The recent comparison between the design of Citylights and Icon prompted me to ask myself this question : Who are the better architects (in terms of design)for residential projects in Singapore ?

Would like tap on the collective knowledge of fellow forumers here by inviting all to add to a list of Residential Projects and their architects ?

Once the list is long enough, we should be able to see for ourselves which architects come up with nice designs.

It will also be interesting to see Artist Impression/Rendering vs Actual Photographs of the Development. In this way, we will know which architects are merely good with Rendered Drawing but cannot realize/deliver them in real life.

To get the ball rolling,

DP Architects : Domain21, Twin Regency, Residences@Evelyn, City Lights, Garden Vista

WOHA : No. 1 Moulmein Rise, Newton Suites

Please feel free to add other architects....

I suppose you are asking about local architects? I don't really like DPA. They are too mass market.

Another mass market one is Ong & Ong, but their designs are classier (in a way) than DPA: 2RVG, The Greenwood, Emerald Garden, Icon, Blue Horizon, The Cornwall, City Square, The Raintree, Ferraria Park, Lakeshore

WoHa are more famous for their landed residential architecture as well as their commercial/institutional work. See Gilstead Brooks as well, a cluster housing project.

Other notable local architects:

SCDA: The Abode at Devonshire, Boulevard Residences, Botanika, The Ladyhill, The Lincoln Modern, Sandalwood, The Sentinel, The Lighthouse

W Architects: 33 Robin, Paterson Edge, The Loft at Nassim Hill, The Arris

CPG Corp: Paterson Residence

CSYA: Nassim Jade, Emerald Hill conservation, The Shelford

I suppose you are asking about local architects? I don't really like DPA. They are too mass market.



Thanks for your response.

Not necessary local architects. As long as the building is in Singapore.

Here's the updated list :

DP Architects : Domain21, Twin Regency, Residences@Evelyn, City Lights, Garden Vista

WOHA : No. 1 Moulmein Rise, Newton Suites

Ong & Ong : 2RVG, The Greenwood, Emerald Garden, Icon, Blue Horizon, The Cornwall, City Square, The Raintree, Ferraria Park, Lakeshore

SCDA : The Abode at Devonshire, Boulevard Residences, Botanika, The Ladyhill, The Lincoln Modern, Sandalwood, The Sentinel, The Lighthouse

W Architects: 33 Robin, Paterson Edge, The Loft at Nassim Hill, The Arris

CPG Corp: Paterson Residence

CSYA: Nassim Jade, Emerald Hill conservation, The Shelford

Here's the updated list :

DP Architects : Domain21, Twin Regency, Residences@Evelyn, City Lights, Garden Vista, Southbank, Cairnhill Crest, Lakeholmz, Park Vista, Bayshore, The Eden@Tampines, White Water

WOHA : No. 1 Moulmein Rise, Newton Suites

Ong & Ong : 2RVG, The Greenwood, Emerald Garden, Icon, Blue Horizon, The Cornwall, City Square, The Raintree, Ferraria Park, Lakeshore

SCDA : The Abode at Devonshire, Boulevard Residences, Botanika, The Ladyhill, The Lincoln Modern, Sandalwood, The Sentinel, The Lighthouse

W Architects: 33 Robin, Paterson Edge, The Loft at Nassim Hill, The Arris

CPG Corp: Paterson Residence

CSYA: Nassim Jade, Emerald Hill conservation, The Shelford

Reflections near Harbourfront is by Libeskind... He can probably be considered a "star architect"... But I'm not a fan.

Parkview Eclat is designed by James Adams.

Thanks Maverick713 for the additions.

Hmm...from the looks of it, DP Architect's projects seem to be inconsistent in the "quality". There are some developments that are nice (eg. Twin Regency, Residences@Evelyn [one of my favourite]) and some only average (eg. Cairnhill Crest, City Lights, Garden Vista). I think SouthBank may have the potential to look good.

Reflections near Harbourfront is by Libeskind... He can probably be considered a "star architect"... But I'm not a fan.

Parkview Eclat is designed by James Adams.

I quite like Reflections, at least the artist's impression. I reminds me of those futuristic buildings you see in cityscape of Japanese Anime.

Ok, if foreign:

Tange & Associates: UE Square, The Linear, One Rochester

Super Potato: The Clift

Ok, if foreign:

Tange & Associates: UE Square, The Linear, One Rochester

Super Potato: The Clift

Super Potato ! Interesting, I didn't know The Clift is done by them. I know they are good with interior design, especially restaurants, and there are a few hotel restaurants in Singapore they are involved.

The Linear is not bad design, given the constraints (height and narrow land plot). Though the location quite ULU...

Updated list:

DP Architects : Domain21, Twin Regency, Residences@Evelyn, City Lights, Garden Vista, Southbank, Cairnhill Crest, Lakeholmz, Park Vista, Bayshore, The Eden@Tampines, White Water

WOHA : No. 1 Moulmein Rise, Newton Suites

Ong & Ong : 2RVG, The Greenwood, Emerald Garden, Icon, Blue Horizon, The Cornwall, City Square, The Raintree, Ferraria Park, Lakeshore

SCDA : The Abode at Devonshire, Boulevard Residences, Botanika, The Ladyhill, The Lincoln Modern, Sandalwood, The Sentinel, The Lighthouse

W Architects: 33 Robin, Paterson Edge, The Loft at Nassim Hill, The Arris

CPG Corp: Paterson Residence

CSYA: Nassim Jade, Emerald Hill conservation, The Shelford

Daniel Libeskind : Reflections

James Adams : Parkview Eclat

Tange & Associates : UE Square, The Linear, One Rochester

Super Potato : The Clift

It would possibly be interesting to find out who designed "landmark" apartment buildings of Singapore. I guess Emporis would have most of this data already.

- Futura,
- BLVD,
- The Colonnade,
- Tiara,
- Pearl Hill Condominium,
- Golden Mile Complex,
- Palisades,
- The list goes on :-)

WOHA : No. 1 Moulmein Rise, Newton Suites


So far 1 Moulmein Rise has turned out very well IMO...hope Newton Suites will be as elegant.

I also quite like SCDA's style of simple lines and angles contrasted with patterns, especially the Sentinel.

When Newton Suites was being constructed, it looked like a HDB block. I got laughed at by everybody :cry:

Let's hope the extra embellishments will transform this ugly duckling into... Paris Hilton (not that pretty but quite elegant)

So far 1 Moulmein Rise has turned out very well IMO...hope Newton Suites will be as elegant.

I also quite like SCDA's style of simple lines and angles contrasted with patterns, especially the Sentinel.

Agree...1 Moulmein Rise is nice, clean and simple. And yet very pleasing to look at.

what do you guys mean when u say inconsistent with "quality"? care to expound?

thanks!

Tay Kheng Soon ( AT-I, AT-II ): KK Hospital, ITE Bishan

Tang Guan Bee: Gallery Hotel, Eastpoint

what do you guys mean when u say inconsistent with "quality"? care to expound?

thanks!

Well, what I meant was the designs from DP Architects can range from below average to excellent --- the variance is big. That's my humble opinion, as design is a subjective thingy.

Let's hope the extra embellishments will transform this ugly duckling into... Paris Hilton (not that pretty but quite elegant)

All the tastes are out there... ^ ^

hi ayanami

because DP has many directors perhaps, hence the inconsistency...

To think of it, Singapore has many works by many Pritzker architects.

Kevin Roche
IM Pei (Raffles City, Gateway, OCBC)
Kenzo Tange (UOB, OUB, Indoor Stadium)
Foster (Supreme Court, Expo MRT)
Meier (Camden Centre)
James Stirling (Temasek Poly, one of his last works before he passed away)

We also have 2 works by Paul Rudoplh.

zaha hadid for masterplan of one north
and toyo ito for vivocity
james stirling for initial concept of esplanade
rem koolhaas for far east's new condo project

I think Ayanami was inquiring about residential buildings ;-)

huh wat is super potato? The Clift is by DP Architect la ....

Colonade is by Paul Rudolph

oops sorry pengui
cos i saw the previous post and it listed a few of non residentials...

rem koolhaas for far east's new condo project

what's it?

what's it?

I think he means this one:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=454753
But although it's dutch I don't remember reading it's from Koolhas.

I think he means this one:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=454753
But although it's dutch I don't remember reading it's from Koolhas.

Hmmm... It's by OMA, but is Koolhaas in the design team?

Its designed by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), which belongs to Koolhaas but that doesn''t mean that he's involved in the project.

Yes, and if it WAS, the press release would probably emphasize on Koolhaas rather than OMA... ;-)

Oh, it came out on the news, Koolhaas himself has nothing to do with it, forgot who though, its cantilevered on 4 sides.

All in all, the **** has plenty of *** ********** in the pipe, beyond the existing ones!

(haha, there's something great about this board today, I love it ^ ^ )

All in all, the **** has plenty of *** ********** in the pipe, beyond the existing ones!

(haha, there's something great about this board today, I love it ^ ^ )

What's with all the asterisks? ***** ****s joke?:nuts:

I'm not too excited about the prospect of ************ (as a favourable element of ***** design) here actually. We had so many starchitects' works here and what do they do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Why didn't Pei's OCBC ***** and Raffles **** obtain the same recognisation as his Louvre? Why didn't Foster's MRT station obtain the the same recognisation as his HK airport? And what the hell is Vivo ****? Where is the cleverness Toyo Ito showed in his Sendai Mediatheque?? Not even a trace.

amazing... A R C H I T E C T U R E has become a censored word....

n e w and a r c h i t e c t u r e are censored i noticed.

I do have a feeling that the Marina Bay Sands project will be the most iconic of Singapore projects:)

Anyways... i hope we will have more iconic a r c h i t e c t u r e in the years to come. Esplanade needs more promoting. Maybe a Gehry, Nouvel or Hadid work would fit nicely into Central Promontory.

I'm not too excited about the prospect of ************ (as a favourable element of ***** design) here actually. We had so many starchitects' works here and what do they do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Why didn't Pei's OCBC ***** and Raffles **** obtain the same recognisation as his Louvre? Why didn't Foster's MRT station obtain the the same recognisation as his HK airport? And what the hell is Vivo ****? Where is the cleverness Toyo Ito showed in his Sendai Mediatheque?? Not even a trace.

Here I go....

Many projects like Camden, Vivo Ci ty, etc are so called by Meier and Ito, but it seems they are 'design architects', and their styles had somewhat been diluted. :ohno: Why is it almost always DP who brings in world famous architects but ironically produce somewhat diluted works?

Thanks for all your contibutions. I have learned something. I like forums, especially one that is filled with knowledgeable folks like SSC. You guys rock!

i dont think its because DP dilutes the design, but even for other projects by other starchitects wherein local firms such as RSP was architect of record, what do you have to say? as mentioned by kit - ocbc, foster's mrt station.,-these arent by DP. i guess it has something to do with the local laws and codes and other restrictions rather than the local architects diluting the design

and maybe there are just differing perceptions from you guys of works by starchitects in singapore. u think the work is not good enough when other people look already look up to the work that has been done in your homeland.

re: vivocity and sendai mediatheque - these are two different typologies. ultimately the mall caters to a different client / use... cant compare em both. besides, not every work by the same architect has the same effect / result.

bcoz DP lacks of manpower and hence just sub to any small small firm to cop[e with the workload maybe???

i dont think its because DP dilutes the design, but even for other projects by other starchitects wherein local firms such as RSP was architect of record, what do you have to say? as mentioned by kit - ocbc, foster's mrt station.,-these arent by DP. i guess it has something to do with the local laws and codes and other restrictions rather than the local architects diluting the design

and maybe there are just differing perceptions from you guys of works by starchitects in singapore. u think the work is not good enough when other people look already look up to the work that has been done in your homeland.

re: vivocity and sendai mediatheque - these are two different typologies. ultimately the mall caters to a different client / use... cant compare em both. besides, not every work by the same architect has the same effect / result.

Take for example Camden Centre by DP / Meier.

In that case, who's doing most of the aesthetic design? DP or Meier? I always wanted to know. I'm not arrowing DP. ;)

Same case as Esplanade, by DP and Michael Wilford.

One more contribution to the list :

Carlos Ott - The Solitaire, Cliveden, Shenton One.

@glitz boy - DP doesnt lack manpower. right now they are around 500-600 strong.

