Annex D
(Updated as of Jul 2014)
bench project
As part of the initiatives under PubliCity, benches created using the seating planks from the
former National Stadium have been permanently installed at various locations in the city.
The benches are installed in places where the community and visitors frequent such as
Singapore River, Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay. These public spaces provide a great
opportunity to showcase these meaningful benches, as a way to commemorate our collective
memories of the former National Stadium. At the same time, it serves to provide a welcome
relief for pedestrians.
These benches comprise the winning entries from a design competition launched in
September 2012 and 25 designs created by designers, artists, and architects. The
competition invited the public to submit designs for benches using the seating planks from
the former National Stadium.
bench was organised by creative practice, FARM and jointly presented by the Urban
Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC).
The project was also supported by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), Tote Board,
Singapore Turf Club, Agility Fairs & Events, outofstock, National University of Singapore
(Division of Industrial Design) and five local manufacturers, who are members of SFIC –
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd, Facility Link Pte Ltd, Pacific Forest Pte Ltd, Sunray
Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd and Cathay Interiors Pte Ltd. A total of 1,800 planks have
been donated for this competition, courtesy of SSC.
26 benches have been installed at:
• The URA Centre
• Marina Bay
• Esplanade
• Singapore River
• Gardens by the Bay
• Gillman Barracks
Please view the table below to for the bench locations.
Pick a bench, pick a location
For the second phase of the initiative, the public will be invited to vote for their favourite
bench designs and where they would like to see them installed. A total of 60 benches will be
available and voting will start in February 2014. The public can look forward to see the
benches installed in their chosen places in the second half of 2014.
Full details about the bench designs and the competition can be found at www.bench.sg
BENCH LOCATION MAP
LIST OF BENCHES AND LOCATIONS
No
1
Location
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
Image
Peter Chen, Assistant Professor, School of Art, Design
and Media, Nanyang Technological University:
1973
The forum Stadium is one of the more iconic buildings in
post-independent Singapore. In its heyday in the 1970s, the
Stadium evolved from a utilitarian structure to a symbol that
captured the imagination of a nation. Over the years, the
Stadium meant different things to different people - the
concerts, the parades. But it will always be remembered for
the kallang wave and roar. Its architecture will always be
remembered for its iconic floodlights, distinctive rooflines,
the red track and its weathered wooden galleries.
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
2
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Donovan Soon Chong Siong, Architect, WOHA:
Aesop | Unbreakable
The design is inspired by the children's classic fable of how
single sticks can be easily broken but when put together
cannot be easily broken. The design parallels the
Singapore story as a small but strong nation, gathering
strength from unity. The former Stadium was an emblem of
that unity as Singaporeans of all walks of life gathered for a
common purpose.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
No
3
Location
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
Image
Raymond Hon, Student, Department of Industrial
Design, National University of Singapore:
Bench.
To each of us, the preciousness of the National Stadium
differs based on personal experiences. The weathered
texture of the wood on the top surface is retained to
preserve a tangible part of history and is an attempt to
preserve 34 years of service to the occupants of the former
Stadium. This service continues in the form of a public
bench.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
4
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Andrew Crombie, MKPL Architects Pte Ltd:
Bench / Stadium
The stratification of the ziggurat-like skin reflects the texture
of the former Stadium’s seating. The curved, external
surface is new. But the natural, textured, weathered grain of
the original planks will be revealed within the interior of the
bench. The form, the inverted planks and the longevity of
the material suggests solidity, a rock-like permanence to
pay homage to the absent Stadium. The elliptical shape,
symmetrical for efficiency, is a cultural memory, an echo,
rising from the dust of the preceding civic icon.
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
No Location
5
URA Centre
(Outside URA
Lobby)
Description
He Zhonglin, Alex
Collaboratives:
construct#12
Image
Seno,
Randy
Chan,
ZArch
The aim is to maintain the true value of the given artefact 12 pieces of raw wood as a fragment of the past. All 12
timber woods are aligned with a pivoted hinge which allows
the bench to be placed in any location. It climbs, meanders,
coils, lingers and snakes through, creating opportunities,
adventure, voyage and a resting bench.
