Rants and raves about stuff happening in and around my life in Singapore

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Supertrees in Singapore

I must admit to being very excited by the Gardens by the Bay project here in Singapore. It's a 3 phased project that aims to create three distinctive waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central, spanning a total of 101 hectares. These gardens are set in the heart of Singapore’s new downtown Marina Bay, encircling the Marina Reservoir.



Gardens by the Bay is an integral part of a strategy by the Singapore government that further transforms Singapore from a ‘Garden City’ to a ‘City in a Garden'. Bay South is the largest of the three gardens at 54 hectares and aims to showcase the best of tropical horticulture and garden artistry. Supertrees are tree-like structures that dominate the Gardens landscape with heights that range between 25 and 50 meters. They are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens.

The basic design of each super-tree consists of a concrete tower as the main trunk part, with metals rods unfurling in an expansive ‘canopy’ (at the top) to denote the branching out of twigs and leaves. This artificial branching system will actually be filled with real plants and leaves to have an enthralling effect of a real giant tree with copious foliage. The natural canopy of green materials (including plants, vegetations and leaves) will weigh at a whopping 20 to 85 tonnes per tree, additionally, dark shaded steel frames would be incorporated on the side facades for naturalistic look of brownish bark.

But the naturalism doesn’t end here; designers have also looked forth to install solar panels to seven such trees. The resultant clean electricity will be used to power the ground lighting system during various exhibitions. Other than that, there would be rainwater collecting systems and even a 22m high broad walkway connecting two canopies. This spatial element will provide enticing views for tourists all over the metal garden.

It's a brilliant concept, and the supertrees themselves are really awe inspiring, futuristic and functional. To watch the city skyline change to encompass this concept is just simply amazing and I really can't wait to get up close and personal when this phase of the project opens to the public 2012.

I'm amazed how much more this has made me fall in love with Singapore. While other cities stagnate and remain frozen in time barely changing and locked in past architectural glories Singapore moves forward merging the past with the present while ever looking to the future.

To be here to witness change on such scale with such commitment and passion is truly breath taking.


Thursday, July 07, 2011

What were they thinking!

As Singapore counts down to its annual National Day Parade on August the 9th and jets scream across the sky in multiple rehearsals for the big event a new controversy rages in the background. It's one that Yahoo has picked up and has netcitzens cringing and with very good reason. And what is it you wonder ....


.... well it would seem one of the songs for this years event is a hacked up version of Lady GaGa's track Bad Romance. They've taken the music and changed all the lyrics to sing about about else, this years Goody bag, a bag of cheap and cheerful items that's handed out to those attending the event. It's so bad that when I heard it I couldn't even bring myself to laugh, and I pride myself on having a great sense of humor.

Seriously ... what were the organizers thinking. Why would anyone think this hack job would be considered anything other than trash. The chairman of the NDP show segment Colonel Ong Tze-Ch'in is reported to have said in a media statement, "We did not realise that the rights obtained (to perform the song in public) did not include rights to modify the lyrics of the song. We are currently working to rectify this." .... and the only appropriate comment at this point is .... Duh!

Many here in Singapore are hoping that it means this piece of absolute rubbish will be cut from the final National Day celebrations. And lets hope that the people responsible are also removed from any level of further involvement since its pretty obvious from this effort that they are severally lacking in any artistic capability.

But hey, feel free to make up your own mind. The YouTube link is HERE, and just in case you wanted to sing along (yes I really am joking) here's the revised lyrics.

Lyrics of "Fun Pack Song"
By: Haresh Sharma

Oh o o o o o o o o
Time for the fun pack song
Oh o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song

Let's start with the bag
That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack

(REPEAT)

Hold up your flag, don't you forget
You can wave it if you feel like it
Let's wave the flag
Wave wave wave
Let's wave the flag
Take out your light stick, it's two of a kind
It's interactive, means you can join
Just pretend
Oh oh oh... It's a disco

(SPOKEN)

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a wet, wet tissue
I want Newater and I want a cold drink

You and me, let's share a bit
I want a biscuit and I want a sweet
You and me, let's share this treat
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o

Time for the fun pack song
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song
Let's start with the bag

That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack
I want Newater and I want a cold drink

You and me, let's share a bit
I want a biscuit and I want a sweet
You and me, let's share this treat
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o

Time for the fun pack song
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song
Let's start with the bag

That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack!