The placemaking challenge attracted more than 60 innovative proposals to revitalise the Town Centre

OWAA Architects LLP, in collaboration with local artist Tobyato, has won the Bukit Merah Town Centre Placemaking Challenge with their design "The Tale of the Swordfish & The Seven Hills". Their winning concept features seven distinct zones named after Bukit Merah's historic hills, a central swordfish art installation, and innovative elements such as a playground with walking nets and a cycling path.

2 Organised in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), this challenge marks the first time that HDB has invited design ideas from practising designers and students in the field of architecture and landscape, for the upgrading of a town centre under HDB’s Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme¹. This initiative is also part of HDB’s ongoing efforts to engage residents in co-designing and co-creating spaces within their neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of community ownership and identity.

About the Challenge

3 Launched on 16 May 2024, the two-month long challenge aimed to transform the town centre into a vibrant community node for both young and old, while preserving elements representing the town’s history and heritage. To pay homage to Bukit Merah’s history, design proposals had to adopt the theme, “The Tale of the Swordfish”². This theme resonated with more than 600 Bukit Merah residents and visitors who had earlier provided feedback on strengthening their town’s identity.

4 The winning design was selected from 61 eligible submissions through a two-stage process.

A panel with representatives from local grassroots organisations, HDB and SIA shortlisted three designs based on criteria such as thematic relevance, public space activation and implementation feasibility etc.
An online public poll was conducted from 7 to 28 October 2024 to determine the favourite design. OWAA Architects LLP and Tobyato's entry received nearly 50 per cent of all votes cast, with over 70 per cent of participating Bukit Merah and Queenstown residents selecting this design.

5 Mr Thomas Seow, HDB’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Estate), said, "We are heartened by the response towards the Placemaking Challenge – more than 60 design proposals were received, and over 2,000 votes cast, of which a third were from Bukit Merah and Queenstown residents. This initiative not only showcased our local architectural fraternity’s creativity and expertise in reimagining the heart of the town, but also empowered residents to actively shape their neighbourhood's identity. The winning design by OWAA Architects and Tobyato clearly appealed to the community, effectively capturing their vision for the Bukit Merah Town Centre.”

Winning design to be incorporated into upcoming revitalisation plans

6 The winning design pays tribute to Bukit Merah's rich history by incorporating seven distinct zones, each named after one of the area's historic hills. These zones feature architectural elements that draw inspiration from the town's original hilly terrain, distinctive red soil, and brickworks heritage. Each zone is curated with activities for different age groups, creating an inclusive community space for all. At the heart of the design, an eye-catching swordfish art installation brings to life the legendary “Tale of the Swordfish”.

The winning design "The Tale of the Swordfish & The Seven Hills" was created by OWAA Architects LLP, in collaboration with local artist Tobyato

The winning design "The Tale of the Swordfish & The Seven Hills" was created by OWAA Architects LLP, in collaboration with local artist Tobyato

7 The design also incorporates several features to enhance community bonding such as a playground with walking nets, a cycling path, and modular green shelters with accessible seating. Drawing on local heritage, a proposed Brickworks Pavilion would serve as an activity hub, while container spaces could house more amenities like a book café and shops. HDB will work with agencies to study how best to incorporate design ideas from the winning entry into the upcoming revitalisation plans for Bukit Merah Town Centre.

8 The winning team, comprising architects Lee Wah Fong, Lexie Ho Ming, Lee Swan Peng, and local artist Toby Tan Xun Yi “Tobyato”, will take home the grand prize of $15,000.

L-R: Lee Wah Fong, Lexie Ho Ming, Lee Swan Peng from OWAA Architects LLP

L-R: Lee Wah Fong, Lexie Ho Ming, Lee Swan Peng from OWAA Architects LLP

Other winning design proposals

9 Runner-ups PI Architects and Studio Makal Pte Ltd will each receive merit prizes of $5,000. PI Architect’s design, “Swordfish Plaza” features two swordfish-themed play sculptures that function as play zones for different age groups and wave-themed sheltered event space to encourage community interactions and active lifestyles.

PI Architect’s “Swordfish Plaza” features fun aquatic elements to promote education and play for residents and visitors

PI Architect’s “Swordfish Plaza” features fun aquatic elements to promote education and play for residents and visitors

10 Studio Makal’s design, “Commemorating Community: As the Red River Flows”, showcases a visually striking, multifunctional central pavilion combining play and fitness elements.

Studio Makal’s “Commemorating Community: As the Red River Flows” combines elements of play and fitness to turn the town centre into a vibrant community hub.

Studio Makal’s “Commemorating Community: As the Red River Flows” combines elements of play and fitness to turn the town centre into a vibrant community hub.

11 Five other entries will be awarded Honorary Mentions, including “The Tidal Trail” submitted by architectural students from Nanyang Polytechnic. More information on these entries can be found in the Annex.

12 Mr Melvin Tan, President of the Singapore Institute of Architects, and one of the judges for the challenge, said, “The submissions received were of high quality and demonstrate the prowess of our professional community when it comes to ideating placemaking in the heartlands. The strong showing evident in the many entries is also a strong signal of interest from the architecture community. We thank HDB for offering this opportunity, and hope other agencies will do the same, raising the quality of public spaces in Singapore.”

Renewing Bukit Merah

13 The Bukit Merah Town Centre Placemaking Challenge is a key component of the rejuvenation plans for Bukit Merah under the ROH Programme. The plans include enhancing the attractiveness and comfort of the Bukit Merah town, as well as improving connectivity to key surrounding amenities like Redhill MRT Station, Redhill Lane Neighbourhood Centre (NC), and green nodes such as the Rail Corridor and Southern Ridge, to offer greater convenience and bring residents closer to nature.

¹The ROH programme is a comprehensive blueprint which brings together multiple agencies to renew and rejuvenate existing towns and estates to meet the changing needs of the community. To date, 13 towns and estates have been identified for rejuvenation across four ROH batches – namely Punggol, Dawson and Yishun in 2007; East Coast, Hougang and Jurong Lake in 2011, Woodlands, Toa Payoh and Pasir Ris in 2015; and the latest – Bukit Merah, Ang Mo Kio, Queenstown and Choa Chu Kang – in 2020.

²The earliest mention of the tale is found in the 1612 version of the Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu). In one of the tales recorded, it has the “Singapura Dilanggar Todak” story, which is loosely translated as “Singapore Attacked by Swordfish”.

HDB Unveils Winning Design of Inaugural Town Centre Placemaking Challenge in Bukit Merah