Manufactured by:
Pacific Forest Pte Ltd
No Location
6
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
PHUNK:
Dream bench
The design is inspired by the legendary “dream team” of the
1990s. Top local and key import players like Fandi, Malek,
Jang Jung and Alistair Edwards, who were then playing for
Malaysian teams all returning to help the Lions regain their
status in Semi-Pro League and eventually won the
Malaysia Cup. They inspired and united the nation. There
are vivid memories of the glorious days sitting in a packed
Stadium filled with fellow passionate supporters. The bench
design follows PHUNK’s latest artworks, 'EMPIRE OF
DREAMS'. It is PHUNK's celebration of dreams, inspired by
the epic stories of the "Dreamers". They see things
differently. They are not fond of rules. They do not conform.
They push the boundaries. They change the world, building
it around the grandest, wildest of dreams.
Manufactured by:
Cathay Interiors Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
7
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
Image
Larry Peh, &Larry:
Benchmark Sat
The design uses the victory podiums as inspiration to pay
tribute to the former Stadium. At the front and rear
elevations, the deliberate omission of horizontal planks
reveal the Chinese characters “
”, “
” and “
”,
representing the podium’s first, second and third places
respectively.
一
二
三
Likewise, when viewed from the top, the design displays
the Roman numerals, “I”, “II” and “III”. The bench, with
three levels, opens up a variety of uses for adults and
children alike – to rest, play and exercise on. While it is
inherently human to strive for the first place, Benchmark
Sat allows the user to choose a preferred seat, thereby
setting his or her own comfortable benchmark.
Manufactured by:
Pacific Forest Pte Ltd
No Location
8
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
Hans Tan, Hans Tan Studio:
Lumber
Once logged from trees, the seating planks of the former
Stadium are returned to the primordial state of a trunk as a
tribute to the Stadium - a genesis of Singapore's progress
through its support of many national events. With the worn
out surface of the planks from years of weathering, they lie
together like a fallen trunk where one would instinctively sit,
offering the same support to passerbys as it once rendered
to crowds.
Manufactured by:
Pacific Forest Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
9
URA Centre
(1st Level
Lobby)
Description
Wong Mun Summ
Architects:
Stadium Bench
Image
and
Richard
Hassell,
WOHA
The design seeks to keep the sense of time and history
visible and tangible. The bench is expressed as a collection
of objects where each plank is seen as an individual relic
from the former Stadium. The natural state of the planks is
retained, to reflect the weathering of the planks, from the
freshly sawn planks when Singapore became a modern
nation, to silvered, aged wood 47 years later. The ends of
the planks are trimmed and painted black, distinguishing
old and new. The arched rods used to reinforce the
strength of the seat references the curve of the Stadium, as
does the design of WOHA's Stadium MRT Station.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
No Location
10 Esplanade
(Promenade)
Description
Rico Firmansyah, Interior and product designer:
Plack
Plack was coined from the words, “plack” and “stack”.
Plack refers to the ancient Scottish coint that has similar
attributes to the iron wood used for this bench. Like an
ancient artefact, ignored and forgotten, the iron wood has
now been transformed into something that will help us
remember the former Stadium. Stack reflects the Stadium’s
architectural elements that the design embodies, like the
stacking of seats, level by level.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
11
Esplanade
(Roof Terrace)
Vinai Wasinpornchai, CSYA:
Uniquely Obsolete
The design is inspired by the strong, charismatic
architectural style of the former Stadium that hosted
countless events and contributed to shared memories that
inspired a nation.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
12 Esplanade
(Roof Terrace)
Description
Terence Tang,
Singapore:
Full circle
Image
Student,
National
University
of
The former Stadium will be remembered for the times we
were at the edge of our seats, gripped with excitement at
the spectacle before us. They will also be remembered for
the times families, friends and strangers sat side by side,
united by a common purpose and bounded by a national
spirit. The circle encourages all to sit as one people like
they did at the former Stadium. The depth is made shallow
so people can lean closer. The circle also represents the
Stadium’s journey, torn down and now the seating planks
are reused. The spirit of the Stadium lives on. She has
come full circle.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
13
Esplanade
(Roof Terrace)
Sapp Cheng, Product designer, Immortal the Design
Station:
Bond
The design seeks to resurface the spirit of togetherness as
experienced at the former Stadium. To emphasise unity,
every horizontal segment is interdependent on one another,
even visually. The horizontal segments offset from another
one, creating a perimeter, which tactfully fits to another
bench.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
No Location
14 Esplanade
(Promenade)
Description
Air Division:
Unity
Four identical sections of wood are locked together,
mimicking the action of four arms interlocked, which reflects
our four main races. The wood pieces that make up each
section signify the shared memories of the former Stadium,
regardless of the colour of our skin or the language we
speak.
