American Architecture Prize 2017

Located in Bedok North, the 7-storey Bedok Integrated Complex is part of HDB's 'Remaking Our Heartland' initiative to rejuvenate Bedok Town Centre.

This is the dramatic transformation of a public park in the heart of the vibrant East Coast neighbourhood. It combines a community club, sports and recreation centre, public library, polyclinic, and a senior care centre in one building, while keeping aspects of the original grounds and the spirit of Bedok's energetic street life.

This is an innovative response to the client's need for cohesive planning so as to build a community for the future. The unique scheme overlays the designers' intent to make an environmentally progressive building, thus every effort was made to reduce energy consumption, as well as the costs toward building operation and maintenance.

An inverted podium-and-blocks design strategy provides functional spaces at the lower floors, with a covered area extending 145 meters diagonally across the site that encloses a naturally ventilated public atrium under the building. This forms a spacious gathering space while also accommodating shops, restaurants, and connections to existing pedestrian paths. The elevated podium also carries a similar approach for natural ventilation, creating a group of microclimates around the internal public spaces.

Lush greenery lines the perimeter of every floor, seemingly enveloping the building, while the building's landscape also incorporates rainwater and grey water systems. To mitigate solar radiation, the façade's glazing was tapered to follow solar angles while a mixture of brise soleil elements were also employed.

To be completed in 2017, Bedok Integrated Complex will be an architecturally distinctive community building characterised by its sustainability, as well as comfortable recreational spaces, making it an ideal integrated lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.