UBIN ECO VILLAGE: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE

Abstract

My proposed design is supposed to sustain the heritage of a place by building sustainable communities through design.

Often in conservation efforts, the physical building or facades are retained and restored, but memories of the community are lost in transition. Conservation is as much about the sustainability of a building as the sustainability of shared memories and values, hence the need for sustainable communities that can allow for heritage to be passed down generations after generations.

Taking the case of Pulau Ubin, the existing kampong is losing its residents and there is a need to design for a new community that will reinterpret both tangible and intangible values of the kampong, in order to retain these heritage values and keep them alive. The proposal of an eco village for the community is not to be backward-looking, but enhances the heritage of the place and keeps it relevant through the incorporation of modern innovations.

The village is designed to promote social cohesion by increasing opportunities for interaction within the community and also accommodates programmes for the general public to learn about heritage by getting involved. Several community spaces are thus integrated into the circulation route for such interaction to take place. On the other hand, the individual housing units are designed to provide sufficient privacy to the residents. Private living spaces can be enclosed by walls and folding doors, while semi-public spaces like the verandah, allows neighbours to enter. Doors can sometimes be left open for more fluid movement without the fear of space intrusion, as this layering of spaces creates a gradual transition from the public to private areas. Neighbour are therefore more likely to interact and familiarise themselves with the community.