Page 113 - Built Expressions - Online Construction Magazine - November 2014 Issue
P. 113
International Projects FAct Sheet Location: Singapore Structure: School of The Arts Singapore (SOTA) Architect Firm: WOhA Architects Mechanical Consultant: lincolne Scott Ng Pte ltd Electrical Consultant: lincolne Scott Ng Pte ltd Civil Consultant: WorleyParsons Pte ltd Structural Consultant: Worley Parsons Pte ltd Theatre Acoustics: Arup Acoustics/Theatreplan llP Lighting Consultant: lighting Planners Associates safe and secure learning environment known as the ‘Blank Canvas’ and they sit above a pedestal of performance venues named the ‘Backdrop’. The Backdrop is the podium contains a concert hall, drama theatre, black box theatre and several small informal performing spaces. Against this backdrop the school communicates with the public realm. The natural ventilated informal spaces in between the performance spaces are designed architravel.com around an urban short-cut thereby allowing the public to see the activities of the school. A civic amphitheatre has been created under conserved trees and is very popular. Architecturally The rooftop is designed as a large recreation park in the sky and incorporates a the Backdrop is designed as a faceted 400m running track. The rooftop is designed as a large recreation park in the sky sculptural space, which frames the complete with a running track and shady trees. It allows the students to take full surrounding city views in new and advantage of the views afforded by the Arts School’s unique positioning within the interesting ways. Civic District and provides a substantial play area in the built-up neighborhood. Classrooms studios and circulation The palette of off-form coloured precast and in-situ concrete, painted walls are all naturally ventilated with and metal railings is robust and cost-effective. Walls of living creepers bring dynamic visual and physical links softness and carbon-friendly life to the inner city neighbourhood. The design of between blocks. The green facades are the creeper screens was inspired by a musical score. environmental flters cutting out glare Ar. Wong Mun Summ says “The Backdrop was envisioned as a heavy pedestal, and dust keeping the rooms cool and in a gargantuan mass of stone carved out and chiselled to reveal dynamic and combination with the acoustic ceilings unexpected volumes of various proportions. It gives students and visitors a absorb traffc noise. The breezeways stimulating entry into the building and entices passers-by to explore the public in-between the blocks are designed areas.” for maximum comfort and interaction providing spaces for different sized The Risk Factor groups to interact and relax. The wind- Another challenging issue faced by WOHA was to tackle the Ministry of directing design has proved to be Education of Singapore requirements on the design of the school’s academic successful and extremely comfortable blocks. The design was to be the greatest mark for ‘Art world’ in the town. These with constant cooling breezes even in have to follow closely the specifcations and budget guidelines similar to other Singapore’s low wind environment. government schools in Singapore that have non air-conditioned classrooms and Vol: 3 Issue: 11 November 2014 Built Expressions PG113
   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118