Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, March
27
The open space above the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station will be
Singapore’s latest venue for community activities and
performances.
This is all part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s
plan to increase the number of public spaces along the Orchard Road
area.
By July next year, the plot of land at Dhoby Ghaut will be
transformed into a new space that will host community events and
performances.
The project is part of URA’s strategy to provide variety along
the Orchard Road shopping belt.
Fun Siew Leng, Director, Urban Planning and Design, URA, said:
"We’d like to continue to safeguard some of these vacant state land
for future rejuvenation for the area. So in the interim, we thought
that it’s better to put it to a better use. We put some facilities
and amenities there and the public can get to enjoy the space
better."
The site sits at the crossroads of three rail lines and features
an integrated borderless design.
The centrepiece will be this outdoor amphitheatre that will
serve as a stage for community performances.
The unique "basket—weave" design of aluminium screens can seat
up to 500 for an "outdoor room" concept.
Chan Soo KIan, Design Director, SCDA Architects, said: "It’s a
little bit of form follows function and form dictating function.
We’re working with various forces. We’re also responding to the
unique site conditions as it’s next to the MRT and next to several
drop off and bus stations. So we had to approach from the point of
view that this structure would not have a front or a back."
"There’ll be more land area for people to do their activities
and there won’t be so many buildings," said one member of the
public.
"Great because people need more space, more places like this to
have morning exercise," said another.
The project will cost around S$4 million.
URA says feedback was gathered from community stakeholders and
their input incorporated into the final design.
Community stakeholders included the People’s Association and the
Singapore Management University to better understand their needs. —
CNA/ch