower. Located on prime commercial site in the Central Business District of Ho Chi Minh City, the tower will soar 55 storeys above the town. Designed by Serie Architects (UK) in collaboration with Multiply Architects (Singapore), this Grade A office building derives its appearance from the money tree. The design accommodates amenities by simply shifting the floor plates of a generic tower. These shifts create large terraces for networking spaces. Together with outdoor seating and lush spill-out areas, they form a unique meeting space with views across the city. The faรงade for this tower includes vast areas of full-height glazed curtain walls which will also provide building users with expansive and panoramic views of the city. A prominent two-storey high volume is created at the western corner of the podium to receive the Metro entrance, incorporating the design of the metro and podium into a coherent whole. The faรงade is designed to be highly efficient and sustainable. Heat gain will be minimised through the use of high-performance glass, and the addition of egg-crate sun-shading elements. The latter will also fully integrate with faรงade lighting elements in order for the building to make an impression by day and by night.
7
S H O R T T A K E S O N N E W & NO T A B L E P R O J E C T S
DPA + DPf
DPA + DPf + DPl + DPsd
the garden
Guoco Midtown - Midtown Bay
YANGON, MYANMAR
SINGAPORE
This pioneering mixed-use project is designed by Kajima Design (Japan) in collaboration with DP Architects, and DP Façade is the appointed façade consultant. The clean lines and beautifully crafted canopies on the lower parts of the building façade are inspired by traditional Burmese architecture and infused with Japanese refinement. The glazed shopfronts have symmetrically designed triangular support members for improved sight-lines, while the envelope for the cafés and restaurants consists of tall and wide glazed slide-and-fold doors, offering al fresco experience to diners during cooler months. Overall, the building envelope for the three towers consists of unitised ribbon glazing system, with deep overhangs for improved thermal performance and glare control.
Guoco Midtown is a premium vibrant business and lifestyle destination that connects three core office areas – City Hall, Marina Centre and Bugis. Sited among expressive towers, this 90,000sqm mega mixed-development (comprising office, retail and residential components) integrates with its surroundings while maintaining a unique identity. The single shaft tower incorporates sky and crown gardens to create open spaces within. High-performance laminated DGU glazing lowers heat gain, and vertical fins enhance the façade’s verticality and improve shading. Glazing modules are maximised at 1.8m wide to minimise vertical framings, allowing for wider unobstructed views.
DPA + DPf + DPl+ DPsd
Islamic Financial Centre JAKARTA, INDONESIA Poised to become the Syariah financial hub of Asia, the new Islamic Financial Centre in Jakarta comprises two high-rise towers with complex floor plates sitting atop a curving podium. The façade of the towers feature intricate Islamic mashrabiya patterns, conceived by joining aluminium extrusions of various shapes and sizes together. These extrusions not only form elegant patterns. They also conceal façade lighting elements which bring life and a different appearance to the building by night. The sweeping curves of the large entrance reveal the elaborate geometric outline of stainless steel and glazed columns, which stand in contrast to the clean lines of the entrance lobby shopfront. Sandwiched between the drop-off canopy’s strong linearity and the patterned envelope of the towers, the façade for the podium meanders across the whole development with its crisp vertical lines, acting as a clean transition between the simple and elegant ground floor entrance and the patterned façade of the towers.
IN DEPTH
9
F E A TU R E D P R O J E C T
ALTERNATIVE FAÇADE MATERIALS By Mathieu Meur
IN A RECENT DISCUSSION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF A WELLKNOWN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM, THE LATTER INTIMATED, “FAÇADE CONSULTANTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH GLAZED CURTAIN WALLS AND ALUMINIUM CLADDING, BUT DON’T REALLY KNOW OTHER MATERIALS!” Then, almost as an afterthought, and realising that we had made extensive use of GRC and PVF-coated stainless steel, in the projects that we worked together, she added quickly and with a smile, “There are a few exceptions to this state of things, obviously.” This discussion inspired the present article. Although it is virtually impossible to list down and exhaustively describe all the different options for dressing up the building envelope, In Depth takes a closer look at a variety of alternative façade materials available today, and briefly explores their unique advantages and applications across some of DP’s notable projects.
10
IN DEPTH
Stone cladding, in particular natural stone, has been used in the construction of building façades
1
for several millennia. Stone fascia panels, however, are a much more recent addition to a designer’s palette; becoming necessary with the advent of concrete-framed buildings. Today, architects are faced with a plethora of choices, with granite being the best all-round choice, given its exceptional properties (very low water absorption, high consistency, and high flexural strength, etc.) in comparison to other types of stones. Yet, the difficulty in working with natural stone lies less with materiality than with poor workmanship and incoherent engineering that has persistently plagued the industry. This has resulted in a disproportionately large rate of failure compared to other cladding types. Thus, exceptional care and experience are required in the selection of the right type of stone and in designing its support system.
Just like stone, terracotta (which is Italian for baked earth) has been used by mankind for centuries. Its first uses were in crockery and decorative items; then roof tiles and more recently, in the form of extruded elements that are used to clad the exterior of buildings. Terracotta presents clear advantages of dimensional stability and exceptional weather resistance, even if its brittle nature requires careful detailing of the cladding system. Similar to this are ceramic panels. Made of baked kaolin clay, they have also recently migrated from the inside of buildings as small floor or wall tiles to the exterior in the form of large and thick panels that can be coloured, as well as glazed or unglazed. The thicker panels (typically 14mm to 20mm for façade applications) are resistant to heat, rain, pollution and other environmental attacks. However, like terracotta, the panels are brittle, and need to be carefully designed and engineered to prevent failure.
