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Twisting Terraces Enhancing Bay Views in a Vertical Community Hub

Authors:
Rob Kiester, Ryan Kane, Erik Randa
Twisting Terraces Enhancing Bay Views in a Vertical Community Hub

Project in-detail

A vertical spine supports a twisting series of terraces that enhance community engagement and offer expansive bay views within a mixed-use environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
A 1,500-foot tall structure integrates 15 distinct southern blocks.
02
Designed with a central spine that aligns with nearby docks and piers.
03
Features fourteen twisting outdoor terraces for enhanced community interaction.
04
Reclaimed bay area creates a direct connection between land and water.
05
Preserves an existing subway station to improve overall accessibility.

Aqua Spina is located at the southern end of downtown Singapore. Standing 1,500 feet tall, it consists of 15 southern blocks, each measuring 100 feet. The northern facade employs a traditional curtain wall system. This design blends the various forms of the southern blocks into a unified appearance. The building serves a range of purposes, including residential, office, retail, and community spaces, highlighting its role in the city’s urban development.

Integration with the Urban Environment

The design emphasizes a connection to the surrounding urban area. As land becomes more limited in Singapore, the decision to reclaim part of the bay for Aqua Spina was made. This choice increases usable space while providing better interaction with the waterfront. The building's location marks a point where the city meets the bay, enhancing the overall experience for people who visit or live within the tower.

Central Spine and Structural Dynamics

A significant part of Aqua Spina is its opaque central spine. This element lines up with the nearby pier and docks, acting as a solid base for the building's overall form. The spine makes it easier to transition between different levels. It also directs views both down to the landscape below and up to the skyline above. This thoughtful design strengthens the relationship between occupants and their environment, making their experience more engaging.

Terraces and Community Spaces

Fourteen outdoor terraces twist upwards along the southern side of the tower. These terraces are designed to be green, occupiable spaces that encourage interaction among users. Each terrace acts as an extension of the building, allowing people to enjoy nature in an urban setting. This design choice is important for promoting a sense of community while helping residents feel more connected to their surroundings.

Amenities and Accessibility

At the base of Aqua Spina, a variety of community amenities are included, such as public art, parks, a soccer field, and docks. These features ensure that the building is not just a tall structure, but a central hub for community activity. Additionally, the existing subway station to the west has been preserved to improve access. This combination of features strengthens Aqua Spina’s role as an important focal point, benefiting everyone who interacts with it.

The twisting form of Aqua Spina creates a unique interaction with light and shadow across the exterior. This design detail enhances the building's presence in the skyline while offering varied visual experiences throughout the day.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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