Sentosa by Surbana International Consultants, Singapore

November 15, 2009 Category: Leisure, Public Buildings

The Sentosa that located in Singapore was designed by Surbana International Consultants is an amphitheatre for modern times. As an economy matures early foothold in Singapore, it is more common to see downtown as a “concrete jungle”. Therein lies an obsession with iconography as the predominant architectural typology. However, it is only 5 minutes ride away from the chaos of the metropolis is Sentosa, a quiet seaside enclave, which offers a touch of relief in urban areas. Seamlessly connected to the city by road and rail, the idyllic Sentosa theme results in a somewhat stark juxtaposition of the city. From among the white beaches and clear blue waters emerges a 3,000-seat amphitheater. With the approach of dusk, the amphitheater began to reflect heat, orange hues of sunset, the visitor who came in eager anticipation of a beautiful symphony of lights, drama and pyrotechnics, accompanied by the intrigues of the local popular mythology.

Gently nestled within the local wildlife is an open square. This is not just a holding area, however. Instead, there is a threshold – an urban transition interface modernity Rapid City and experience vernacular Sentosa. She tries to negotiate the visual contrast between the ultra-modern aluminum bearing the station and village traditional stage set in the series. Once inside, the amphitheater reminiscent of the vernacular, echoing the theme of the exhibition. Hatched patterns on the screens and facades reminiscent of weaving traditional baskets. The amphitheater is surrounded by the interweaving of wood panels, a contemporary interpretation of woven nets of fishermen. These screens do not rely only curiosity, but twice as security fencing.

Part of the design brief called for the amphitheater to protect views of the crowd while the show was underway. Yet he was well remain porous during the day. Two belts of planting lining the perimeter of the auditorium to try to resolve this problem. Tall trees filter views of the station is high, while shrubs soften the hardscape. In trampling “light” on relatively flat terrain, levels of seating were carefully calculated to maintain a good line of sight for all participants. As such, there was no filling of land major exercise involved. The hatched screens also provide a solution to low cost of shading the highly specialized equipment that requires constant cooling. As the show draws to a close with final concord of fireworks and lights, the flow of visitors to the area in the place open, after tasting the vernacular – long gone in the turbulent context of today. The auditorium lights in the background, gradually fading into the night sky and silky. That is precisely how the architecture should be, not drawing attention to itself, but congruent with its context, in retrospect, the experience, sensual and charming.

Sentosa by Surbana International Consultants in Singapore