Current Efforts at Conservation (as well as architecture that once existed)

Attempts made to preserve facades of architecture.

• TANGS' Chinese-styled roof, honouring founder CK Tang, and the Chinese habit of market bargaining.

Now

Then

• Emerald Hill, where the rich Chinese built mansions

Conserved - Emerald Hill

• Peranakan Place, honouring rich culture and relations between Malays and Chinese



Peranakan Place (next to Centrepoint) - Street view



Designs for ION Orchard and The Orchard Residences project drew inspiration from its antecedents as an orchard; the retail canopy draws on the metaphors of 'skin', 'canopies of trees', 'foliage' and 'fruit and peels'; the residential tower design based on the idea of 'roots and shoots', celebrating the side's past and future.

Two menacing Chinese warriors ceramic sculptures from Tang dynasty in front of Hilton Hotel, commissioned to serve as symbolic, historic protectors.



Change and Conservation

are interdependent aspects of an urban society continuously progressing. A balance should be struck to ensure sustainability of the popularity and economy of a place. Even in moving forward with the times, we should remember our roots and the unique elements that make our country's Orchard Road stand out from any other shopping district in the world.


CHANGE - can be both positive and negative, 

• Ongoing process. 
• Though defined by new/different elements of a place, also defined by history- no change can happen withoutt remembering the past.

CONSERVATION - beyond preserving a facade or architectural structure

• Retains inherent spirit and original ambiance, 
• Requires appreciation and understanding of history.

Having both aspects coexist without compromise is crucial for the sustainability of an urban society. 

Concepts - Identity and Common Space

Definitions

Common Space

• Physical or virtual space where everyone, no matter race, religion, social background, can interact, feel accepted 
• Mutual respect
• INCLUSIVE

Identity
as a normative concept

• Many types - cultural, national and URBAN, which will be focused on.

•  URBAN IDENTITY, both a physical and mental element, can be judged by the following indicators:
• Difference and similarity (uniqueness) 
• Evolution (what has changed)
• Unity and diversity (relation between components - people, activities, architecture)
• Essential for sustainability 
• Constitutes: Architecture, culture of people, interactions between physical state and intangible societal aspects [mental, emotional] and people

Map of Orchard Road

Taken off a brochure promoting the Great Singapore Sale 2011.

Background information based on research and observations

An 'ethnoscape' of locals, tourists, rich executives, and on Sundays, Filipino domestic workers. Different groups tend to gravitate towards different areas - domestic workers to the spaces near Lucky Plaza, youths to Scape, Cineleisure, big spenders and tourists towards ION.

80% of the 7 million tourists who visit Singapore annually make a trip to Orchard Road.

It recently went through a S$40 million rejunevation programme in April 2008, encompassing the installation of atmospheric street lighting, urban furniture and outdoor 'green rooms' for street events. Great Singapore Sale (GSS) provides shoppers with opportunities to purchase otherwise highly-priced products at discounted rates.