Room at the Top—The Roof as an Alternative Habitable / Social Space in the Singapore Context

Abstract

Rooftops have been both forgotten spaces for the underprivileged as well as celebrated spaces of the affluent. However, the rooftop as an alternative means of development has become increasingly explored as a means of densifying the city, replenishing open space for social interaction in an increasingly depleted public realm. This paper considers the practicalities of top up densification and, in the context of Singapore, their use as alternative social spaces. It argues that they should be included alongside the conventional urban spaces of the street and square (public) or alternative social spaces of the mall, arcade, court or hotel lobby (semi-public) in the broader open space infrastructure for civil society's appropriation. It further argues that in their current guise, they are semi-public domains. For their transformation into public spaces, a re-investigation into existing social boundaries and a greater symbiosis between public–private interests are needed to be able to create more civic rooftop environments.

Notes

1. ‘Topping up’ is a term for building on a roof, often adding the same social, functional and even architectural programme on an existing building in the interests of increasing volume and density.

2. http://www.singstat.gov.sg/ [accessed 9 June 2010].

3. http://www.mnd.gov.sg/stb/typesofapplicationannex1.html [accessed 13^th March 2010]

4. The Kampung is a traditional village comprising of dwellings and essential conveniences, often created using locally sourced materials and is indigenous to South East Asia.

5. Newton suites can be found at www.wohadesigns.com [accessed 10 August 2010]

6. http://www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/dc09-12.htm [accessed 25 April 2010]