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The Star is a landmark development, and the cultural focal point of the One North precinct in Singapore. The 62,000m² development boasts complex geometric lines with slanted columns and twisting façades. It consists of a 5,000 seat auditorium, four storey retail and entertainment podium with outdoor entertainment and alfresco dining.
A key challenge to overcome was in integrating environmentally sustainable designs into the building, while maintaining its architectural intent for an open-air design.
Open-air ambiance
Using advanced computer simulations and detailed analyses, glass canopies were designed to provide effective rain protection while maximising air movement and daylight - particularly in the basement-level open-air amphitheatre. Corridors were added and clutter avoided to manage breezeways where shoppers now enjoy sitting outside of air conditioned boxes.
Carefully integrated blowers and fans around the development add to the natural ventilation for areas where natural airflows needed a boost.
Creating space
An integrated fire strategy allows for safe evacuation in the event of a fire, while maintaining the building’s unique architectural layout. The innovative solutions allow the number and width of staircases to be reduced, which increases the leasable area, allowing more rental return on retail levels, at the same time facilitating a more flexible architectural design.
Performance based fire safety analysis was also used to justify the omissions of fire compartmentation by height, which allows the 5000 seated Auditorium to be located at high level, with interconnected foyer levels outside. Additionally, the smoke management strategy utilises natural ventilation where possible, instead of mechanical ductwork and fans.
Smart tools for smart surfaces
To achieve the complex façade of the building, Arup utilised parametric modeling tools that allowed the extensive panels to be rationalised and modulated for accuracy of fabrication.
Award winning
Since its opening, the development has bagged several awards including Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Emerging Market 2010, and Asia Pacific Commercial Property Awards 2009. For its environmentally friendly design, The Star was awarded the Green Mark Non-Residential Gold Award by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA).
