Play@Punggol
2023
Punggol is the result of more than a hundred years of transformation, with the most significant part happening during the past three decades. Waves of drastic interventions have tamed the wilderness and unformal settlements into a contemporary smart eco-town. It would be a mistake to be completely nostalgic about the old days. Reports have for instance brought about uncontrolled farming and dumping polluting the waterways. However, we may want to recall and dream about what it was to come across a wild animal on the shore, sense its life within the water; to see the water undulation at dawn, hear its soothing sound; to imagine the fishmen starting their day, hopeful for a good catch.
Our installations aim to re-actualise these lost impressions that once populated Punggol. They shall emerge from the ground and manifest themselves as evocations. However, it would be a fallacy to attempt to recreate the past. Hence, rooting our approach in the idea that identity is as much a forward-looking exercise, we see Play@Punggol as a chance to write new myths.
We are submitting proposals for the 3 locations. Each proposal has been developed following the same conceptual and technical principles, yet they differ by their forms, uses and themes. As a series they form the bones of a narrative on which the residents of Punggol may start to make new stories.
We are submitting proposals for the 3 locations. Each proposal has been developed following the same conceptual and technical principles, yet they differ by their forms, uses and themes. As a series they form the bones of a narrative on which the residents of Punggol may start to make new stories.
Location 1 - Lightly protruding into the waterway, this location is an ideal space for resting and contemplating. It invites passer-by to stop and enjoy a little break. Looking over the water, one progressively feels immersed, swayed by its gentle undulation.
It is this floating sensation that we wanted to transcribe here. The form is inspired by an animal slightly coming off the water. As the head or body emerge, for a slight moment, the surface tension creates a layer of water around it, smoothy its aspect.
It is this floating sensation that we wanted to transcribe here. The form is inspired by an animal slightly coming off the water. As the head or body emerge, for a slight moment, the surface tension creates a layer of water around it, smoothy its aspect.
It is perceivable as a light undulation, and a sign of a life in the waterway.
The installation offers a variety of way to sit, lie or lean. The passer-by may use it to sit-down and relax, to enjoy a lunch, alone or with a companion, to lie-down, to admire the view, to enjoy a nap, swayed by the rhythm of the water. This installation is about enhancing the pleasure of a break alongside the waterway.
The installation offers a variety of way to sit, lie or lean. The passer-by may use it to sit-down and relax, to enjoy a lunch, alone or with a companion, to lie-down, to admire the view, to enjoy a nap, swayed by the rhythm of the water. This installation is about enhancing the pleasure of a break alongside the waterway.
Location 2 - Nested in a sandpit surrounded by trees, this location is the most sheltered and intimate one. Akin to a beast’s lair, we wanted to recall the spirits of the wildest animals that once inhabited and reigned over the land. With its tail and arm-like members alongside a mountainous body, one would perceive a sleeping creature peacefully resting under the shadow of the trees.
It is a kid’s dream to one day encounter a mystical beast, and to get to play with it. We wanted to offer them an impressive yet gentle companion to share adventure with. They shall turn around its large body, climb it, rest sheltered within its large tail, and dream. Some may think they befriended a tiger, others that they tamed a crocodile, but all will reconnect to those past lives that once roamed the jungle.
Location 3 - It is impossible not to notice the overwhelming building site right next to this location. It will soon be Punggol Regional Sport Centre, hosting a wide variety of sport amenities including a football stadium, badminton courts and swimming pools alongside the water. Thus, we wanted to emphasize the recreational and fishing use of the waterway still happening today.
Our installation recalls the agglomeration of boats that once gathered for fishing, and today, for kayaking.
Our installation recalls the agglomeration of boats that once gathered for fishing, and today, for kayaking.
It evokes boats of varying sizes whose shapes merge with the water (the ground). One may see 3 kayak boats stacked against each other’s, while another may see a fishing boat going down the waterway. This aerodynamic shape provides a sense of movement, the feeling of a boat moving forward. This shape will allow for sitting, alone or in a group by using the inside channel shaped by the 2 structures. The staggering allows for a higher point of view, to observe boats passing by.
Type
Location
Client
Area
Status
Team
Location
Client
Area
Status
Team
Public Realm, Competition
Punggol Waterway Park, Singapore
URA
3 x 25 sqm / 3 x 270 sqft
Submitted April 2023, Unsuccessful
Amongst (Design)
Punggol Waterway Park, Singapore
URA
3 x 25 sqm / 3 x 270 sqft
Submitted April 2023, Unsuccessful
Amongst (Design)
[Location 1]
[Location 2]
[Location 3]
URA’s competition website ︎