National University of Singapore
THE CRUCIBLE : PERFORMING ARTS FORUM FOR WILD RICE THEATRE
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThis thesis is driven by the critique of URA’s Master-plan for Pearl’s Hill. With the onslaught of modernity and urban development, Pearl’s hill has gradually lost its presence and will be forgotten. URA’s new Master-plan offers the hill to more foreigners and upper class population. A new urban plan is drafted against the “gated” plan by URA, to return the hill back to Singaporeans and open up the hill for more to use and enjoy. A variety of program is inserted, replacing the condominiums and designing more accessible zones to allow more users to the park on the hill. A more focused site is chosen upon the top of the hill, which is currently used as a service reservoir. A Victorian structure to contain the water is retained, which was previously used as a fort during the colonization of Singapore. The thesis attempts to introduce a Performing Arts centre to revitalized the hill, to create an attraction and destination for people to go up the hill and enjoy the views offered from the top. The challenge is to address the Victorian fort through conservation and engagement.Local avant garde theatre Wild Rice is selected to be the catalyst tenant spurring the development of the theatre. It gives the fort a unique program, designing not just a performing theatre, but a forum that forges a relationship with the fort structure and audiences. The fort is viewed as an urban carapace, with the idea of the theatre as the crucible and a caldera for presentation of issues. An interplay of lightness in structure is used to contrast with the strong heavy fort, creating an interesting visual and spatial experience for the visitor.
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
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- CHEW CHUN YEN