Pedestrians and motorists travelling along Orchard Road and Penang Road recently would have spotted a new landmark in the area. Flanked by a tranquil, shaded gravel area on one side and an open turfed field on the other, a distinctive sculptural amphitheatre inspired by the natural lines of a rattan basket is the centerpiece of Dhoby Ghaut Green. When night falls, this sculpture takes on a new face - that of a glowing lantern.
Located along Orchard Road and at the gateway into the Arts, Culture, Learning and Entertainment district of Bras Basah. Bugis, Dhoby Ghaut Green is envisioned to be another popular community and gathering focal point. It will add a fresh vibe to the city centre as a choice venue for community events, celebrations and performances. It also offers respite for those who are seeking a quiet space amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Complementing the natural surroundings
Developed by URA at a cost of S$4 million, Dhoby Ghaut Green is designed by Mr Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects Pte Ltd. Mr Chan was commissioned by URA to conceptualise and design this space after he won the Designer of the Year title in Architecture and Urban Design in 2006 at the inaugural President’s Design Award, the nation’s highest honour for excellence in design.
The design of the park reinforces the appeal of its natural landscape by dividing the area into three main zones, each characterised by a distinctive atmosphere for different functions.
The 250-seater outdoor amphitheatre is designed to play host to concerts and performances. Also, the open turfed field can accommodate outdoor recreational sports activities and events such as Family Days. Overlooking this open field is a café offering both indoor and alfresco dining experiences.
CEO of URA Mrs Cheong Koon Hean said, “URA sees the importance of encouraging good design in our public spaces and infrastructure as part of our efforts to make Singapore an attractive city and endearing home. With the completion of Dhoby Ghaut Green, we hope it will not only make our built environment more attractive and delightful, it can also enrich our everyday experiences and improve the quality of life in our city.”
Helping hands from the community
To conceptualise a space that would best meet the programming needs of stakeholders and end-users, URA and NParks organised several dialogues with arts and community groups, education institutions in the district, and event organisers to seek their feedback at the early design stage.
Corporate sponsorship opportunities were earlier made available to allow the business community to contribute towards this open space. One company that came forward to show its support was iGuzzini SEA Pte Ltd, an Italian architectural lighting specialist, which sponsored the beautiful lighting fixtures in the park.
A grand opening
The opening of Dhoby Ghaut Green was officiated by Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of National Development. It was celebrated with a line-up of exciting activities such as a family-themed carnival, handicraft street bazaar, line-dancing and a series of captivating presentations by the stakeholders in the nearby Bras Basah.Bugis area. These included a performance by Samba Masala, a percussion ensemble of the Singapore Management University (SMU), a ballet performance by children from the Little Arts Academy, a jazz performance by undergraduates from LASALLE College of the Arts, and a “green” fashion parade choreographed by students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, featuring outfits made from recycled materials.
Dhoby Ghaut Green will be managed by the National Parks Board (NParks) following its official launch. Interested parties who wish to organise private functions and events at this new venue can visit the NParks website at www.nparks.gov.sg for details.
Breathtaking Design
- The sculptural amphitheatre was constructed using perforated aluminium sheets woven together. The porous screens allow natural ventilation, while the aluminium screens and roof canopy provide shade from the sun. Timber is applied under the roof canopy as an element to give a feeling of definition and to add warmth to the space.
- To achieve a smooth three-dimensional curve for the aluminium screen fins, each frame has to be modelled in the computer and carefully set out on site. Each of the aluminium fins and the timber strips were tailor made and fitted on site manually.
- To allow the structure to integrate seamlessly into the site, the amphitheatre is sunk in partially into the ground.
- Different types of seating arrangements, configurations and layouts for the amphitheatre were generated using 3D computer modeling to study the dynamic interplay between the seating and the stage areas.
- In order to keep the existing trees and minimise disruption to the existing greenery, the amphitheatre is oriented in the north-south direction with seating spaces stretching from the east to the west.
- At night, the structure glows like a lantern. From above, the blue light acts like a moonlight shining on the aluminium fins, while from below, the outer ring of white lights gives the aluminium fins a glittering effect.