OPEN GREEN SPACE AS ARCHITECTURE : UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF SUBSURFACE ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

The global trend towards intensification of land use in city center had exerted much pressure on the issue of land availabilities. As the influx of population continues to gravitate towards the densely saturated city center, exploitation of available land beyond the conventional surface coverage has led to the rapid sacrificing of urban green space thus compromising the living quality of city dweller. The architecture discourse on the subject of preserving urban green space often suggests a conflict between urban intensification pressure and ecological well being. But the urge for alternative solution without compromising the benefits of our green lung and quality living is exceedingly clear. With the issue in mind, the dissertation argues that alternative approach of integrating subsurface architecture with urban open space will ease the urban tension to some extend and yet maintaining the quality of the open green ground plane. In urban context, subsurface models could be exploited to enhance the infrastructure such as; improve urban connectivity, value adding urban setting, create alternate means of space hacking and integration with site typography. This approach is exceedingly applicable towards urban context like Singapore. As shown in the case studies, subsurface development has proven to be feasible. And with today’s technological advancement, it is foreseeable in future that such approach may fully unleash the potential of subsurface integration with urban open space.