Alheych 6th Gear March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 I've always wondered about this random HDB block design at Block 5 Banda St in Chinatown... Some floors' staircase landing has a window/opening, while many other don't have. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, and the windows aren't regular as well. As far as I know this is a one-room flat block. Anyone knows why it's designed like that? ↡ Advertisement 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count-Bracula Twincharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 Did see before and had the same thoughts as you. Yeah why? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJX Turbocharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 It's like those plastic sheets at construction sites usually put up on neighbouring fence to prevent dust fly to neighbour hse. The holes allow air to flow thru so the sheets won't tear. Last time contractors can makan money. Scare piling nvr do properly wind blow down the building?? Huat ah!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 maybe they are one-room flat unit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVT Supercharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 I've always wondered about this random HDB block design at Block 5 Banda St in Chinatown... Some floors' staircase landing has a window/opening, while many other don't have. There doesn't seem to be a pattern, and the windows aren't regular as well. As far as I know this is a one-room flat block. Anyone knows why it's designed like that? What about the other side? Maybe the other side is full view opening, so this side (where the photo is taken) does not need to have every floor window/opening....I think. maybe they are one-room flat unit? TS already said it is a "one-room flat block". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver_blade Turbocharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 (edited) 1st tot it is purely a design decision...to contrast with the rest of the building with has repetitive pattern. Fairly common in some of the early flats...especially those built by SIT. Some have balcony located at the living room, while some at the bedroom...all these are in a single block of flats. But it could also to minimise the area where outsiders can attempt suicide from jumping and onto the roof of the shop houses which used to stand there. Perhaps a reaction to the 'suicide' blocks which used to stand opp Hong Lim Park. It was so popular that the gov decided to fenced up all corridors. Edited March 23, 2014 by Silver_blade Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 (edited) The only reason I can think of is shortage of bricks or short of material. We are talking about a couple of decades ago, so it's difficult to imagine what issues and challenges they were facing. At that time of nation building probably the high demand of construction raw materials probably means they will have to make do with what is available. Edited March 23, 2014 by Watwheels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little_prince Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 The only reason I can think of is shortage of bricks or short of material. We are talking about a couple of decades ago, so it's difficult to imagine what issues and challenges they were facing. At that time of nation building probably the high demand of construction raw materials probably means they will have to make do with what is available. shortage of bricks so should have more openings? rather than less? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 (edited) shortage of bricks so should have more openings? rather than less? Less?? I see quite a lot of openings on the right side of the building. How many professional engineers in the construction sector back dan? My guess is the openings were initially not in the drawing or plans. When ppl realise there's a shortage it's probably too late. No senior engineers to make decisions, pro engineers hired were probably mostly foreigners who dun stay long, there might might be a language barrier, communication issue on the ground... blah blah blah. That's why I mentioned nobody knows what kinda challenges the ppl face back dan. Edited March 23, 2014 by Watwheels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scion Turbocharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 Less?? I see quite a lot of openings on the right side of the building. How many professional engineers in the construction sector back dan? My guess is the openings were initially not in the drawing or plans. When ppl realise there's a shortage it's probably too late. No senior engineers to make decisions, pro engineers hired were probably mostly foreigners who dun stay long, there might might be a language barrier, communication issue on the ground... blah blah blah. That's why I mentioned nobody knows what kinda challenges the ppl face back dan. but other HDB flats built in the 60s/70s (eg at Toa Payoh) dun have the same "design issues" moreover, this block looks newly painted... means it has undergone upgrading scheme (repainting, etc) in recent years if got any "design deficit", surely HDB will do something about it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF 4th Gear March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 my friend who used to stay there didn't know the reasons as well......she just take it as a 'design'...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 my friend who used to stay there didn't know the reasons as well......she just take it as a 'design'...... Must be designed by a local poly student lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 What about the other side? Maybe the other side is full view opening, so this side (where the photo is taken) does not need to have every floor window/opening....I think. As mentioned by another bro above, the random openings provide a visual 'relief' to the other repetitive / monotonous window patterns on the rest of the block. Its like in some aspects of life, some variations in an otherwise routine life is necessary to break the boredom. Must be designed by a local poly student lol some of the local iconic buildings were designed by poly grads.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 (edited) As mentioned by another bro above, the random openings provide a visual 'relief' to the other repetitive / monotonous window patterns on the rest of the block. Its like in some aspects of life, some variations in an otherwise routine life is necessary to break the boredom. some of the local iconic buildings were designed by poly grads.... Like what? Ocbc building? That circular look alike hdb? *Facepalm* Edited March 23, 2014 by Thaiyotakamli Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver_blade Turbocharged March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 (edited) OCBC building is designed by I.M. Pei...renowned american-chinese architect who also designed new extension of Louvre Museum in Paris, Bank Of China in Hong Kong, Edited March 23, 2014 by Silver_blade Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic March 23, 2014 Share March 23, 2014 OCBC building is designed by I.M. Pei...renowned american-chinese architect who also designed new extension of Louvre Museum in Paris, Bank Of China in Hong Kong, Actually ocbc still ok but the the pearl bank apartment really cmi, also the people park complex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged March 24, 2014 Share March 24, 2014 Actually ocbc still ok but the the pearl bank apartment really cmi, also the people park complex One man's meat is another's poison, LOL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etnt Turbocharged March 24, 2014 Share March 24, 2014 No idea why it was designed like that, but the corridors are very dark. Very scary-movie feel. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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