Architects: Gan Eng Oon (1996-99), Vikas Gore (Project Director, 1995-02), Steven Gan (1995-02), Cheang Mei Ling (1995-02), Ti Lian Seng (1993-94), Chin Thoe Chong (1993-94)
DP Architects Pte Ltd (1992-02)
MICHAEL WILFORD Associate Principal Architect (1938 - )
Architects: Russell Bevington (1992-95), David Turnbull (1993-95)
Michael Wilford & Partners (1992-95)
Client: Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
End User: The Esplanade Company Limited
Theatre Consultants: Theatre Project Consultants, UK
Acoustic Consultant: Artec Consultants Inc., New York
Pipe Organ Builder: Johannes Klais Orgelbau GmbH & Co KG
Civil & Structural, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers and Quantity Surveyors: Public Works Department (now CPG Consultants Pte Ltd)
Project Management: Public Works Department (now CPG Consultants Pte Ltd)
Interior Design: Gan Eng Oon, Lydia Fong (Concert Hall), Kwan Moh Yin (Lyric Theatre) DP Design Pte Ltd
Landscape Design: ACLA Pte Ltd
Cladding Consultant: Atelier One, London
Environment Engineering: Atelier Ten Consulting Engineers, London
Lighting Consultant: Bo Steiber Lighting Design Consultancy
Main Contractor: Penta Ocean Construction Pte Ltd
Specialist Cladding Contractor: Mero Systeme GmbH & Co.
Design of the Year - President*s Design Award 2006
"The Esplanade is built in the heart of an Asian City evolving into a cultural nerve centre for the region. Thedesign responds to this urban setting." Koh Seow Chuan
The Esplanade Theatres rise up to the urban design challenge of creating a 360ยบ building with no true rear or backyard, fully addressing the waterfront and the surrounding developments in the Marina Bay area and the Civic District. The Jury commends the Esplanade’s exemplary provision of public spaces to encourage vibrant activities, technical dexterity and its seamless transition from the outside to inside. With its distinctive roof, the Esplanade Theatres emerge from the foreground of Marina Bay as a contemporary icon, anchoring the northwest corner of the waterfront with a sweeping view of the bay. It has also placed a high value on achieving superb acoustic performance. The Esplanade Theatres have grown to become a talking point for Singaporeans and visitors alike and is one of the most recognisable icons representing Singapore.
Four years after the opening of The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Mr Koh Seow Chuan and his team at DP Architects still feel a deep sense of satisfaction. “On the whole, we achieved what we set out to do - create a unique structure befitting the aspirations of Singapore and Singaporeans whilst still keeping it eminently usable and functional. In doing so, we think we also made a significant contribution to the dialogue on design on the Asian cultural and climatic context.”
Seow Chuan elaborates, “Historically, Asian cultures have designed their more significant buildings in rational response to their geographic, climatic and cultural context and they built them with the best technology available. Where possible and appropriate, new architectural vocabularies were evolved. Right up to the colonial period, this process of evolution kept the traditions alive and vital. We feel that we have followed in this tradition.”
“The project is located on a site with two prime characteristics as a significant civic building in the civic district and as a prime waterfront site. Rather than resorting to a populist display of “ethnic featurism” we responded to these characteristics and to its general urban context and by so doing, we feel we have affirmed the vitality of the living culture. We believe the design represents a compelling contribution towards defining a new Asian architecture.”
Concert Hall Interior
Theatre Interior
The two shells with their spirit of lightness, change and new experience, glow with light in the evening and are juxtaposed against the more solid appearance of the base of the building. By day, the monument stands proudly against the skyline, clad in granite in warm earth tones, which acts as a counterfoil representing the solid base and foundation of long traditions.
Seow Chuan smiles when he hears Singaporeans refer to the Esplanade as the “durian”. “The name is very endearing as most Singaporeans enjoy eating durians and the use of the term suggests that Singaporeans have embraced the project.”
The veteran architect who started his professional practice in 1963 counts Frank Lloyd Wright as a defining influence. “Wright was influenced by the Chinese Philospher Lao Tse who postulated that a building is defined not by its roof and its four walls, but the space that they envelope. This definition opens up many ways of viewing a building, and we are all intrigued by the way he plans and designs his building spaces outside which are brought inside and spaces inside that are brought outside.”
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Singapore, 2002 Seow Chuan credits team work and team spirit for the success of the project. Although the international architectural competition was won by DP Architects Pte Ltd in collaboration with Michael Wilford & Partners, the British partners left the project after 2 years in the hands of Seow Chuan and his team which consisted of Vikas Gore, Gan Eng Oon, Steven Gan Hooi Wan and Cheang Mei Ling.
“An architect can play a major role in serving society and community. The spaces that an architect creates for his client within and between buildings can inspire one’s spirit. Nearly every architect has the ambition to create well-designed buildings. In DP Architects, all architects and supporting staff are mentored to create buildings that uplift the human spirit.”
Advice to emerging architects:
“Recognize your strengths and weaknesses - develop your strengths and take steps to overcome or reduce your weaknesses.
Form your dream on where you want to go as an architect and map out a plan or “design” to achieve this dream.
Stay focused and learn from your mistakes or failures. Remember nothing beats perseverance and hard work.”
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