Whither Singapore Icon.....any thoughts? - Page 2

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:03 PM

We have the Fullerton juxtaposed with the Maybank Tower, shophouses with skyscrapers rising behind them.

We also have lots of conservation areas and thousands of restored buildings.Turning slums and warehouses into chic hotels, offices and hip nightclubs.

Beside shophouses, we also have rowhouses, similliar in design, but no retail facilities below.

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huaiwei

Haha.....yeah I told you to do it coz you have not been there before right?

Yes I would still consider it a semi-success, and I dont think my opinion has changed much for quite some time. It just dosent have that X factor needed, and btw, it is small by your non-artsy Singaporean's standards.

Actually I was there way before it opened, about 1 year before and met the "software" aka management people and attended their briefing, listening to their "great plans" that could fill up the whole calender. Didn't think the software could make it then. Now that the hardware is complete, didn't prove otherwise.

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:13 PM

Nice to see you back, Kit.

Hope to see you more often...

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:14 PM

Thanks.

Been pretty busy lately but I do hop in once in a while, a very long while sometimes.

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:15 PM

Still studying?

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:18 PM

Nope. Started working more than 3 months ago.

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:21 PM

Still in Australia?

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:21 PM

Back home already but yeah, miss Melbourne.

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:22 PM

Oh, then you could take pictures of your favourite architecture works here?

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstone

Oh, then you could take pictures of your favourite architecture works here?

Unfortunately, I haven't had a single photography session since I started working. Got to get something started again though.

redstone · August 5th, 2004, 04:34 PM

Okay, I'll be patient.I'm not good in photography and do not have a digicam.So its quite expensive and inconvienient for me.

huaiwei · August 5th, 2004, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kit

Unfortunately, I haven't had a single photography session since I started working. Got to get something started again though.

Oh yes.....go save your portfolio with more photos and updates before it gets pruned away!

Kit · August 5th, 2004, 04:37 PM

I'm on it. Started putting together a portfolio of 10x15 prints. 8 images so far.

Kit · August 6th, 2004, 02:38 AM

oh!! I think you meant the thread I started...... I thought it was long gone but somebody just found it again.

Cliff · August 6th, 2004, 02:30 PM

Actually, if you look at patterns, tall stuff does become iconic. To be more precise, sore-thumb-sticking tall is iconic.

Look at
KL and Petronas
Paris and Eiffel
NY and ESB
Tokyo and Tokyo Tower
HK and 2IFC
Taipei and 101
SINGAPORE AND OUB CENTRE

They all have the tallest being alot taller than the next tallest in the area.

I wonder why...

whatever it is, for SG to have an iconic thing, we need something that sticks out, like a 400m observation tower, or a 200m hotel complex on a barren island.

redstone · August 6th, 2004, 04:25 PM

Hope they build a skyscraper hotel/casino on Southern Islands.Or an observation tower there or on Fort Canning, Ann Siang Hill, Pearl's Hill ,Mount Sophia, or Goodwood Hill (Mount Elizabeth).

But Ann Siang is mainly a conservation area, so I doubt it.

August 6th, 2004, 05:15 PM

First of all, thanks huaiwei on that excellent post. You hit the nail on the head there when you correctly pointed out that architecture in general was questioned in the letter and not just the high-rise skycrapers that seem to be the more popular topics of discussion in this forum.

Moreover, I have to agree with huaiwei when he says that time and time again we have been given opportunities to construct buildings, monuments, residential complexes and etc. only to let our inherent conservatism limit the architectural capacities that I am sure our professionals here are well equipped with. Not to name any specific buildings, it seems like we are satisfied with mediocrity as long as it means we can avoid controversy.

On another point, i believe that we do need an icon although one that does not necessarily have to be tall as suggested by other posters. Look at Sydney, London and Rome for examples. An icon serves more than just pure aesthetic value. There are elements of national identity, collective vision and marketing value that need to be considered. An icon simply helps one remember because of the visually powerful image that is etched in one's head. KL never was easy to identify physically until the Petronas Towers were built. The same can be said of Paris or even Dubai with their respective icons. To put it simply, a study conducted by god-knows-who stated that if 75% of people who were asked to name a city via a sketch of a structure, the structure has succeeded in being an icon, purely in terms of marketing value that is. Singapore seems torn between the merlion, greenery, chewing gum, michael fay and singapore airlines.

On yet another point, while I agree with someone's suggestion that our HDB flats themselves are icons, I think it applies more to us heartlanders than it does to tourists and well accustomed foreigners. The trouble here is that the URA still engages in planning the country both from an urban planning perspective (which i think is necessary) but also from an architectural perspective (which leads to a lack of creativity). A planned skyline is not what we need now. It may have been the solution for a developing country in the 60s/70s but not for one that looks to metropolitans such as HK, London, NYC and Tokyo as equals or at least examples.

Finally, I think the writer of the letter was just trying to arouse attention and discussion and not to sincerely put forward an argument for a complete overhaul. I just feel that people are frustrated at the mediocrity that Singapore has turned out to be. It remains an imitator and not an innovator.

Kit · August 7th, 2004, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodo

On yet another point, while I agree with someone's suggestion that our HDB flats themselves are icons, I think it applies more to us heartlanders than it does to tourists and well accustomed foreigners.

Well, shouldn't a country's icon be first appealing and familiar to its own people rather than foreigners? That's the problem now. We built too many crap that we think might put Singapore in the limelight, we've totally forgotten how to present ourselves. Things that are close to our daily lifes do appeal to foreigners because things we built that doesn't identify ourselves can also be seen elsewhere.

Kit · August 7th, 2004, 06:52 AM

[QUOTE=dodo
Not to name any specific buildings, it seems like we are satisfied with mediocrity as long as it means we can avoid controversy.
[/QUOTE]

Well then let me be the first to congratulate The Esplanade!!! Not only is it mediocre, it had also successfully stirred up quite a bit of controversy.

RafflesCity · August 7th, 2004, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kit

Well then let me be the first to congratulate The Esplanade!!! Not only is it mediocre, it had also successfully stirred up quite a bit of controversy.

lol

Well the Esplanade is the most-talked about building in Singapore!

August 5th, 2004, 04:03 PM	#21
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	We have the Fullerton juxtaposed with the Maybank Tower, shophouses with skyscrapers rising behind them. We also have lots of conservation areas and thousands of restored buildings.Turning slums and warehouses into chic hotels, offices and hip nightclubs. Beside shophouses, we also have rowhouses, similliar in design, but no retail facilities below. __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:13 PM	#23
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Nice to see you back, Kit. Hope to see you more often... __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:15 PM	#25
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Still studying? __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:21 PM	#27
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Still in Australia? __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:22 PM	#29
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Oh, then you could take pictures of your favourite architecture works here? __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:14 PM	#24
Kit arkitect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore / Melbourne Posts: 1,321 Likes (Received): 0	Thanks. Been pretty busy lately but I do hop in once in a while, a very long while sometimes.

August 5th, 2004, 04:18 PM	#26
Kit arkitect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore / Melbourne Posts: 1,321 Likes (Received): 0	Nope. Started working more than 3 months ago.

August 5th, 2004, 04:34 PM	#31
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Okay, I'll be patient.I'm not good in photography and do not have a digicam.So its quite expensive and inconvienient for me. __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 5th, 2004, 04:37 PM	#33
Kit arkitect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore / Melbourne Posts: 1,321 Likes (Received): 0	I'm on it. Started putting together a portfolio of 10x15 prints. 8 images so far.

August 6th, 2004, 02:38 AM	#34
Kit arkitect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore / Melbourne Posts: 1,321 Likes (Received): 0	oh!! I think you meant the thread I started...... I thought it was long gone but somebody just found it again.

August 6th, 2004, 02:30 PM	#35
Cliff Tan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,282 Likes (Received): 1	Actually, if you look at patterns, tall stuff does become iconic. To be more precise, sore-thumb-sticking tall is iconic. Look at KL and Petronas Paris and Eiffel NY and ESB Tokyo and Tokyo Tower HK and 2IFC Taipei and 101 SINGAPORE AND OUB CENTRE They all have the tallest being alot taller than the next tallest in the area. I wonder why... whatever it is, for SG to have an iconic thing, we need something that sticks out, like a 400m observation tower, or a 200m hotel complex on a barren island. __________________ www.clifftan.com cliffsuss.blogspot.com

August 6th, 2004, 04:25 PM	#36
redstone The Uninspired Architect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 14,068 Likes (Received): 0	Hope they build a skyscraper hotel/casino on Southern Islands.Or an observation tower there or on Fort Canning, Ann Siang Hill, Pearl's Hill ,Mount Sophia, or Goodwood Hill (Mount Elizabeth). But Ann Siang is mainly a conservation area, so I doubt it. __________________ http://redstonean.deviantart.com/

August 6th, 2004, 05:15 PM	#37
dodo Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	my take on the letter First of all, thanks huaiwei on that excellent post. You hit the nail on the head there when you correctly pointed out that architecture in general was questioned in the letter and not just the high-rise skycrapers that seem to be the more popular topics of discussion in this forum. Moreover, I have to agree with huaiwei when he says that time and time again we have been given opportunities to construct buildings, monuments, residential complexes and etc. only to let our inherent conservatism limit the architectural capacities that I am sure our professionals here are well equipped with. Not to name any specific buildings, it seems like we are satisfied with mediocrity as long as it means we can avoid controversy. On another point, i believe that we do need an icon although one that does not necessarily have to be tall as suggested by other posters. Look at Sydney, London and Rome for examples. An icon serves more than just pure aesthetic value. There are elements of national identity, collective vision and marketing value that need to be considered. An icon simply helps one remember because of the visually powerful image that is etched in one's head. KL never was easy to identify physically until the Petronas Towers were built. The same can be said of Paris or even Dubai with their respective icons. To put it simply, a study conducted by god-knows-who stated that if 75% of people who were asked to name a city via a sketch of a structure, the structure has succeeded in being an icon, purely in terms of marketing value that is. Singapore seems torn between the merlion, greenery, chewing gum, michael fay and singapore airlines. On yet another point, while I agree with someone's suggestion that our HDB flats themselves are icons, I think it applies more to us heartlanders than it does to tourists and well accustomed foreigners. The trouble here is that the URA still engages in planning the country both from an urban planning perspective (which i think is necessary) but also from an architectural perspective (which leads to a lack of creativity). A planned skyline is not what we need now. It may have been the solution for a developing country in the 60s/70s but not for one that looks to metropolitans such as HK, London, NYC and Tokyo as equals or at least examples. Finally, I think the writer of the letter was just trying to arouse attention and discussion and not to sincerely put forward an argument for a complete overhaul. I just feel that people are frustrated at the mediocrity that Singapore has turned out to be. It remains an imitator and not an innovator.

August 7th, 2004, 06:52 AM	#39
Kit arkitect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore / Melbourne Posts: 1,321 Likes (Received): 0	[QUOTE=dodo Not to name any specific buildings, it seems like we are satisfied with mediocrity as long as it means we can avoid controversy. [/QUOTE] Well then let me be the first to congratulate The Esplanade!!! Not only is it mediocre, it had also successfully stirred up quite a bit of controversy.

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