City Developments Limited's two 36-story modular residential towers in Singapore's Orchard/River Valley district have been completed.
The developer commissioned local studio ADDP Architects to design the modular building, while international design studio MVRDV designed the diverse facade.
It's the Netherlands-based studio's first attempt to collaborate on an urban core residential project in Singapore, and according to MVRDV founding partner Nathalie de Vries, the development shows that efficiency and cost-effectiveness can easily coexist with character and individuality.
MVRDV's façade design utilizes the qualities of the prefabricated prefabricated volumetric construction system (PPVC) to create a “pixelated” façade, with each prefabricated unit creating a pixel.
Units are recessed or extended using metal frames, creating balconies in various configurations and adding depth to the building's appearance.
This relief, combined with a color scheme of gold and deep brown, forms an abstract pattern across the facade, inspired by the organic shapes of climbing plants, de Vries said.
▲ Communal outdoor spaces help break up the modular form of the towers. MVRDV
“Singapore has proven to be a city of incredible innovation in architecture and urban design over the decades,” said de Vries.
“The city is once again demonstrating its leadership in modular construction and recognizing the benefits of PPVC in reducing waste, carbon emissions and disruption to city life.
“With Irwell Hill Residences, together with ADDP Architects, we have aimed for the next step in this innovation story: a PPVC project that focuses on diversity and quality of life.”
The buildings have communal green spaces on level 24 and on the roof.
PPVC is a method widely used in Singapore where entire rooms, including finished surfaces and facades, are built off-site in a factory and assembled on site.
It reduces the impact of labor shortages and reduces waste and carbon emissions.
The Building and Construction Authority of Singapore has introduced targeted regulations, frameworks and accreditation programs to improve the industry's performance in construction methods to improve productivity.
MVRDV was tasked with adding design values to break up the tower and create the illusion of variation within the repeating floor plan, de Vries said.