Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Designed by Aedas and Hassel Design landscape architecture firm, the Shaw Tower Redevelopment embodies a sleek elegant form that reflects the commercial and retail nature of a CBD location, with distinctive features at the corner of Beach Road and Middle Road to promote public engagement with the community.
Τhe concept explores the wrapping of spaces and layering of forms to achieve a marriage of beautiful landscape and contemporary sleek architecture set within a cosmopolitan skyline.
The project has been awarded a 2021 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The soft and unique language of the curved tower is a subtle gesture of the site providing relief to the Singapore skyline and the existing geometric neighbors while addressing the planning requirements.
The subtle curves and folds are grown from the ground floor plane where it starts to outline a series of public spaces that wrap up to the tower profile and crown.
The site at ground level draws an inviting experience where large void spaces of the office lobby, drop-off, outdoor offering, and connections to the surrounding sites set the tone of the building ecosystem and public life.
The curved folding forms start to work up the architectural building horizontally, forming a variety of curvatures, extrusions, and relationships between spaces, terraces, and landscapes.
Through the push and pull of the distinct spaces, the building steps in and out where it addresses the site conditions and brief requirements to be a new high-quality development.
As a prominent corner location, the design deliberately celebrates a corner podium feature, which is a glass-walled element separated from the rest of the building.
Above this feature are two distinct floating volumes which are clad in a glazed curtain wall to indicate the commercial and professional nature of the space whilst remaining respectful of the surrounding heritage architecture.
Between these elements are external landscaped terrace areas which are accessible by the building tenants, reinforcing the green credentials while capitalizing on the breathtaking views.
The longer principal tower elevations are calibrated by the elegant facade wrap to the building, which slides in plan to provide relief along the street and localized enlarged floor plates that benefit from their view corridors.
At the top of the tower, the facade chamfers gently guide the eye upwards, where a spectacular rooftop restaurant provides a suitable crowning statement to the building.
The curved tower form allows a consistent expression with the podium where the natural response to the curved corner of the site on the Beach Road, Middle Road intersection is to curve the podium form.
The podium is lifted above the drop-off to enhance its special characteristics and increase the prominence of the Shaw Foundation housed within.
The podium is about respect and giving the Shaw foundation is located in the most prominent corner acting as a beacon for the honorable values of the Shaw Company, supporting functions are located adjacent to the foundation offices.
The resultant space underneath is a beneficial urban interface to what will be a busy road intersection.
The ground plane concept is about interconnecting and weaving the building’s public domain with the existing streetscape.
No move is incorporated without careful consideration of its positive influence and meaningful addition to the existing context.
Connection with its surroundings is a key part of the design strategy.
The L2 elevated pedestrian route that enters the site via the bridge from South Beach is extended through the podium to the open space and drop off.
The vehicle access to the building along Middle Road provides a separation between vehicles and pedestrians from the main lobby area, which improves safety throughout the hours of operation.
This development improves the existing pedestrian environment, promoting pedestrian-focused community spaces along Beach Road and Nicoll Highway.
The elevated pedestrian connection is vastly improved with the proposed development.
Retail activity, dining, and café opportunities are positioned to address the connectivity into the Midtown Development directly.
It will provide for the community passing by, working office tenants, or users of the amenity offerings.
This is a building that finds its unique expression through a creative expression of consideration, for its positive impact within Singapore, at all scales and all levels.
Project: Shaw Tower Redevelopment
Architects: Aedas
Landscape Architects: Hassell Design (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Interior Consultant: Francis – Jones Morehen Thorp Pty Ltd (FJMT), Aedas Interiors Pte Ltd
Client: Shaw Towers Realty (PTE) Ltd.
General Contractor: Landlease
Photographers: Aedas
