Latest news with #UrbanRedevelopmentAuthority
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Places Of The Heart: Architect Rene Tan revels in the ups and downs of Ann Siang Hill
Architect Rene Tan is the director and co-founder of award-winning firm RT+Q Architects. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Places Of The Heart: Architect Rene Tan revels in the ups and downs of Ann Siang Hill Who: Architect Rene Tan, 61, is the director of home-grown multi-award-winning architectural firm RT+Q Architects, which he co-founded with fellow architect T.K. Quek in 2003. The firm picked up the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Architectural Heritage Award in 2011 for its restoration of a 1913 bungalow. In 2016, it bagged other design accolades such as the President's Design Award in Singapore and the Chicago Athenaeum award. The practice's two-decade body of work was documented in Rethinking The Tropical House (2023) by Thames & Hudson, a London-based publisher of coffee-table tomes. Mr Tan is also festival director of Singapore Archifest 2025, organised by the Singapore Institute of Architects, from June 25 to July 25. He will be championing the theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect! The 'accidental architect', who initially wanted to be a pianist, decided to study music and architecture at Yale College in the US. He later obtained a master's in architecture at Princeton University. He is married to Ms Chuah Woei Woei, who works in banking, and they have a 21-year-old daughter, Lara, who is studying music and government at Harvard University. 'My 'place of the heart' in Singapore is a story of ironies, running through busy Club Street to the quieter, undulating terrain around Ann Siang Hill. There is this delightful sense of finding the right things in the wrong places. For instance, just when you expect a stretch of shophouses, you stumble upon a hidden pocket of greenery. When you think the road will go higher, it unexpectedly dips. It is in this cacophony of contradictions that I find endless inspiration. The enclave also reaffirms my personal design approach that, sometimes, the best way to envision architecture is to stop thinking like an architect. Because only by letting go of rigid expectations can we open ourselves to new, creative possibilities. As both an architect and teacher, I have always believed that architecture begins with intuition. It is shaped by the mind, but must ultimately resonate in the heart. Club Street embodies this journey perfectly. It is a space that transcends logic and reason, echoing what the late American architect Robert Venturi called ' complexity and contradiction in architecture'. There is a vibrant, almost 'messy vitality' here that reminds me of Rome's eternal spirit. Although my RT+Q Architects Chinatown office is right in the heart of the 'hood at 32 Mosque Street, I still find myself drawn to the area, which offers a rare form of urban escape. Wandering aimlessly through the back alleys of Club Street is more than just a break. It is a cathartic ritual that helps me shake off the pressures of the architecture profession, such as deadlines, client meetings and press briefings. I am usually in Club Street for lunch or a work meeting, and one of the hot spots is Italian restaurant L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele at No. 8 , which is a short stroll from our office. It is a branch of a renowned brand founded more than 150 years ago in Naples, and where I often gather with colleagues for lively lunches. Outside of work, my wife and I love coming here after hours to unwind with friends over plates of authentic southern Italian cuisine. There is something invigorating about the noisy banter and raw energy of the place. It feeds both the appetite and the soul, making every visit a little celebration in the heart of the city. Mr Rene Tan describes himself as an "accidental architect" because he initially wanted to be a pianist. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH I love stumbling upon the unexpected in Club Street, such as a grand mansion where you would expect rows of shophouses. Or a linear pocket park tucked away from the bustle that wordlessly beckons. While on the surface, Club Street seems decidedly built-up, its hill-town vibe and sprawling, undulating streets create a natural setting tucked within the city. It is one of the few places in Singapore where you can experience this kind of hilly, layered urban landscape. Over at Ann Siang Hill, the urban pastiche offers a different visual respite from the city's relentless pace. I love how its picturesque streets and secret back lanes showcase the best of Singapore – a harmonious blend of old and new, high and low, history and modernity. The juxtaposition of shophouses and skyscrapers, the interplay of heat and shelter, all come together in a vibrant confluence that is both energising and liberating. Ann Siang is not just a park filled with greenery, but also a place where I can immerse myself, reflect and recharge. It is where I go to 'escape' architecture, although the enclave is a rich showcase of it. This exemplifies the little ironies that are woven into the pedestrian experience of the area. Club Street and Ann Siang Hill are a constant draw because every visit reveals a new facet. Its ever-changing character seems to mirror the spirit of the city itself. ' Designer and lifestyle journalist Chantal Sajan writes on design and architecture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
URA Draft Master Plan: Developing Bishan as business node rivalling Paya Lebar Central being studied, Singapore News
