SENSE OF PLACE

JGP Architecture has designed Citadines Balestier Singapore to pay homage to its vibrant city-fringe location.

- PRAISE POH

Home to rows of shophouses, Balestier Road is a charming heritage area, famous for its local delicacies.

Therefore, when Yong Jann Kae, Senior Architect from JGP Architecture, was tasked with the design of Citadines Balestier Singapore, he knew he had to infuse local elements into the project.

“We want the guests who come here to feel and experience the local scene, as such we took our inspiration from the shophouses along Balestier Road.

“There used to be a very famous Malay film studio here, so we tried to blend in the Malay culture of rattan weaving into the façade,” Yong explains, referring to the wavy, perforated aluminium panels on the lower floors.

Noting that Balestier is a mature district surrounded by old shophouses and buildings, he and his team decided to spray paint the aluminium panels on the façade with a striking bronzy, burnt-orange coat to ​brighten up the surrounding area.

To make the building stand out more, they pushed the building’s tower to the front, aligning it along the streetscape.

It is interesting to note that due to the panels being tilted at different angles, they reflect different tones in the day, enlivening the architecture.

At night, the building glows with orange beams running horizontally and vertically along the façade, making it highly visible even from afar.

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