VW+BS’ Periscope Building Offers a Bird’s-Eye View of Singapore
Posted By Molly Cotter On September 7, 2011 @ 11:10 am In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery | No Comments
In big, bustling cities, it’s hard to find new space [4] for commercial buildings. But the VW +BS [5] architectural firm took their search in Singapore above and beyond, literally. Their newly constructed Periscope building is tucked behind a series of storefronts [6] and it has a spectacular extension that rises high and hovers out and over the street below.
Located in the Upper Circular Road area of Singapore [7], the Periscope had a great architectural history to work with. The area in general has undergone massive revitalization with warehouses and stores turning into high-end hotels [8], restaurants, and shops. The specific building the Periscope inhabits was built in the 19th century [9], restored once in the 1930′s, and left untouched since.
This innovative design includes minimal work to the existing building, simultaneously preserving [10] its past while adding yet another layer to its story. Singaporean conservation guidelines [11] also played a major role in the building’s design. Rules state that the first 7.5 meters of a space cannot be redeveloped. Henceforth, the entire new design is behind [12] and above the existing space.
The tall slender building includes four stories of office space and the top floating floor [13] features a restaurant with an entire wall’s view of the city. A six foot airwell [14] separates the top annex from the rest of the building. Borrowing the idea from old Singaporean shop houses [15], the structure allows light and ventilation to filter [16]into the rest of the building.
The Periscope helps enliven the streets of Singapore with a fresh new design while managing to preserve [17] the history of its industrial neighborhood.
+ VW + BS [5]
Via Architzer [18]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/vwbs-periscope-building-gives-birds-eye-view-of-singapore-without-taking-up-space/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/vwbs-periscope-building-gives-birds-eye-view-of-singapore-without-taking-up-space/
[4] new space: http://inhabitat.com/shipping-containers-turn-warehouse-into-office-space/
[5] VW +BS: http://www.vwbs.co.uk
[6] storefronts: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/lot-ek-recycles-doors-into-a-clever-storefront-for-van-alen-books/
[7] Singapore: http://inhabitat.com/amazing-green-roof-art-school-in-singapore/
[8] hotels: http://inhabitat.com/dramatic-mint-hotel-amsterdam-captures-the-spirit-of-the-city-in-an-energy-efficient-way/
[9] 19th century: http://inhabitat.com/converted-church-turned-artist-loft-looks-for-new-owner/
[10] preserving: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-landmarks-commission-green-lights-twisty-tower-near-the-high-line/
[11] guidelines: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-modifies-building-code-to-require-more-energy-efficient-roofs/
[12] behind: http://inhabitat.com/vertical-gardens-by-patrick-blanc/
[13] floating floor: http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-high-school-in-france-by-off-architecture/
[14] airwell: http://inhabitat.com/german-airports-use-bees-to-monitor-air-quality/comment-page-1/
[15] shop houses: http://inhabitat.com/stunning-singapore-home-wards-of-the-sweltering-heat-with-cool-water-ponds/
[16] filter : http://inhabitat.com/andrea-reaches-u-s-houseplants-to-filter-air/
[17] preserve: http://inhabitat.com/fabrica-social-helps-indigenous-mexican-women-preserve-promote-their-crafts/
[18] Architzer: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/the-periscope/28927/
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