1. 2. 3. 4.
STONE CLADDING: RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, SINGAPORE TIMBER: TREETOP LOFTS, SINGAPORE GFRC: DUBAI MARINA MALL, UAE ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST CLADDING: THE DUBAI MALL, UAE
3
4
11
A L T E R N A T I V E F A Ç A DE M A T E R I A L S
2
A greater awareness towards sustainability and back-to-nature design trends have seen a revival of another traditional construction material: timber. Contrary to its conventional counterparts, timber constitutes a carbon sink. This means it stores up carbon and is a renewable element. Although vulnerable to attacks from termites and exposure to heat, UV and other elements, the beautiful advantage of timber is its excellent k-value with a thermal conductivity approximately 10 times lower than that of concrete. When properly implemented and maintained, timber will provide many years of protection to underlying structures, indoor comfort as well as an unparalleled look and feel.
Architectural precast cladding has fallen in and out of favour with architects over the years. Currently, with the elevated consciousness towards sustainability in design and materials, precast concrete is making a comeback. Despite being thicker and heavier than other cladding types, there is flexibility in the production of precast concrete. For one, it can be produced as massive elements – the largest ones on The Dubai Mall are 14m by 5m by 5m. It can also be finished in an almost infinite number of ways including painted, integral colour, stone-faced, exposed aggregates, etc. However, one must remain aware of the limitations of the material such as minimum rebar cover and panel thickness.
Glass-Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) offers much the same advantages as precast but with a reduced set of limitations. In particular, the use of glass fibres as reinforcement in place of steel bars allows panels to be thinner and therefore, lighter. Aesthetic-wise, GFRC can be painted; but better and longer-lasting results are achieved through the use of integral colour and white cement. The surface of the panels can also be profiled and patterned to conform to the architect’s vision for the project. In the past, it was important to maximise repetitions of designs in order to minimise the cost of mould fabrication, which was largely a manual operation at the time. More recently, with the advent of CNCmanufacturing methods, the time and cost involved in the creation of moulds has reduced substantially, allowing for greater latitude of designs.
12
IN DEPTH
5
GLASS-FIBRE REINFORCED POLYESTER (GFRP) & EXTERNAL INSULATED FINISHING SYSTEM (EIFS): UNIVERSAL STUDIO SINGAPORE 5. FAR FAR AWAY CASTLE, WHERE VISITORS ARE TRANSPORTED TO A 4D-ADVENTURE WITH SHREK. 6-7. NEW YORK CITY STREETSCAPE. 8. SCI-FI CITY, WHICH HOUSES THE HYPER-REALISTIC TRANSFORMERS 3D THRILL RIDE.
13
A L T E R N A T I V E F A Ç A DE M A T E R I A L S
6
Much like GFRC, Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has been developed to make up for some of the shortfalls of architectural precast concrete. With compressive strengths in excess of 200 MPa (five times greater than that of traditional precast concrete), UHPC can be manufactured into relatively thin panels or threedimensional elements for use as cladding. The use of white cement and inorganic pigments lends a consistent and durable appearance to building envelopes made of UHPC. This material is particularly effective for thinly chiseled facades. Then, there are High-Pressure Compact Laminates (HPCL) which blend natural fibres and thermosetting resins, manufactured under high pressures and
7
temperatures. This yields highly stable, dense panels with good strength-to-weight ratio. The material is considered to be one of the most durable decorative surface materials and is available with special performance properties including chemical, fire and wear resistance. Some of the interesting properties of HPCL is that it is possible to order relatively small quantities of multiple colours and that the panels can be readily cut into geometric shapes in order to create unique façade designs. Fibre cement boards are a form of cement composite material that consists of cement, cellulose and mineral materials, reinforced by a visible matrix. Like HPCL, it can be transformed into any size or shape using standard tools in the workshop or on site. The material can be perforated using waterjet or CNC machines. Large or very small cuts
8
can be made. It can also be embossed and printed. The through-coloured material allows designers to achieve intricate details while maintaining consistent tone. Glass-Fibre Reinforced Polyester (GFRP) includes hundreds of combinations of fibre, polymer and processes. This versatility makes the composite material unique but difficult to manufacture in terms of deciding what fibre, resin and process is best for a given application. That said, GFRP is strong, durable and light-weight, giving it many advantages over other conventional materials. Its ability to be economically moulded into complex shapes makes it a workable alternative to GFRC or UHPC when detailing becomes extremely fine, or when the designer requires a surface appearance that is smoother and glossier than that afforded by these other materials.
14
IN DEPTH
On the Universal Studio Singapore (USS) project, DPF
it needs to be evenly and carefully tensioned in order to
worked with External Insulated Finishing System (EIFS).
achieve the expected uniform appearance.
