~ Parkview Square - the Art Deco skyscraper! ~ - Page 14

redstone · August 14th, 2006, 03:11 PM

LOVE IT!!!

Makes me hungry. Chocolate...

RafflesCity · March 7th, 2007, 02:36 PM

That Batman building

3 Mar 07

The Art Deco-style Parkview Square looks like the Caped Crusader's lair. But it really was the brainchild of the late Taiwanese tycoon C.S. Hwang

EVERY now and then in the history of cities, an individual has a building constructed to stamp his mark on the metropolis - and the public takes notice. Parkview Square is one such example in Singapore.

To the chagrin of architectural purists, this imposing structure, completed in 2002, has captured the imagination of Singaporeans and visitors with its uncompromising Art Deco style.

The building is the brainchild not of the architect but the owner, the late Mr C. S. Hwang, chairman of the Chyau Fwu Group.

How did the Taiwanese tycoon, working with American designer James Adams, come up with a building whose closest cousins are the great 1920s Art Deco skyscrapers in New York - the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center?

Art Deco features sweeping, stylised lines, immaculate detailing and fine craftsmanship, and an affinity for sculptural ornamentation.

'We did not start off having Art Deco in mind,' said Adams on a recent visit here, noting that he had presented 16 different architectural schemes to Hwang.

Calling Parkview Square the tycoon's 'iconic build', he said: 'The eventual decision to go Art Deco came about as the design evolved and he found it best expressed his vision for this building - imposing and monumental, yet stylish and elegant - not unlike the Art Deco buildings he had also observed in Shanghai.

Eddie Chow, a senior executive at Chyau Fwu, said: 'Mr Hwang knew that this was going to be his last major project. So he wanted it to be iconic, something to leave to future generations.'

And so contemporary architectural convention was challenged in the way the $88- million office tower took shape - from the intricate handcrafted details of the 15m-high ceiling in the lobby to the eight gigantic fibreglass 'powermen' crowning the building, reminiscent of those guarding the entrance to the 1919 Helsinki Central railway station.

Despite its period garb, the building's intelligent office floor offers a large column-free floor plate of 1,500 sq m. And, though a 24-storey building, it stands 144m tall, maxing out on the permissible height. This meant greater floor-to-floor heights of 4.75m, and higher construction and running costs.

Though the take-up rate was slow initially, Parkview Square is today fully occupied.

As an urban entity, its elevated walled forecourt offers an oasis of calm just a few steps above the busy sidewalk of North Bridge Road. Occupying the centre of this elevated plaza is a stylised statue of a golden crane.

The Chinese characters of this symbol of longevity spell the chairman's name. The crane faces north, signifying his abiding feelings for his Chinese homeland.

Surrounding this central figure are statues of great historical figures including Sun Yat Sen, Abraham Lincoln, Frederic Chopin and Isaac Newton, nestled amid landscaped greenery.

If the name of Parkview Square's designer doesn't quite roll off the tongue, this is perhaps intentional. For Adams is in the business of 'ego architecture' - the critical difference being that the ego in question is not his, but the owner's.

Thus, Adams is the opposite of the 'starchitect' whose calling card is his forceful personal style or sensibility. Indeed, in addition to Adams, Hwang had approached one such 'starchitect', Norman Foster, for Parkview Square.

But given his penchant for personal participation, Hwang's choice was clear.

Adam's oeuvre - including casinos, resorts and private homes - reflects his 'egolessness'.

Still, this attitude doesn't mean the designs are weak. Parkview Square is no dumb steel and glass box. Its design provokes reaction, good or bad. The building has carved for itself a niche in Singapore's urban consciousness, as verified by the affectionate moniker it has earned since its opening: the 'Batman Building' or 'Gotham City'.

And, in case you've been wondering, Adams is no fan of the Dynamic Duo.

By Calvin Low, urbanscrawl

Pengui · March 7th, 2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

How did the Taiwanese tycoon, working with American designer James Adams, come up with a building whose closest cousins are the great 1920s Art Deco skyscrapers in New York - the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center?

Haha, nice article, but they missed out (maybe intentionally) the one Parkview Square is most inspired from...
Chanin Building: http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID019.htm

redstone · March 9th, 2007, 09:45 AM

Now doesn't this look familliar? It's called "Energy", a motif at the Battersea Power Station, London

RafflesCity · September 9th, 2007, 08:18 AM

Parkview Square seen from the compound of the Raffles Design Institute

SEED · September 9th, 2007, 02:21 PM

quite classy! i like those statues.. looks like a Oscar statue..

looks nice!

RafflesCity · June 30th, 2008, 02:30 PM

The 'park' land beside Parkview Square is up for sale today:
http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-71.html

Flags of 4 countries

Maverick713 · July 1st, 2008, 03:53 AM

Hope the looks won't be blocked by the future developments. Anyone have pics of the restaurant cafe inside that has fascinating designs on the high ceiling? There is a wine cabinet that is about 3 storeys high and I heard that when someone orders wine, a fairy lady is hoisted up by steel wire to fetch the bottle from high up.

redstone · July 10th, 2008, 02:19 AM

I noticed they changed the lights at the top from green to gold, been this way for almost a year now. It looks much better this way.

RafflesCity · July 10th, 2008, 03:00 AM

I actually liked the green lights. There arent that many building with a hint of green at night..

Andrew · July 12th, 2008, 01:56 AM

Have there been any designs made public for the redevelopment of the land around Parkview Square? I was just thinking, it would be great if the other plots could be in the same style and designed to directly relate to PS so that you get the impression that it was all planned together as one estate, a bit like the Rockerfeller Centre in New York.

Who says we can't build whole areas in art deco style nowadays? Ok, it can be a bit gaudy, but it would really make Singapore stand out!

RafflesCity · July 12th, 2008, 09:34 AM

Nothing can be confirmed yet until the sale period closes in December. The authorities will then evaluate if there is a successful bidder. If there is, we can look forward to seeing the design, which of course must satisfy planning criteria, one of which, there must be a viewing deck on top.

I agree that this site, being next to Parkview, would look good coming up with something avant-garde, to fit in with the 'flashy' Bugis theme of bright lights etc...in fact, the new development will be the first one in the Ophir-Rochor corridor, and is a great opportunity to experiment with something different.

image hosted on flickr

August 14th, 2006, 03:11 PM	#261
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,069 Likes (Received): 2	LOVE IT!!! Makes me hungry. Chocolate... __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

March 9th, 2007, 09:45 AM	#264
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,069 Likes (Received): 2	Now doesn't this look familliar? It's called "Energy", a motif at the Battersea Power Station, London __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

July 10th, 2008, 02:19 AM	#269
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,069 Likes (Received): 2	I noticed they changed the lights at the top from green to gold, been this way for almost a year now. It looks much better this way. __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

July 12th, 2008, 01:56 AM	#271
Andrew Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cardiff/Newcastle Posts: 3,485 Likes (Received): 7	Have there been any designs made public for the redevelopment of the land around Parkview Square? I was just thinking, it would be great if the other plots could be in the same style and designed to directly relate to PS so that you get the impression that it was all planned together as one estate, a bit like the Rockerfeller Centre in New York. Who says we can't build whole areas in art deco style nowadays? Ok, it can be a bit gaudy, but it would really make Singapore stand out! __________________ My Photo Threads: Newport ~ 'Downtown' Cardiff ~ Cardiff Queen Street ~ Cardiff Demolition ~ Cardiff Waterfronts <> Dali (大理) China ~ Fenghuang (凤凰) China ~ Xi'an (西安) China

