Communal spaces design fosters strong sense of community living
LOS ANGELES: An architectural practice has completed a new public housing development after examining communal spaces design to foster a strong sense of community living.
Located along Upper Serangoon Road, Alkaff CourtView and Alkaff Lakeview, designed by MKPL Architects, are amongst the first few public housing developments in the new Bidadari estate, created for the Housing Development Board.
Alkaff CourtView and Alkaff Lakeview has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Awards Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The Bidadari estate is envisioned as a sanctuary where residents can enjoy a green and relaxed environment, well-served by a variety of amenities.
Located in the new Alkaff district, these developments are near the proposed Alkaff Lake (inspired by the former Alkaff Lake) and Bidadari Park.
As their names imply, each development has a distinct view. A landscaped roof deck within Alkaff LakeView overlooks Alkaff Lake and Bidadari Park, while residents of Alkaff CourtView will enjoy landscaped courts at their doorsteps.
The residential blocks of Alkaff CourtView surround its 2-story car park to create a centralized landscaped deck with recreational facilities such as a children’s playground and fitness stations for the adults and elderly.
The landscaped roof gardens within some residential blocks are open to the public. Common greens and courtyard gardens are located at the 1st story of the development.
An extended lift lobby with a landscaped area is provided within some residential blocks to create opportunities for interaction.
An Education Centre, childcare center, and Residents’ Committee Centre are also located in Alkaff Courtview.
A verandah serves as a community-centric covered linkway which allows for an array of activities, thus promoting social interaction and neighborliness.
Alkaff LakeView is the window to the scenic Alkaff Lake and its surroundings. An overhead bridge connects Alkaff CourtView to Alkaff LakeView.
At the core of the development is a landscaped roof deck atop the 3-story car park.
Here, residents can enjoy an array of recreational amenities such as playgrounds and fitness stations. An extended lift lobby with a landscaped area is provided within one of the residential blocks to create opportunities for interaction.
A common green is located next to the development. Residents will find daily conveniences within easy reach as Alkaff LakeView comes with its own supermarket, eating house, and shops.
A childcare center and elderly facilities will also be located within this development. Meaningful connections are formed within the site to link up nodes, and entrances to blocks.
A Verandah is proposed along Upper Serangoon Road to provide a strong street front.
Rooftop gardens are linked across from one precinct to the next, forming a continuous pedestrianized public realm.
The topography is preserved, especially at Alkaff CourtView.
Shops are lined along the Greenway to activate the linear park as well as giving residents the experience of living in a park.