[I] Completion of V on Shenton Tower by UNStudio

Description of project by UNStudio

Singapore is currently one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Although land reclamation has boosted the island’s size over the years, Singapore still faces significant density challenges.

Vertical expansion has for some time proved to be a solution for the efficient use of valuable urban land. However, it has recently become clear that such expansion can be further maximised through the introduction of large scale, holistic, mixed-use developments that offer round-the-clock programmes. In these developments working, living and leisure activities are catered for within single plots, ensuring maximal use of scarce land.  

V on Shenton
Located in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District, the former UIC Building dominated the city skyline as Singapore’s tallest building for many years following its completion in 1973 and formed part of an important collection of towers located along Shenton Way.

Recently the area has undergone a rejuvenation and transformation and V on Shenton - the new UIC building - forms part of this redevelopment. The mixed-use programming of V on Shenton presents a unique situation in this area of the city.

In addition to the office and residential programmes, the dual tower building houses a number of fully integrated sky gardens which provide panoramic 360 degree views of Singapore and house a variety of amenities - such as a fitness area, swimming pools and a children’s play area, with lush green vegetation providing fresher, cleaner air. These areas provide spaces for shared communal activities, or for the residents to entertain guests.

The most ample and diverse of the three sky gardens covers the entire 8th storey of the development. At the two sky lobbies in the heart of the residential tower, residents are given even greater privacy, combined with views of the city or the ocean from both the 24th and the 34th floors. The residents of the penthouse levels also have exclusive access to the outdoor roof terraces on the 53rd and 54th storeys.

On ground level, next to the office tower lobby, a large café forms the central meeting point for the public areas.

A response to context
The twin tower of ‘V on Shenton’ is comprised of a 23-storey office building and a 53-storey residential tower, with the dual programming of the building is highlighted through its massing.
The office tower responds to the scale of the surrounding buildings and to the street, while the residential tower rises up to distinguish itself from the neighbouring buildings. Above the upper sky lobby the unit mix of the residential tower changes with a subtle display of its split core. This separation also exhibits the natural ventilation concept of the tower which is further effected through ventilation slots next to the cores. Distinctive to V on Shenton, these slots are covered by facade cladding with openings for air circulation, resulting in a continuous, uninterrupted hexagonal facade pattern on the residential tower.

A family of patterns
Just as the office and residential towers are of the same family of forms, so do their facades originate from the same family of patterns. The basic shape of the hexagon is used to create patterns that increase the performance of the facades with angles and shading devices that are responsive to the climatic conditions of Singapore.

The office tower is based on a curtain wall module and an optimised number of panel types, recombined to create a signature pattern. In contrast, the residential facade is based on the stacks of unit types. The pattern of the residential facade is created by the incorporation of the residential programme (balcony, bay window, planter and a/c ledge) and the combination of one and two storey high modules with systematic material variations. These geometric panels add texture and cohesion to the building, whilst reflecting light and pocketing shade. The texture and volume of the facade are important to maintaining the comfort of those living and working in the residential and office buildings. Shading devices and high-performance glass are important for developing a sustainable and liveable facade.

Each tower is framed by ‘chamfers’; a line that unifies the composition of the residential tower, the office tower and the plinth. During daytime the chamfer appears smooth in contrast to the textured surfaces of the towers. At night the chamfer lights up as a continuous line framing the towers, car park and sky gardens. The chamfers at the North end of the office tower also open up the corners to views of Marina Bay, Buket Timah Hill and the Central Business District.

Lobbies On the ground floor of the development stainless steel lines are inlaid into the floor, lines of light in the ceilings emphasise common areas, vertical lamellas clad the car ramps and together these form the guiding principles for pedestrians to their destination.