The Architecture in Singapore, Part 2: Community Architecture

Prepared by Pang Jian Sheng

SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse by DP Architects 

Nestled in the heart of a sprawling public park, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang (CCK) is a vibrant recreational clubhouse designed for National Servicemen and their families. With its bold, distinctive forms symbolizing fitness and unity, SAFRA CCK offers a seamless blend of nature and wellness activities, creating a dynamic community hub that reinvigorates the neighbourhood and revives community spirit.

Bold Y-shaped structure at the open facility floor.

A sculpted staircase as its frontage.

The centre spine courtyard lead to the indoor.

The architecture of SAFRA CCK is both robust and inviting, with its bold super-scaled trusses and precast pigmented concrete frontage that symbolize strength and unity. The design capitalizes on its park location by integrating surrounding greenery into its fabric. The central spine of the building flows seamlessly from the park, creating a verdant courtyard that brings the outdoors inside. This design philosophy fosters a seamless connection between nature and fitness, with public spaces that draw in natural elements and activities from the park, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

Elevated swimming pool with green terrace.

A futsal court on the open facility floor.

Rooftop sky garden.

Climbing centre.

Gym facilities.

Running track with proper track material along the corridor.

One of the standout features of SAFRA CCK is the elevated swimming pool, which is nestled within the tree canopies. This design choice frees up the ground level for direct connections to the park, providing stunning aerial views and allowing the pool to blend seamlessly with the foliage. Adjacent to the courtyard is the 'Steps of Life' staircase, which serves as the vertical locus of the development. This staircase links the park's running route to the building's sky-running track on the fourth story, encouraging active mobility and fitness across different realms. The 100 steps invite visitors to embrace well-being both horizontally and vertically, infusing the clubhouse with a distinctive aura of vigour and zeal.

SAFRA CCK is also a model of sustainable architecture. The clubhouse employs passive design strategies such as high-volume spaces positioned to maximize natural light and cross-ventilation, as well as high-performance double-glazed glass to reduce heat transfer. Green technology is optimized with features like a high-efficiency water-cooled chiller plant, rainwater harvesting systems, rooftop photovoltaic panels, and energy-efficient lighting. Sustainable construction materials, such as green concrete and recycled steel, further reduce the building's carbon footprint. These efforts have earned SAFRA CCK the Green Mark Platinum – Super Low Energy certification, reflecting its commitment to harmonizing with nature and prioritizing occupant wellbeing.

SAFRA Choa Chu Kang (CCK) stands out as a model of innovative urban architecture, seamlessly blending robust design with natural elements to create a dynamic, sustainable community hub. Its thoughtful integration of fitness and wellness activities within a verdant setting revitalizes the neighborhood and fosters a strong community spirit. The commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency further enhances its appeal, making SAFRA CCK a benchmark for future urban recreational developments. This harmonious blend of nature, wellness, and sustainable design underscores the importance of creating mindful, invigorating spaces in urban environments.

 

Enabling Village by WOHA

Nestled in Redhill, Singapore, the Enabling Village is a remarkable example of heartland rejuvenation and community building. Originally the Bukit Merah Vocational Institute in the 1970s, it has been masterfully repurposed into an inclusive space that integrates education, work, training, retail, and lifestyle, connecting people with disabilities to the broader society. The transformation emphasizes sustainability and sociability, making it a vibrant part of the neighbourhood's pedestrian network.

Recycle metal bars upcycled as the building facade.

"Nest" hangout space made with upcycle wooden plank.

Hanging feature made with upcycled metal bar.

The Enabling Village stands out with its holistic integration of various architectural and design elements. The Masterplan reimagines the space as a park/garden destination, deeply connected to its surroundings. The buildings within the Village are aptly renamed to reflect their functions and characters: "Nest," "Playground," "Village Green," "Hive," "Hub," and "Academy." These buildings are seamlessly connected by ramps, landings, and lifts, ensuring accessibility for all. The Nest building, anchored at the main pond, serves as a focal point, drawing pedestrian flow through newly constructed linkways. The architectural finishes, including facade treatments, canopies, and surfaces, maintain continuity across both new and existing structures.

Pre-cast concrete pipe is repurposed as a hangout area under the amphitheatre

The courtyard amphitheatre.

One of the most impressive features is the timber terrace laid over the courtyard at the Playground, which steps down into an amphitheatre with integrated ramps. This terrace extends into a balcony that overlooks activity islands and a garden trail, connecting to the adjacent housing precinct. The use of pre-cast concrete pipes as resting nooks beneath the amphitheatre showcases innovative design and thoughtful reuse of materials. The open space between the Village Green and the Hive has been transformed into a garden yard featuring repurposed sea containers as bridges, follies, and meeting rooms, complemented by recycled oil drum planters. The concept of 'up-cycling' continues within the interiors of the Art Faculty and Hive, emphasizing sustainability.

A directory is placed at every junction for easier navigation.

Wayfinding within the Enabling Village is meticulously planned to assist with orientation and navigation. Each building is identified by a feature wall adorned with coloured graphics, and external lighting is designed to create a serene park ambience. Building facades, drop-offs, cabanas, and walkways are highlighted as beacons, enhancing visibility and connectivity within the park. Art plays a significant role, with large-scale murals and artwork by autistic artists integrated into the garden, adding a unique and personal touch to the environment.

"Nest" hangout space at the water garden.

A man-made river along the center area that connects to the water garden.

The landscaping and water gardens are designed to attract biodiversity and support ecosystems, utilizing a variety of native species, scales, and colours. Conserved trees complement these efforts, and verandahs and cabanas extend from passages to serve as outdoor meeting spaces, bringing nature closer to the people. This biophilic design promotes healing, learning, and bonding within a natural setting, creating an inclusive space that values everyone.

The Enabling Village is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and adaptive reuse in creating vibrant, inclusive urban spaces. By seamlessly integrating architecture with nature, the Village not only revitalizes the neighborhood but also fosters a sense of community and belonging. Its commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity makes it a standout example of urban architecture that prioritizes the well-being of all its occupants. This harmonious blend of function, design, and nature underscores the importance of creating spaces that enable and empower individuals, making the Enabling Village a truly remarkable urban oasis.

 

Reflection

Malaysia architecture can learn from the innovative design approaches of SAFRA Choa Chu Kang and Enabling Village by incorporating sustainable, community-centric, and accessible features into mixed-use residential developments. By integrating green spaces and sustainable technologies, as seen in SAFRA CCK, Malaysia architects can create urban environments that enhance residents' well-being and reduce environmental impact. The emphasis on inclusive design at the Enabling Village, with its accessible pathways, repurposed materials, and biophilic elements, can inspire Malaysia projects to prioritize accessibility and community engagement. Additionally, the multifunctional nature of these developments, which blend residential, recreational, healthcare, and commercial spaces, demonstrates the potential for creating vibrant, interconnected urban hubs that cater to diverse needs.

By adopting these principles, Malaysia can develop urban areas that not only maximize land use but also foster a strong sense of community and sustainability, enhancing the overall quality of urban life.