It’s true. Singaporean retirement village Kampung Admiralty has been named the Building of the Year for 2018 at the prestigious World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam, beating out 535 projects from 57 countries including Russia’s World Cup stadium, the Qatar National Library and the UK’s redeveloped London Bridge station.
So why did it take out the prize?
The 11-storey village is the first co-located project by Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) and combines 104 studio apartments for older residents with childcare and senior centres, a 900-seat hawker centre, medical centre and community gardens.
Designed by WOHA Architects, it was built in 2014 to “foster greater community bonding and reignite the kampung (village) spirit of yesteryear” according to HDB.
Recreating the communities of old
Historically Singapore was a country of villages before it rapidly industrialised over the last 50 years – and the judges have commended the project for helping people live longer and healthier lives in a way that also benefits the local community.
“The jury felt this was a project with potential lessons for cities and countries around the world,” programme director Paul Finch said.
It’s a lesson we have already taken up here. Property developer Traders in Purple is currently developing two mixed use developments in Brisbane and Hobart that will see retirement villages and aged care teamed with residential housing, childcare, disability respite and community hubs.
La Trobe University is also redeveloping land near its main campus in Melbourne to house an aged care facility, private hospital, consulting suites, retirement living and assisted living units and childcare.
Perhaps Australia will be the next winner?
