Singapore Rail Corridor proposal

Singapore, 3 June 2015 – OMA + OLIN, in collaboration with DP Architects and DP Green, is one of the five teams shortlisted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority to further develop concept designs and proposals for the 24km Singapore Rail Corridor. Spanning the island south to north, from the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to the Woodlands Checkpoint, the corridor is the site of Singapore’s previous rail link to Malaysia. Its revitalization aims to create a public space that provides a green oasis contrasting with the intensity of urban life. The site encompasses four important activity nodes: Buona Vista, the Bukit Timah Railway Station area, the former Bukit Timah Fire Station, and Kranji. In addition to this, the proposal incorporates the creation of two special interest areas through the adaptive reuse of the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and an “urban-green-blue integrated concept” at Choa Chu Kang. Michael Kokora, OMA Partner: “The expanse of the corridor running through the centre of the entire country presents an unprecedented opportunity to develop a new typology of landscape with transformative effects for the country as a whole. This is a project that has the potential to improve quality of life for generations to come.” 64 teams submitted initial proposals to the Singapore government’s call for ideas. In the coming phase, the five shortlisted teams will have until 21 August 2015 to develop a conceptual masterplan that aims to transform the Rail Corridor into a green artery that crosses the country. A public exhibition of the shortlisted submissions will be held in Singapore from October to November 2015, with the selected design team(s) being announced during the exhibition period. OMA’s involvement with Singapore ranges from Rem Koolhaas’ 1995 text “Singapore Songlines” published in S, M, L, XL, academic lectures at the National University of Singapore, and the recent completion of The Interlace in 2013.