Source : Business Times - 25 Sep 2008
Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel to design his first project in S’pore
FEW cities can claim to have buildings designed by 10 Pritzker Prize winning architects, and Singapore is now one of them.
To date there are only about 30 winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize - the architectural equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize - and thanks to Wing Tai Holdings, Jean Nouvel, the latest recipient, will be the 10th winner to design a building here.
Belle Vue Residence: Wing Tai has upped the ante in the race for big names by commissioning eminent Japanese architect Toyo Ito for its luxury development in Oxley Walk. Mr Ito is well known here for designing Vivocity
Mr Nouvel, who follows in the footsteps of architects like Philip Johnson, Kenzo Tange and James Stirling, will design his first project here - a luxury 43-unit apartment building in District 9 to be called Le Nouvel Ardmore.
On the choice of architect, Wing Tai deputy chairman Edmund Cheng said: ‘Architecture influences who we are by defining how we live. That is why we set high standards for the architecture in our developments - to provide timeless elegant designs and thoughtful functional spaces.’
For Le Nouvel Ardmore, Mr Nouvel has created a 33-storey tower derived from the concept of a rotating Rubik’s cube.
While the tower will not actually ‘rotate’, automated screens will be incorporated into the facade so homeowners can ‘frame their own views’ and create unique living spaces.
Mr Nouvel’s design also calls for an outer structural lattice in the form of a grid detached from the living spaces to create an buffer of greenery and layering of spaces.
Besides giving the tower a distinctive look, the buffer space will be planted at certain levels to correspond to the villas-in-the-sky ambience of the development.
Internally, units will have high ceilings bathed in light from big windows that will provide 270 degree views.
‘We know who our buyers are, we understand their needs and lifestyle requirements,’ said Mr Cheng. ‘They have keen appreciation for differentiation and seek sophistication in their properties.’
As homebuyers become more discerning, developers here are increasingly commissioning big-name architects.
‘Discerning homebuyers and investors are increasingly drawn to good architecture,’ said Mr Cheng. ‘They have a higher sensitivity towards good design and are willing to spend not only on the interior of their apartments but also the exterior. Projects equated with quality are likely to attract higher premiums for their uniqueness and beauty.’
Wing Tai seems to have upped the ante in the race for big names by commissioning eminent Japanese architect Toyo Ito for its other luxury development, Belle Vue Residences in Oxley Walk.
Mr Ito, who received the 2002 Gold Lion Award at the International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale, is already well known here for designing Vivocity.
For Belle Vue Residences, he has pushed the boundaries by coming up with a floor plan inspired by the branches of a tree and setting a distinctly organic tone.
The 176-unit development will have intimate pockets of space designed to mimic nature’s branching pattern, integrating interior and exterior spaces.
The organic branching effect also results in more exposed wall surfaces and windows for more natural light and better ventilation.
As a result of organic planning, there are about 160 unit types, with most responding to the landscape in unique ways.
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