The Interlace Condo, Singapore’s latest condominium complex, has been touted around the world as the new icon for architectural and engineering development. These numerous accolades have appeared on internet blogs and in design magazines around the world.
The city-state’s traditional form of square and rectangular apartment buildings will see a dramatic redesign for this new landmark. It consists of 31 apartment buildings built in the shape of hexagons. This large-scale development is approximately the size of 16 football fields and will be built in the southern part of the city. The greenery surrounding Alexandra Road and Ayer Rajah Expressway is the perfect setting for this new condo. The 170,000 square meter complex will house up to 1,040 units ranging in size from 2 or 3, 3 plus studio and 4 bedroom units. Units can be townhome or penthouse style. This eight-hectare belt of vegetation will stretch from Kent Ridge, Telok Blangah Hill and Mount Faber parks.
This innovative design highlights and takes advantage of the natural environment of Singapore. The sheer size of the development has allowed the designers to incorporate a multitude of greenery to give the complex a tropical feel to the overall effect of the undertaking. Vehicular circulation on the ground has been minimized, freeing up large green areas within the condominium building. The project is more than just a residential development. The designers have integrated environmental sustainability features through careful calculation, study, and analysis of factors such as sun, wind, and microclimate conditions, along with low-impact passive energy strategies and other energy-saving features in the place.
Why is this development unique? Because a break with the typical building or skyscraper in Singapore. Buildings in the city-state are typically isolated vertical apartment buildings, complexes, and towers with few or no outstanding features to distinguish one from another. This new venture takes a different and unique approach to tropical green living, as the building complex is made up of interconnecting hexagonal buildings designed to highlight Singapore’s natural environment. Identical six-story buildings stacked to form a hexagonal pattern with courtyards and expansive greenery and lawns, making it the perfect style to incorporate swimming pools, hanging balconies, sky gardens, miniature parks and rooftop gardens.
In a typical apartment or condo complex, privacy can sometimes be compromised. However, in this new development, privacy is balanced with open green spaces for recreation and generous spaces between units. There are also other amenities that residents can enjoy that have been integrated into the natural greenery, in addition to the number of indoor and outdoor recreation areas built for fun and relaxation.
This project located in residential Gillman Heights has challenged the traditional way apartment and condominium buildings have been designed. Dissenting design not only has a spectacular exterior facade, but has also addressed the issue of having green and comfortable interior spaces. The name Interlace itself reinforces the feeling of unity among the community while complementing the surrounding natural environment.
