STRATEGY FOR VERTICAL GROWTH AND EXTENSION OF EXISTING STRUCTURE

Abstract

This thesis is a commentary on the en bloc housing phenomena in Singapore. The focus of the commentary is on the identity and sustainability issues that emerged from such practice. In terms of identity, one questions the legitimacy of erasing older housing blocks for the purpose of achieving higher land use intensity. If buildings could emerge from out of nowhere, it could be replaced just as easily. If this is done on a wide scale, it can prevent communities from maturing and also erase the urban memory of an entire housing estate. In terms of sustainability, wastage of building materials occurs in the demolition of older housing blocks. An architectural solution to this problem lies in the ability of an existing vertical structure to “grow” and extend itself. The areas of investigation are vertical growth, extension of existing structures and new-on-old structures. It is a proposal for an alternative to en bloc.