Design of One Pearl Bank draws mixed reception

Some praise its futuristic twist, but others say it is not as adventurous as original structure

From an “awesome” feat of architecture to a “wasted opportunity”, reactions to the design of the One Pearl Bank building have been mixed.

The 43-year-old Pearl Bank Apartments are being replaced by a new 39-storey condominium featuring two curved towers connected at the roof by sky bridges. It will also feature a “halo” that will light up at night like a beacon when it is finished in 2023.

It has been designed by Dr Christopher Lee of Serie Architects, who was given “full marks” by some Facebook users who praised his plan.

Some said they found the new design “airy, bright and open” compared with the previous block of concrete. They also appreciated the “futuristic, modern twist”.

However, after seeing the artistic renders of the building, released by CapitaLand on Tuesday, some in the heritage and architectural fraternities said they expected a more innovative design.

Mr Ian Tan, general manager of community engagement and conservation specialist Forward Heritage, said the design felt “safe”, and was not as adventurous as the work of the original structure’s architect Tan Cheng Siong in the 1970s.

Pearl Bank Apartments, which was vacated on April 30 following a $728 million collective sale acquisition by CapitaLand in February last year, features split-level units with backdoor exits for multi-generational families.

In his original design, Mr Tan Cheng Siong created a C-shaped common corridor where residents could interact.

Mr Ian Tan said: “The current repertoire of design strategies employed in the new design – the light and airy building, sky bridges and sky allotment gardens or rooftop gardens – have all been tried and tested within the last 20 years in both private development and public housing and have been proven to be popular with users.”

Mr Theodore Chan, former president of the Singapore Institute of Architects, said that although One Pearl Bank “appears to be a competent piece of architecture, the typology is familiar; no new ground is broken, which is a wasted opportunity as this is a landmark site”.

CapitaLand unveiled the design of One Pearl Bank on Tuesday. Some in the heritage and architectural fraternities said the design felt “safe”, and that they expected something more innovative. PHOTO: CAPITALAND

“What I hoped to see… was the evolution and implementation of research and development into passive technology for equatorial architectural facades,” added Mr Chan.

Architect Chang Yong Ter believes the new design demonstrates sensitivity and understanding on the part of the architect towards the site and ground sentiments. “I’m sure that it has been a tall order (for Dr Lee) as the appointed architect.”

Heritage conservation expert Johannes Widodo of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Architecture, said the future structure will “become a new addition to the myriad new architectures in Singapore”, adding: “The new building will not be able to replace the lost tangible and intangible layers of the past, but it will be able to create a new story for itself.”

Mr Tan Cheng Siong told The Straits Times that he is withholding his opinion until more detailed architectural plans emerge on how the building will function.

In 2015, more than 90 per cent of Pearl Bank residents backed a proposal to conserve the building while seeking the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s approval for new units to be built on top of the carpark.

However, the deal fell through as the proposal would have affected the aggregate share value, resulting in a significant dilution of rights of the existing owners.

Last week, CapitaLand said factors – including existing housing policies, market conditions and building safety requirements – made conservation unfeasible. It added that it had spent three months documenting the apartments.

Dr Lee told ST: “A high-rise tower was the only option and outcome for such a tight, high-density plot.

“We respect the past, we treasure it, but we are also not reverential to the point of paralysis, which you find in certain historical cities in Europe.”

“Source:[Design of One Pearl Bank draws mixed reception] © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *