Architecture case study on the interlace project by OMA Floor plans and site planning Massing and structure Area Programs

1. The Interlace
Bimenpreet Kaur
Priyal Agarwal
Prerna Sharma
S I N G A P O R E
C A S E
S T U D Y
Submitted By:

2. 1. Introduction
2. Location /Accessibility/ climate
3. Concept
4. Site plan
5. Features
6. Parking
7. Blocks arrangement
8. Structure
9. Plans (all levels)
10.Services
11.Typology of houses
12.Inferences
Index

3. Project Name: The Interlace
Location: Depot Road, Alexander, ,Singapore
Architects: OMA
Category: Residential
Housing Typology: Condominium
User interface: Residential
No. Of Floors: 88.7m (High-rise)
Site Area (approx): 80,761.8 sq m
Classification on Unit type: Mixed
(2/3/4 BHK+Penthouse)
Project Year: 2007-2013
Construction technology: Cast in-situ (RCC const)
Total residential units: 1040 + 8 Retail shops
INTRODUCTION
‘Architects had the radical idea to make the vertical+horizontal
– instead of high-rise residential towers.
It is formed from a series of stacked housing blocks arranged in
a hexagonal grid. ‘ - Overview

4. LOCATION
Reputable international and local educational
institutions are located nearby
Tropical Rainforest Climate,
Hot And Humid
Temperature -
Min - 23-26 Degrees Celsius
Max 31-34 Degrees Celsius.
Average Relative Humidity -
84.2%.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Interlace Bus Station
Queenstown Mrt Station (2km)
Changi Airport (28km)
CONNECTIVITY
Singapore
CLIMATE
Popular shopping, dining, and entertainment spots
interplay within reach and notable commercial and
research trade bodies interconnect within minutes.
Singapore
Alexandra Road/
Depot Road
The
Interlace

5. Instead of following the default typology of housing in dense
urban environments -
CONCEPT
- the design turns vertical isolation into horizontal
connectivity, generating an extensive network of private
and shared social spaces in a radical reinterpretation of
contemporary life in a community.
clusters of isolated towers horizontal connectivity
The multiple horizontal surfaces forms horizontal roof gardens and landscape
terraces that offers more green space than the unbuilt site

6. SITE PLAN
Main pedestrian circulation
within the site

7. Serving as a favourite meeting spot for
residents, this centrally located courtyard is
also within proximity to the clubhouse and
all the recreational facilities The Interlace
offers
Serving as a favourite meeting spot for
residents, this centrally located courtyard is
also within proximity to the clubhouse and
all the recreational facilities The Interlace
offers
Serving as a favourite meeting spot for residents,
this centrally located courtyard is also within
proximity to the clubhouse and all the
recreational facilities the Interlace offers.
This is the main water courtyard full of pools for water activities such
as 50m lap pool,family pool, children’s play pool and sun lounging
decks
Nestled in sculpted groundswells, this is an outdoor exercise
corner and a play station for children, serving as a recreational
area conducive to young and old alike.
The valley offers a collection of spa activities within a
rainforest setting . Surrounded by an orchid garden .
residents can relax in a wide variety of pools like spa
lagoon , jacuzzi ,lounging decks and steam rooms
THEATRE PLAZA
The plaza can be utilized for performances , exhibitions or
outdoor movie screenings
BAMBOO GARDEN
WATERFALL TERRACE
Party pavilions
provide venue for
private pool
parties .
Tennis court ,
swimming pool
and multipurpose
court provide
active recreation
SITE FEATURES
A space for contemplation , reinforced by spaces for
reading within bamboo forest and serenity of 3 rock
gardens.
LOTUS POND
Inspired by
traditional asian
gardens , its
design optimises
both aesthetic
and experiential
qualities.
SPA VALLEY
PLAY HILLS
CENTRAL PLAZA
WATER PARK

8. SUPER LEVEL 1
SUPER LEVEL 2
SUPER LEVEL 3
SUPER LEVEL 4
ARRANGEMENT OF BLOCKS
31 apartment blocks, each having six levels and identical in length, are
stacked in a hexagonal arrangement to form eight large open and
permeable courtyards.
Super level 1 - (1-6 floors ) - 11 blocks
Super level 2 - (7- 12 floors ) -10 blocks
Super level 3 - (13 - 18 floors ) -7 blocks
Super level 4 - (19 - 24 floors ) - 3 blocks

9. The arrangement of the buildings optimizes
views to the surrounding tropical flora through
extensive roof gardens, landscaped
sky terraces, and cascading balconies.
Water bodies have been strategically placed within wind corridors as a means of
allowing evaporative cooling to happen along the wind paths, reducing local air
temperatures and improving thermal comfort in outdoor recreation space.
The continuous landscape is also projected vertically, from the planting of green areas in
open-air basement voids, through balconies and rooftop gardens.
Comfortable outdoor
conditions due to formation
of shaded courtyards
Cascading gardens spill over the facades of the building drawing a visual connection
between the elevated green refuges and expansive tropical landscape on the ground.
Wind corridor
Water bodies
SPECIAL
FEATURES
Sufficient daylight received
by units by the gaps
between the stacking of
blocks

