WilkinsonEyre and Grant Associates design "island playground" in Singapore
WilkinsonEyre and Grant Associates have unveiled a masterplan for a "major international leisure and attraction destination" on two islands off the coast of Singapore.
Known as the Sentosa-Brani Master Plan, the proposal reimagines the islands Sentosa and Pulau Brani as a giant "island playground" that feature a mix of leisure attractions, tropical landscaping and nature trails.
It has been developed by landscape architect Grant Associates with WilkinsonEyre and Singapore's Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) as part of a wider regeneration of the country's south coast.
"The Sentosa-Brani Master Plan represents a bold future vision for Singapore as a major international leisure and attraction destination, aligned with an internationally significant landscape framework," said Andrew Grant, founder of Grant Associates.
"The plan represents the input of many consultants working alongside the SDC client team to imagine a future identity for the Sentosa-Brani environment where fun, play and nature come together to create a unique new place for global travellers and Singaporeans."
The Sentosa-Brani Master Plan is projected to take 20 to 30 years to complete, and will form part of The Greater Southern Waterfront – a government-backed scheme to transform Singapore's south coast into a "major location for urban living".
It will be the second major project carried out by Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects in Singapore, following the Gardens by the Bay complex that was completed in 2012.
"WilkinsonEyre is delighted to be working once more with Grant Associates on these exciting and ambitious proposals, that unite the best in landscape and architectural design in a bold new vision for Sentosa-Brani," said Paul Baker, director at WilkinsonEyre.
The Sentosa-Brani Master Plan imagines the pair of islands divided into five distinct zones: Vibrant Cluster, Island Heart, Waterfront, Ridgeline, and Beachfront.
Each area will be unique, and centre around the aptly named Island Heart zone. They will host a mix of colourful biomorphic buildings, shaded dining areas, outdoor performances spaces, bars and fairgrounds.
A number of leisure areas will also be dotted along the water's edge, including a "major beach event space" and smaller family-friendly attractions that will all connected by decorative sheltered-walkways.
As part of the project, Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects will also rejuvenate and expand existing beaches and nature trails to showcase the islands' natural habitats and ecosystems.
While forming a backdrop for the leisure attractions, the studios hope this will help protect and enhance the biodiversity on the islands.
The masterplans will be complete with new and improved transport connections between the islands and mainland Singapore.
WilkinsonEyre is an architecture studio founded by Chris Wilkinson in 1987 with Jim Eyre, which has offices in London and Hong Kong.
Elsewhere, the studio is currently also designing a biodome complex for Iceland that will comprise a series of public spaces and two glass biodomes, with the aim of boosting wellbeing during the country's dark winter months.
Visuals are courtesy of SDC.