The Hives

The project is envisioned to be a youth centre which provides space for parkour training, cosplay activities and craft market. These activities were selected as potential programs for the young and creative population of Singapore to use and colonize the double-layered girder structure of one of the building blocks in the previously proposed Jurong East masterplan. The proposed design consists of two main elements, both of which are constructed primarily of scaffolding lattice structure as a contrast to the existing permanent and rigid girder truss. The first element is a series of ‘hive units’ which are essentially parasitic structure that are built attached to the existing columns of the girder space. These hive units house craft studio, cosplay shop, changing room and are connected into a network by circulation paths that follow the diagonal truss of the girder. The second element is a series of climbing tower that are spread along the middle atrium space of the building block. These vertical elements extend from the ground level and infiltrate through the double girder layers, giving space for the parkour practitioners to conduct their physical training. On certain occasion, the towers can be opened up at the top to form a larger and more interconnected space above the girder, allowing events such as cosplay or comic convention to take place.

TYPOLOGY: Temporary Structure

PROGRAM: Commercial

LOCATION: Jurong East, Singapore

YEAR: 2017

STATUS: Concept