The public housing developments, Rail Garden and, Rail Green I &, and Rail Green II @ Choa Chu Kang, represent an innovative integration of residential living and environmental stewardship in Singapore‘s northwestern precinct. Nestled between the historic Rail Corridor and the Llinear Ggreen abutting Pang Sua Canal, this developmentthe developments are conceived together as isis a meticulous holistic response to that the dual imperatives of urban housing and ecological preservation. addresses theto the needs of urban housing and ecological conservation.
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Silver 🏆 Winner
Global Future Design Awards 2024
Rail Garden and Rail Green I & II @ CCK
Residential Architecture (Under Construction)
Firm
Building & Research Institute (HDB)
Architect/Designer
Karakunlun Leet, Wu Xianghua
Design Team
Janis Ho, Joshua Ng, Tengku Sharil, Zhang Yiyue
Location
Singapore, Choa Chu Kang
Country
Singapore
Photographer/Copyright
©Housing & Development Board (HDB)
Website
N/A
Instagram
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The site spans nearly 115,270 m2square meters. It, accommodatesing 2,360 residential units, that are served bytogether with essential childcare and commercial amenities, all while maintaining a harmonious balance with nature.
Given Singapore’s As a city-state, Singapore faces the challenge of accommodating numerous national priorities within its limited land. city-state identity, navigating a multitude of dichotomous priorities presents a significant challenge. This development exemplifies the successful ncoordinationegotiation of competing needs of thesewithin its constraintsurban setting. Four challenges site conditions are identified as opportunities for the development: revitalising rail heritage, preserving & enhancing natureal assets, meeting working within height parameters, and breaking down the extensive scale of the project.creating community spaces around smaller precinct identities within the large development.
Design Thinking
Greenery is a central theme of the development, woven into the Linear Green and the Rail Corridor. More than 2 hectares of the existing woodland, including healthy mature tree clusters, is conserved as the Linear Green. Within the housing development, over 60% of the development area is replaced as landscape areasis replaced. The decommissioned railway line has been thoughtfully conserved as the Rail Corridor. Community facilities function as nodes that connect a network of green spaces between the Rail Corridor and the Linear Green. Homes are immersed in nature with verdant spaces at the residents’ doorstep.
The precinct design celebrates the site’s unique rail heritage. Precinct furniture, arches, and light fittings recall the dynamism of railway design. A series of landscaped paths and dementia-friendly sheltered connections link community living rooms from the Rail Corridor to the canal, activating ground level spaces. As a result, natural landscape is seamlessly weaved with elements of historical heritage.
Three multi–storey car parks act as social-communal splines where childcare and commercial facilities are conveniently located. They also act as Responding to the challengingIn response to surrounding traffic site conditions, three multi-storey car parks are designed as sound buffers to mitigate noise from nearby expressways and roads. These linear carparks also serve as important social-communal spines where childcare and retail facilities are conveniently located.
Residential blocks are oriented north-south to minimise heat gain from the tropical equatorial sun and are aligned to the prevailing wind flow to maximise natural ventilation. This layout was optimized via wind-driven rain computer simulations to ensure cool This creates a microclimate conditions conducive tofor comfortable living in the tropics, informed by wind-driven rain computer simulations. Rising from north to south, the blocks meet successive height parameters to form a distinct terrace massing and are painted with vibrant accent colours to delineate distinct neighbourhood identities.
Greenery is a central theme of the development. Over 60% of the landscape is replaced, and green finger paths provide east-west connections connecting the Rail Corridor to the Pang Sua canal. The decommissioned railway, which once connected the north to the south of Singapore, has been thoughtfully preserved as an ecological corridor. Community facilities form function as nodes that connect a network of green spaces which . They also incorporateprovides leisure and barrier-free paths throughout the estate. By safeguarding more than two hectares of existing greenery, homes are immersed in nature with verdant spaces at the residents’ doorstep.
In addition, the precinct design celebrates the site’s unique rail heritage. Precinct furniture like seating, arches, and light fittings are inspired by its historical railway past, celebrating recall the dynamism of the railway design. A series of landscaped paths and dementia-friendly sheltered connections link community living rooms from the Rail Corridor to the canal, activating ground level spaces. As a result, natural landscape is seamlessly weaved with elements of historical heritage.
Modularity and productivity
Residential units are designed with modular elements to enhance construction productivity, quality and affordability. Room modules are used across different unit types and paired with mirrored units, and fin modules are installed in a combination of waysstrategically located to restrict noise and create a distinctive façade expression. The modularity of the project allows for a significant part of thevolume of construction to be done manufactured off-site before assembly on-site, streamlining building processes.
Conclusion The development therefore represents a thoughtful response to integrating ecological preservation and historical heritage:, showcasinga comprehensive a pioneering approach in designing liveable public housing estates.