Inspired by the Art Deco design style, a striking new building, Parkview Square, emerges in an exciting and vibrant area in downtown Singapore. Designed by American consultant James Adam, the S$500 million classic architecture provides a gracious contrast to the modern architecture surrounding it.
The 6,525 sq.m site is rectilinear in shape and relates to an urban axis running straight through the middle of the two Gateway Towers along Beach Road. This axis has been the generator of the site planning.
Comprising of 24 stories, the 152 meter tall Parkview Square is almost
as tall as the Gateway Towers, which consist of 36 stories. This not only
renders a majestic look for the building, but also allows a ceiling height
of at least three metres on each floor.
The Art Deco movement manifested itself roughly between the two world wars, or 1920 to 1939. Basically it was a "modernization" of many artistic styles and themes from the past. One can easily detect in many examples of Art Deco the influence of different civilizations, ranging from Egyptian design to Greco-Roman influence. Crisp geometric patterns, surface ornaments and exotic materials were present in many of buildings of the era.
Embracing the spirit of Art Deco, the chairman of Chyau Fwu Development, C.S. Hwang, commissioned the design consultant to create a building in the Art Deco theme, with formal, elaborate architectural expression and a sense of grandeur capable of reflecting the chairman's aspirations.
The finished product reflects the success of the design consultant in capturing the essence of the Art Deco theme, which has been consistently carried through it in every detail of the design.
The relationship between the structures and voids has been effectively capitalized to express a sense of verticality that enhances the grandeur of the building. The intricate articulation and detailing of the grills in geometric shapes gives the cladding a sense of tactile richness. Four bronze statues of Oscar holding a ball of light are stationed high up on both sides of the building; veritable cap stones to the Art Deco theme.
The focal point of the building is the inviting Landscape Plaza at the second story, facing the North Bridge Road. With the second storey deliberately elevated from the road level, pedestrians standing on the busy street feel the imminent impact of the grandeur of the building. They can rise above the streets via a convenient escalator or a grand staircase to the Landscape Plaza with lush tropical plants and trees. The exuberance of vegetation and the cooling waterfall provide a relaxing ambience admist the bustling urban surrounding for the enjoyment of the building's occupants and the public.
The elaborate Art Deco theme continues inside the concourse. Entrances on both sides lead past lift lobbies into a central atrium of soaring 12 metre high ceilings. The delicate detailing of the coffered ceiling with exquisite ceiling lamps creates a magnificent and majestic setting comparable to that of a luxury hotel or a grand theatre.
A raised platform features a '20s style cafe shop at one end and a spectacular bar, with an intricate floor-to-ceiling-height wine display tower, at the other. Dedicated to the use as a private social club, the bar will boast one of the finest collections of vintage wine in Singapore.
The design team was given the brief to design the building for Grade A office use, with maximum flexibility in terms of the floor layout and high headroom, such that it could facilitate a later change of use if necessary.
Therefore, the design team came up an innovative structural design to provide a 100% column-free space, allowing the maximum flexibility achievable in the floor plan. Two rows of columns are located at the edge of the building and the floor is supported by a series of 26 metre long steel plate girders. According to the architect, this is one of the longest column-free span used for office building in Singapore.
The typical
office floor, which commences from the fourth storey, has floor plates
of over 1,400 sq.m. The column-free floor plan provides maximum efficiency
and limitless flexibility in planning the office layout.
Without compromising comfort and style, this striking project emphasizes
the importance of open space within a high-density environment. Set well
back from Beach Road as it is, Parkview Square stands out as a prominent
landmark in this district of Singapore.