Architecture News

Singapore is redefining urban water management through its pioneering ABC Waters Programme, transforming its network of canals into multi-functional public spaces. This initiative seamlessly blends crucial flood control with ecological restoration and community accessibility. By moving beyond traditional concrete drainage systems, the city-state is creating vibrant green corridors that not only mitigate the risks of intense tropical rainfall but also enhance the quality of urban life, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to sustainable infrastructure in a densely populated environment.

Singapore's Waterway Transformation: From Concrete Canals to Green Corridors

In the vibrant city-state of Singapore, an innovative urban planning strategy is redefining the relationship between its waterways and public life. A key example is the transformation at Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park, where a 2.7-kilometer stretch of the Kallang River, once a rigid concrete canal, has been meticulously redesigned into a naturalized riverine landscape. Completed in phases, with significant works in 2013 and 2022, this project allows the park to function as an integral flood conveyance area during heavy rainfall, with water naturally spreading into the surrounding green spaces while maintaining a narrower stream under normal conditions. This sophisticated design, incorporating soil bioengineering and naturalized banks, seamlessly integrates hydraulic demands with diverse ecological features and public access.

Similarly, the Sungei Tampines project exemplifies this adaptive approach. Here, drainage improvements initiated in 2022 involved widening the waterway by up to 4.5 meters and deepening it by 0.5 meters, significantly boosting its stormwater capacity by 30 percent. Crucially, approximately one kilometer of its banks was naturalized using advanced soil bioengineering techniques. To foster community engagement, a cantilevered park connector, lookout decks, and a new bridge were added, providing residents with enhanced access and recreational opportunities along the revitalized waterway.

Further enhancing this holistic strategy, the Sungei Ulu Pandan initiative incorporates innovative features to treat runoff before it even reaches the canal. The design employs vegetated swales to guide runoff and remove larger sediments, sedimentation basins to settle suspended particles, and cleansing biotopes that utilize plants and soil media to filter pollutants and absorb nutrients. Shallow, planted habitat cells along the canal edges also provide essential shelter and feeding grounds for local wildlife. This multi-layered approach ensures that the landscape actively contributes to the drainage system's efficiency and ecological health.

Through these interconnected projects—Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park, Sungei Tampines, and Sungei Ulu Pandan—Singapore is showcasing diverse models for integrating drainage infrastructure with urban landscapes. Whether it's a floodable park, a canal with increased capacity and naturalized banks, or a waterway incorporating advanced runoff treatment and habitat features, the core principle remains consistent: drainage is the primary function, but the surrounding landscape is leveraged to provide flood storage, enhance water quality, support biodiversity, and create accessible public spaces. These initiatives reflect a profound shift towards a more resilient, ecologically sound, and community-centric urban environment.

Singapore's visionary approach to waterways offers profound lessons in urban resilience and sustainable design. It underscores that infrastructure should not merely serve a single utilitarian purpose but must be conceived as integrated systems that contribute to broader ecological and social well-being. The success of the ABC Waters Programme, while still requiring ongoing monitoring for long-term effectiveness, highlights the potential for cities worldwide to transform essential services like flood control into valuable public amenities. This blend of engineering and landscape design creates not just functional drainage but also enriching public spaces, fostering a deeper connection between urban dwellers and their natural environment, and inspiring a reevaluation of how we design and interact with our urban waters.

Dondoh, the first Japanese grill in Chile, has recently opened its doors in Santiago, showcasing a captivating design that pays homage to ancient Japanese Izakayas. The restaurant's aesthetic is characterized by the prominent use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and fire, creating an immersive dining environment. The name "Dondoh" itself is a reference to a significant Japanese ceremony from around the 1500s, where farmers honored the Fire God to ensure a bountiful harvest. This ceremony involved feeding the fire with small wooden tablets, with prayers rising alongside the flames, a tradition that inspires the restaurant's core concept.

Architectural Homage to Japanese Tradition

Dondoh Restaurant, a culinary and design marvel in Santiago, Chile, stands as the country's inaugural Japanese grill, meticulously crafted by Costa + Herrera Arquitectos. The establishment's design ethos is a profound tribute to the traditional Japanese Izakaya, a casual pub-like eatery. Central to its visual and thematic narrative are the fundamental elements of wood, stone, and fire, which collectively sculpt an ambiance that is both rustic and refined. This thoughtful incorporation of natural materials not only defines the restaurant's aesthetic but also resonates with the deep-rooted cultural narratives of Japan. The selection of these elements is deliberate, aiming to evoke a sense of heritage and authenticity that transports diners to a different era and locale, while still providing a contemporary dining experience. The careful balance between these traditional motifs and modern architectural interpretations results in a space that is both welcoming and visually striking.

The conceptual underpinning of Dondoh extends beyond mere aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese Dondoh ceremony. This 16th-century ritual, observed by farmers, was a solemn invocation to the Fire God, believed to warm the earth and foster seed germination. During this ceremony, small wooden tablets inscribed with prayers were offered to the flames, symbolizing hope for a prosperous harvest. This historical context imbues the restaurant with a spiritual and cultural depth, making the act of dining an experience steeped in tradition. The architects have ingeniously integrated this narrative into the very fabric of the restaurant, from the deliberate use of materials that connect with the earth and fire, to the overall sensory experience designed to echo the ceremonial warmth and reverence. Dondoh thus offers more than just a meal; it provides a journey into Japanese culture, celebrating a legacy where food, fire, and faith are intricately linked, all within the vibrant backdrop of Santiago.

The Fusion of Culinary Art and Elemental Design

At Dondoh, the culinary experience is inextricably linked with its design, manifesting as a Japanese grill where elemental forces of wood, stone, and fire are not just decorative but integral to the establishment's identity. This pioneering restaurant in Santiago is distinguished by its architectural narrative, which is deeply influenced by the venerable Japanese Izakaya tradition. The visual language, articulated through raw and tactile materials like rich woods and sturdy stones, provides a grounding presence, while the controlled presence of fire, a central element in Japanese grilling (robatayaki), adds a dynamic and inviting warmth. This synthesis of material and method aims to create an environment that feels simultaneously authentic and innovative, providing diners with a unique sensory journey that complements the distinct flavors of Japanese grilled cuisine. The design thus becomes a silent, yet powerful, narrator of the restaurant's culinary philosophy.

The philosophical core of Dondoh is encapsulated in its name, which references a historical Japanese ceremony from the 1500s. This ancient ritual involved farmers invoking the Fire God to bless their lands, ensuring fertility and a good harvest by warming the earth. The ceremony's practice of offering wooden tablets, inscribed with wishes and prayers, to the ascending flames, serves as a poignant metaphor for the restaurant's ambiance and culinary mission. This symbolic connection to fire, life, and sustenance is woven into every aspect of the restaurant's design and operational ethos. The architects have skillfully translated this historical depth into a contemporary setting, using these elemental themes to craft a dining space that is not only visually stunning but also rich in cultural resonance. By doing so, Dondoh transcends the typical dining experience, inviting patrons to partake in a meal that honors a legacy of tradition and the elemental forces that shape both nature and cuisine.