beach road towers by foster + partners take shape in singapore

beach road towers by foster + partners take shape in singapore
image © designboom

in downtown singapore, a mixed-use development designed by foster + partners is nearing completion. the scheme, entitled ‘beach road’, occupies an entire block between the city’s marina center and the civic district. conceived as a sustainable urban quarter, the project combines new construction with the restoration of the site’s existing buildings, and brings together places to live and work with shops, cafés, restaurants, a hotel and new public spaces. a wide landscaped pedestrian avenue – a green spine – weaves through the site and is protected by a large canopy, which shelters the light-filled spaces beneath from the extremes of the tropical climate.

the towers climb to a total height of 182 meters
image © designboom

the curving form of the two 182 meter-tall towers is a continuation of the undulating canopy below. their façades are angled to capture prevailing winds and direct air flow to cool the ground level spaces. the south tower is divided between a hotel and apartments, while the north tower is made up of offices. both buildings incorporate densely planted sky gardens, with uninterrupted views of the central business district. the treatment of the perimeter buildings is sensitive to the scale of the famed raffles hotel on the opposite side of the street, while the adjacent former military buildings are carefully restored and interspersed by mature conserved trees.

façade cladding detail
image © designboom

the canopy’s ribbons of steel and aluminum louvers flex above the primary circulation routes and public spaces and dip near the edges to meet the beach road buildings. the entrance to the canopy rises up to form an arc, which acts as a wind scoop, drawing the prevailing breezes through the space and promoting natural ventilation. beneath the canopy are a series of smaller buildings and flexible spaces for functions and events.

a large canopy shelters the light-filled spaces underneath
image © designboom

the ground level is entirely pedestrianized, with individual vehicle access to underground parking and drop off points placed around the edges of the site, and public transport is integrated via a direct link to singapore’s mass rapid transit network. a large environmental canopy enveloping much of the 34,950 square meter site mediates the harsh tropical climate, keeping out rain and direct sunlight while allowing wind to flow through the site. the development is on track to be completed by 2016.

the sheltered entrance to the northern tower
image © designboom

façades are angled to capture prevailing winds and direct air flow to cool the ground level spaces
image © designboom

the south tower is divided between hotel and apartments, while the north tower is made up of offices
image courtesy of foster + partners

both buildings incorporate densely planted sky gardens
image courtesy of foster + partners

the canopy’s ribbons of steel and aluminum louvers flex above the primary circulation routes
image courtesy of foster + partners

the large environmental canopy mediates the harsh tropical climate
image courtesy of foster + partners

image courtesy of foster + partners

the former military buildings are carefully restored and interspersed by mature conserved trees
image courtesy of foster + partners

project info:

appointment: 2007
area: 146,800 sqm
height: 182 m
client: south beach consortium, singapore
collaborating architect: aedas PTE ltd
structural engineer: arup singapore PTE ltd
m+e engineer: parsons brinckerhoff PTE ltd
additional consultants: ICN design international, lightcibles PTE ltd