It refers to a category of insulating finishing system used as cladding for a building’s exterior. EIFS resembles traditional
PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a Teflon-coated
stucco while offering greater energy efficiency and design
woven fibreglass membrane that is extremely durable
flexibility. It is a lightweight, multi-component exterior wall
and tolerant of even the most extreme weather elements.
assembly, consisting of a layer of insulation encapsulated
The woven fibre glass gives PTFE its mechanical strength,
into a number of other layers to lend it the required
and provides the membrane with flexibility. The material
properties for withstanding exterior elements. The layer of
is often used in the form of canopy or other coverings,
insulation can be formed into virtually any shape, allowing
where it is important to reduce the amount of heat passing
EIFS facades to achieve a limitless set of appearances.
through but not essential to keep a view to the outside. As a tensile fabric, PTFE typically needs to be designed as
Woven wire cloth (also known as woven wire mesh) is
an anticlastic shape, which presents certain restrictions in
fabricated on looms, a process that is similar to the one used
terms of the shapes that can be adopted.
to weave textiles. Typically fabricated from natural or PVFcoated stainless steel or anodised aluminium, it can consist
Finally, there is Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE).
of various crimping patterns for the interlocking segments.
Consisting of a plastic polymer related to Teflon, it is
Some manufacturers even offer the option to weave LED
created by taking the polymer resin and extruding it into
strips directly within the mesh, thus creating see-through,
a thin film. Due to its high light transmission properties
decorative media screens. The mesh material is extremely
and high strength-to-weight ratio, ETFE is largely used as
durable, and will likely outlast the building itself. However,
a replacement for glass in skylights and canopies. Systems
9
10
15
A L T E R N A T I V E F A Ç A DE M A T E R I A L S
SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF FAÇADE MATERIALS TO THE DESIGN AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS OF A PROJECT TRULY REQUIRES DEEP KNOWLEDGE, VAST EXPERIENCE AND EXCEPTIONAL CARE.
range from cable-supported single layer to insulated multi foil cushions, with the latter being the most popular approach in Singapore. ETFE cushions are filled with air using an Air Handling Unit (AHU), which lend the pillows stiffness, allowing them to be supplied in very large, selfsupporting elements, using only minimal steelwork. The main drawback of ETFE, although this can be an advantage in some cases, is that it is acoustically transparent, providing virtually no insulation from external noises or from raindrop impacts.
The list is necessarily non-exhaustive. In attempting to provide a brief description of the many alternative cladding materials available today, we demonstrate that selection and application of façade materials to the design and functional needs of a project, truly require deep knowledge, vast experience and exceptional care. These, the team of façade specialists and engineers at DPF are equipped with, and
9. WOVEN WIRE CLOTH: VIEW OF MODEL USING GOLD WOVEN WIRE MESH 10. PTFE: CANOPY OF RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, SINGAPORE 11. ETFE: CANOPY OF RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, SINGAPORE 12. ETFE: CANOPY OF SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
leverage on so as to deliver well-calibrated design solutions across building types and scale.
11
12
IN DEPTH
17
F E A TU R E D P R O J E C T
ADAPTIVE BUILDING FAÇADE DESIGN WITH A GREATER SOCIAL AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, THERE TOO IS AN INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUSINESS PRACTICES AND INITIATIVES Architecture and façade design is no exception. In addition to dedicated environmentally sustainable design measures, façade designs have tremendous potential to contribute to the greater green discourse beyond the use of recyclable materials. In fact, the industry is seeing more building envelopes implement energy-generative designs. Some examples are photovoltaic façades that harness energy from the sun or kinetic façades that utilise wind to generate power. The possibilities of façades to further the cause of sustainability is immense. Constantly abreast of innovations in the industry, DP Façade (DPF), the building envelope design arm of the DP Architects group, goes beyond meeting environmental standards for certification. They champion the ability of architecture to tackle environmental challenges. In the following articles, In Depth explores how DPF is changing the game in meeting the needs of the environment and client demands through the building envelopes of today.
18
IN DEPTH
EAST COAST INTEGRATED DEPOT INTEGRATING INNOVATION
RENDERING OF THE SITE
EAST COAST INTEGRATED DEPOT | S I N G A P O R E
19
The East Coast Integrated Depot, to be built together with the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) by 2024, is the first facility in the world to integrate three train depots and one bus depot within a single site. As depots occupy a lot of space and are costly, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) looked at alternative ways to build depots cost-effectively, without compromising land use. By Mathieu Meur
With the East-West Line (EWL), Downtown Line (DTL) and TEL running in the vicinity of the depot site, LTA made use of the opportunity to optimise land use by stacking three train depots above one another. With such integration, 44 hectares of land (approximately 60 football fields) will be saved in land-scarce Singapore and released for other uses. Simultaneously, the stacked design of three train depots is both structurally efficient and economical as it allows for co-location of the depots and therefore, the co-sharing of facilities. This centralisation of common facilities and systems offer savings in the long-run. While ingenious, the multi-storey depot design presents added complications to the façade design. This is because façades for depot buildings depart from the commonly seen cladding systems and materials, and are cladded with over 8,000 three-dimensional (3D) architectural precast modules. The original design included well over 100 types of modules – a fabrication, logistics and installation nightmare for both the pre-caster and main contractor, respectively. For the East Coast Integrated Depot, all the precast modules were stacked to the full height of the building, resulting in extremely heavy loading on the bottom-most floor; making it virtually impossible to take into account fabrication and installation tolerances, as well as thermal expansion and contraction of the modules. These modules were also designed to be very deep so as to sit directly onto the main building structure. The large size and weight of the modules would render transportation and installation extremely challenging. DP Façade (DPF) was engaged by GS Engineering and Construction (GS E&C) to help address these multiple issues in the most appropriate fashion. Leveraging on its vast experience of working with various façade materials and systems, in particular architectural precast concrete, DPF completely redesigned the façade system while retaining the exterior appearance and aesthetics.
