Apr 13, 2006

Ten Teams of Design Firms Short-Listed for Gardens by the Bay International Master Plan Competition

Ten teams of landscape architectural and architectural firms have been short-listed for the master plan stage of the international design competition for the Gardens by the Bay (GB), Singapores three new gardens to be built on the waterfront.

The competition, organised by the National Parks Board (NParks), drew more than 70 entries submitted by 170 firms from 24 countries worldwide.

The 10 teams of short-listed firms, including Singapore-based and overseas companies, are:

• Ah’bé Landscape Architects (USA)
  in collaboration with George Yu Architects (USA)
• Alsop Design Ltd (UK)
  in collaboration with Alsop Design (S) Pte Ltd (Singapore), and Martha Schwartz Inc (UK)
• EDAW Australia Pty Ltd (Australia)
  in collaboration with EDAW Singapore Pte Ltd (Singapore), EDAW Inc. (USA), ARUP Singapore Pte Ltd (Singapore), Cicada Pte Ltd (Singapore), and WOHA Architects Pte Ltd (Singapore)
• Field Operations (USA)
  in collaboration with Foster & Partners (UK)
• Grant Associates (UK)
  in collaboration with Atelier One (UK), Land Design Studios (UK), and Wilkinson Eyre Architects (UK)
• Gustafson Porter Ltd (UK)
  in collaboration with Ove Arup & Partners (UK)
• Office For Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) (The Netherlands)
  in collaboration with Inside Outside (The Netherlands)
• Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop (Japan)
  in collaboration with GA Yamazaki (Japan), Leading Edge Design Corp. (Japan), Lighting Planners Associates Inc (Japan), Sowa Civil Engineering Ltd (Japan), and The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Gardens (Japan)
• Sasaki Associates, Inc. (USA)
  in collaboration with ARUP (USA), MVRDV (The Netherlands), and Sitetectonix Pte Ltd (Singapore)
• WIN Landscape Planning & Design Pte Ltd (Japan)
  in collaboration with Keikan Sekkei Tokyo Co. Ltd (Japan), Mace Studio (Singapore), Miyake Masaki Associates (Japan), SAA Architects Pte Ltd (Singapore), Washio Associates Ltd (Japan), Water's Edge Pte Ltd (Singapore), and Dr Shawn Lum (Singapore)

The teams include a total of 38 firms, of which nine are Singapore-registered firms. The overseas short-listed firms include 10 firms from Japan, nine from the United Kingdom (UK), six from the United States (USA), three from The Netherlands and one firm from Australia.

Dr. Kiat W. Tan, Advisor to NParks and Project Director for the Gardens by the Bay, said, The international competition for master-planning the series of three Gardens by the Bay attracted much attention around the globe. Some of the best and brightest minds in landscape design and urban planning came together to express interest in shaping the design of Singapores iconic Gardens by the Bay. We are extremely pleased with the excellent quality and caliber of the short-listed teams. They represent some of the worlds finest talents engaged in their profession today. He added, Narrowing the field was extremely difficult, as we had to achieve a fine balance of established credential with fresh new talent. We are convinced, however, that the range, depth and creative potential of the short-listed teams will ensure the excellence of the Master Plan for Singapores Gardens by the Bay.

The 10 teams of firms were selected based on criteria such as track record; relevant experience; international awards and competitions won; and design philosophy and approach for the Gardens by the Bay (GB) Master Plan.

The short-listed entrants will be visiting Singapore soon to view the Gardens by the Bay (GB) sites, and will receive a design brief for the Gardens Master Plan.

Dr Tan said, The Master Plan brief takes into account NParks City in a Garden vision for Singapore, and experience in developing and managing parks and green spaces that are sensitive to the surroundings and responsive to the recreational needs of Singaporeans. We have also carefully reviewed feedback on the Gardens received from the public and our key stakeholders, and have incorporated their ideas and insights into the Master Plan brief.