Archifest 2009-Lien Collectives: Zarch Collaboratives

Recently, SIA organised the Archifest 2009 that rang out with a bang. The festivities included talks by notable architects both from Singapore and the world - including the likes of UN Studio. The Architrours also proved very popular, with many tours fully booked.

I managed to get into one of the tours that showcased some very nice work by local Singaporean architects. Staged as Architour, the tours were organised site visits to different locales around Singapore- showcasing reccent completed works.

In the first of this series of articles I am showing are the Lien Collectives- a series of 5 houses designed by fresh, young local firms. This one is by Zarch Collaboratives who did one of the houses.

The design of the house is one of the most visually iconic in my opinion.

The facade is volumentric and zany, with alot of funky features-exposed timber, fair-faced concrete, steel sculpture floating above a pebbel pool and even a playful metallic cube in the outdoors...

 The flavour of the house was definitely very experimental. I liked the way the various materials are used. Certainly one of the most interesting houses on this site....

Needless to say, all the students and visitors went crazy with the shutters. There was indeed much to see in the house. I just wished I brought a better camera to capture all the details!

 

Indeed, there were many interesting details that caught my eye - from the staircase to the toilets and windows, there was something for everyone. The details, materials and placement of various elements were definitely different and varied. In my opinion, the look seemed edgy and experimental.

The evolution of the spaces seemed to be in terms of 'boxes' of spaces, with a lot of corridors and walkways that were naturally ventilated.  There is also alot of glass and metal elements used to let light in and blur the inside and outside. This gave the whole house a open feel, similar to a outdoors play house...

Accompanied with many fascinating features and niches, the house was definitely one that made many want to stay longer to explore further. Unfortunately we had to move on quickly to cover the other houses...

One North Residences

Recently we went to check out the completed One North Residences. Nestled in the lush surrounds of Buona Vista near the up-and-coming Fusionopolis and Biopolis complex, the apartments seemed like a great in this locale. For those who are unfamiliar with the Fusionopolis and Biolpolis, here are some websites to check out:

1. http://www.fusionopolis.a-star.edu.sg/
2. http://www.one-north.sg/hubs_fusionopolis.aspx
3. http://www.one-north.sg/hubs_biopolis.aspx

The overall masterplanning of the area was originally conceived by famous Iranian architect Zaha Hadid - http://www.planetarchitecture.com/titles/hadid_folder/hadid_w7.html

And with it came many interesting parameters and guidelines for its development. For one, the buildings are supposed to be seamless and 'borderless', allowing easy flow of people, ideas etc. The apartments were also percieved along similiar ideals. Of course, we all know Singaporeans prefer their privacy.  In the end, the apartments was well-planned, with wall-less boundaries and only secured at lift lobbies and certain locations leading to the main landscape area.

          The landscape areas seem to reflect the sensibility of Zaha Hadid too... with the edgy water features, slanted planters and  pointed pool.  The overall feel was a pretty much like a dynamic living environment. I liked the deck chairs that seem to weave out of the timber deck...

A sky gym is perched within a glass box in between the sky terrace. Considering the lack of space at the landscape area, this seemed like a great idea. (There is a swimming pool, function  room and some water features with some 402 units.)

The development has several retail/commercial units for public rental at the first storey.The main block apartments is connected to another block with the loft units via a sky bridge. The sky bridge was probably the best place to catch a good view of the overall lush greenery and park too.

 

There is a smattering of artistic around the architecture which can be seen from the hanging sculptures at the airwell and water features, to the interesting dipping 'well's at the roof terrace... There are also cute play areas that appear as tunnel like nodules poking out of the landscape. The child in me actually wanted to go through the tunnel to check it out for myself..!

Timber and Architecture

Timber has always been a favoured material for its warmness and texture. It has been extensively used not only in interiors but also as external cladding.

Many architects and designers as well as owners alike love the material for its unique character. This is the prime reason why it is used in expressions ranging from tropical and zen simplicity to modernist articulations and variations. In Singapore architecture, there is also a lot of interest in its applications.

Let's look at 2 popular types of timber used as external cladding in Singapore architecture - balua and chengai. The characteristics of each vary but essentially balau is more rugged while chengai is more delicate.

Typically the properties of balau timber vs chengai timber are:

Balau Timber

1. Harder (than chengai timber) - Therefore less cracks when exposed under sun.

2. Less 'pin-holes' - The walnut like grooves typical of natural timber

3. Darker colour

4. Cost - Typical cost is $73/ ft2

Chennai Timber
1. Softer, but more stable - There are more cracks when exposed to sun.
2. More 'pin-holes'
3. Lighter in colour

4. Cost - Typical cost is $76/ ft2

For balau timber, it can also be used in longer lengths, such as 12 to 14 feet for a typical 20-30mm thick by 70mm width length of timber. For chengai timber, the lengths should be shorter such as 6-8 feet for a typical 20-30mm by 70mm width length of timber. This is to reduce the chance of warping, which can occur more readily under our tropical sun.