20
IN DEPTH
THROUGH MULTIPLE 3D CONCRETE MODULE CONFIGURATIONS, THE NUMBER OF MOULDS REQUIRED TO CAST THE MODULES WERE GREATLY REDUCED AND INSTEAD OF STACKING ALL MODULES FOR THE ENTIRE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING, THEY ARE FIXED ONTO VERTICAL STEEL RUNNERS, WHICH REDUCED LOADING ON THE STRUCTURE, AND RESOLVED ISSUES OF LOGISTICS, TOLERANCES AND INSTALLATION.
The multiple 3D concrete module configurations were first
the model allows for direct quantity take-off of the façade
rationalised into just a handful of typologies, greatly reducing
elements through the use of an adequate plug-in.
the number of moulds required to cast the modules. At the same time, by facilitating logistics in the precasting yard
Separately, the depot buildings are designed to be naturally
and on site, the number of rolling stock of façade elements
ventilated in order to meet sustainability goals. Given the
required to be kept ready for installation were limited,
deep floor plates of the buildings, natural ventilation requires
thereby reducing wastage of materials.
very large openings within the façade. At the same time, the openings in the façade modules need to limit the amount of
The size and weight of the modules were also greatly
rainwater penetrating the building. These two requirements
reduced through a complete redesign of the support
work against each other, making it extremely difficult to find
strategy. Instead of stacking all modules for the entire
a suitable solution.
height of the building, they are individually fixed onto vertical steel runners using adjustable metal brackets.
Working closely with the DP Sustainable Design (DPSD)
This approach not only helped reduce the loading on
team, DPF prepared a complete model of the site and its
the structure, but by the same token, resolved logistics,
surroundings, which was first used to establish the wind
tolerance and installation issues all at once.
profile and velocities within the depot buildings. These results were then used to carry out a rain penetration study for both
In line with buildability goals for the construction industry,
small and large rain drops, effectively highlighting areas
DP Façade further assisted the main contractor by preparing
within the depot buildings where excessive rain penetration
a comprehensive BIM model of the entire façade, down
would occur if the façade design was not amended. Through
to LOD 300. This approach helps in a number of ways. In
this collaboration between the DPSD and DPF teams,
particular, this highlighted a number of clashes between the
adequate corrective measures could be formulated.
façade works and other trades. It also revealed areas where the façade is unsupported, and required modifications and
The façade for the bus depot differs in design from that of the
additions to the main structure. Finally, the level of detail of
train depot buildings. The building envelope consists largely
EAST COAST INTEGRATED DEPOT | S I N G A P O R E
21
THROUGH ANALYSIS FROM SIMULATIONS OF WIND-DRIVEN RAIN, DPF WAS ABLE TO PROPOSE AN IMPROVED FAÇADE GEOMETRY THAT LOWERS CHANNELING EFFECT AND REDUCE THE DEPTH OF RAIN PENETRATION IN THE DEPOT.
of extended metal fins, while other large areas of the façade
have to pay double for a sub-standard façade. Moreover, the
are covered in horizontal and vertical slanted architectural
original design may trap water, dust and dirt between the
precast fins. The precast elements, although somewhat
perforated metal sheets and the cellular glass boards, likely
simpler in design than the 3D modules of the train depots,
resulting in algae and fungus growth within the fins.
suffered from much the same issues – stacking, absence of tolerance, buildability problems, etc. Working closely with
To address both issues, the DPF team proposed to
GS E&C, DPF developed an optimised design for the precast
reconfigure the overall build-up of the fins and to make a
façade, reducing the weight of individual components and
simple change to its geometry. Using primarily high-strength
facilitating fabrication, transportation and installation.
aluminium alloys instead of the original steel design, the overall weight is reduced and the lifespan of the fins will be
The real challenge for the bus depot façade, however,
maximised. Not only did these design adjustments vastly
lies in the metal fins. These elements are intended to
improve the performance of the metal fins, DPF was able to
absorb noise generated within the depot, shielding nearby
achieve this for the client without any cost increment.
habitations from excessive noise levels. As recommended by the acoustic consultant for the project, the original design
Too often, drawings of the building envelope look good
includes perforated metal sheets on either side of the fins,
on paper, but are impractical, technically inadequate, not
sandwiching two thick layers of cellular glass boards (an inert,
economical, or worse, unbuildable. The work done by
highly acoustic-absorbent material made from recycled glass)
DP Façade on this project highlights not only the need to be
as well as a central steel reflector sheet. The fins cantilever
knowledgeable in multiple materials beyond just glass and
close to two metres from the face of the building and feature
metal, but also to intimately understand the various aspects
a lateral kink half-way through their widths.
of façades, from design to engineering, fabrication and installation, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for
Yet from an acoustic point of view, the overall geometry of the fins was sub-optimal as half of the fins present virtually no acoustic benefit. This would mean that the client would
all stakeholders.