10. STRUCTURE
CORE A:
1 ELEVATOR
+ 1 STAIR
CORE B:
2 ELEVATOR
+ 1 STAIR
CORE C:
2 ELEVATOR
+ 2 STAIR
● The vertical transitions between buildings have circular
“mega-columns” optimized for the hexagonal
configuration.
● All the blocks are connected through the core.
● The architectural concept demanded the design of a
long span transfer structure that would support the six-
storey block across two main cores at the ends of each
block
FOUNDATION- Reinforced concrete piles
and/or bored piles and/or raft footing
SUPERSTRUCTURE Reinforced concrete
structure
Internal walls : brick/block wall and/or dry
wall partition

11. Additional Services
● Gas Supply : Town gas supply to kitchen.
● Hot Water Supply : Hot water supply to kitchen and all
bathrooms except for WC, Powder room and Pantry
● The core accommodate the elevator shaft and the garbage
disposal chute.
● Security and access : Audio intercom provided in each unit
Card Access Control System for Residents at Lift Car and
Pedestrian Gates Transponder System to Car Park Barrier
● One of the challenges arising from the unique
interlocking building arrangement is the multi-
directional stresses and deformation that are not
common in normal buildings.
● Under the loadings from the elevated six-storey
blocks, the main cores are subjected to forces in
different directions at each super level stack
All the service shafts are
located along the staircase
Plan showing the core

12. Basement Parking Plan
Carpark: 1,132 parking lots (inclusive of 10 Handicapped lots) and
76 private parking (2 lots per garden house)
All traffic and parking is accommodated in a single layer
below the landscaped ground level.
A large number of open-air voids allow light and
air to the semi-sunken parking deck, creating
areas of lush vegetation and trees below ground
and connecting these spaces visually and through
planting to the courtyards above.
Private car parking for 4 bhk units

13. SUPER LEVEL - 1
PLAN (180-182)
SECTION (ZONING)
180-182
RETAIL
PARKING
SECTION (ZONING)
194-196
PRIVATE
PARKING
PLAN (194-196)
Total blocks : 10
Category 1: 2 Blocks
Category 2: 3 Blocks
Category 3: 6 Block

14. PLAN (194-196
SECTION (ZONING) 194-196
(Area in sq mt.)

15. PLAN (216-218)
SECTION (ZONING)
216-218
SECTION (ZONING)
182-184
PLAN (182-184)
Total blocks : 10
Category 1: 1 Blocks
Category 2: 8 Blocks
Category 3: 1 Block
SUPER LEVEL - 2

16. PLAN (216-218)
PLAN (182-184
3BHK WITH STUDY PLAN
2BHK PLAN
3BHK PLAN

17. PLAN (200-222)
SECTION (ZONING)
200-222
SECTION (ZONING)
184-186
PLAN (184-186)
Total blocks : 7
Category 1: 6 Blocks
Category 2: 1 Blocks
Category 3: -
SUPER LEVEL - 3

18. PLAN (200-222)
TERRACE PLAN
(Area in sq mt.)

19. PLAN (220-222)
SECTION (ZONING)
220-222
SECTION (ZONING)
216-218
PLAN (216-218)
Total blocks : 3
Category 1: 3 Blocks
Category 2: -
Category 3: -
SUPER LEVEL - 4

20. PLAN (220-222)
(Area in sq mt.)
Private roof garden for penthouse

21. WALLS
Internal walls : Reinforced concrete and/or
brick/block wall and/or dry wall partition
External walls : Reinforced concrete and/or
brick/block wall
ROOF
Flat Roof : Reinforced concrete roof with appropriate
insulation and waterproofing system
WINDOWS Aluminium framed windows with tinted,
clear/frosted glass where appropriate.
DOORS Residential Units Main Entrance, Secondary
Entrance : Fire-rated timber door and/or aluminium
framed glass door
TYPES OF UNITS
Hexagonal patterns:
Innovative cast-in groove lines
were used to form the
hexagonal patterns at the
transfer decks soffits
MATERIALS

22. INFERENCES
● The design turns vertical isolation to horizontal
connectivity .
● No intersection of pedestrian movement by
vehicular movement.
● More incorporation of social spaces.
● More of green area than the built up area, thus
making it a part of the ecology.
(112% Green Area achieved after the completion of
the project).
● All types of units are included in the structure. On
classifying the structure on the bases of types of
units it is a mixed structure.
● The spatial arrangements of the different blocks
provide different states of sun and shadow, with
large water bodies provided for influencing the
microclimate in the recreational spaces between the
towers, improving the overall quality of comfort and
experience.