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

March 7th, 2007, 02:36 PM	#262
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	That Batman building 3 Mar 07 The Art Deco-style Parkview Square looks like the Caped Crusader's lair. But it really was the brainchild of the late Taiwanese tycoon C.S. Hwang EVERY now and then in the history of cities, an individual has a building constructed to stamp his mark on the metropolis - and the public takes notice. Parkview Square is one such example in Singapore. To the chagrin of architectural purists, this imposing structure, completed in 2002, has captured the imagination of Singaporeans and visitors with its uncompromising Art Deco style. The building is the brainchild not of the architect but the owner, the late Mr C. S. Hwang, chairman of the Chyau Fwu Group. How did the Taiwanese tycoon, working with American designer James Adams, come up with a building whose closest cousins are the great 1920s Art Deco skyscrapers in New York - the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center? Art Deco features sweeping, stylised lines, immaculate detailing and fine craftsmanship, and an affinity for sculptural ornamentation. 'We did not start off having Art Deco in mind,' said Adams on a recent visit here, noting that he had presented 16 different architectural schemes to Hwang. Calling Parkview Square the tycoon's 'iconic build', he said: 'The eventual decision to go Art Deco came about as the design evolved and he found it best expressed his vision for this building - imposing and monumental, yet stylish and elegant - not unlike the Art Deco buildings he had also observed in Shanghai. Eddie Chow, a senior executive at Chyau Fwu, said: 'Mr Hwang knew that this was going to be his last major project. So he wanted it to be iconic, something to leave to future generations.' And so contemporary architectural convention was challenged in the way the $88- million office tower took shape - from the intricate handcrafted details of the 15m-high ceiling in the lobby to the eight gigantic fibreglass 'powermen' crowning the building, reminiscent of those guarding the entrance to the 1919 Helsinki Central railway station. Despite its period garb, the building's intelligent office floor offers a large column-free floor plate of 1,500 sq m. And, though a 24-storey building, it stands 144m tall, maxing out on the permissible height. This meant greater floor-to-floor heights of 4.75m, and higher construction and running costs. Though the take-up rate was slow initially, Parkview Square is today fully occupied. As an urban entity, its elevated walled forecourt offers an oasis of calm just a few steps above the busy sidewalk of North Bridge Road. Occupying the centre of this elevated plaza is a stylised statue of a golden crane. The Chinese characters of this symbol of longevity spell the chairman's name. The crane faces north, signifying his abiding feelings for his Chinese homeland. Surrounding this central figure are statues of great historical figures including Sun Yat Sen, Abraham Lincoln, Frederic Chopin and Isaac Newton, nestled amid landscaped greenery. If the name of Parkview Square's designer doesn't quite roll off the tongue, this is perhaps intentional. For Adams is in the business of 'ego architecture' - the critical difference being that the ego in question is not his, but the owner's. Thus, Adams is the opposite of the 'starchitect' whose calling card is his forceful personal style or sensibility. Indeed, in addition to Adams, Hwang had approached one such 'starchitect', Norman Foster, for Parkview Square. But given his penchant for personal participation, Hwang's choice was clear. Adam's oeuvre - including casinos, resorts and private homes - reflects his 'egolessness'. Still, this attitude doesn't mean the designs are weak. Parkview Square is no dumb steel and glass box. Its design provokes reaction, good or bad. The building has carved for itself a niche in Singapore's urban consciousness, as verified by the affectionate moniker it has earned since its opening: the 'Batman Building' or 'Gotham City'. And, in case you've been wondering, Adams is no fan of the Dynamic Duo. By Calvin Low, urbanscrawl

September 9th, 2007, 08:18 AM	#265
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	Parkview Square seen from the compound of the Raffles Design Institute

September 9th, 2007, 02:21 PM	#266
SEED Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,140 Likes (Received): 1	quite classy! i like those statues.. looks like a Oscar statue.. looks nice!

June 30th, 2008, 02:30 PM	#267
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	The 'park' land beside Parkview Square is up for sale today: http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-71.html Flags of 4 countries

July 1st, 2008, 03:53 AM	#268
Maverick713 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,132 Likes (Received): 0	Hope the looks won't be blocked by the future developments. Anyone have pics of the restaurant cafe inside that has fascinating designs on the high ceiling? There is a wine cabinet that is about 3 storeys high and I heard that when someone orders wine, a fairy lady is hoisted up by steel wire to fetch the bottle from high up.

July 10th, 2008, 03:00 AM	#270
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	I actually liked the green lights. There arent that many building with a hint of green at night..

July 12th, 2008, 09:34 AM	#272
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 6	Nothing can be confirmed yet until the sale period closes in December. The authorities will then evaluate if there is a successful bidder. If there is, we can look forward to seeing the design, which of course must satisfy planning criteria, one of which, there must be a viewing deck on top. I agree that this site, being next to Parkview, would look good coming up with something avant-garde, to fit in with the 'flashy' Bugis theme of bright lights etc...in fact, the new development will be the first one in the Ophir-Rochor corridor, and is a great opportunity to experiment with something different. image hosted on flickr