22
INSIGHT
PUSHING THE ENVELOPE A DIFFERENT BALLGAME FOR AN EVOLVING FAÇADE INDUSTRY. By Mac Tan Three significant push factors are synergistically driving the global façade market today – technology, climate change and government initiatives. Increasing international pressure to address the issue of climate change has led to big shifts in public economics such as pollution permits and taxation. At national level across the board, governments are implementing initiatives and improving legislations to build greener. The ripple effect has seen the construction industry slowly but surely, jumping onto the bandwagon, evolving to accommodate climate change and performance requirements. Green build incentives from the government combine with rising awareness and demand for more cost-efficient energy consumption has further encouraged developers towards energy efficiency. This has in turn stirred up demand for eco-conscious façade systems and therefore, the growing focus on the development of sustainable, advanced materials with capabilities offering safety, building efficiency and reduced energy consumption which the larger built environment is experiencing.
SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB
23
PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
Today, the building envelope carries the attributes of both
The complexity and demands of new architectural façade
appearance and superior performance in a mode unlike any
designs push us to think out of the box, challenging norms while
other building system. This also provides architects with a unique
delivering façades that are technically viable. To do so, DPF
platform through which they define the aesthetic character of
has had to adapt to changes, and adopt new technologies not
the building while complying with set performance criteria, and
commonly used in this field.
achieving green mark goals. Today, our extensive experience, combined with the use of latest A DIFFERENT BALL GAME Currently, basic façade criteria (i.e. water tightness, air tightness, structural integrity, thermal performance, acoustic performance, movement capacity, wind loading, fire safety, maintenance, buildability, blast security) remain largely unchanged and are prerequisites in achieving a well-designed façade. However, DP Façade has observed new design criteria and considerations that must be taken into account as they directly affect how a façade is delivered for each project:
1
COMPLEX 3D GEOMETRY Demand for more organic and articulated façade forms, especially in retail projects where an iconic outset generates marketing advantage and better revenue.
software, places us ahead of our competition. An example is our advance 3D capability with Parametric Integration. It allows us to accommodate complex design requirements while sharing the same platforms for engineering and detail design. This seamless integration greatly improves our efficiency in providing solutions and other deliverables.
DPF TAKES A CREATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS THE COMPLEXITIES AND DEMANDS OF FAÇADE DESIGN TODAY, LEVERAGING ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO DELIVER TECHNICALLY VIABLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS. DPF also offers Façade Remedial Works and Diagnostic
2
LARGER MODULES AND SPANS
Investigations. To ensure proper delivery of this service, DPF
From glazing heights and panel spans, new project
not only taps into the specialised expertise of its team, we also
developments are pushing the boundary of norms of
collaborate with drone companies and AI-driven image analysis
material dimensions, so as to set a unique benchmark
software to integrate our services with this new inspection
for their project.
method. This is crucial with the increased focus on façade safety by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore.
3
SPECIAL MATERIALS & FINISHES WITH NEW LIMITS AND CONSTRAINTS With increasing client demand for design differentiation
DPF director, Mr Mathieu Meur is among the façade specialists working closely with BCA to develop the necessary guidelines as well as to train certified façade inspectors at BCA Academy.
and eco-conscious material options, consultants must be knowledgeable about these new products in order to provide clear recommendations to developers and architects.
4
LIGHTING & MEDIA SCREEN INTEGRATION As a dynamic design feature, lighting and media screens are increasingly popular for their marketing function in commercial developments.
5
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS (GREEN PRODUCTS) With most government initiatives promoting for greener
SINGAPORE CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE
construction methods and performance, several key aspects of sustainable methods and approaches are being developed uniquely for each project. 6
FAÇADE BUILDING MAINTENANCE One of the major challenges with complex façades is maintenance where conventional methods may not apply. Our experience and approach focus on providing project-specific approaches that combine multiple systems available in the market along with bespoke designs. DPF has developed a close relation with global manufacturers and suppliers to address unique challenges of each project.
VIEW OF PARAMETRIC MODEL USING DYNAMO
24
IN FOCUS
INTEGRATIVE FAÇADE DESIGN CREATING DIFFERENTIATED FAÇADES THROUGH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. By Mathieu Meur In the past decade, having a façade specialist on-board to develop the details and specifications, as well as to ensure the proper execution of the works relating to the building envelope has become the norm for projects of all typologies and sizes. This change was prompted in part by two factors. The first is failures observed on façades of existing buildings combined with increasingly challenging regulatory requirements placed on modern façades. The second is the desire expressed by architects and developers alike to push the boundaries of building envelope design so as EXAMPLE OF SOLAR ANALYSIS SIMULATION GENERATED BY DP’S IN-HOUSE SOFTWARE, NimbleSIM. DPF AND DPSD WORK SYNERGISTICALLY TO STUDY THE SIMULATIONS AND ASSESS POTENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR MINIMISING THERMAL GAIN THROUGH FAÇADE – REDUCED ELECTRICAL CONSUMPTION ASSOCIATED WITH AIR-CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION, AND MINIMISED POTENTIAL GLARE WHILE MAXIMISING THE USE OF NATURAL DAYLIGHT INDOORS.
to produce a development that is attractive to prospective customers and investors while addressing the demand for sustainable design. In light of these shifts, it is hard to deny that the design of the building envelope plays a major role in place-making today. And to achieve a sustainable yet unique and desired design outcome for the client,
EAST PERSPECTIVE
WEST PERSPECTIVE
25
INTEGRATIVE FAÇADE DESIGN
DPF AND DPG COLLABORATED CLOSELY TO ACHIEVE A FAÇADE THAT ARTFULLY MIMICS GREENERY GROWING IN ROCK FISSURES THAT ARE FOUND IN CHINESE LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS FOR THE SINGAPORE CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE BUILDING.
