| Category | Retail | Mixed Use |
|---|---|
| Year | 2013 |
| Size | 39,100sqm |
Projects
Zhongshan Park Intergrated Development
Shining new life into public parks
Well landscaped and lined with greens, Singapore’s public parks provide some shaded respite from the hot hustle and bustle of our daily city lives. Come nightfall, however, they become under-utilised. Brightly lit, utilitarian post-top, amenity light sources keep our parks glaringly safe and functional; but do little to enhance the aesthetics and invite communal life.
With the help of sensitive yet creative lighting, however, these same public parks can be much more. The right lighting can imbue these parks with the appropriate mood and atmosphere, encouraging more community use at night – a time when many of us would relish a connection with nature without the glaring heat of the sun. DPL has had the opportunity to conceptualise and realise just such a space in the SIA-award-winning Zhongshan Park at Balestier Road. It is a testament to DPL's ability to balance public safety concerns with elevated recreational function.
Details
Designed outdoor environments such as Zhongshan Park can and do invigorate the local community spirit. An additional feature of the lighting system is to provide fully integrated lighting power outlets concealed within bollards to cater for regular events in the central green – events that in the past were held in nearby void decks or car parks can now take advantage of the lush green semi-secluded setting provided by the park.
If more public parks were designed or redesigned with sensitive and creative lighting to celebrate nature, I believe more residents and visitors would be attracted to visit and use these important spaces more often.
Giving our public parks a new lease of life, a new stature; revealing a different side of them in the most beautiful way while adding to the richness and community spirit of the city.
Light fixtures integrated and concealed at low-level within benches and other public furniture create clear, glare-free sightlines along the pathways and across the entire park.
Creating a safe haven
There were many constraints where public safety is concerned. However, with some sensitive considerations, alternative and creative solutions were found. Enhanced public safety levels were achieved around the pathways through the use of light fixtures integrated and concealed at a low level within benches and other public furniture. This creates clear, glare-free sightlines along the pathways and across the entire park. These fixtures are integrated in such a way that light source is invisible, inconspicuously providing direct light onto the task surfaces while reflected light illuminates facial features to enhance safety. At the same time, adjacent landscape features are softly revealed with added focus provided by supplementary concealed uplights. Other important focal points across the park are highlighted to slightly brighter levels from similarly concealed light sources such as the Sun Yat Sen sculpture set in a subtle water feature and at the entry-exit points to the park where they are announced in a similar fashion.
There is nothing flashy here; no decorative or multi-coloured lighting. Yet, in its simplicity, the subtle and sensitive warm white light evokes a sense of celebration of nature by revealing the space in such a way that makes it feel like your own private garden. It is a space where you want to sit and relax in the evening, enjoy some peace and tranquillity or gather for a private chat – all while feeling connected with nature.
Specialist Services
Integrated services provided for this project.