Updated from : The Business Times, 16 July 2020
THE redevelopment works on The Float @ Marina Bay are scheduled to start in March 2022 and be done by end-2025, the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Wednesday.
“However, given the impact of Covid-19, the project scope and timeline may be adjusted. More details on the project will be shared with the public when ready,” the ministries said in a joint statement.
The floating platform will be transformed into a permanent space to stage large-scale national and community events, such as the National Day Parade, River Hongbao and the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. It will also provide spaces within Marina Bay for the public to enjoy community and recreational activities.
MND and Mindef have awarded the design consultancy tender to a consultant team led by Woha Architects. The Singapore-based architectural practice will be the principal consultant and lead the project team to develop and implement the design.
The tender was held from May 2019 to July 2020, and 25 submissions were received at the close of the expression-of-interest exercise.
The concept-design proposal submitted by Woha Architects, in collaboration with design firm Populous, will create a fit-for-purpose and flexible events venue that also features community sports facilities, such as a swimming pool and water-sports centre.
There will also be a new public waterfront promenade forming part of the loop around Marina Bay and improved pedestrian connectivity, based on the concept-design proposal. Food-and-beverage and retail offerings are also being considered.
“These features are in line with the feedback that we have received from the community on enhancing the site’s features,” MND and Mindef said in the joint statement.
There will also be a National Service (NS) themed gallery to showcase the nation’s defence and NS story, and to acknowledge the contributions of national servicemen past and present.
Woha Architects founding director Wong Mun Summ said: “Our team is honoured to have this opportunity to reimagine the floating platform as a permanent distinctive venue at the Marina Bay waterfront.
“The redevelopment will push for unity, diversity, sustainability and resiliency, commemorating the contributions of yesterday, celebrating the achievements of today, and inspiring the generations of tomorrow.”
The project is part of Singapore’s long-term urban-development plans, to make the city centre more vibrant and to create public spaces where the community can come together.
Initially built as a temporary National Day Parade venue, The Float @ Marina Bay can seat 27,000 spectators. The Straits Times reported that one of the requirements in the tender documents was for the new platform to have a seating capacity of 30,000 to 35,000.
The existing platform will hold another National Day Parade – next year’s – before it is demolished.
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