CITY ROUND THE CLOCK, A : DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOLDEN SHOE CARPARK

Abstract

This thesis explores the dynamics of heterotopia or urban diversity. (To envision the city as a multiple counterpoint of many diverse social encounters generated by a mosaic of mixed-use patterns). The analysis of our existing downtown core, the Central business District attempts to investigate the several factors behind its current situation of a ‘ghost town' after office hours. The lifeless streets results from its lacking in the containment of night-time activities and a permanent live-in population. Presently, the central zoning of the business district produces a monotonous landscape with its single-use office developments that are highly introverted. Therefore, a multi-layering of various mix use functions together can help in repopulating and enlivening the streets with public activities. The dynamism sparked off from the various people interaction of different social activities may be the critical ingredient for creating a vibrant cityscape. Thus a rhizomatic insertion of both residential and entertainment retail programs across the site in several locations can help to connect the existing nightspots through the site. This is to create a network circulation of activity nodes and consequently an event city of 24hr urban life. Possible nodal points and circulation patterns within the chosen site, the Golden Shoe Carpark at Market Street, near Boat Quay are established through site analysis. The folding of different programs together, (such as retail, office and residential living) allows an interactive relationship between its varied users. Hence the focus of this project is in the attempt to fully integrate the building to its site surroundings through its ground-level connection. Such as to fulfill its role as a part of a rhizomatic city filled with a continuous flux of people movement amidst a multitude of social interaction. The introduction of a critical amount of residential population also creates another important aspect to my design, which is looking into the idea of city living.