MARINA BAY SANDS RESORT
The SkyPark stretches across the hotel towers and includes a 150m infinity edged pool (above), gardens and an observatory
bit to make it asymmetrical and more dynamic. We consulted with a Feng Shui master (because it was important to the people of Singapore that the consultation was a part of the proc- ess), who said the symmetry was bad Feng Shui and agreed with our deci- sion to make it asymmetrical. When the SkyPark was placed over the top of the separate towers, it connected them as a cohesive unit.
What element of the design are you most proud of? The success of Marina Bay Sands is owed, in large part, to its seamless integration of elements. None of the components work well independently, but together they create a complex microcosm of a city that serves as a vital public meeting place. Each element adds something to the experi- ence of the resort as a whole.
THE MARINA BAY SANDS RESORT CONSISTS OF:
■ A hotel: 2,560 luxury rooms in three hotel towers ■ Sands SkyPark: The 9,941sq m park that connects the three hotel towers at the top. It features a public observatory, jogging paths, gardens, restaurants, lounges and a 1,396sq m infi nity pool. ■ Casino: The atrium style casino features four levels of gaming and entertainment totalling 15,000sq m ■ Retail: More than 74,322sq m of retail and restaurant space ■ Sands Expo and Convention Center ■ Museum of ArtScience: 15,000sq m with 6,000sq m of gallery space ■ Two theatres with 4,000 seats between them ■ Crystal Pavilions housing shops and nightclubs ■ Event Plaza: 5,000sq m and capable of hosting 10,000 people for live performances
What were the biggest challenges of this project? The principal challenge was to reconcile the issue of the mega scale with the human scale. I wanted to create a vibrant public space, which meant that we had to weave together the various components of the project to seam- lessly integrate them within the resort as a whole.
ISSUE 1 2011 © cybertrek 2011
What does Marina Bay Sands bring to Singapore?
Marina Bay Sands enriches Singapore on a variety of levels. It provides a symbolic gateway to the city, but it also functions on a human scale. I envisage the resort becoming integral to the celebrations and urban activities of the people of Singapore. Great cities are often identifi ed by iconic landmarks. There is no for- mula for creating such a structure, but we’ve endeavoured to fi nd that per- fect mix of elements that defi nes the culture and heritage of Singapore, responds to the needs of its people, and has that right touch of magic.
How would you describe your approach to architecture? I believe a building cannot live in isola- tion. It must be a natural extension of its environment, culture, and histori- cal precedents. There must be a clear connection between the design and function of the building.
My approach to design is to take in the site, to listen to the needs of the people that will use the site, and to fi nd design solutions that increase effi ciency, respond to a vari- ety of necessary functions, and at the same time uplift the people the structure serves. ●
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PHOTO: AP REUTERS
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