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Tange Associates completes one of the largest mixed-use projects in Singapore's One North Area
The Rochester, including hotel and residential towers, offices and retail space, is located in One-North, a 200-hectare development hosting world-class research facilities and business parks in central Singapore. Considering the high-tech image of One North and the beauty of the surrounding nature, Tange Associates wanted to balance technological innovation with the natural element, while maintaining the Masterplan’s futuristic concept.
The position of the hotel and residential towers creates a symbolic 'gateway', encouraging the flow of people and reinforcing the Pedestrian Linkage from the nearby MRT station. By keeping the podium at the lower level, the architects protected the conservation black-and-white bungalows from the negative impact of a directly adjacent hotel tower and retained the open view of the sky. Tange Associates visually connected the Rochester with its surroundings by raising the podium onto pilotis, allowing clear views between the bungalows and the Park Edges.
The design harmony of the hotel and residential towers unify them, while the gateway created by the two buildings is emphasised by their twin tower appearance. The primarily glass facade creates a sleek, futuristic impression on the outward facing facade of the two towers, while the louver sunshades, special glass and vertical greenery avoid heat gain, an important consideration in the tropical climate.
The terracotta earth-tone portions of the buildings facing the pedestrian space between the towers facilitate a natural gathering place, encouraging communications between people and between people and nature. The earth colours blend into the natural environment. The details and vertical green features emphasise the human scale and harmonise the whole complex.
Unlike typical highrises, the Soho-like apartment units with swimming pool provide a terrace-house atmosphere. As one of the first mixed-use projects in One North and first large project within the Vista Exchange sub-area, the Rochester is a starting point and guideline for future projects.
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