CONTEMPORARY ICONIC ARCHITECTURE AND THE GLOBALIZING CAPITALIST CLASS: A CASE STUDY OF SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB CONSORTIUM

Abstract

Globalization of cities often has drastic impacts on architecture. In Singapore, the presence of mega-iconic developments has grown emphatically in recent years. These modern monuments generally require huge amounts of resources to be realized. In other words, an alliance comprising members of the state and private sector are contributing their expertise or wealth, sometimes both, to transcend an architecture into the prestige of iconicity. In my paper, these groups of people are specified as the Transnational Capitalist Class (TCC). The intent is to investigate the motivations and methods adopted by the globalizing capitalist whom are interested in creating iconic buildings. My research will also include a case study on the new Singapore Sports Hub, which I will critically examine to identify the relevant capitalist characters and the roles they play in the set up. Additional to formal interviews, online journals, company releases, government brochures, newspapers, magazines and architectural websites will also be used in context. Lastly, the collected data will help to test the hypothesis that production of contemporary iconic architecture is acted upon by several globalizing forces. Refuting general public understanding of iconic buildings as solitary enforcements of architect’s trade.