Singapore is often considered one of the world’s most interesting cities in terms of architecture and design. A melting pot of cultures, investments, iconic structures and outstanding sector professionals have made the city-state south of Malaysia into a fascinating destination, with its well-organized and very advanced urban planning based on avant-garde architectural projects that utilize modern, efficient and sustainable technologies, while respecting the local culture and traditions: a mixture of innovative solutions in harmony with the urban context.
Singapore, usually at the end of September and early October, also hosts Singapore Design Week, the key appointment for the sector in Southeast Asia, an event where the main focus is on products, but there are also exhibitions and happenings of a more experimental character. The city as a whole, in any case, is well worth a visit.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore – Photo © Vichy Deal
Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum
Marina Bay Sands is one of the symbols of Singapore, a mixture of the legendary history of the city and its pioneering future. The gigantic structure – designed by the starchitect Moshe Safdie – covers an area of 120,000 square meters, with three different towers nearly 200 meters in height, topped by a platform in the shape of a ship (the SkyPark) for a length of 340 meters, with roof gardens, wellness centers, bars and restaurants, as well as a famous infinity pool extending for 150 meters. Inside, there are luxury hotels, a shopping center, restaurants, a museum, a casino, a sports center and a theater.
ArtScience Museum, Singapore – Photo © Saiko3p
On the waterfront of Marina Bay Sands there is also the ArtScience Museum, inside a striking building with the form of a lotus blossom, and with a waterfall 35 meters in height. Inside the structure there are exhibition spaces of about 6000 square meters, organized around an open lobby. In keeping with its name, the museum presents programming on art and science, with very popular events.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore – Photo © Zhukova Valentyna
Gardens by the Bay and the Air Mesh Pavilion
Another interesting attraction in terms of design is Gardens by the Bay, a park of 101 hectares located in the city center and adjacent to the Marina Reservoir, an artificial lake. The idea behind this green area is to make Singapore itself become a “garden city.”
AirMesh Pavilion, Singapore – Photo © Courtesy by AirMesh Pavilion
This is also the location of the Air Mesh Pavilion, the world’s first structure made with 3D printed steel parts. Conceived as a demonstration of the technologies of “digital manufacturing” developed by AirLab at Singapore University of Technology and Design, this is an example of ultra-light architecture.
Helix bridge, Singapore – Photo © Ivan Kurmyshov
Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge is a spectacular footbridge that connects the Marina Centre zone with Marina Bay. Its length is 280 meters, and it has five spans: three of 65 meters and two of 45. Apart from its particular spiral “shell,” the bridge is remarkable due to the fact that it is not built in a straight line, but as a slightly curved profile.
The Interlace, Singapore – Photo © Huntergol hp
The Interlace
With its unique structure of concatenated blocks, The Interlace is one of the most famous urban complexes in Singapore. Designed by the famous firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture, the project has an area of 170,000 square meters, with 31 residential blocks, recreation facilities, swimming pools and tennis courts. In 2015 the project was named World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival.
Robinson Tower, Singapore
Robinson Tower
The Robinson Tower in Singapore (designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates with Architects 61) is an example of interaction between architecture and sustainability. The building is at the center of the Business District, with 24,000 sqm of stores and offices. The design is unique: two multifaceted and stacked volumes of steel and glass, separated by a multi-level garden.
