Singapore Makers Land, Singapore, for Jurong Town Corporation, with Broadway Malyan, Savills, Arup

The Kallang Kolam Ayer masterplan sits across two districts either side of the Kallang River and Pelton Canal. With 1.3km of river frontage, the Makers Land proposes a new arts district for the existing residential community and industrial estates. Arup’s masterplan details a riverfront SoHo as a place to live, work and play, making better use of space by integrating industrial and non-industrial uses.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

Broadway Malyan, Savills, Arup

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

At the heart of this project is the increasing reality that people’s life aspirations have rapidly evolved, particularly in the post-pandemic era, and in Singapore a recent survey found that half the population would like to live closer to where they work. In response the Singaporean authorities have been exploring how future job nodes can be designed with people more in mind and this includes reimagining industrial areas – both upcoming and existing ones – so they support new economic needs while accommodating a greater diversity of uses. The vision for Singapore Makers Land is to create a district that seamlessly connects businesses, large and small, and redefine the idea of an industrial park into a solution-based urban centre that is completely flexible for business but also completely redefines the industrial experience, creating a bridge between consumers, visitors, residents and businesses. The scheme aims to bring people together across age groups, professional positions, skills and learning trajectories to a create a vibrant work and living community that is a hub for the latest smart technologies. From residential-to-work lofts to new workspaces, from retail and F&B to live performances, from the city offices to waterfront parks, the development will scale across all functions and uses to create two connected but distinct districts underpinned by place. 

Please describe your approach to this future place and its mix of uses. How will it function as a vibrant place? How does it knit into and serve the needs of the wider area?

The rejuvenation of these industrial estates will create a first of its kind district that brings living, working and manufacturing bases together in a vibrant setting by the historic Kallang River. In Kallang, which is accessible via seven different MRT stations, a network of next generation public zones will help showcase ‘Made in Singapore’ products all set against a breathtaking riverside location integrating nature with technology and driving the future of manufacturing. Maker spaces integrated with large community spaces, indoor and outdoor environments will seamlessly merge while the adaptive reuse of existing buildings will enhance streetscapes and preserve heritage. Main roads will be transformed to become sensor enabled transport led roads that are completely multi-model. Along the Kallang River, beautifully designed open spaces with rest and recreation areas will be provided for all ages to foster social interactions. On the Kolam Ayer industrial estate, industry 4.0 and heritage will intersect with culture with a series of innovative buildings and spaces where residents and visitors and observe and participate in the making process, watching products go from design to production to market. On the vibrant waterfront of the Pelton Canal, a new typology of live work and make will emerge with innovative new residential typologies will take their learnings from the recent pandemic to create flexible, integrated living spaces that rethink how a modular home can adapt to evolving ambitions or individuals and families. 

What is the environmental impact of the project? How will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated? What is the sustainability strategy?

At the heart of this scheme are the principles of the circular economy with an adaptive reuse strategy that also retains and enhances the district’s local identity. Specific buildings will be selected for reuse based on a wide range of criteria including functionality and adaptability as well as a full life cycle assessment will consider design, construction, operation, demolition and waste treatment. The buildings will also be assessed for natural lighting and ventilation and the provision of a comfortable and safe environment for its users, while maintaining low energy consumption and emissions. Another key element of the project is the creation of a material database, which will be a critical tool in helping to track the demand and flow of resources to achieve a more holistic approach to waste management. This centralised and connected database can maximise opportunities for material recovery and capitalise of the potential of urban manufacturing in the circular economy. The masterplan’s proposed green infrastructure will help the Singapore Makers Land adapt to a changing climate and contribute to city resilience with the scheme designed to achieve water and energy efficiency and preserve important ecological areas and native habitats. These enhanced landscapes will help reduce the urban heat island effect with urban greenery designed to mitigate the impact of new development. The proposed new buildings will be designed and built to the highest sustainability specifications with electric recharging stations, green roofs and water reuse technology.