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Of these, the design schemes by BBBSA and WOHA Architects were awarded merit prizes as they have distinguished themselves for their fresh, bold and novel attempt to challenge conventional notions of high-rise, high-density housing.

Dr Moshe Safdie commented, "The URA is to be commended for sponsoring a competition for high-density, high-rise public housing. We have been encouraged by many competitors' attempts to explore new concepts for high-rise housing."

The winning design

Indeed, as the new Duxton Plain development will be Singapore's tallest public housing development, the winning design had to be buildable, liveable and maintainable. At the same time, it had to offer new and innovative ideas for high-density and high-rise living.

To ensure a quality living environment for residents, sufficient provision of quality communal spaces, good natural lighting, ventilation, orientation and views for the housing units were also important criteria that the Jury looked out for.

The winning design for the new Duxton Plain public housing development proposed seven 48-storey blocks linked by sky parks on the 26th storey and at the roof level.

An estimated 1,800 dwelling units would be built, meaning that there will be about 7,200 people moving into the Tanjong Pagar area when the development is completed in 2007! This is the one of the steps taken towards realising the Concept Plan 2001 vision - to introduce more varied housing types and more city living. As Minister Mah said in his speech at the opening of the exhibition, "Duxton Plain will be rejuvenated and become a city neighbourhood that will flourish with more residents living in the area".

Describing how the firm approached the design brief, Mr Khoo Peng Beng, partner of ARC Studio, said: "There were pragmatic aspects we had to look into but at the same time we had to be innovative and new. On top of the design brief, we set rules to challenge ourselves to come out with the best possible design."

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