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Aedas designs new multi-use public facility in Singapore
The civic and public components of the Civic, Cultural & Retail Center where paramount and
outwardly expressed. The south elevation is completely opened up presenting the inner
workings of the facility as a 'visible section'. The mass of the theatre floating above is faceted,
cut with glass and utilises titanium cladding. All of this helps dissolve and break down the
mass, playing with a composition of positive and negative readings.
The civic building is intended to be an organic object which is open to public discovery. One
can crawl under, move through, transverse around and climb onto the complex through a
series of ramps, escalators, terraces and public gardens. All circulation, movement and
internal forms are soft and sinuous as if the civic activities have polished the inside of the
urbanely presented strong faceted exterior.
Soft transition occurs vertically from the most public of the open retail into the perceptual
privacy of the theatre. This entire sequence and transition is linked visually and spatially to
the 'Grand Foyer' connecting the sunken retail below up through the glass floor of the
theatre’s main lobby exposing its volume floating above.
The design is highly sustainable through its approach to minimise air conditioned spaces.
The retail, civic square, outdoor theatre as well as foyer and the pre-function facilities are all
open air.
The design has opened up all elevations to encourage air movement through the volume.
The design explores how the heated surfaces on the southern elevation and roof can induce
wind flow from the shaded, Northern face through covered outdoor spaces. This air
movement can be mechanically assisted if necessary. Glazing on the southern is minimised
and protected by sunshading. The majority of main lobby glass is facing East but also
protected with an external bridge acting as a large sun shade.
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