Competition Brief in Summary
The former National Stadium was a national icon and had witnessed countless concerts, football matches and National Day parades. Opened in July 1973, the National Stadium was closed on 30 June 2007 to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub which will be completed by April 2014.
The design competition is inviting designers to recapture and rethink this piece of memory through the design of an outdoor bench made from actual wooden planks salvaged from the stadium itself.
Rendered Visual. Submitted on 20th December 2012.
Concept
The design intention aims to resurface the spirit of togetherness, which was within the former National Stadium.
To emphasize unity, every horizontal segment is interdependent on one another, even visually.
The horizontal segments offset from another one, creating a perimeter, which tactfully fits to another bench.
This is the bond, where the idea of connection is achieved.
In addition, it prompts the user to join the benches together, which creates opportunity of communication. Here, the similar idea of bonding is cultivated.
In summary, “Bond” is to reminisce the communal spirit of Singaporeans and to encourage interaction.
Rendered Visual. Submitted on 20th December 2012.
5 Winners out of 130 Submissions
Published on Front Page Highlight of The Straits Times on 1st March 2013.
Reporter | Melissa Pang
Photographer | Desmond Wee
Image Source | http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/special-benches-tribute-former-national-stadium-20130228
Image Source | http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/special-benches-tribute-former-national-stadium-20130228
Video Interview | Published on Mar 1, 2013 by FARM, Singapore.
Appearances | WOHA Architects, Tang Guan Bee, Air Division, Lanzavecchia + Wai design studio, Ministry of Design, Sapp Cheng, &Larry, Ip Li Architects, ZArch, Studio Juju, Nathan Yong, DP Architects, Terence Tang
Video Credits: Sheng Yang (Editor & Camera), George Goh (Camera), Raymond Hon (Camera), Kevin Macleod (Music: Eternal Hope)
Constructed by Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd. 2013.
The construction uses wooden planks after planning. At the far edges on the sides, finger joints will be used. Lap joints will be adapted at intermediate connections in between the horizontal segments. There are slight gaps in between the planks to drain of rainwater.
On 9th January 2013, construction drawings are discussed with Alan Lim, Senior Manager of Sunray Woodcraft Constructon Pte Ltd, Xinnie, Designer from Outofstock, and respective individuals who were involved with production.
Above are two of the nine pieces of drawings. Suggested "mortise and tenon" joints are improvised into hidden lap joints and hardware.
Measurement | 1800mm (L) x 390mm (D) x 450mm (H)
Exhibition & Award Ceremony at URA Centre, on 28th February 2013.
Guest of Honour | Mr. Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Official Competition Website | http://bench.sg
Featured on "Going Places Singapore" URA's lifestyle e-mag, . 8th March 2013.
By Daphne Boey
http://www.goingplacessingapore.sg/project/2013/Bench.aspx
Invitation to SingaPlural 2013 Launch Party. 8th March 2013
Guest of Honour | Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information
SingaPlural 2013 Exhibition at Park Mall, Singapore. 8th - 15th March 2013.