@redstone - Camden by DP /Meier - aesthetic is surely by design consultant whihc is meier, hence the look. DP is local architect. of course design intent is by meier, but execution might have been by DP.

Esplanade - concept competition was by wilford and DP, but after wilford withdrew DP took over for design development and developed the fins / durian look. the original model for the competition didnt have these.

i guess its the local codes and laws which choke the development of the design.

hope that clarifies :)

so look forward to sentosa IR by graves and DP :)

Ah thanks for the explanation! :D

oh liddat ar..... well, sumtimes local code can be a bit too strict ....

DP can be so varied. From "WOW!!!" to "yawn..." reactions.

yes its like vivocity whereby the Singapore based architect changes the designor rather alters it to fit the Singaore context of regulations and perhaps some minor design changes...

Just like Reflections by libenskin, much of the project is handled by the Singapore based architect

yes its like vivocity whereby the Singapore based architect changes the designor rather alters it to fit the Singaore context of regulations and perhaps some minor design changes...

Just like Reflections by libenskin, much of the project is handled by the Singapore based architect

And somehow most of the works here by them somehow gets "diluted". :(

Foster's Supreme Court came out awful.

This might be a fresh concept to some here but building appearance, typology, usage and clientel are not the only factors to consider when assessing an architecture design. An architect does not have to replicate his works throoughout the world but he/she will develop some habits and preferences for design. Be it how he/she resolves problems or what is really important to him that he must pay special attention to, though the end product might look vastly different.

Both Vivocity and Sendai Mediatheque attempted to use their structural elements as a design language. Its just that the Mediatheque's solution is so much more resolved and integrated into the building. Look at the external facade of Vivocity, particularly the steel frames for the curve external walls. When you are inside, do you feel the the free form nature of the external is carried throughout the entire building? Does it look like any other shopping centre you've been to minus the size? These are all part of the design and how well the ideas are carried out. I'll give you a hint, Vivocity looked nothing like what you see now when it was on Ito's drawing board.

Keep an open mind, just because they are different doesn't means you can draw comparisons between them.

yes its like vivocity whereby the Singapore based architect changes the designor rather alters it to fit the Singaore context of regulations and perhaps some minor design changes...

Just like Reflections by libenskin, much of the project is handled by the Singapore based architect

You can't blame the architects for everything wrong that is going on here. They have to work with inflexible (read sometimes impossible) schedule and there is thing 6 letter foul word called B U D G E T. Most starchitects don't design with that in mind.....

i guess its the local codes and laws which choke the development of the design.


I quote Cedric Price..... "The most interesting building woulf be one that is design with the building code in mind."

I quote Frank Gehry..... "Respect the due process."

Of course, time and money has to be taken into consideration as well. Its almost too convenient to blame the bureaucrats. Fact is, they are very willing to listen if you can offer them alternative solutions that work. That's what waiver applications are for. You just have to have the time to fight your case that's all.

@kit
thanks for your explanation
yes the bldg code could sometimes provide the impetus for the design, like herzog de meuron using bldg codes in japan to create the form of prada aoyama

i guess maybe, the architects didnt spend so much time to study the project for singapore... hence the outcome whihc is kinda haphazard

as for vivocity, it was stated that the foundations were started by a previous design of an american architect, and toyo ito just took over...

Kit, sometimes you have a little something of Master Yoda. I mean, err, not small nor green, something else ^ ^

Architecture is very deep. :lol:

Very deep, architecture is. :nuts:

@kit
i suspect u had previously been involved in vivocity project. so i presume u have been in DP?
anyway, again, thank you for your explanation though i take offense in your comment for me to keep an open mind.

however u explain it (im sure u have your points), i still feel that both sendai and vivocity had their own circumstances to deal with and even if u say they both strive to express structure the facade of vivocity is purely topical and not as in depth in terms of conceptual integration and development with sendai.

I give up.

Since we're talking about projects, something is always on my mind.

I don't feel at all that Azuma House by Ando is a good design. The house has a small courtyard bounded by rooms, but the courtyard is not covered, meaning if it rains, you'll have to use an umbrella. I also do not agree on the courtyard, with the elements producing richness, as said by him in his books.

