Orchard Turn
The Orchard Turn site, which attracted much attention and scrutiny during Prime Minister Lee's recent National Day Rally speech, was launched through a public tender today.
It is a prime site, strategically located at the center of Orchard Road, which has too long been deemed as a linear, 2-dimensional experience. Not only will pedestrian linkages improve through facade continuity, underground walkways may also aid the chaotic pedestrian crossing on Paterson Road. The proposed Atrium space will hopefully provide some semblance of public space to Orchard Road, only if it is functional and inviting, unlike Ngee Ann city's imposing plaza. And the observation deck will help to reclaim some of the aerial space and visual vantage point for the public, lost to retailers and foreign tourists staying in the Marriotts.
At stake, however, are the mature trees and one of the few open spaces along the shopping belt. What could be tapped into are the lush greenery behind the parcel, with the tree-lined heritage road. Visual access to this greenery could be made through design elements, framing 'window' and the building layout of the proposal.
This important site could well be the last missing link to cement Orchard Road as the bustling commercial heart of the city. It has the potential to remake Orchard as an integrated and connected shopping haven and the public's playground.
posted by moebius @ 10:37 AM
2 planning advice given:
At 10:49 AM,
pluie_rain_雨 said…
hmm...actually wat i felt that the green patch should remain as it is...the only green breathe space amidst the tons of window shopping...
why not make it into a cosy orchard park rather than another compartmentalised 'shopping centre'?
hmm...just a thot in the morning
At 6:25 PM,
moebius said…
Why is the one park along Orchard Road, the Istana Park so underutilized? Do Singaporeans just like talking about parks, but will rather not step into one? In fact, the current park above Orchard Turn is mainly frequented by foreign workers. Perhaps the design of the park is just not appealing/cosy enough. How do we make a park cosy?
Another interesting issue which happens all the time is that when a piece of land is left vacant or turned into an interim park prior to the physicalization of development plans laid down years before, people are upset when the development kicks in. For instance, Orchard Turn, situated above the MRT station has long been earmarked for intensive development. It is just a matter of time before the site is sold and the ground broken. Similarly, the vacant land by Faber House, where the Singapore Visitor Centre stands, will face a similar development plan. Planners are thus inclined to not even turn vacant sites into interim parks or other alternative uses so as not to face the public backlash when they are later torn down for future uses. How do we balance such public expectations?
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