Hui Ling_NUS Architecture Thesis Report (Final) by Hui Ling K

C A S E F O R K A M P O N G S P I R I T : D A K O T A C R E S C E N T

by Kiu Hui Ling A0158005M

Architectural Design Research submitted to the Department of Architecture in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE at the NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE April 2021

I would like to sincerely thank my thesis supervisor, Mr Ho Weng Hin, for his guidance, encouragement, and valuable insights during studio. I am truly fortunate to be under his tutelage in my final year. It has been a fruitful and rewarding thesis journey in an area that I have always been interested to try. I would like to thank Dr Ho Puay Peng, for his valuable inputs during the many rounds of crit, and for going beyond by inviting me to the site visit. I am grateful for both tutors that I have worked with, and their teachings have definitely expanded my interest on heritage buildings. Thank you my studio mates, Jonathan, Jia Wei and Ynez, for always being so kind to share and help. I am grateful that I have you guys as my studio mates for the last lap. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my favourite people - Nadia and Afiqah - for being the best company in architecture school. You guys are amazing and talented in everything that you do, and I am excited to see what the future lies ahead for all of us. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for always giving me their fullest support - my mum for being my model-maker since Year One, my sister for all that she has helped and listened to, and my dad for his food with love. And Kai Feng for always being there and so willing to help in his own capacity.

R E S E A R C H

A B S T R A C T

The public housing story in Singapore is an international case study of a country that went from rags (slums) to riches (the modern high-rise). To achieve this, mass resettlement from the late 1950s saw urban kampongs being replaced by the HDB (Housing Development Board) public housing. With social reforms and drastic landscape transformations, the semi-autonomous kampong dwellers were transformed into ideal citizens of the independent nation. In the contemporary era, redevelopment schemes have once again displaced many people. Built in 1958, Dakota Crescent represents one of these many historical markers. The 2014 relocation paints another chapter of upheaval for its rental community - a stark reminder of their status in the homeownership narrative. The impending demolition threatens to erase traces of the common memories and struggles that have forged the kampung spirit. Dakota Crescent has become an embodiment of its inhabitants, a presence invisible and left behind by the progressive society. This thesis is about returning Dakota Crescent to its people. Through partial adaptive reuse, the thesis envisions a future where the former community returns to the revitalised estate. The masterplan embraces the entry of new residents and demographics, and seeks to create a synergy amidst these socioeconomic differences. This is built upon an exploration into the hypothesis of factors that make up the kampung spirit - the people, social infrastructure, and the place of living. By examining the intricate domestic landscape, the intervention proposes the addition of new structures that aim at reclaiming a sense of place and identity. For a community that has been uprooted many times, this reimagination of Dakota Crescent is a celebration of stories, colours and physical remnants.

keywords: aging, rental housing, gentrification, heritage, kampong spirit

C O N T E N T S

0 1 | Conte x t 1.1 Contextual Premise & Problems 1.2 Thesis Approach

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0 2 | Maste rplan P ro p o s a l 2.1 Preface 2.1.1 Conservation Proposal Study 2.1.2 Overview of Hypothesis

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2.2 Broad Strategies 2.2.1 External Connectivity 2.2.2 Internal Circulation 2.2.3 Restoring Character-Defining Elements

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2.3 Adaptive Reuse Programs 2.3.1 For the Community 2.3.2 Establishing Art Clusters 2.3.3 Revitalising the Waterfront

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0 3 | Arc hitecture fo r th e E v e r y d a y

3.1 Micronarrative 3.1.1 Remnants of the Demolition 3.1.2 The Itinerant People & Objects

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3.2 A Sense of Place for the Itinerant 3.2.1 Form-finding 3.2.2 Proposal One: The Dome Pavilion

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3.3 A Reclamation of Identity 3.3.1 Form-finding 3.3.2 Proposal Two: The Upcycling Pavilion

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3.4 Bridging History 3.4.1 Form-finding 3.4.2 Proposal Three: Waterfront Bridge

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04 | Ac tiv a ting the P u b l i c S p a c e s 4.1 Softscape 4.1.1 Stormwater Management 4.1.2 Community Gardens

]

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4.2 Hardscape 4.2.1 Urban Plazas 4.2.2 Inventory of Urban Furniture

05 | Conc lus ion

Image Index

Bibliography

Appendices

0 1

C O N T E X T

1.1 Cont e x tua l P remise & P rob l e m s As a continuation from the previous research, the thesis now examines the time from the 2014 displacement. Over the years, the unit occupancy rate in Dakota Crescent has reduced to 60 percent at the point of relocation. Two-thirds of these households have at least a member that was 60 years old and above (Mokhtar, 2014). Being a rental estate, these households are predominantly lower-income. A further proportion of these residents comprises elderly who live alone. While most are retired and have to rely on government welfare, there is a great value placed over their sense of autonomy, however limited by their mobility. Distinct from other rental housing estates that are commonly associated with social issues, Dakota Crescent is markedly different. The sense of an unspoken kampung spirit provides comfort and assurance to its inhabitants. These longtime exchanges and connections are no doubt catalysed by the socialist architecture and communitarian planning of the neighbourhood. The presence of a senior activity centre essentially functions as the community centre of the kampung, providing a venue for seniors to congregate and engage. The relocation meant that this community fabric was disrupted. To accommodate the move, a new block at Cassia Crescent was built. Despite most of the former residents moving over, the modern rental housing typology impedes the continuation of any kampung spirit. As with the government’s stance on homeownership, rental housing is treated as a highly residualised stock (Ng, Neo, 2019). The quality of living is hence compromised by the state’s perception of rental flats as an impermanent housing solution. The poor housing design and the lack of proper communal spaces significantly reduce social interactions within the community. The displacement of a predominantly aging community sheds light on a deep-seated issue with the current rental housing model.

1.2 Thesis Approach The thesis proposes an intervention on two scales. To set the premise, the masterplan proposes an alternative to the current government plan - which demonstrates the possibility of conserving more blocks while keeping to a standard plot ratio. The masterplan primarily aims to establish Dakota Crescent as an integral center in the surrounding urban fabric. This consists of strategies that improve accessibility and internal circulation. Programmatic insertions work to revitalise the remaining continuities in the precinct, inviting a diverse demographics of new visitors and residents. In creating opportunities for interactions between these groups, the thesis hopes to alleviate the sense of physical isolation the estate currently sits on, while ameliorating the stigma associated with rental communities. While the masterplan proposes a rejuvenation of the old estate, the architectural intervention negotiates for a sense of place for the former community. The public domestic landscape sees many habitual activities and occupancies by itinerant groups. By salvaging the remaining materials from the demolition site, everyday structures are inserted to highlight and facilitate these unseen networks. In giving visibility to these micronarratives, the thesis hopes to empower the displaced with a sense of recognition and expression. Smaller-scaled structures are then deployed throughout the site as a gesture of reminiscence, while serving new purposes and appropriations. Essentially, these propositions strive to counter the extent of gentrification that is likely to be felt from the estate’s new conserved status.

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M A S T E R P L A N

P R O P O S A L

2.1 Pr ef ace 2.1.1 Conserv a tion P ropo s a l S tu d y In 2017, the government rescinded its decision to do a tabula rasa on Dakota Crescent. Recognising its historical significance and overwhelming community support, it was announced that the estate will be partially conserved. Although only six blocks will be retained - half the number of blocks that the Saving Dakota team had hoped for - the outcome marked a momentous win for ground up conservation. The rest of the site will be redeveloped and intensified as public housing. Examining the criteria behind the selection of the conserved blocks, the Ministry of National Development (MND) revealed that the cluster represented “all the distinctive building typologies of the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats found in the estate”. The principle of exceptionalism is evidently exhibited. Thus in this thesis, a conservation proposal study is drawn up to investigate the feasibility and costs of conserving more blocks than stipulated.

An exploration into the surrounding estates in the precinct revealed that the majority of the estates had an average plot ratio of 2.8, with the exception of the newer estates (eg. Pine Vista) and the adjacent condominiums. Hence, the masterplan proposal intends to follow a similar plot ratio. With the above constraint, the masterplan proposes to forgo the left parcel of land (shaded in pink) to be redeveloped into five blocks of 18-storey high-rise housing. This allows sufficient gross floor area to hit the intended plot ratio, and at the same time still retain 12 blocks. Essentially, this sets the premise for the masterplan proposal.

2.1.2 O ve rvie w of Hy pothe s is

2.2 B r oa d S tra tegies 2.2.1 E x ternal Connectivi ty In parallel to its rental tenants, Dakota Crescent sits on an increasingly isolated site within the neighbourhood. The Old Airport Road separates the site from the heart of the estates - mainly the Kallang Estate Market and the popular Old Airport Road Food Centre. The heavy traffic proves a daunting challenge for the elderly to move across, with only a pedestrian crossing and a liftless overhead bridge facilitating safe crossing. In addition, the Geylang River poses a great barrier into the site. Currently, the only direct way to cross the river is at the bridges located along Guillemard Road and Dunman Road, increasing unnecessary travel time. Providing greater access along the waterfront will entice a diverse set of demographics into the estate, especially existing student populations and the landed house community. The first strategy then proposes a new connection from Dakota Crescent into the Food Centre in the form of a pedestrian overhead bridge. Lift access is to be provided, allowing seniors with mobility issues to cross with ease. Patrons of the Food Centre are another source of footfall that will contribute to enlivening the estate. To facilitate better connections from the other side of the river, a new bridge connection will be designed.

The overhead bridge across Old Airport Road

Old Airport Road Food Centre

Geylang River

2.2.2 Internal Circ ula tion Different from the void decks that are commonplace in modern HDB housing, the current ground floor of Dakota Crescent is occupied by residential units. Although the open courtyards were designed with great emphasis on the circulation pathways, the blocks are rather impenetrable to movements across. The second strategy involves carving new thoroughfares by removing the ground floor massings that pose obstructions. The removal of non-load bearing walls creates a larger lobby space for blocks with existing lifts, while new sightlines are established for the lower-rise blocks along Dakota Crescent Road. Increasing visibility on all sides will facilitate a seamless connection, offering peeks of different activities and programs around the site.

2.2.3 Restoring Cha racte r-Def i n i n g E l e m e n ts (CDE s ) While the first two strategies make changes to the existing conditions to ease circulation, the third strategy works to restore the original facade of the low-rise blocks. Fondly remembered as the ‘Red-bricked Houses’, the fairfaced bricks were iconic of the postwar decades, where the construction industry paralleled after the austere economic situation (Conservation Technical Handbook, 2017). The red brick was an affordable and durable building material, and the growth of local brick kilns ensured its steady supply. Along with Dakota Crescent, the use of brick in landmarks such as the former National Library bolstered the brick’s visual identity as the 1960s epoch. In addition, the resource-scarce conditions did not deter the british architects from experimenting with alternative building methods and materials. The exposed aggregate panelling demonstrated this innovation, providing visual relief to the wings of the butterfly blocks. The strategy thus proposes to strip away the current layers of paint to reveal the original brickwork and panels, capturing the essence of the estate as an important historical marker.

early 1990s original red-bricked facade

before 1990s paint over cladding

2000s bricks painted over

present whitewashed facade

early 1990s second coat of paint

present only block left with cladding

2.3 Adaptiv e Re use P rogra ms

Program List Residences Intergeneral Living Apartments (3- & 4-bedroom clusters) Normal Residential Apartments (2- & 3-room units) Artist Apartments (Studio & 3-room units) Community Use Intergenerational Daycare Community Theatre Community Centre Heritage Centre Community Garden* Creative Arts Use Crafts Street Market Exhibition Space Workshop Space Commercial Uses Night Market (Pasar Malam) Waterfront Bazaar Food & Beverage outlets (Restaurants, Cafes, Coffeeshops) Retail Shops Park Connector Network Amenities (Bike Rental Shops, Fishing Supply Shops)

2.3.1 For the Community The community-centric programs aim to redefine the elderly residents as the nodal group within the wider community network. The provision of these specific facilities seek to encourage seniors, especially the bulk who live alone, to engage with neighbours and the outdoor environment. Social isolation is increasingly prevalent in aging societies, and this combination of programs would establish the visibility of these members within the immediate community.

I Intergenerational Living Apartments Similar to the concept of reciprocal care in the Humanitas Deventer Residential Program, the apartments bring together seniors and students as roommates. For the students, this provides an affordable option to live near the city center. As a part of the rent, the students are required to engage the seniors for a fixed number of hours regularly. For the seniors, the students represent a point of connection to society, enlivening conservations that would otherwise revolve around aging and illnesses. While Tung Lin centre has vacated, the slab block still holds many memories for the former residents. As such, the apartments will be housed in the first and second floors above. II Intergenerational Daycare The program is envisioned to model after the Toyama Style Daycare, where it is open to anybody regardless of age. This targets primarily children, elderly, and the physically disabled. By putting different age groups in the same environment, the daycare is less institutionalised and takes after a normal domestic landscape. Seniors act as both caretakers and teachers to the children, eliminating the stigma of ageism through exposure from young. The daycare will take over the premises of the Tung Lin Centre, located in close proximity to the intergenerational apartments. Non-load bearing walls in the interior will be demolished to fully utilise the space as an open plan. The daycare will face the dove playground as well, encouraging the children to create the next generation of memories.

III Community Theatre There is a rising trend in using community theatres as platforms for self expression and support systems. The Community Theatre (TCT), an initiative by Beyond Social Services, targets at-risk youth living in rental communities. Similarly, Theatre for Seniors (TFS) is a programme by the theatre company The Necessary Stage, focusing on seniors and their life stories. More than just performances, these stages act as forum theatres - the plot usually revolves around social issues faced by the less privileged such as dysfunctional homes - where the audience are invited to pitch in solutions. The insertion of a community theatre in the walk-up apartments serve as a permanent space for rehearsals and bonding sessions. The provision of an office space for both organisations would extend counselling services to those in need.

2.3.2 Est ablis hing the Art Clu s te r s The Crafts Street Market consists of repurposing the balconies on the ground floor of the walk-up apartments into shopfronts for budding art sellers. The respective apartments are to be rented out to the artists as live-in workspaces. Utilising the hole-in-the-wall concept, artists are encouraged to spill their activities into the common street. These could include setting up clothes racks, display tables, and conducting outdoor workshops. The live-in studios offer an alternative to the users of Goodman Arts Centre, whereby the rental space is strictly for work purposes. By establishing Dakota Crescent as a satellite to the creative industry, the older dressmaking community from the Old Airport Road could be revitalised. Synergy would be created when the new artists purchase fabric and materials from these tailor businesses. To activate the road, the existing curb will be raised to level the ground. A material change from asphalt to gravel will soften the look of the vehicular road, establishing its new function as a semi-pedestrianised street. Speed bumpers and road signs are added to indicate a safe zone for pedestrian crossings. This facilitates a continuous human traffic flow from the waterfront to the courtyards and vice versa.

2.3.3 Revitalising the Wate rfro n t As part of the wider Park Connector Network (PCN), the Geylang River should be activated as an asset. Currently, other than a dedicated fishing zone located near Guillemard Road, there are no amenities along the stretch. The programs inserted into the waterfront zone, such as restaurants and bicycle rental shops, hence seek to revitalise the area. To fully transform the river into a destination, the masterplan proposes to return the concrete canal into its former naturalised state. This includes softening the water banks and designing the landscape, possibly undertaken under the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme. Due to its floodprone nature, the region will be developed in tandem to flood management strategies. This will be further elaborated in section 4.

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A R C H I T E C T U R E

F O R

T H E

E V E R D A Y

3 .1 M ir c r o N a rr a t ive 3.1.1 Remnants of the Dem o l i ti o n In the wake of the government’s decision, half the number of blocks in Dakota Crescent will be demolished. This will generate a significant amount of materials that can be reclaimed and integrated into the new additions on the proposed site. This includes bricks, aluminium from the window fittings, and steel from the balustrades. In particular, objects that defined the palette of Dakota Crescent, such as the colourful wooden doors and different patterned metal grilles, can be salvaged wholesale as display pieces in the new intervention. This inventory of objects represents the remnants of identity and use over time. It seeks to celebrate a sense of individuality and the bygone autonomy over space, no doubt encouraged by the kampung spirit. Other than serving as a reminiscence of the estate’s material history, these objects are very familiar to the former community and plays a part in placemaking.

T H E BU TTE R FLY B LOC K S

IN VE N TORY OF S A LVA GA B LE MATE R IA LS

Bricks

Mild Steel Railings

Metal Grilles

Wooden Doors

Sunshading Canvas

Aluminium Casement, Glass louvers

3.1.2 The Itine rant P e ople & O b j e c ts The daily domestic landscape sees many negotiations of space played out by different groups. Recurrent sights and sounds happen so habitually that they become unnoticeable to the common eye. In a rental estate like Dakota Crescent, many of its residents have taken on employment in a different form. While the plying of trades on the streets have originated from the past, these informal activities continue to provide a source of income for some. The itinerant traders and retailers are rather reminiscent of the street hawkers that once brought vibrancy to an otherwise mundane domestic setting. A further exploration into the site reveals other ‘itinerant’ objects - objects that do not quite belong at where they are - that play hosts to user appropriations. While small in scale, they are able to redefine how its surrounding space is being colonised, used and perceived. These constant changes in the ownership of public space is a spatial quality exemplified by the kampung life, and perhaps it is the reason why Dakota Crescent was able to retain its old world charm. In the following sections, these unseen networks are brought to the front. Using the reclaimed materials from the demolition, the interventions aim to create new meanings and connections out of old physical remnants.

S P ILLOV E R S

Flea Market

Newspaper Stand

TR A N S ITION A L S PA C E

Event Tentage

MIC R O

Bookcase

Community Centre Television

U S E R A P P R OP R IATION

Loose Furniture

Bicycle Rack

MOB ILE

Cardboard Collection

Ice Cream Truck

3.2 A S ens e of P lace for th e I ti n e r a n t The more common roving retailers include ice cream vendors, flea market holders, and newspaper stand vendors. These are essentially commercial in nature, but are able to transform their surroundings into a third space - places where people are welcomed to congregate and linger regardless of what they have purchased. These trades share a distinctive look with their use of sun shading devices - ranging from parasols, attached umbrellas and even makeshift canvases. These character defining elements demonstrate the fleeting nature of their businesses, and the resourcefulness of their retailers. While these humble trades are itinerant, a sense of importance should be accorded to their roles for enlivening the streetscape, consciously or not. Being regarded as one of the vanishing trades in this century, perhaps it is time to create a sense of place for them. As footfall is important for these businesses to thrive, the courtyard with the dove playground presents an ideal opportunity for their setups. The dove playground, being the icon of the estate, is a center of attraction for its nostalgic value. Nearby, the intersection of the pathways sees chance encounters daily, a design intention sought out by the socially-driven SIT architects. Hence, the addition of an open-air pavilion is proposed at this convergence, providing as well a sheltered space to facilitate the congregation of people.

3.2.1 Form-finding By virtue of the arrangement of blocks, the courtyard is sandwiched between the only two slab blocks in the estate. These blocks are better known for their strong display of geometry, featuring a ventilation screen on the front and alternating balconies at the rear. In addition to generating visual interest, geometry was representative of a greater architectural discourse among the colonial architects. These expatriate architects had to innovate design solutions that dealt with tropicality, producing such perforated concrete screens to allow constant airflow. The proposed pavilion thus takes inspiration from these elements, opting for a structure that is able to exude this similar sense of value placed on geometrical play. To tie back to the itinerant retailers, the form of the umbrella as a character defining element is referenced. Circular in plan, the umbrella is unassuming in its structure, exposing its skeleton when viewed from beneath. A reciprocal frame is first adopted, as the principles of using geometry as a self-supporting envelope demonstrates the core of its form. Borrowing the tessellation on the facade, a combination of polygons are generated and mapped onto a dome-like structure. This structure is elevated on a set of Y-shaped supporting columns, that extend outwards at an angle to continue the curvature of the dome. In terms of cladding, the triangular apertures are attached with reclaimed fabric and awning materials, possibly collected from the tailoring trades at the Food Centre. The other polygonal apertures will be covered by a translucent PVC material, achieving a play with natural lighting. Much like the ventilation screens, the pavilion essentially acts as one large sun shading device. It seeks to create the experience of being under a shelter while still being subjected to the conditions of the outdoors.

3.2.2 P ropos a l One : The D o m e P a v i l i o n Besides playing host to the itinerant retailers, the newly covered space is free for any forms of appropriation. Due to the lack of a void deck space, previous community events were held under temporary tentages. The pavilion eliminates this need, acting as a permanent spot for a necessary social function.

3.3 A Re c lama tion of Ide n ti ty Common household sights of loose furniture, scraps, and wheeled devices such as trolleys, reveal the presence of rag and bone collectors. Comprising mainly the karang gunis and elderly cardboard collectors, they fulfil an integral function in society by closing the waste loop. Reportedly, these informal traders collect nine times more recyclables than neighbourhood recycling bins. Even so, the extinction of the trade looms ahead as national agencies ramp up recycling campaigns through official channels, and the industry becomes not as lucrative as before. In recent years however, government sectors have been seeking to formalise this trade, recognising the value of these collectors towards transforming Singapore into a zero waste nation. In the context of aging communities, many of the residents rely on the trade as they are unable to secure proper jobs due to health issues or family commitments. Beyond the physical labour required to push a loaded trolley, there is stigma associated with these rag and bone collectors. In particular, these cardboard collectors stand at 11.8% of the senior population (aged 65 and above) in Singapore, bolstering the need to formalise the trade. This pavilion hence aims to provide a central collection and exchange point for scraps and unwanted household items. Located centrally in the right courtyard, domestic items can be conveniently dropped off by residents while the presence of new F&B outlets provide a constant source of packaging waste. Similarly, fabric waste generated from the tailoring trades at the Food Centre can be transported to the pavilion for a new lease of life. Logistically, a direct pathway connects the courtyard to a parking area where trucks are loaded with the scraps, and transported to warehouses for sale.

3.3.1 Form-finding As the primary function of the pavilion is to provide storage for salvaged items, a utilitarian form is adopted. From the materials reclaimed in the demolition, the steel elements could be recycled into columns for the new pavilion, forming circularity in its own production. Painted wooden doors could be modified to function as planks for the shelving, which are then slotted into the modular framed structure. Canvases could be used to create makeshift partitions to demarcate the different types of items being stored. The idea of the pavilion is to create an environment that is flexible to the interpretation and appropriation of its users. In addition, the character defining elements of the rag and bone trade are the presence of scraps and wheeled devices. In utilising the pavilion as a collection point, these items are displayed through the facade, both as function and as a visual celebration. The dimensions of the structural framework is designed to accommodate the entry and movements of push carts and bicycles. The pavilion thus sits unobstructive to the original pathways on the courtyard, while providing a new sheltered space for onlookers and daily users. The pavilion is split into two levels - the first floor accommodates the daily operations of the rag and bone trade, while the second floor provides a lounge area for the community and surrounding F&B patrons. Salvaged balustrades would be used as railings for the upper decks, while additional steel frames are arranged as heritage interpretation.

3.3.2 P ropos a l Two: The Up c y c l i n g P a v i l i o n In time to come, the flexible nature of the pavilion is envisioned as a space shared by different groups. While the rag and bone collectors ply their trades, another ecosystem could be formed around the collected fabric waste. To create more employment opportunities, social enterprise company Connezt Dots could be engaged as an overseer. The group aims to empower less privileged communities, such as single mothers and home bound women, with a source of income through the sale of handmade blankets. The sale of these blankets could take place at the proposed waterfront bazaar, establishing a synergy between programs across the site.

Discarded furniture is envisioned to dot the interior spaces as well. As a sheltered space, the pavilion would provide the ideal conditions for flea market trades to set up their stalls. The presence of a book exchange corner is inspired by one of the observations from the estate. Due to the myriad of activities happening concurrently, the pavilion chooses to remain simple and neutral in palette. As a statement, the focus should be casted on its occupants, their identities, and the colours brought in by loose furniture.

3.4 Bridging His tory Through various stages of clean-up operations, the Geylang River was transformed into a clean waterway that thrived with aquatic life. Ironically as the river becomes less polluted, interactions with the water channel have reduced to none due to the introduction of canalisation and barricades. What was once a naturalised water body, the river acted as both playing grounds for children, and a source for household needs (such as the washing of clothes). Further down the river hosts the charcoal trade at Tanjong Rhu, and the timber industries along Kallang River. Teeming with life, these sights and smells were distinctive and served as the identity of the river for a long time. Although the taming of the landscape has alleviated the flooding tendencies of the region, a revitalisation of the river is due necessary in order to reclaim its role as a social infrastructure. The proposed waterfront bridge primarily aims to connect transient communities to the estate. The design seeks to pay homage to the common sights associated with the past of the river. The character defining elements of the old trades consist of the landscape of masts from the tongkangs, as well as sightings of submerged timber logs. The blackened waters near the charcoal trade were strong demarcations towards the sense of place.

3.4.1 Form-finding The form of the bridge is expressed as an extension to the existing PCN. The central portion of the structure and the railings are curved to resemble the hull of a bumboat. To provide sun shading, a suspension membrane system is adopted as the roof. The pylons are integrated into the structural columns of the bridge to maintain a continuity in form. Planters and seatings are provided on the intersections of the bridge, serving as viewing decks for visitors. A darker timber is selected as the overall material to evoke the river’s industrial past. This could possibly be incorporated from reclaimed timber.

3.4.2 P ropos a l Three: W a te r fr o n t Br i d g e While the bridge functions as a point of connection, it exists as part of the wider waterfront proposal. The use of the same timber material establishes a visual continuity from the boardwalks, while the gentle slopes of the ramp ensures smooth movement flow for the PCN users. Similarly it seeks to be inclusive, encouraging universal accessibility to wheelchair and PMD users.

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A C T I V A T I N G

T H E

P U B L I C

S P A C E S

4 .1 S of t s c a p e 4.1.1 S tormwate r Mana gem e n t Due to the low-lying areas of the region, Dakota Crescent experienced frequent pondings up to 1999. In revitalising the waterfront, it is imperative for the proposal to address strategies for stormwater management. Taking reference from projects done under the ABC Waters programme in recent years, approaches to apply a water-sensitive urban design would fit well with the intentions of the proposal. The naturalised river banks would provide the gradient needed to introduce a series of treatment elements, which would double up as design features. This includes activating a vacant backyard into a water garden that serves as a bioretention basin, as well as replacing all existing stormwater drains with bioswales. Vegetated swales and cleansing biotopes located downstream would cleanse the runoff before being conveyed into the river. These strategies would work in tandem to slow down stormwater runoff, mitigating occurrences of floods.

4.1.2 Community Ga rde ns In addition to the landscaping at the waterfront, community gardens are introduced at the courtyards to encourage a hands-on approach to greening. In addition to boosting food security, community gardens have proven to forge communal bonds and contribute to a sense of belonging among the gardening members. Other than to facilitate social interactions, the space would be able to replicate a kampong context, as many senior residents have expressed a sense of nostalgia while tending to the gardens (Tan, Neo, 2009). An overseer of the operations could be the Citizen Farm. As a social enterprise, they team up with neighbourhood gardens to sell local produce to urbanities in the city. This provides a source of income for the gardening members, who are often socially disadvantaged. In particular, the Ah Gong Farm initiative in York Hill Estate comprises elderly male who are tenders of their community garden. Previously prone to social isolation, the garden has provided a new source of motivation and an opportunity to connect with others (Tan, 2019). The Citizen Farm practices closed loop agriculture as well, such as innovating ways to use grounded coffee to grow mushrooms, which are then sold back to local restaurants. The Garden Gives Back programme helmed by the Sembawang GRC has also explored giving community harvests to rental communities, creating a synergy that involves and benefits all members in the neighbourhood.

4.2 Hardscape 4.2.1 Urban P la zas I Night Market The frontage at Old Airport Road is the most frequented entry into Dakota Crescent. The revitalisation plan seeks to transform the existing strip of parking lots into a pedestrianised plaza. Permanent tents will be set up to cater to the operations of a night market, while free to be colonised by flea market owners in the day. This serves to activate the dead space that it has become, creating a sense of entrance for new visitors and old ones from the Cassia Crescent block.

II Waterfront Activators To activate the waterfront, micro programs are inserted along the stretch to attract different age groups. Restaurants around the area are welcomed to spill over their outdoor dining areas (ORA), while the nearby mist fountain serves as an outdoor water park. A performance stage is located in the middle, and is kept free to be occupied by any itinerant buskers. The bike-in theatre at the furthest end is an extension of the community theatre program, where PCN cyclists are able to access via the pedestrianised plaza. Simultaneously, the back of the building could provide a canvas for the projection of light shows at night. The waterfront bazaars are scattered across the site on both banks for the river, creating a business opportunity for crafts done by artists and social enterprises.

4.2.2 Inv e ntory of Urban F u r n i tu r e To create a consistent design language on the large site, the insertion of urban furniture could work as an asset. As an extension to the aim of utilising past physical remnants, the reclaimed pieces could act as installations that would serve a new purpose.

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C O N C L U S I O N

While news of the redevelopment was announced in 2014, it was not until the last quarter of 2020 that hoardings on the site were erected. At the time of writing, three butterfly blocks had been scrapped. In light of the recent demolition (and more to come), the thesis hopes to provide an alternative trajectory to the fate of Dakota Crescent. By extending its current lifespan, the proposal seeks to extrapolate the lives of its past inhabitants - by imagining the sights and activities that the former residents would engage in everyday situations. When plans for the future of Dakota Crescent have firmed up, it is with optimism that a piece of the estate will be retained not just in its pristine state, but enriched with traces of the kampong spirit that used to persist along the modern history of the nation.

I M A G E

I N D E X

Pg 18 Our Better World - Welcome to Cassia Crescent. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ourbetterworld.org/welcome-to-cassia-crescent TodayOnline. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/only-2-stalls-oldairport-road-hawker-centre-have-minimum-operating-hours-ntuc-foodfare. Singapore Business Review. (2010). Koh Brothers clinches contract for 3-year Geylang River makeover. Retrieved from https://sbr.com.sg/utilities/more-news/koh-brothers-clinches-contract-3-year-geylang-river-makeover Pg 20 8 World. (2014). Screengrabs retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6GiKPHaKQ. Between Two Homes - The Story of Dakota Crescent. (2016). photograph. http://betweentwohomes.sg/. Very Real Andrew. (2015). Connecting British Colonialism with Singapore’s Heartlands through Dakota Crescent. photograph. https://veryrealandrew.com/site-visits/2019/9/25. Pg 29 Author’s own. Pg 32 The Lion Raw. (2012). Dakota Crescent. photograph. https://lionraw.com/2012/11/07/dakota-crescent/. Laptrinhx. (2014). Remembering Dakota (Crescent). photograph. https://laptrinhx.com/news/ remembering-dakota-crescent-LRE96Ak/. LIONCITYBOYZACH. (2014). Dakota Crescent, named after a plane. photograph. https:// heartlandertourist.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/dakota-crescent-named-after-a-plane/. Pg 34 Our Better World - Welcome to Cassia Crescent. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ourbetterworld.org/welcome-to-cassia-crescent Flickr. (2015). Dakota Free Library, Tian Kee Cafe, Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats, Dakota Crescent, Singapore. photograph. https://www.flickr.com/photos/129142054@ N05/16605960597. Spotted Media. (2019). The Cats Still Roam Dakota Crescent. photograph. https://www.spotted.sg/the-cats-still-roam-dakota-crescent/. Pg 60 Author’s own.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Books PUB Singapore. (2014). Active beautiful clean waters: design guidelines. Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE Ltd. (2017). The state of social enterprise in Singapore. URA. (2017). Conservation Technical Handbook. Journal Papers Alfred, Eric R. (1987). Boats of Singapore. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4149308. Asefi, M., &amp; Bahremandi-Tolou, M. (2019). Design challenges of reciprocal frame structures in architecture. Journal of Building Engineering, 26, 100867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jobe.2019.100867 Chua, F. (2020). A HISTORY OF THE SINGAPORE PASAR MALAM: A Market Experience in Pre-Modern Singapore. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40860801. Lazaroo, N. (2020). There’s Something in the Air: An intergenerational community performance exploring issues of health and inequality in Singapore. Youth Theatre Journal, 34(2), 136–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/08929092.2020.1842830 Parigi, D.; Pugnale, A. (2014). Three-Dimensionality in Reciprocal Structures: Concepts and Generative Rules. Nexus Network Journal, 16(1), 151–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004014-0183-y Popovic Larsen, O. (2014). Reciprocal Frame (RF) Structures: Real and Exploratory. Nexus Network Journal, 16(1), 119–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-014-0181-0 Radelet-de Grave, P. (2018). Pier Luigi Nervi’s idea of “vertità delle strutture.” Building Knowledge, Constructing Histories, 1097–1103. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429506208-140 Song, P., Fu, C.-W., Goswami, P., Zheng, J., Mitra, N. J., &amp; Cohen-Or, D. (2013). Reciprocal frame structures made easy. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 32(4), 1–13. https://doi. org/10.1145/2461912.2461915 Tan, L. H. H.,; Neo, H. (2009). “Community in Bloom”: local participation of community gardens in urban Singapore. Local Environment, 14(6), 529–539. https://doi. org/10.1080/13549830902904060

