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Creating a distinctive identity while retaining its cultural and historical significance.
That’s the image the new National Art Gallery must possess upon its completion in 2012. And that’s the challenge put forward to designers around the world when Singapore launched in February a worldwide Architectural Design Competition to find the best design concept for the new National Art Gallery.
111 design entries from 29 countries were received in the design competition to re-use and re-design two 20th century buildings that are historically significant to Singapore - the City Hall and adjacent Supreme Court Building, which will house the new National Art Gallery.
A seven-member international jury announced on Wednesday the top three winning designs that were selected from five which were short-listed.
The winning entries include designs from Studio Milou Architecture which teamed up with CPG Consultants of Singapore, Ho+Hou Studio Architects a Taiwan-based architectural firm that’s collaborating with AEDAS Pte Ltd in Singapore and ChanSauYanAssociates a Singapore-based architectural firm, in collaboration with Lekker Design Pte Ltd.
Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large and Chairman of the National Heritage Board, who’s a member of the international jury said the three designs have separate strengths but all managed to strike a balance between the old and new concept.
According to Albert Ho of Ho+Hou Studio Architects, the selling point of the design is the integration of two local concepts- the kelong and padi field which were placed in a dynamic way.
Architect Sonny S.Y. Chan from ChanSauYanAssociates said the striking feature of his project is the entrance portal where visitors will enjoy a different experience when entering the gallery.
Jean Francois Milon from Studio Milou Architecture admitted that the major challenge was the unification of the new and old buildings. He overcame this with the use of a linear draped canopy, supported by tree-like columns, while respecting the fabric of the existing monuments.
The three designs will be showcased in a public exhibition this October. The eventual winner will be commissioned to design and build the National Art Gallery of Singapore based on the jury’s comments, public feedback and the design’s feasibility.
Tell us what the final design should incorporate here.
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