DP Façade takes an integrative multidisciplinary approach,
play with façade lighting to boost the physical allure of a
working closely with the diverse expertise within the DP Architects
development, which in turn helps to meet both economic and
group of companies.
regulatory requirements. Here, the collaboration between DPF and DP’s lighting design and visual planning arm, DP Lighting,
This is evident in how DPF delivered the façade design and
has yielded outstanding results. Projects such as the Lusail City
engineering for the Guoco Midtown – Midtown Bay project.
Commercial Boulevard in Qatar exemplify the importance of a
Comprising more than ten types of glass, each was chosen to
close coordination between the different parties involved in the
fit the particular requirements of the office spaces, residential
design, and stand as proud testimonies. One of the key issues that
tower, retail zones and more. Working closely with colleagues at
we have holistically addressed while designing integrated lighting
DP Sustainable Design (DPSD), we used our in-house software,
is sealing the curtain wall and lighting rebates against wind and
NimbleSIM to conduct a ballpark assessment of the façade
rain, as any water ingress would have potentially catastrophic
performance, prior to the more rigorous energy modelling of the
consequences on the integrity of the electrical system. This can be
building. This approach allowed the design team to save hundreds
achieved through careful detailing of the façade. Another major
of hours in abortive work and in simulation time.
design consideration is the ability to maintain and replace all elements of the lighting system in the future without the need for
With collaboration, the possibilities in façade design are endless.
de-glazing and re-glazing, or the removal of curtain wall elements.
Tying in with DP Green (DPG), the landscape and arboricultural
This is essential for ensuring the safety of operation, and for
consultancy arm at DP, the design of living façades goes beyond
minimising maintenance costs. Finally, the routing of power needs
the incorporation of vegetated walls and green roofs. Instead,
to take into account limitations associated with a multi-tenancy
living façades transform into hybrids straddled between art pieces
building. This dictates the possible location of ballasts or drivers.
and elements essential to the well-being of building users. In the words of our colleague, DPG director Yvonne Tan, “Landscape
Ultimately, the design of modern building envelopes, more than
architecture should also be about adding something to the lives
in the past, requires intimate collaboration between various
of people who inhabit a space”. Vegetated elements within a
disciplines that did not even traditionally need to work together, or
façade not only contribute to its beautification, but also improve
in some cases did not exist in the first place. The physical proximity
the quality of the air, and act as shading elements for the façade
of the teams, the ability to have access to each other at all times,
and roofs, thereby reducing the heat gain on the building and
the camaraderie that develops over time, and the cross-pollination
mitigating the urban heat island effect.
that takes place as a result, all testify to the strength and creativity that come from true interdisciplinary work such as the one that
Often aesthetics come with technical challenges. This is especially
exists between the teams of specialists within the DP Architects
so with the increasing adoption of media façades and innovative
group of companies.
26
IN PERSON
FACE-TO-FACE WITH DP FAÇADE YOU’VE SEEN THEIR WORKS; NOW MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT FORM DP FAÇADE’S DYNAMIC TEAM. IN PERSON CAUGHT UP WITH DP FAÇADE DIRECTOR MATHIEU MEUR, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR MAC TAN, SENIOR TECHNICAL EXECUTIVE WAYNE WOO AND SENIOR FAÇADE ENGINEER GAN CHEE YAW TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY STARTED OUT IN THE FAÇADE INDUSTRY, ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THEIR LINE OF WORK, AND WHAT SETS DPF APART FROM THEIR COUNTERPARTS.
Interview by Belle Chung & John Utanes
27
F A C E - T O - F A C E W I T H D P F A Ç A DE
IN ORDER TO DESIGN A FAÇADE, ONE NEEDS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CONSTRAINTS IN TERMS OF MATERIAL PERFORMANCE AND AVAILABILITY, FABRICATION METHODS, INSTALLATION PROCEDURES AND MUCH MORE. – MATHIEU MEUR
HOW DID YOU START OUT WORKING IN FAÇADE DESIGN? WAS IT SOMETHING YOU SOUGHT OUT OR STUMBLED UPON?
involved in façade work, specifically on experimental building envelopes. As for my current scope of work, I do the design, detailing and various other technical aspects. I also manage Building Information Modelling (BIM).
MATTHIEU MEUR: I started out as a structural engineer, designing
MM: It’s more than just about art. It’s very, very technical. It
concrete and steel structures. Very quickly, I felt a longing to work
involves the right choice of system, the right materials, the right
with other types of structures and materials. Right around that
finishes, the right shapes, the right sizes — all this is actually very
time, the director of the façade team in my company approached
scientific, and Wayne is top-notch in that field too.
me to shift over to his team. After a quick discussion on the type of work this would entail, I jumped over and never looked back. The
MAC TAN: Back when I was pursuing my architecture degree, I
rest is history, as they say.
took on a part-time job for a façade contractor company. When I first started in that position, I would look at drawings and did not
GAN CHEE YAW: I came across the term ‘façade’ when I was
know how to read them because I was not trained in façade. So I
doing my final year project in university which involved a façade
took that opportunity to educate myself and learn the trade.
diagrid structure. I became so interested that when I graduated, I tried to look for jobs related to façade and it so happened that
Because of that prior work experience, I ended up always being
the first person I contacted back then was Mathieu. He was not
placed in a scope where I needed to do façade. Eventually, I
with DP and he did not hire me; but encouraged me to stay in the
decided to take on the responsibility of being specialised in
industry. I did as advised, stayed in touch, and eventually had the
it. That is where I found myself working with different façade
opportunity to join his team here in DP Façade.
contractor companies and when those jobs were done, I delved deeper in educating myself on practicality, fabrication works, and
WAYNE WEE: My background is actually in Fine Arts and similar
procurement. I also spent some years working in other façade
to Gan, it was also during my university studies that I was first
consultancies before eventually joining DPF.
28
IN PERSON
THE DPF TEAM IS NIMBLE, ALLOWING US TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND DYNAMIC. WE ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENT AND WE RESPOND TO THESE. – MAC TAN
FAÇADE DESIGN IS ONE THE MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURES OF A DEVELOPMENT. WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT WHAT FAÇADE DESIGN ENTAILS? MM: The façade quite literally is the “face” of the building – what people identify specific buildings with. Some think that it is only about the structural design on the elements; others think that it is all about defining the thermal performance and other parameters; yet others believe that it’s as easy as drawing up details. The reality of the work is well beyond any and all of the above. In order to design a façade, one needs to take into account constraints in terms of material performance and availability, fabrication methods, installation procedures and much more.
As an anecdote, when my wife first tried to explain to friends what I do, she would say that I’m a façade consultant or façade engineer, but people don’t really get it. In the end, she always ends up saying that I do windows and doors. That’s generally the incorrect finality of façade design.
DP FAÇADE IS AMONG THE MOST COMPACT TEAMS IN THE DPA GROUP OF COMPANIES. CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE DYNAMICS OF THE TEAM? WW: Mathieu does not sleep! MT: Yes, whatever time of the day it is, he will respond. MM: And Gan doesn’t know how to relax – in a good way. GCY: Yes… I’m quite noisy in our department; perhaps because I prefer a cheerful work environment..
29
F A C E - T O - F A C E W I T H D P F A Ç A DE
MT: Essentially, there is good chemistry within the team and our characters blend well together. MM: The team is indeed compact but it is also very diverse and specialised. We have Gan who is an engineer; Wayne who is a Fine Arts graduate; Mac who is an architect; and this diversity extends to the rest of the team — very different backgrounds and yet we all do the same work in the end. It is very rare to see this type of synergy. This duality that DPF has in terms of both technical knowledge and aesthetic appreciation is in fact invaluable. It helps in coming up with practical designs; building envelopes that are workable, can be installed and are optimised while also looking good. In comparison, some of our competitors may produce aesthetically compelling drawings, but the designs may not always be practical, buildable or optimised. This is one of the distinguishing factors of DPF. Today, we have both façade and main contractors who engage us to help them with design development so as to ensure feasibility and buildability of the designs without compromising on performance or aesthetics.
TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT SETS DP FAÇADE APART FROM ITS COUNTERPARTS? MT: Coming from competing firms, both Mathieu and I are aware of the benchmark. What we see in larger firms is that they have very rigid structures and scope of work. DPF, on the other hand, isn’t constrained by scope and is very flexible. The team is nimble, allowing us to be more responsive and dynamic. We anticipate the needs of the client and we respond to them. I feel that is where our edge is. MM: We have been carefully considering the trends in the industry and discussing these in detail with developers and architects to better understand what their needs and expectations are. This has led us to develop a set of tools and capabilities that go well beyond what our competitors are capable of offering. For instance, we are offering façade BIM documentation to LOD 300 and beyond, which is in line with the deliverables expected from architects, thus relieving the pressure on them. In order to facilitate architects’ and developers' decisions in terms of façade materials, we have also developed a rather unique interactive Virtual Mock-Up approach. This saves both time and money on projects, by allowing an earlier shortlisting of façade materials. We also have a dedicated team handling parametric modelling and generative design so as to optimise façade design and modulations, again saving time and money; and more importantly, avoiding issues during construction. These are but a few of the innovative design approaches developed by our team in order to address real-world issues faced by architects and developers.
WE UTILISE THE RIGHT SYSTEMS, SUCH AS BIM, AND QUALITY DETAILS TO STREAMLINE OUR OPTIMISATION PROCESS AND EFFICIENCY. – WAYNE WOO
30
F A C E - T O - F A C E W I T H D P F A Ç A DE
IN PERSON
SUSTAINABILITY, TO ME, MEANS OPTIMISING OUR DESIGNS SO AS TO MINIMISE MATERIAL WASTAGE. – GAN CHEE YAW
SUSTAINABILITY IS THE BUZZ WORD IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TODAY. HOW DOES SUSTAINABILITY COME INTO PLAY IN YOUR DESIGNS?
WW: To do so, the right systems and the quality of our details are key. BIM is essential in allowing us to streamline our optimisation process and efficiency. MM: Yes, at DPF, we have dedicated equipment, tools and software to carry out these analyses. And when it goes beyond what we
GCY: For me, it means optimising our designs so as to minimise
can do in-house, we reach out and work with specific partners to
material wastage. For example, on a recent project, we completely
realise the sustainability goal.
redesigned a very large organic-shaped skylight over a shopping mall. The result was that we saved over 100 tonnes of steel, and at the same
MT: One of them is our ESD specialist, DP Sustainable Design
time, achieved a much more beautiful appearance for the skylight.
whom we collaborate closely with to strategise and attain Green Mark certification or other building rating systems. Besides this, we
MM: Like the rest of the DPA group of companies, sustainability lies
are seeing greater awareness and request for recyclable materials
at the core of everything that we do. Our team is keenly aware of the
in building design and we make it a point to keep abreast
impact that good façade design can have on the sustainability of a
and updated of all these products to better advise our clients,
building, as well as its operating expenditures. One way we go about this
particularly in terms of thermal performance.
is definitely material optimisation, as explained by Gan. It involves using materials of the right size, modulation and shapes, which all contributes to optimisation from an engineering standpoint. And where possible, we use fewer materials. For example, if a project initially requires 5,000 tonnes of steel or aluminium and we find that it can be done with 3,000 tonnes, we make the decision to use 3,000. This may sound evident, but it takes time and effort to reach this type of outcome. Such optimisation of material use may not be graded in the green rating systems but there is a double benefit — economic and sustainable. This is a value-add that DPF performs without necessarily being specifically asked to do it. It is ingrained in our system.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM DP FAÇADE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS? MM: Depending on the project workload, the team may grow in size, but this is not a priority in itself. We want to make sure that whoever joins the team is able to meet the high level of expertise and efficiency displayed by our current members. We are also always looking out for new and better ways to deliver on projects and to build upon what already constitutes our unique offering. We are refining a few more specialised services at the moment, and we will be unveiling them soon.
52 years of architectural excellence
All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission. DP Architects accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in Design in Print. Any opinions in Design in Print are solely those of the named authors of the article in which they appear. Unless named as author, DP Architects, Editorial Panel and other Contributors do not endorse any such views and disclaim all liability from their publication. Copyright Š DP Architects Pte Ltd
16
international offices
One global studio DP ARCHITECTS PTE LTD SINGAPORE (Headquarters) 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-249 Marina Square Singapore 039594 T +65 6338 3988 F +65 6337 9989 E | dparchitects@dpa.com.sg
8 specialists
MCI (P) 041/08/2019 Printed by: Naili Print Media Pte Ltd L018/04/2019
1100
employees worldwide
DP Consultants | dpconsultants@dpc.com.sg DP Design | dpdesign@dpdesign.com.sg
Published by DP Architects Pte Ltd 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-249 Marina Square Singapore 039594 T: +65 6338 3988 F: +65 6337 9989 E: designinprint@dpa.com.sg www.dpa.com.sg
DP Engineers | dpengineers@dpe.com.sg
All photos are credited to the respective photographers unless otherwise stated.
DP Sustainable Design | dpsd@dpsd.com.sg
DP Facade | dpf@dpfacade.com.sg DP Green | dpgreen@dpg.com.sg
CHINA | DP Architects Pte Ltd (Shanghai) Shanghai shanghai@dpa.com.sg Shenzhen shenzhen@dpa.com.sg Guangzhou guangzhou@dpa.com.sg INDIA | DPA Consultants Pvt Ltd Mumbai mumbai@dpaconsultants.in Bengaluru bengaluru@dpaconsultants.in INDONESIA | PT DP Architects Indonesia Jakarta jakarta@dpa.com.sg MALAYSIA | DP Architects Sdn Bhd Kuala Lumpur kualalumpur@dpa.com.sg Johor Bahru johorbahru@dpa.com.sg MYANMAR | DP Architects Pte Ltd (Myanmar Branch) Yangon yangon@dpa.com.sg THAILAND | DP Architects (Thailand) Ltd Bangkok bangkok@dpa.com.sg TURKEY | DP Architects Pte Ltd (Turkey Branch) Istanbul istanbul@dpa.com.sg UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | DP Architects Pte Ltd (Dubai Branch) Dubai dubai@dpa.com.sg
DP Lighting | dplighting@dplighting.com.sg
DP Urban | dpurban@dpurban.com.sg
UNITED KINGDOM | DP International (UK) Ltd London london@dpa.com.sg VIETNAM | DP Architects Vietnam Co., Ltd Ho Chi Minh City hochiminhcity@dpa.com.sg Hanoi hanoi@dpa.com.sg
IN HISTORY
PARKVIEW SQUARE The Art Deco-inspired Parkview Square, with embroideries of lattice metal work and granite stone on the faรงade, stands out in its magnificence from the typical steel-andglass office buildings. The highly articulated veneer stone faรงade was first built in large sections on the ground, fixed onto massive prefabricated steel frames, then hoisted into place. This allowed for great accuracy and high quality in the installation works. The decorative grilles in front of the glazed openings were fabricated from actual bronze, a material seldom used in faรงades. Designed in collaboration with James Adams Design
2002