Winning design emerges for revamp of HDB town centre

Ideas from artist, architecture firm may be incorporated into plans for Bukit Merah hub

A collaboration between a Singapore artist and an architecture firm has won a design competition for Bukit Merah Town Centre, and their ideas may be incorporated into the rejuvenation plans for the town by the Housing Board.

The winning design by visual artist Toby "Tobyato" Tan and OWAA Architects drew inspiration from the town's hilly terrain and features elements such as a swordfish art installation to pay homage to a folk tale about how Bukit Merah got its name.

This is the first time HDB has held a competition to call for design ideas for the upgrading of a town centre. The contest was organised with the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA).

Launched in May, the competition called for submissions that incorporate elements representing the town's history and heritage.

Ideas must follow the theme, The Tale of The Swordfish, based on a folk tale about a young boy who thwarts an attack by schools of swordfish along the coast.