Award-winners to design HDB flats

July 31, 2008
Award-winners to design HDB flats
SCDA, WOHA and Surbana named consultants for Dawson Estate flats
By EMILYN YAP

FLAT-BUYERS eyeing Dawson Estate in Queenstown will be spoilt for
choice, as upcoming public housing will feature designer looks
courtesy of not one, not two, but three local award-winning
architectural firms.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) said yesterday that it will
appoint SCDA Architects, WOHA Architects and Surbana International
Consultants as design consultants for the district's public housing
projects.

Dawson Estate comes under a 'Remaking Our Heartland' exercise that
aims to transform public housing into vibrant homes for Singaporeans.

To showcase the regeneration of an old estate, HDB invited the three
architectural firms last year to design public housing precincts in
Dawson Estate based on new ideas and concepts.

Favourable response from the public led HDB to appoint all three as
design consultants.

SCDA and WOHA received their letters of appointment at a HDB awards
dinner yesterday evening. The two sites which both firms worked on
are vacant and ready for development.

HDB plans to launch the first batch of flats on these two sites for
sale under the Built-to-Order system in the third quarter of next
year.

Construction could start in the first quarter of 2010 and be
completed in 2014.

HDB will appoint Surbana later, when the site it worked on is cleared
and ready for redevelopment in 2011.

'The participation of these firms will not only give HDB flat buyers
greater variety and choice, it will also bring a livelier, more
attractive buzz to Dawson,' said Senior Minister of State for
National Development and Education Grace Fu.

HDB has also appointed a local landscape architectural firm, Cicada
Pte Ltd, to draw up a landscape masterplan. The plan will create a
distinct identity for Dawson Estate and bring together the three
different precincts.

To retain Dawson Estate's heritage, HDB is inviting the public to
contribute items from the district's past. Selected heritage items
will be woven into the new development.

Ms Fu said yesterday that the 'Remaking Our Heartland' programme has
made much progress. Nevertheless, she added: 'There will be
challenges along the way, such as grappling with inflation and
competing for resources amidst the global construction boom, while
keeping HDB flats affordable.'