SINGAPORE'S first waterfront public housing project in Punggol will offer 1,200 flats featuring sky terraces, roof gardens and panoramic views of the Punggol Waterway.
The Housing Board (HDB) yesterday unveiled the winning design for the first batch of flats that will line the 4.2km waterway. They will be launched for sale by the middle of next year.The 4.9ha project's unique design will feature blocks of flats that will 'step down' towards the water like terraces, and have solar panels on their rooftops to supply power to common areas.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the winning design 'offers a new lifestyle option for Punggol residents'.
'Its distinctive sky terrace concept will create quality public spaces along the waterway for the community, keeping the kampung spirit alive,' said Mr Mah, who announced the winning team behind the design at the HDB's annual awards held at HDB Hub yesterday.
International architectural firm Group8asia and local firm Aedas clinched the top prize for their refreshing, resort-style design, which was inspired by Asia's rice fields and dense rainforests, said Group8asia's principal architect, Mr Manuel Der Hagopian.
'Singapore has a close relationship with water and we wanted to design something that reflected that,' said Mr Hagopian, who is Swiss and has 10 years of industry experience.
The project's design enables a high percentage of flats to have views of the waterway, and allows for many green, open spaces such as open courtyards and sky gardens - all leading to the water.
Mr Hagopian incorporated high Swiss standards of sustainability in the project, maximising natural light and ventilation. The project will aim to achieve the highest green building award, he said.
The naming of the winning design brings to a close the Punggol Waterfront Housing Design Competition that the HDB launched in December last year.
The two-stage design competition, which attracted 108 entries with a good mix of local and foreign firms, had a theme of Green Living By The Waters.
Surbana International Consultants, B4FS Arquitectos and RSP Architects received merit awards for their designs.
HDB deputy director (physical planning) Chong Fook Loong said the board wanted to seek innovative ideas on how to get the best value out of the waterway.
The new housing project and the upcoming Punggol Waterway and Promenade are part of the 'Punggol 21-plus' vision unveiled by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech in 2007.
By 2011, there will be 23,000 completed homes in Punggol, said HDB.
The Government aims to build an extra 21,000 homes along the waterway - 60 per cent HDB flats and 40 per cent private ones.
HDB hopes to offer the first batch of waterfront flats for sale next year, and residents are expected to get their flats by 2014 or 2015.
Mr Mah also presented 12 awards to seven winners in the categories of construction safety, quality and design.
He recognised the contribution by industry partners towards Singapore's successful public housing programme.
'But, success brings with it a new set of challenges, one of which is meeting the rising expectations of Singaporeans for quality public housing,' he said.
This is why HDB and its partners should continue to keep abreast of technological improvements and innovation to make HDB flats and estates even better, said Mr Mah.
Among the winners were China Construction and Surbana International, which won multiple awards.
Source, Straits Times, 12 November 2009
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