The Marina and Civic District in the heart of downtown Singapore

In 2016, the visionary architect Norman Foster and Partners crafted two pairs of interconnecting towers in the heart of downtown Singapore, seamlessly blending with the surrounding Marina and Civic District. These towers stand as a testament to modern design, with facades that gracefully sweep in a gentle arc, capturing and channeling the natural breeze to cool the ground-level spaces. They symbolize the fusion of urban living with nature, housing lush sky gardens offering breathtaking panoramic views of the cityscape and the bustling CBD. The meticulous restoration and preservation of the adjacent 19th-century Raffles Hotel and former military buildings further add to the charm, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

The steel and aluminum canopy strips drape over the main trading routes and public spaces and dip near the edges to meet the Beach Road buildings. The bands are supported by slender columns and the exposed east and west elevations of the towers rise to form a series of vertical openings, carefully angled to encourage natural ventilation. The canopy entrance rises to form an arch that acts as a wind scoop, drawing prevailing breezes through the space and promoting natural ventilation. Beneath the canopy are a series of small buildings and flexible event spaces.

By combining rainwater harvesting with various environmental strategies, the project aims to obtain a “Platinum” green label rating. A highly absorbent public pedestrian area is created, vehicular access to underground parking and drop-off points are placed around the edges of the site, and public transport is integrated via a direct “green” link to the Esplanade MRT station.