Singapore Architectural Perspectives
Observations on the history, theory and practice of architecture and urbanism in Singapore.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Malayan Architects Co-Partnership 1960-1967
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A different kind of tropical high-rise
Monday, July 11, 2011
Singapore - Evolution of a Planned City
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Beyond "The Singapore Songlines" (S,M,L,XL) into a Post-Generic City
Architects' Words: Paul Rudolph on Singapore
Paul Rudolph on the Colonnade Apartments on Grange Road
"I should say about Grange Road that this is a building that I have been thinking about for thirty years. It cannot be built in the United States because of the labor involved.....The forming of the concrete is, let's face it, very elaborate. There's a great deal going on in this building, for better or for worse. There are many different apartment types and structurally and mechanically it becomes tremendously involved. I was just saying that this was not at all off the top of my head. It's a marvelous example of a building that I'd really been thinking about in principle for a long, long time." (Source: Chicago Architects Oral History Project - interviewed by Robert Bruegmann - digital-libraries.saic.edu)
On the commercial shopping centre typology in Singapore
"Partially because of the competition they've negated their traditional life in Singapore. You almost think you're in the United States when you're in Singapore. The only viable thing really, from an economic viewpoint, is the shopping center. Therefore you will find great competition and, therefore, architecturally-elaborate interior spaces. Of course we see that in this country too, but only since World War II. There have been some great department store spaces and hotel lobbies. You can't say there isn’t anything else in the United States because, of course, there are museums and institutions that have great interior spaces. In Singapore, though, the commercial interior space is really it." (Source: Chicago Architects Oral History Project - interviewed by Robert Bruegmann - digital-libraries.saic.edu)
On East Coast Parkway and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge
"That boulevard has organised the buildings on either side of it and ends in this bridge which is like a mountain. You get to the top and bingo, there's this marvellous skyline....You should make a splendid ceremonial gate at the top with a place where you can turn off and have a viewing platform over the bay and the city." (Source: "Who needs fancy pants" The Straits Times, 20th August 1989)