Plans to develop Bishan into a business node like Paya Lebar Central are being studied under the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Draft Master Plan (DMP) 2025. In a video posted to Facebook on Thursday(June 26), Minister for National Development and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Chee Hong Tat stated this will make it easier for to Bishan and Marymount residents to travel to work. "This means new office spaces (in Bishan) that could match the scale of Paya Lebar Central — around 200,000sq m — bringing workplaces closer to where you live," he said. Other projects for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC under DMP 2025 include a new hawker centre, which will be integrated with the revamped Bishan bus interchange, as well as a Bishan Polyclinic. "Works for these new developments will start within this term, and will take several years to complete," said Chee. Moreover, completed cycling paths in Bishan Town Centre will allow easier access to upcoming recreational spaces like the North-South Corridor and Kallang River and a pedestrian mall linked to transport hubs and community facilities will be built at Bishan Place Road. An "active street" for residents to walk and cycle along Bishan Road to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is also in the works, the minister said. He concluded the video by inviting residents of the GRC to visit the DMP 2025 exhibition when it is displayed at Toa Payoh HDB Hub from Aug 9 to 17. [[nid:719436]]
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Work on hawker centre, polyclinic in Bishan town centre to start in this term of govt: Chee Hong Tat
Artist impression of pedestrian mall linking future developments and community facilities within the Bishan Sub-Regional Centre. PHOTO: URA Work on hawker centre, polyclinic in Bishan town centre to start in this term of govt: Chee Hong Tat SINGAPORE - Work on the new hawker centre, polyclinic and revamped bus interchange in the Bishan town centre will start within the current term of government and take several years to complete, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. About 200,000 sqm of new office space could also be built in the town centre, matching the scale of that in Paya Lebar Central, Mr Chee said in a Facebook post on June 26. The Government is studying plans to develop Bishan into a new business hub as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) 2025 draft masterplan, which was unveiled on June 25. Several government agencies are exploring the feasibility of relocating their offices to the area, to jump-start the development of this business district, URA said earlier. Plans are afoot to develop Bishan into a sub-regional centre. Such areas are business hubs, such as those in Paya Lebar and Serangoon, that bring jobs closer to homes. They are smaller than the regional centres in Woodlands, Jurong East and Tampines. Efforts to improve connectivity in Bishan will make it easier for residents to move around the town and access neighbouring facilities, Mr Chee said. For instance , cycling paths in the Bishan town centre will allow residents to cycle to upcoming recreational spaces such as the North-South Corridor and Kallang River. Bishan Place – a road behind Junction 8 shopping centre – will be transformed into a pedestrian mall and be linked to transport hubs and facilities, he added. There are also plans for a walking and cycling street along the developments in Bishan Road that will be connected to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. These plans are on top of that for the Toa Payoh Integrated Development on the site of the former Toa Payoh Sport Centre in Lorong 6 Toa Payoh , which will be completed within this term of government, said Mr Chee. The integrated development will have an improved sports centre, an upgraded polyclinic, a bigger library and a rejuvenated town park. It will have sheltered linkways to Toa Payoh MRT station and bus interchange. The Draft Master Plan 2025 includes plans to continue driving Singapore's economic growth by strengthening its economic gateways and business districts, rejuvenating key precincts and supporting innovation. The exhibition for the draft masterplan will be displayed at the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh from Aug 9 to 17. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
S'pore's new blueprint will give residents more flexibility to choose ideal home: Analysts
Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat touring the Urban Redevelopment Authority Draft Masterplan 2025 exhibition, at URA Centre, on June 25, with Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng and Mayor of Central Singapore district Denise Phua. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SINGAPORE – Singapore's latest draft masterplan will give residents greater flexibility in choosing an ideal living environment across the island, with amenities – as well as workspaces in some cases – located nearer homes, said analysts. The new masterplan – Singapore's land use development blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years – focuses more on creating an environment that fosters a healthier and more active lifestyle, supports the Republic's ageing population and addresses the challenges of climate change, they added. Ms Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at property agency OrangeTee Group, said there is a bigger emphasis on an environment that enhances the quality of life for Singaporeans through the provision of more homes with access to sea, river and park views, as well as more parks and amenities, and the preservation of heritage buildings and cultural sites. Furthermore, there is a dedicated effort to build new sports facilities closer to residential areas to encourage a healthier lifestyle, Ms Sun said. This means that Singaporeans will have a more diverse array of housing options to suit their needs, be they near the city centre, schools, parks or waterways. With each community designed to be better connected with essential amenities, this ensures convenient access to schools, healthcare facilities and recreational areas wherever residents choose to live, added Ms Sun. 