Just my personal views. Sometimes I'll question the views of an architect. Then I found that some of their theories and ideas might not be workable or are questionable.

At times, I ask, is it because the architect is famous that his views are more likely to be supported, whereas a 'nobody architect', saying the same thing might not be as readily accepted.

At times, I ask, is it because the architect is famous that his views are more likely to be supported, whereas a 'nobody architect', saying the same thing might not be as readily accepted.

Isn't this the case in just every discipline?

Isn't this the case in just every discipline?

And you'll have to be supported by a prominent architecture magazine or architecture critique. Take for example Tadao Ando, I don't think having a skylight or courtyard, or a window that opens out to a plain wall "enhances the richness" of the space.
:lol:

@glitz boy - DP doesnt lack manpower. right now they are around 500-600 strong.


so look forward to sentosa IR by graves and DP :)

well... my friend says different thing than yours .. 500 is a lot that i know :)

which project you're handling now?

At times, I ask, is it because the architect is famous that his views are more likely to be supported, whereas a 'nobody architect', saying the same thing might not be as readily accepted.

cold hard fact of life. :cheers:

JGP Architects has got potential. They designed Iridium in Novena and a new condo at Mackenzie Road / Mayne Road junction.

Pengui-
Futura- Timothy Seow
BLVD- thought it was SCGlobal in its SCDA phase?
Palisades- Am curious who designed this too- one of my favourite developments around for that wraparound balcony and the funicular lift!
http://www.urbanespaces.com/Mount%20Faber.html

The Colonnade- Paul Rudolph(although I think that's been answered already), with renovations to the grounds by Kerry Hill.
Golden Mile Complex-thought it's by the same architect as Pearlbank?

Another personal favourite-
Habitat 1- a 'diluted' version by Moshe Safdie with renovations to the common grounds by eco-id. Shortly went en bloc after.

WoHa-
Gilstead brooks
No.1 Moulmein Rise
Newton Suites- which looks very cool, in a Matrix-kind of way.
Nomu

On list of local architects, I also like eco-id:
renovations to grounds of Habitat 1
renovations to grounds of Cornwall Gardens
Martia Residences
upcoming project on Hotel Asia site that promises a private parking space on every floor(?)

Would be cool to see 'new' architects like ip:li work on a condominium- loved their work on residential homes. k2ld- already famous for their work on apartments and houses, recently tried their hand on a cluster housing project- 3BHC.

Tang Guan Bee-
Fortredale
Abelia(which I've not had occasion to look at)
although I loved his work on the glass house in Windsor Park

yes its like vivocity whereby the Singapore based architect changes the designor rather alters it to fit the Singaore context of regulations and perhaps some minor design changes...

Just like Reflections by libenskin, much of the project is handled by the Singapore based architect

the singapore architect in question is DCA architects. who, incidently, are also on Marina BFC Phase 1 with KPF, and previously on One George Street with SOM.

working with such prominent starchitects must be tiring as you continually get overshadowed by their bigger names.

And today I learnt that the reason why there hasn't been any units for sale or rent in the development is because the whole development is owned(and occupied) by ex-remisier king Peter Lim.

Photos can be found here:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/stock_images/travel/preview/11827566800838/35455/_abelia/

Kevin Roche --------------------- (Marina Centre)
Pei Ieoh Ming ------------------- (Raffles City, Gateway, OCBC)
Kenzo Tange -------------------- (UOB, OUB, Indoor Stadium)
Norman Foster ------------------ (Supreme Court, Expo MRT, private house)
Richard Meier ------------------- (Camden Centre)
Michael Wilford / James Stirling --- (Temasek Poly, Esplanade conceptualization)
Paul Rudolph -------------------- (Concourse, Colonade)
Kisho Kurokawa ----------------- (Wheelock Place, Republic Plaza, Singapore Flyer, Fusionopolis)
Zaha Hadid --------------------- (One-North masterplan)
Phillip Johnson ------------------ (Millenia Walk)
Moshe Safdie ------------------- ( The Habitat 1 & 2, Edge at Cairnhill, Marina Bay Sands)

How can we forget Phillip Johnson's Millenia Walk?

Check out Akira Sakamoto. He has great potential to be a superstar architect.