Coaslescence
c u l t u r a l h u b
From the Master Plan concept of bringing, melding together: Coalescence is the melting pot of inter-generational, inter-cultural activities and groups coinciding in a cultural mixed-used hub consisting of shops, studios and green spaces.
Building on the concept of paving an active walking profile in a pedestrian-friendly environment, the design nestles itself beside two main circulatory axes frequented between the Holland Village MRT and its neighbouring HDBs - the E-W central valley corridor and the N-S elevated sky bridge. Culture in this this transitory space is not forced upon; instead ephemeral and informal.
Tapping on ideas of food culture, art culture and gardening (green) culture that transcends generations, such forms of culture was deemed apt for a new Master Plan that was completely new and lacking in historical significance. Coalescence provides a new form of connectivity to reach down from the sky bridge, where different age groups, like the majority elderly residents in the surrounding HDBs, as well as the new, intended middle-aged residents from the Master Plan, will incidentally pass through and be visually and physically involved in the cultural hub. Through the design's site, programs and circulation, Coalescence connects people through such aspects of culture that embrace the new Master Plan, creating a new form of transient, yet prominent culture for the site.
2017
Year 3, Semester 1
Location
Holland Village
Typology
Cultural Hub
Supervisor
Dr Zdravko Trivic
Coalescence taps on the neighbouring sites and programs, bringing people in from all directions.
Green areas are strategic in screening, exposing, as well as organising programs.
With varying species of plants and flowers planned at different points of the building depending on the sun, maintenance and nature of programs. Green screens with thick leaves provide for privacy and concealment, while edible greens are accessible to the culinary kitchen. Roof gardens from the neighbouring school and residential blocks also differ based on the audience, at the same time enhancing the aesthetics and providing clearer wayfinding methods.
Such multiple green areas have landscaping and utlitarian purposes, other than serving program functions. For the green screens concealing certain forms of programs like the knitting studio and the private farm, they consist of more dense vertical-growing plants; another form of green wall present in the design is one that is more interactive, where planters are individually modular and species can be swapped occassionally for learning gardens like the school garden. These take into consideration the amount of maintenance neede for such, as well as the nature of the program.
Coalescence looks at not just showcasing art, gardening or culinary skills - but also the production and selling of such. The first floor focuses on food culture with an organic food store with in-house produce, a culinary studio where users can learn, or even teach one another their specialties, and a dine-in restaurant. These programs are situated based on the intended user interactions, where the commercial stall will benefit economically from the high-traffic circulation path during peak hours; the culinary studio is visibly interactive right next to the stage, where temporary food markets that are in-house made during different festivals can be set up. The restaurant likewise is visible and provides a view of the central stage, an activity node. This is similar for the second floor's focus on art culture, and the third floor's focus on gardening and farming. The main circulation path from the ground floor's central valley, to the elevated sky bridge is thus enhanced through specific activity nodes that pave it.