'All these initiatives will help to create a more balanced, sustainable living experience for all residents, regardless of age and budget,' she said. At least 80,000 public and private homes will be introduced across more than 10 new housing areas in the next 10 to 15 years, with new neighbourhoods planned in areas such as Dover, Defu, Newton and Paterson. Integrated community hubs with sports facilities, healthcare and community spaces are also in the works for Sengkang, Woodlands North and Yio Chu Kang. Mr Marcus Chu, chief executive of real estate agency ERA Singapore, said that with more housing estates catching up in terms of amenities and accessibility, housing demand may start to be spread more evenly across Singapore. This could, in turn, lead to more even price growth across different regions. More land parcels around MRT stations and more business hubs are also being planned outside the Central Business District to bring work closer to homes, spread the load on the transport network and reduce the need to set aside land for roads, said Mr Mark Yip, CEO of property firm Huttons Asia. One such example is the greater one-north precinct, which has developed into a bustling research-and-development hub with more than 50,000 knowledge workers . Mr Lee Sze Teck, Huttons' senior director of data analytics, said there is therefore a need to provide more homes so that the workers can live near their workplaces. 'This will reduce travelling time and stress on the transport network,' he added. The Dover-Medway neighbourhood in the precinct could see 6,000 new public and private homes built in the first phase, while some 5,000 new private homes could be introduced in Mediapolis, which is also in the area. Ms Sun said building more homes in Dover-Medway and Mediapolis will in turn attract more workers, researchers, students and expats to live there, and support business growth in the area. Mr Ismail Gafoor, CEO of property firm PropNex, said land use for three plots in Ayer Rajah Crescent, near Media Circle in one-north, has been changed from business park to residential, with commercial use on the first storey. That should bring more amenities to Media Circle, which is set to see more high-density housing. In addition, two sites in the nearby Singapore Science Park II have been updated from business park use to residential. This ties in with the ongoing rejuvenation of the Science Park, he added. In the heart of town, Paterson – on the doorstep of Orchard Road – could get 1,000 new private homes as part of an integrated development with retail, food and beverage and office spaces above Orchard MRT station. Ms Sun said expanding the residential landscape in the Orchard Road precinct is a good move due to the scarcity of available land in prime areas. New government land sites in prime areas – especially near Orchard Road – are quite rare, and it has been many years since The Orchard Residences, an integrated development near the heart of Orchard, was launched, Ms Sun noted. But given the luxury property market's slower growth, some of these new sites may be placed on the reserve list of the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme, she added. Such sites are launched for sale when a developer offers a minimum price that the Government accepts, or when there is enough market interest. Mr Lee pointed out that the land parcel above Orchard MRT station has been rezoned to a white site, and the plot ratios have been bumped up. White sites refer to land parcels designated for mixed-use development and allow for flexibility in development plans, while plot ratios measure how intensively land can be developed. 'This is a prime opportunity to build an iconic shopping and residential project as the last GLS site above Orchard MRT was Ion Orchard and The Orchard Residences in 2005,' he said. But the 60 per cent additional buyer's stamp duty on foreign buyers may not give developers the confidence to bid for that site if it is launched for sale, Mr Lee added. Meanwhile, Ms Catherine He, head of research at commercial real estate services firm Colliers, said sites including Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB), Sembawang Shipyard and the former Singapore Racecourse in Kranji were chosen for redevelopment into housing estates to optimise land use for the maximum benefit of residents, and relocate industrial and commercial activities farther out. In particular, the relocation of PLAB in eastern Singapore from 2030 will be a game-changer, said real estate consultancy Knight Frank Singapore's research head Leonard Tay. With about 800ha of land to be freed up for the development of residences, offices, factories and recreational areas, this means that building height restrictions imposed for the safe navigation of aircraft in surrounding towns could be lifted. Although higher plot ratios around PLAB have not been announced in the latest draft masterplan, Mr Tay said it would be reasonable to expect some collective sale opportunities, as older properties that are no longer constrained by low-rise plot ratios could see an increase in land values after 2030. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
New housing options, parks and improved amenities among plans under URA's draft master plan
Singaporeans now have a glimpse into how the spaces they live, work and play in will look like for the next 10 to 15 years. From new homes in the city to new community and office spaces, a draft master plan by the Urban Redevelopment Authority was unveiled on Jun 25, mapping out the grand plans for the nation's land use. Residents in some areas will get new or refreshed amenities. Some familiar, well-loved sites will be conserved, while others will be made over. Professor Sing Tien Foo, Provost's Chair Professor in the Department of Real Estate at NUS Business School, discusses the draft master plan. He talks about the strategies laid out in this master plan and how conserving heritage plays a role in Singapore's urban planning.