Manufactured by:
Pacific Forest Pte Ltd
15
Gardens by
the Bay
(The Canopy)
Tang Guan Bee:
Bench as Sculpture
My memory of the former Stadium includes the great
moments I had during the Malaysian Cup Football. This
was the real roar! Ironically, the Stadium icon did not stir up
my spirits in those days. Free form in the shape of a fallen
leaf on the stadium grounds outside the Stadium
automatically comes to mind. Recycling the planks to form
a LEAF shape resembles the Stadium form. The purity of
the original idea was, however, compromised due to the
given number of planks. Imagine if the ‘LEAVES’ were to
be strewn dramatically outside the new Stadium!
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
16 Gardens by
the Bay
(Ticketing
Area)
Description
Jason Ong:
A Tropical Torture Back
From a personal perspective, the impressions of the former
Stadium came more from a physical experience of the
structure and space, rather than the memories of the
events that had taken place. On the exterior, the Stadium
was a tall and imposing building. Whereas in the interior, it
was almost like an enormous receptacle of radiant heat and
light. This is similar to sitting on a park bench in hot and
humid Singapore. It is akin to a form of mild torture, despite
distractions from the lush, green landscape around. These
collective impressions give rise to a bench that is tall and
monumental in relation to the human scale but hints of a
torture rack.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
17 Gardens by
the Bay
(Water Lily
Pond)
Description
Ministry of Design:
The Kallang Wave
The design attempts to capture the spirit of the kallang
wave, a memorable way of cheering across the former
Stadium. Hence, the creation of a 9-m long bench that rises
and drops in a wave like pattern, enabling people to use the
bench in many different ways. The exaggerated length is a
reminder of the participation in something larger than
oneself. It reflects the ups and downs of a sports game and
the kallang wave. The bench offers an opportunity for
reflection and remembrance of the former Stadium.
Manufactured by:
Facility Link Pte Ltd
18
Gillman
Barracks
(between
Block 39 and
41)
Ling Hao Architects:
Field
(Bench removed as it has been damaged.)
The ironwood planks are designed as part of a field where
you can lie or sit down on the grass, with insects, moss and
what not.
Manufactured by:
Jia Yap Furniture & Exhibitions
Image
No Location
19 Gillman
Barracks
(Block 47)
Description
John Clang:
The Bench
The design seeks to capture the feeling of equality and
tolerance we have with each another. The bench is built
with different seating heights. Those taller will choose a
lower seat, while shorter ones will have a higher seat. I
hope we can see the world from similar perspectives and
are able to tolerate and accept each other's differences.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
20
Marina Bay
(Outside
Marina Bay
City Gallery)
DP Architects:
The To-gather Bench
From sitting, standing, leaning, to dining, the bench seeks
to engage, enrich and empower the community with new
possibilities of meeting, gathering and bonding. ‘The Togather Bench’ allows for the former Stadium planks to
continue its legacy of bringing people, community and
nation together, for many more years to come.
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
21 Marina Bay
(Lower
Broadwalk)
Description
Lanzavecchia + Wai Design Studio:
Shelter Bench
This is a bench that is both public and private. A shelter in
the archetypal outline of a house is planted on a platform of
reclaimed wood slats, suggesting an alcove for lovers, an
imaginary playhouse for children, a small shade for the
elderly offering respite, while there is general seating
around it. The bench has a sublime identity that does not
distract from its surroundings, but rather punctuates the
landscape with forms that encourage social gatherings and
interaction, engaging with the public space efficiently.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
22
Marina Bay
(Promenade)
Studio Juju:
Kallang Bench
The design seeks to commemorate the demolished but
ubiquitous influence of the former Stadium in everyone’s
hearts. The idea is to retain the experience of sitting on a
long bench, similar to those that lined the Stadium. The
weathered planks with their old bolt holes are now
designed for a new context. By using a curved steel frame
with the bolt and nut system, it remains a coherent
continuation of its past, and adds a strong flexibility to the
production of the bench for any lengths.
Manufactured by:
Facility Link Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
23 Marina Bay
(Promenade)
Description
Chang Yong Ter, Chang Architects:
The Kallang Raw
In the form of a circle, it is a symbol for the continuity of life,
with no beginning and end. In the form of a spiral, it is a
symbol of the wood having come full cycle from the seats
they used to be. It reflects the cycles of time, seasons,
birth, growth, death, and rebirth. With varying heights, the
multi-tiered bench is intended for all age groups, bringing
back the role of the former seats for the masses.
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
24
Marina Bay
(Promenade,
Breeze
Shelter)
ip:li Architects:
Free Seating
Every wooden plank to us is a historical fabric forged with
its own unique memories. The design creates a meaningful
and poetic situation where their ongoing memories, mood
and existence will not only be preserved, but be continually
endowed by the people who use them. The planks are
made into 15 singular benches with differing heights to suit
the needs and activities of people from all walks of life. The
bench then serves not only to relive memories of the
Stadium, but is also a nomadic sculpture of meeting places
for people to decide for themselves how and where to sit,
relax, watch a show and talk to each other.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
25 Singapore
River
(Robertson
Quay)
Description
Look Architects Pte Ltd:
(The) Coil
To capture the spirit of the former Stadium, the design
projects a “physical surface”, embodying an exuberant
energy. Its roaming coil layout offers diversity in usage
patterns and activities. While straight benches isolate
people, these physical curvatures attempt to invite direct
and indirect human interactivity. Undulating and roving, it
provokes varied reactions, much like how the former
Stadium expresses multiplicity and free will.
Manufactured by:
Facility Link Pte Ltd
26
Singapore
River
(Robertson
Quay)
Tan Kok Hiang, Liew Chon Jack, Lye Yi Shan, Forum
Architects Pte Ltd:
Bench 1973
The design reflects the former Stadium’s striking
architectural simplicity and its post-war modern brutalist
style of the 1960s. The oval-shaped tiered seating
arrangement is inspired by the Stadium’s seats. At the
lower end, the height is made comfortably low for children.
And the higher end is for adults. The timber surface is
deliberately kept unfinished, much like the unadorned
brutalist buildings of that era.
Manufactured by:
Cheng Meng Furniture Group Pte Ltd
Image
No Location
27 Singapore
River
(Robertson
Quay)
Description
Nathan Yong, Nathan Yong Design:
Community
(Bench removed as it has been damaged.)
I love the scale of our former Stadium - the solemn
greyness of the structure and its utilitarian concern
of holding thousands of viewers. Underneath that lies the
passion and camaraderie among Singaporeans. The
design seeks to retain this spirit. The bench is maximised
by cutting the planks into smaller pieces that are as thin as
possible, to allow more people to sit. The curve bench is
set in a bar stool height, encouraging eye contact and
communication. The patina of the old plank surfaces has
been retained, contrasting it against the smooth cut
surfaces, showing the beauty of age, whether old or new.
Manufactured by:
Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
28
Singapore
River
(Robertson
Quay)
VW + BS:
Scape Bench
The traditional format for the park bench allows you to sit
side by side and facing forwards. But in the urban
landscape, it is always fascinating how people occupy
street furniture. People take over these pieces for their own
uses. We want this bench to be part of the landscape - a
series of different heights and angles that opens up
possibilities. We do not want to prescribe how you sit on
the bench. You can sit, lie down, lean, squat or perch.
Manufactured by:
Jia Yap Furniture & Exhibitions
Image