The presence of  'pin-holes' gives timber its natural look and feel. It also allows the timber to 'breathe' so to speak. However, due to weathering, there will be yellow/white sap that is produced over time. 

The sap causes chemical reactions with the paint or motar of external walls and causes weathering effects to the timber, making it look dull and old.

Some suppliers will advise that the timber (whether it is balau or chegnai) should be left in the sun to 'weather' first before installation.

Unfortunately this does not completely eliminate the problem. Hence, to further protect it, after it is cut and dried in the sun, the timber is coated with a sealant (eg: Hickson coating) that helps to seal the surface. It also gives the timber a more 'varnished' yet natural woody look.  The colour variations of the timber strips are maintained to a certain degree.

It is advised that chengai timber be used for external cladding as it is lighter and possibly more stable. There is less likelihood of warpage and the weathering effects are less severe. Balau timber, even with its hardness can crack over prolonged exposure to the weather. The cracks usually appear within the timber.

At the end of the day, the timber is a natural material. The sealant may tarnish over time, and the sap from within the timber may again surface through the pin-holes. So to maintain best quality the sealant may have to renewed every year or so.

Hence, based on the properties, chengai timber is used more often in external cladding, while balau is used for timber trellis, or timber decking to outdoor areas. At the end of the day, of course price matters. The cheaper alternative of balau may be used externally if large quantities is required for external cladding too.

An effective alternative is to use reconstituted timber. Suppliers today have a huge variety of it, and it comes in various colours and texture. It is commonly used for landscape decking, especially for condominiums as it is durable and maintains consistency over time. Recently it has been used at Sentosa for the decking. At the marine club One Degree 15, it has been even been used as wall cladding.

1 Robin Road

Perched at the edge of Robin Road, along Bukit Timah Road, is the statuesque 1 Robin Road apartments.There are 14 units in total, all offering fantastic views to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and beyond.

Each unit occupies one floor with private lobbies offering the ultimate exclusivity. Upon entering the unit, the owner is greeted with the magnificent view (best seen in the high-rise unit) as the lift lobby door is a grand full height glass sliding door.

We managed to check out the penthouse and were immediately taken in by the breathtaking view from the balcony. Even from within, the double-volume height of the living and dining spaces were simply awesome.

The view from the staircase landing was great too. Full height glass that reached a double volume height added much light into the space.

Opened with little interest initially, the units were all fully sold after the building was completed and achieved TOP. Guess the biggest selling point had to be the view.



We particularly liked the details of the staircase that showcased how an elegant staircase could be achieved. The design was a open riser staircase with a continous metal stringer that linked the two flights of stairs.

The threads are also anchored on one side to the wall, so there is only one continous stringer on the open side of the stairs.

Timber is used as the material to clad the threads, similar to the timber floor for the corridors and the bedrooms. This effectively connects the stairs with the bedrooms, and makes it a seemless match.

Stainless steel handrail is built onto the glass balustrade in a but detailed to make everything look as light-weight as possible.

All the materials and detailing seek to enhance the continuity and lightness of the two flights of stairs.

The kitchen is also exquiste with its modern treatment of stainless steel, white workbench and Miele appliances including a coffee machine to boot.

  

135 Cecil Street

Lately, there have been many office buildings being unveiled in the downtown area of Shenton Way. Chanced upon a new building along Cecil Street which had a distinctive facade and certainly made many stop and notice.

The architects are local firm Eco-ID that has garnered several awards for various houses and residential apartments. (http://www.ecoid.com/).

They have also made headlines with the Hamilton at Scotts Road by Hayden Properties.

The continous glass facade is articulated by means of a varying pattern of horizontal fins. We like the design of the building for its bold yet artistic expression and quality that has successfully distinguished itself from its 'older' neighbours along the office strip of Cecil Street.

Sinsov Building @ 55 Market Street

Sandwhiched between other tall and slender buildings in downtown CBD of Singappre is the Sinsov Building, named after the Singapore Soviet Shipping Co Pte Ltd. Its location is just opposite the popular Golden Shoe complex.

With only 1 main facade facing Market Street , the architects have created a distinctive look that does not remind of a typical office building.

The office skyscraper typology of a continous glass curtain wall has been superseded with fine perforated metal screening. This is juxtaposed in a rhythmic fashion to give an interesting treatment to the otherwise simple office treatment. The screening has very fine perforations that almost conjures the feeling of a light-weight 'veil' or 'fabric'.


The palette of materials and colours is also refreshing. On the side wall, a similar arrangement of windows also prevails with deep recesses almost in echo of the depth and shadow that the building is trying to depict at the front facade.

Certainly worth checking it out for those who work in the vicinity. The Geek cafe that was stationed at the 1st storey has moved out to give way to a swanky Japanese restaurant too......