Kay Ngee Tan Architects to Design Singapore's World Expo Pavilion

On March 25, Singapore unveiled the theme and design of the Singapore Pavilion for World Expo Shanghai 2010. The winning design “Urban Symphony” pays tribute to Singapore symbolizing its harmony of culture, progress and sustainability. Following the call for design submissions last year, Kay Ngee Tan Architects and partners were awarded lead architect for their winning concept.

The theme Urban Symphony (城市交响曲) was inspired by the harmony of unique elements in Singapore; progress and sustainability, urbanization and greenery, tradition and modernity and a cosmopolitan mix of residents of different races living peacefully together. The two environmental areas that Singapore has successfully tackled in balancing progress with sustainability – water and greenery – will form the softscape of the pavilion as its two design elements.

The STB received five submissions and the proposal by Kay Ngee Tan Architects was picked by an Evaluation Panel consisting1 of members of the Advisory Panel and Organizing Committee for Singapore’s participation in the World Expo. The Evaluation Panel included experts from the creative, media, technology industries as well as senior representatives from several government agencies.

“Choosing the winner for this project was not easy given the quality of submissions presented. What struck a deep chord with the evaluation panel however, were Kay Ngee Tan Architect’s design originality, sophistication and energy-saving innovations. The panel believes that the theme and design will breathe life into the pavilion, enabling visitors to experience the very essence and pulse of Singapore” said Ms Lim Sau Hoong, Chairperson of the Evaluation Panel.

In line with World Expo Shanghai 2010’s “Better City, Better Life城市，让生活更美好” theme, the 3,000 square meter Singapore Pavilion has been designed to demonstrate the viability and benefits of urban planning in building sustainable cities. This will support World Expo’s aims to explore challenges in the 21st century new urban age such as dwindling energy resources, implementing sustainable practices, spatial planning and overpopulation.

From afar, the pavilion resembles a musical box incorporating an orchestra of elements into its design – water fountains, an interplay of sounds and visuals, and the mélange of roof garden flora. Supported by four columns, the entire structural system will feature floors of different shapes and sizes, connected by ramps and stairs suspended from trusses.

Façade slits and chilled water along the perimeter of the ground floor centre space will help reduce massive energy consumption whilst recyclable building materials such as aluminum and steel, well-shaded glass walls and ramps will feature extensively. This “Uniquely Singapore” experience will culminate in A Garden in the Sky - a roof-top garden landscaped with tropical flora. Here visitors will get a first-hand feel of Singapore as a Garden City.

“Cities of tomorrow must understand nature’s ways of building structures and communities, and change the mindset of urban dwellers from exploiting the environment to being more in tune with nature. We hope to help translate Singapore’s eclectic urban tempo into an environmentally-friendly message to share with the world based on its compilation of cultural influences, thriving within a well-orchestrated environment. Through our showcase, we hope to encourage visitors to come to Singapore to experience our unique blend of sustainability and innovation,” said Mr Ken Low, Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

In the lead up to the World Expo, the Singapore Pavilion design will make its China debut in an exhibition running from March 25 to 31, 2009 at the World Expo Shanghai 2010 Exhibition Center. Exhibit items on display will include a 1:100 scale model of the pavilion. STB is also in talks with National Museum of Singapore to bring this exhibition back to Singapore in the month of May.

The Singapore Pavilion will be located in Zone B, Oceania and Southeast Asia area, a site between Nanpu and Lupu bridges, along both sides of the Huangpu River. The 3,000 square meter (32,300 square foot) Singapore Pavilion will showcase Singapore’s achievements in sustainable development, its continuous drive to reinvent itself, its creativity and other lesser known aspects of Singapore beyond its economic success. For progress updates on Kay Ngee Tan Architect’s design and the Singapore Pavilion, visit www.SingaporeAtWorldExpo.com.sg.

Images: Singapore Tourism Board