The refurbishment work for Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore not only creates a welcoming and sophisticated experience for guests, but also demonstrates the innovation and creativity behind designing an apartment complex within an existing structure.
The former office building was transformed into a 268-unit luxury serviced apartment tower. The serviced apartments consist of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, which appeal to astute international business and leisure travellers. The design team incorporated the existing structure, while expanding it to include a comprehensive range of premium hospitality amenities such as restaurants, a bar and boardroom with meeting facilities.
LOCATION
Located at the fringe of the downtown Central Business District (CBD) and the new Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), the OUE Downtown Gallery is a facelift to the existing DBS Building along Shenton Way. It was the former headquarters of DBS Bank that was originally completed in 1975. Sporting a longitudinal podium of retail concepts with two elegant towers above, Tower 1 and Tower 2, at 201 metres and 150 metres respectively, the former has been converted to serviced apartments for Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore while the latter remains as office space.
DESIGN CONCEPT
The refurbishment creatively transformed the original layout, bounded by an existing structure, into a space that offers fresh experiences. From high ceilings to cosy corners, each space is individually designed with intricate geometry to further accentuate the essence of the space, while the specially curated furniture and carpets help to frame and define the flow of circulation. The mixture of geometry and materials creates a distinctive hospitality atmosphere. This design language was carried through from the common spaces to the intimate guest rooms, where colour schemes were kept consistent and furniture was specially customised to suit the overall design scheme. These unpretentious curated spaces allow guests to work, live and connect freely within the comfort and familiarity of a city.
Recreational facilities such as the Residents’ Lounge, lobby bar and Se7enth Restaurant allow leisure travellers to unwind in the heart of the city. The rooftop of the shopping podium was tastefully redesigned to emulate a floating lantern that hovers above the building and its recessed façade. The outdoor infinity pool deck consisting of The Fitness Center by Oakwood and The Oakwood Executive Club lounge were also constructed on top of the shopping podium. This extension completes the comprehensive range of amenities offered to the serviced apartment guests.
The floating lantern concept is further emphasised with an LED-lighting concept that lights up subtly both in the day and at night, as well as changes colour, mood and ambience on special occasions. The design team also integrated moonlight lighting, a feature that evenly illuminates the pool deck during the evening. Guests will be able to unwind in the relaxing ambience while enjoying the view across the infinity pool.
MATERIALS
The main theme of Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore focuses on a well-balanced play between adding a touch of effortless elegance to the space, while applying intricate details into every element. The space is a reflection of the urban city environment it is situated in, painting a neutral landscape with skyscrapers, each clad in different metal façades. The common facilities and apartments are set on a ‘muted background’ through a neutral palette, mainly taupe and silver colours, and washed timber veneer. This complements the furniture and lighting, further accentuating a tasteful play of texture and details.
The customised carpets from Stepevi (Turkey) were carefully selected by the interior designers and later on collectively designed together with designers from Stepevi. From the initial design stage to prototype testing and final installation, this step-by-step coordination ensures that the colour, texture, and even modulation of different high and low piles of the carpets deliver themselves entirely into the respective spaces.
Other art installations were also added to create depth, definition and hierarchy against the volume and span of the space. White resin butterfly on wall veneers and overlapping handblown glass lighting installations at the Se7enth restaurant, as well as extensive metallic hexagonal screens embellish the grand double-volume space in the grand lobby. These distinct elements flow seamlessly into each space.
OVERCOMING CONSTRAINTS
The refurbishment has successfully transformed the original layout into different functional areas with distinctive spaces as a result of the original structure on each floor. The design team has embraced the existing structure and created 33 different room configurations catering to the needs of business and leisure travellers.
The design team believes that the most important aspect of the reception area is to make the guests feel welcome when checking in. With that intent in mind, a double-volume space with elegant finishing was crafted from the initial space bounded by structural constraints.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore
Location: 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 1, Singapore
Completion Date: 8 June 2017
Project Site Area: 8,351.3 square metres (entire development)
Gross Floor Area: 116,055.03 square metres (entire development); 25,054 square metres (serviced apartments)
Building Height: 50 storeys (Tower 1)
Number of Units: 268
Owner: OUE Limited
Hotel Management: Oakwood Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
General Manager: Roy Liang
Architecture Firm: DP Architects Pte Ltd
Principal Architects: Wu Tzu Chiang; Suneeth Changaroth
Principal Interior Designer: Patty Mak
Civil & Structural Engineer: KTP Consultants Pte Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: KTP International Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: Davis Langdon KPK (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Lighting Planners Associates (S) Pte Ltd
Landscape Architect: SHMA Company Limited
Interior Fit-Out Contractor: DDS Contracts & Interior Solutions Pte Ltd
Images: Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore