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

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Journal Papers Tosic, Z., Krasic, S., & Stojic, D. (2018). Constructive system of reciprocal frames in terms of contemporary architecture. Facta Universitatis - Series: Architecture and Civil Engineering, 16(3), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.2298/fuace180620018t Online Articles Chen, J., &amp; Low, C. (2020, May 8). The Unmet Potential of Singapore’s Common Spaces. Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities. https://lkycic.sutd.edu.sg/blog/unmet-potential-singapores-common-spaces/. Gene, N. K. (2021, March 28). Needy Sembawang residents enjoy harvest from town’s community gardens. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/needy-sembawang-residents-enjoy-harvest-from-towns-community-gardens. Kriwangko, Lisa. (2018). businesstimes.com.sg. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life-culture/urban-farming-social-enterprise-bears-fruit-for-local-community. Low, N. (2018). My Turf: Vegetables and friendship blossoming in community gardens. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/my-turf-vegetables-and-friendship-blossoming-in-community-gardens. Mok, A. (2019). Could rag-and-bone men make Singapore a zero waste nation? Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/could-rag-and-bone-men-make-singapore-a-zerowaste-nation/. Peh, M. (2017). The real struggle of Singapore’s old, ailing cardboard collectors. The Pride. https://pride.kindness.sg/struggles-singapore-old-ailing-cardboard-collectors/. Tan, C. (2013). Disappearing trades in Singapore. Retrieved from https://latitudes.nu/disappearing-trades/ Reports Tan, N. (n.d.). (rep.). Edible Garden City: Community-Centred Urban Farming. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/-/media/cuge/ebook/citygreen/cg15/cg15_06.pdf?la=en&amp;hash=DBE175C6E3DDA83A7FBF92C937B33C5B777D412E

Theses Godthelp, T. S. (2019). Timber reciprocal frame structures (thesis). Websites Mokhtar, F. (2014). Dakota Crescent set for redevelopment, residents to leave by end2016. Retrieved from http://sgre.com.sg/dakota-crescent-set-for-redevelopment-residents-to-leave-by-end-2016/ Remember Singapore. (2016) Vanishing local street vendors? Retrieved from https://remembersingapore.org/2011/01/01/vanishing-local-street-vendors/

A P P E N D I C E S

In-depth Analysis of Itinerant Objects & People

Design Development & IIterations Dome Pavilion: Iteration One

Dome Pavilion: Iteration Two

Dome Pavilion: Iteration Three

Dome Pavilion: Iteration Four

Design Development & IIterations Upcycling Pavilion: Iteration One

Upcycling Pavilion: Iteration Two

Upcycling Pavilion: Iteration Three

Design Development & IIterations Waterfront Bridge: Iteration One

Waterfront Bridge: Iteration Two

Hui Ling_NUS Architecture Thesis Report (Final)

Articles inside

Architecture for the Everyday

Context