Project Two:
Housing for the Future Generation
THE FOREST PEAK
@TANGLIN HALT
A NEW GENERATION OF URBAN LIVING
THE PROJECT
This project seeks to define the housing for the future generation. Catering to the future residences from young couples and families to the future silver generation, The Forest Peak @Tanglin Halt is a new generation of a liveable, sustainable and healthy urban living
SITE ANALYSIS
Areas with higher traffic, especially the main Category 3 Queensway Rd, tend to have higher noise levels. The Hindu temple, south-west of the site, also produce a significant amount of noise which need to be addressed sensitively.
On weekdays, there is heavy pedestrian traffic towards the bus stop and along the main road. However, on weekends, there is heavy pedestrian traffic along Tanglin Halt Road from Commonwealth MRT station to the church.
There is lush greenery south-west of the site. However, there is few greenery scattered around Tanglin Halt estate. This shows that the loss of greenery is a result of urbanisation. Hence, green areas needs to be carefully considered.
The surrounding buildings at Tanglin Halt are only 10 storey tall. Due to their short height, it does not obstruct most of the wind path passing through the site. The prevailing wind directions are North-northeast and South-south west.
GENIUS LOCI
PRECEDENT STUDIES:
BOSCO VERTICALE, Stefano Boeri
The site context of Bosco Verticale is very similar to that of Tanglin Halt. Bosco Verticale is a high rise residential building situated in an area of shorter buildings. The project's design intention is to make a statement of change. It is paving the way for urban densification of the future. Its design boasts of the immense number of trees planted vertically along the façade of the building. The trees adapt in tandem with the climate, which provides the necessary protection for the building from various weather conditions.
MASSING DEVELOPMENT
Massing 1
A point block is chosen as long corridors are a disadvantage and not feasible for the elderly with mobility issues. Voids are also introduced to create possible communal and green areas to break down the “blockishness” of the building. This also makes the building less intimidating and lighter when viewed from the ground.
Massing 2
The point block is pulled apart for larger communal areas in the centre. Activities can be carried out between the two towers, providing privacy for the residents as they gather within.
Massing 3
Respecting the 10 storey height of the surrounding buildings, a sky terrace is inserted above the 10th floor. For families, staying in a 4 bedroom unit, they might prefer more privacy. Hence, they are planned to be placed on the upper tower. With the building trimmed thin, it gives them the sense of exclusivity and privacy that they desire.
Massing 4
Studying the circulation of human traffic, people are making unnecessary detours to get across the site. Hence, the North Tower, which is closer to the bus stop, is angled towards the direction of the bus stop to "guide" the pedestrian flow and improve the circulation through the site.
Massing 5
The South Tower overshadows a 1 storey church. This can make the building look intimidating when viewed from ground level. The South Tower is also located next to a road junction which may have high noise levels. Hence, the South Tower is reduced in height to 18 storeys.
Massing 6
Since the site is located at the end of Tanglin Halt, this could be marked as a change for the future. To make the change, curved balconies are introduced, as it would stand out among the worn-out rectilinear blocks of Tanglin Halt. This would also heighten the sense of rectilinearity of the slab blocks.
Massing 7
Bridges are implemented to bring the two towers together. Located on the lower floors, where most of the elderly might be staying, it provides an area for people of common interests to gather. Activities and programmes could also be carried out in these areas to engage the residents.
