moshe safdie: condominium at bishan central

'condominium at bishan central' by moshe safdie, singapore
all images © safdie architects


international practice safdie architects has designed 'condominium at bishan central', a 38-story residential complex 
in the bishan district of singapore. the high density housing block satisfies the needs of the growing urban center while 
providing family and community spaces and amenities. lusciously planted gardens encompass the two buildings and 
infiltrate the connecting bridges and bountiful outdoor terraces. inhabitants have access to open-air pedestrian pathways 
at three different elevations with panoramic views of the surrounding tropical landscape as well as cooling breezes as 
they sweep through the canyon-like void between the structures. this arrangement dually provides air movement to
individual units while the matrix of balconies encourages cross ventilation to pass through the interior spaces. 
the clustered vertical city mitigates the feeling of concentration by maximizing each dwelling's connection with nature 
with access to personal outdoor gardens.



ground level complex


at the ground level, residents enter through a series of walking paths bordering swimming pools shaded with native 
palm trees. the porous and open form of the towers allows daylight to permeate the area. close proximity to the adjacent 
bishan park will serve as a green buffer to the nearby city with opportunities for recreation.



view of vegetated bridges from pool area


'while providing an unprecedented quality of life, mitigating a sense of density and concentration and maximising 
contact with nature, the complex also results in a village-like clustering of residential units, echoing hillside developments 
and the integration of architecture and plant life into a singular experience. carefully-considered design features have 
greatly expanded family and community space amenities, in part by providing generous community gardens and 
outdoor spaces on the ground and in the air as well as individual penthouse-like roof terraces and gardens for more 
than one-third of the individual residences.' - moshe safdie, architect



entry garden



pool at ground level



ground level pool and entry to residential tower



facade and balconies



roof terrace with views of the surrounding tropical landscape



personal roof terrace viewing the sky gardens



outward view from sky garden



sky garden connects the towers



view to the ground from highest sky garden



aerial view of complex



video © safdie architects



schematic rendering


project info:


developer: capitaland residential singapore (75%) and mitsubishi estate asia pte. ltd. (25%) 
lead designer: moshe safdie, safdie architects 
project architect: dca architects pte ltd 
number of units: approximately 500 units 
site area: 11,997 square metres (129,137 square feet) 
gross floor area: 58,786 square metres (632,770 square feet)
unit types and facilities: one-bedroom-plus-study, two-bedroom, two-bedroom-plus-study, 
three-bedroom and four-bedroom units
unit area: ranges from 680 square feet to 3,000 square feet 
amenities: 50-metre lap pool, leisure pools, children’s pool, play areas, a tennis court, barbeque pits, 
function rooms, karaoke rooms and a gymnasium. 
accessibility: five-minute walk to the bishan transportation hub comprising the bishan bus interchange 
and bishan mrt interchange station (north- south line and circle line). it is close to retail, entertainment 
and recreational facilities such as junction 8 shopping mall and bishan park, as well as reputable 
local and international schools like raffles institution, catholic high school, the australian international school 
and stamford american international school. 
temporary occupation permit (TOP) date: 2015 (expected)