d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

/ FEATURE / 22 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE NOW A NECESSITY “The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed more exemplary moments of humanity as well as uncovered our innate desires in the times of strictly enforced quarantine and lockdown measures. This period has showcased our acts of solidarity in the times of social distancing as a positive phenomenon. In Singapore, public parks are a source of relief and widely visited as circuit breaker measures were imposed. These large pockets of inviting public greens in our dense urban fabric have been a precious resource for fresh air and leisure, and become highly- popular destinations for all. The crowds seen at Bishan Park and Jurong Lake Gardens prove that these spaces perform important urban functions, and are a critical amenity of the neighbourhood that they serve. Other than its accessibility and connectivity to the larger urban fabric, the park and variations within the landscape provide a common relief, an escape to discover worlds within worlds.  Perhaps this offers greater data to improving the design of cities, as we define landscape as a necessity to urban life. This is where a public space can both be a place where we seek solace in privacy, as well as find comfort in assemblies. The value that parks bring in terms of wellness and health, both physical and mental, may enable us to find further evidence in making a case for its contributions to economic and societal growth.” Jia Xin Chum Senior Associate, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl ADAPTABILITY IN HOMES IS KEY “COVID-19 will pass, but the peril of new pandemics loom, with global lockdowns becoming more of an unfortunate reality. In response, I believe that the impact to design will need to be significant but sensitive, with designers striking a delicate balance between designing for life as we know it, as well as accommodating pandemic contingencies in ways that don’t become a white elephant. For the residential realm in particular, the notion of adaptability will be key. Homes will need to incorporate multi-functional and adaptive spaces. Its previous role as a domestic retreat with limited functions, such as dining, cooking, sleeping, entertainment, will be augmented by a need for it to also serve as full-time workplace and learning environment, and, in some cases, even as a gym or recreation centre. Spaces will need to adapt to a variety of functions and serve them all relatively well, using strategies such as multi-functional, transformable or movable furniture and even spatial partitions. Lighting systems controlling the amount and colour temperature of light, may also need to be adaptable to suit different functions as a space adapts and transforms over the course of the day to suit a wide variety of activities.” Colin Seah Director, Ministry of Design