kengo kuma to lead design of singapore founders' memorial

in late 2019, singapore invited its citizens to choose their favorite design for a new memorial dedicated to the country’s founders and the values that helped shape the nation. it has now been announced that the submission by kengo kuma & associates in collaboration with K2LD architects has been selected as the winner of the project’s international architectural design competition. the contest, launched in january 2019, attracted 193 submissions from both local and international firms. from these, five designs were shortlisted by the jury panel.

all images courtesy of founders’ memorial

the concept for the winning scheme, developed by kengo kuma and associates and K2LD architects originates from a ‘path’ — a journey retracing the legacy of the founders. ‘the founders’ memorial draws from monuments of the past and the context of the present to create a space for the future,’ explains the design team. ‘multiple paths shape the architecture and landscape, inviting visitors to reflect, learn, and share while contemplating the dynamic skyline or the lush gardens.’

all of the site’s paths lead to the memorial amphitheater where visitors can gather for important events. ‘as a living memorial, the proposal extends the legacy of the garden city into the future for generations to come,’ continue the architects. the competition’s jury praised the organic form of the design, which creates a welcome counterpoint to the existing landscape. the panel also said that the scheme emphasized singapore’s reputation as a ‘city in a garden’, forming a sustainable, environmentally progressive reflection of the country’s ideals.

‘the winning design is sensitive and functional, and embodies the spirit and values of singapore’s founding team of leaders,’ comments lee tzu yang, chairman of the founders’ memorial committee. ‘it is a unique design, incorporating landscape and architecture, that brings visitors on a journey of discovery. the jury also noted that the winning design proposal is strong in meeting the required technical and functional criteria. for example, good accessibility and integration with bay east garden, connectivity to various transportation nodes, thoughtful layout of spaces and visitor flow, relatively easy to construct and to maintain, and adaptable to future programming and activities.’

following the announcement of the winning design, kengo kuma and associates and K2LD architects will now develop the project alongside the national heritage board and gardens by the bay. construction work is expected to begin in 2022, with the founders’ memorial scheduled to complete in 2027. over the next few years, the public will continue to be consulted in the development of the building’s design as well as the formulation of the content and programming concepts.