EVD_SPADE Rationale-Crawford Court

RATIONALE – NEMOPHILIST. Yee Jia Qi Temasek Polytechnic 1301805F Located at South-eastern part of Singapore, lying between the Kallang district and the downtown core, Jalan Besar is served as a ‘backyard’ or ‘frontyard’ concept. With the back of the city facing the site and the upcoming future development such as Kampung Bugis and the Eco Park, they are interlinked to places like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. The study site is envisioned to be a bustling connecting spine with people of different races, culture and background. It is a traditional conserve precinct which actively maintains kampong spirit thus, becoming a place with uniquely old world charm.

Exploring closer towards Crawford Court, the community is rather laid back where majority are populated by elderly due to the oldest residential flats found there. Aside from the older generation, Thais are commonly seen mingling around due to the numerous Thai shops located below the flats and Golden Mile Complex. It is then called as ‘Little Thailand’. Yuppies are found more towards the commercial area.

The study site is mainly occupied by these categories of people as the area is being used as a transitional space in different timing. This causes social collision on certain areas of the study on different point of time.

North Bridge Garden lies beside North Bridge Road, secluded between mixed residential-commercial buildings. Although the site is densely vegetated, it is not fully utilised properly by the residents residing around. With the insensitivity pathways and overpopulated by pigeons, it creates discomfort for users to unwind themselves in such tranquil environment. Hence, I aimed to preserve and revive the essence of nature by remaining the current mature trees within the site.

With three aspects in mind – Materiality, density of tree crowns and views, I hope to target various groups of people with activities at different time to maximise the use of the place and engage the users. Zonings of the site enable the spaces to be dissected to cater to different target audiences and ambiences. Translucent materials helps by making the hardscape look almost invisible to highlight the vegetation, thus making it forest-like environment. Tree-houses are incorporated to enable users to an in-nature experience, surrounded by lush tree crowns. Activities for young and old such as the eco-lab infused with urban farming provide opportunities to bond and interact thus, closing generation gaps. Other than playing with opacity, varying heights and shapes of pavilions and viewing deck engage audiences to have different perspectives around the site.

Besides being a garden, it plays a part not solely aesthetical but helps to complement other surrounding areas, as well as serving a purpose. In conclusion, by adding architectural elements into a garden transforms an ordinary space into something functional and adventurous.

(450 words)