Does Singapore need more 'funky' buildings?

[RafflesCity]

Let's make S'pore a funky town
Design and cultural events can create vibrant city

FROM frumpy to funky, from staid to sensational.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Jurong GRC) wants Singapore to let its hair down and spice things up.

'The Ministry of National Development must aim to make Singapore a 'WOW' city,' she said yesterday.

It should design more distinctive buildings to reflect Singapore's multi-cultural heritage and 'stand up to the best-designed buildings in other cities'.

'If we keep building boring and so-so-looking buildings, Singapore will soon become a so-so city,' she said.

So the Republic must benchmark itself against the best cities to live and work in, study them in great detail and aim to be at the top in five to 10 years' time.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that turning Singapore into a 'WOW' city was not the sole responsibility of his ministry - but it will play its part in that effort.

It has already organised international design competitions, such as the one for the Duxton Plain high-density public housing project, as a way of attracting unusual ideas for land use here.

To add vibrancy to the city area, the Urban Redevelopment Authority is creating a cultural and activity hub around Marina Bay, that already includes the Esplanade and One Fullerton.

'Singaporeans can look forward to even more world-class attractions, to art and cultural activities along the waterfront,' he promised.

Moving away from concrete vistas, the Government also plans to provide another 1,200 ha of parks and park connectors - equivalent to 20 Bishan Parks.

Existing parks like Labrador and Pasir Ris will be extended and previously- unexplored areas like the central catchment will be opened to the public.

'With all these initiatives and programmes in place, there should be no reason for Singaporeans to complain that there is nothing to do in Singapore,' he said, to laughter from the House.

His ministry also said the National Parks Board is to set up a Garden City Fund for more recreational facilities in parks.

[renell]

Singapore need more "funky" talls

[huaiwei]

I dunno if "Funky" means wierd towers, but they are certainly sorely lacking rite now.

[Cliff]

Singapore needs it.

[TYW]

maybe it does. but not too many

[Pablo]

i think Singapore needs. But The Esplande Theatres i s very nice,it seems like ''nangka'' a type of fruit

is the first pic real??The Esplande Theatres looks really unreal

[ryanr]

Dont worry, lah...i bet "funky" and taller skyscrapers will be built in the reclaimed CBD area...

btw, does anybody have a real picture (not rendering) of the SIA building?? thanx

[RafflesCity]

I think most of Sing's buildings are pretty smart looking, but more business-like. There are hardly any spired buildings to be seen..and certainly not the shocking neon light show of HK. But I would like to see a bit more creative designs..or designs that provoke reactions

The Durians are one example..the MayBank Tower is also quite nice but not weird..but more of these would be nice..Parkview Square also stands out.

btw Capital Tower is one of the first few buildings to have coloured lights that change

[Eriq]

I don't think Singapore needs 'funky' building because Sing's skyline is classy and business-like and that's what makes it Singapore.

Maybe a little bit but not too much...

[Cliff]

I think the Concourse is one of Singapore's most uunrealistic buildings, it's even larger than life!

[TYW]

nice pics of Capital Tower!!!!!!!!!!

[Trances]

Every City Should attempt to have in own desgine and influances When building any element
Some have managed to
other have lost to stronger out side infleances

[RafflesCity]

I find these cool and funky. In fact Singapore does have some historical gems that qualify as such.

'Art-Deco' shophouse


'Flatiron-style' shophouse


Esplanade Theatres that look like durians


anymore?

[heirloom]

my gawd i never noticed how funky those shop houses looked look at that enormous bicycle cog !!!!!

[TropicalSQ744]

Great pic of the porcupine.. umm i mean Esplanade



This idea suddenly popped into my head. Why not have our own modern day shophouses with contemporary architecture? It would be cool wouldn't it

[Monkey]

Striving for "funky" is ridiculous.

If Singapore keeps/restores the remaining Shophouses (you can tell I'm totally in love with them, and thanks for introducing me to them, Raffi and Huaiwei! :love there will be no need for the authorities to launch attempts at "funky."

Historic buildings give a place CHARACTER. Who needs funk?

[huaiwei]

Haha! I supposed its a modern day fad or something? People seem not to treasure what we had before, but want things we dunt have.

TropicalSQ744, your "modern-day" shophouse will probably look no different from a row of terrace houses seen today, albeit with (yet another) row of shops on the first storey! Yiaks!

[Hitesh]

I remember seeing one really funky building in Singapore when I was last there in 2001. I remember seeing it from UWC (United World College) and it had the Singtel logo on the top of it.
It was a regular rectangular building but with blocks "sticking out" if that makes any sense.
Does anyone here know which one Im talking about?
Sorry I cant give you any more information, all I know is that its visible from the UWC campus.

[huaiwei]

That sounds like comcentre....is it the tall building to the left as seen in this picture?

[Hitesh]

No, it was a different building, Sorry.
I dont remember seeing any other high rises around it which struck me as being odd, but that made it stand out even more.

....I wasn't halucinating, at least I dont think so.