At Kim Keat Beacon in Toa Payoh, residents across the development’s three housing blocks can relax at the end of the day, enjoy the breeze while taking in panoramic views of the city skyline and chat with their neighbours at communal verandahs located at every upper floor’s lift lobbies.

       According to Mr Lau Chee Meng, managing director and co-founder of Kyoob Architects, which designed the Housing Board (HDB) Build-To-Order project, the inspiration for these communal spaces was drawn from Toa Payoh’s Neighbourhood Principle.

       First implemented in the 1960s, the Neighbourhood Principle is a concept where several neighbourhoods are grouped around a town centre that acts as a focal point for the entertainment and shopping needs of residents.

       “As one of the oldest HDB towns, Toa Payoh greatly influenced the generations that came after it. One of its key features is the wide common corridors leading to every flat. These corridors became community spaces where residents bonded and children played. We wanted to re-imagine this community spirit in our design for this project,” he explains.

       Such thoughtful design elements in this project earned Kyoob a Design Award for Housing for Kim Keat Beacon at the HDB Awards 2024. The Award pays homage to architectural consultants for their excellent design of HDB projects in various categories, including Housing, Mixed Development and Rejuvenation.

       Besides sky terraces located at the 26th storey of every block, residents at Kim Keat Beacon can socialise and immerse themselves among lush greenery at the precinct’s courtyards, roof gardens and neighbourhood park.

       The housing project also has other spaces that cater to a variety of multi-generational needs, such as playgrounds and adult fitness stations.

       Mr Hendry Octavanus, the firm's associate director and the project architect, adds that Kyoob took great care to make the estate accessible for all, incorporating elements such as ramps in the tiered gardens, and wheelchair-friendly planters in the public garden.

       “Inclusive design is key to our empathetic approach to design. We want our designs to be not just efficient and functional, but also enhance people’s well-being and elevate the way that they live,” he shares.

       With an extensive portfolio of residential projects for private developers, Kyoob incorporates similar ideas of biophilic design from its luxury apartment development at Draycott Park into Kim Keat Beacon.

       In the search to retain as much of Kim Keat Beacon’s site history as possible, several large mature trees on site were retained, with the design and construction working around them.

       One of the preserved trees became a central element of the development’s drop-off area, while another acts as a feature tree that an elevated boardwalk weaves past.

       “The boardwalk curves around the trees and has social spaces designed around the trees for the community to enjoy. It complements the ground-floor covered walkways too, by providing pedestrian connectivity at the second storey from the multi-storey carpark to all the housing towers,” Mr Lau elaborates.

       The firm also turned existing constraints within the site into a feature.

       Kyoob incorporated a large drainage reserve canal into the overall layout by making it part of the pedestrian walkway network, creating a wide thoroughfare that conveniently connects residents to nearby bus stops.

       To reduce acoustic noise from two adjacent expressways, the multi-storey carpark was strategically positioned as a sound buffer.

       The residential blocks are located at the furthest corner of the site, away from the expressways. The flats have vertical and horizontal fins on their facade that further mitigate noise pollution.

       This year, Kyoob has also won the Design Award for Rejuvenation for its work on Admiralty Place, which involved redeveloping an existing three-storey neighbourhood centre into a modern and vibrant new shopping mall that contains shops, eateries, market and enrichment schools.

       Mr Julian Chia, Kyoob's director and co-founder, explains: “To revitalise the development, we reconfigured the interior of the former retail building, increasing commercial floor area as well as having a layout with an improved retail experience.”

       Some of the design features created include a central atrium, as well as landscaped roof terraces and outdoor play areas on the upper floors.

       The external design for Admiralty Place, which also encapsulates the adjacent multi-storey car park, reminisces Admiralty’s history as a former kampung with houses on stilts. Tilted fins form a distinctive facade pattern inspired by its history.

       Mr Chia adds: “The new external facade also reflected elements of Admiralty’s rich history, giving this rejuvenated development a strong visual identity.”

       While honouring the past, this project is clearly planned for the future too, with inclusive amenities for all demographics – families, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. These include nursing rooms, family washrooms, ambulant toilets, additional lifts and more.

       Moreover, the new centre has barrier-free access throughout and accessibility features that range from trailing handrails to Braille signage and hearing enhancement systems. New wider, sheltered and accessible walkways connect the development to MRT stations, residential blocks and other surrounding spaces.

       As Mr Lau puts it: “With a clear and inclusive design concept, an intuitive layout and logical pathways reduce confusion and improve convenient wayfinding. Everyone can now easily navigate through Admiralty Place, making this a much more enjoyable space to use.”

       Taking into consideration “the needs and wants of an ever-evolving multi-cultural society”, he stresses the need to “craft meaningful spaces that inspire and connect people”.

       “And we hope that we have succeeded with these two projects at Kim Keat Beacon and Admiralty Place,” he says.