One of the Premier Tourist Places in Singapore - Marina Bay , Best Architectures on Singapore

The tiny island country of Singapore is not in the least tiny in what it puts forth to entice crowds. A frontrunner in innovation and development, Singapore presents to the world an unmatched experience on reclaimed land; Marina Bay. The manmade inlet which has fascinated mankind and won global recognition for Singapore will delight, charm and relax any soul.

The symbol of Singapore, the Merlion overlooks Marina Bay with unprecedented grandeur and lures tourists to the Merlion Park where one is free to stroll and take in a breath of fresh air that blows in from the freshwater reservoir.

Hop aboard Singapore's gigantic observation wheel the 'Singapore Flyer', at Marina Bay for a flying glimpse of the Singaporean skyline. It will give you an opportunity to dine and admire the Singapore River that ripples into the bay, while journeying through the atmosphere. Another way to enjoy the scenery is to cruise through the basin in a ferry from the Southern Pier of Marina Bay. Above the sparkling blue waters of Marina Bay is the Helix Bridge, which is an ideal companion for the buildings and structures in the vicinity. Its steel meshes canopies and curves form a beautiful pathway for pedestrians between Marina Centre and Marina South.

Marina Bay Sands, the integrated resort at the waterfront, which is to be completed in several phases is still a tempting destination due to its famous Vegas style casino. Upon completion, there will be a host of dining facilities, an Art- Science Museum and many nightlife offerings

Adrift on the bay is an open air platform, 'The Float', which can be used for sports events, musical shows or even to stage a play. Its spacious and bouyant features make it an immediate favourite among visitors. Combining the thrill of dining, shopping and revelling in some theatrics is the magnificent Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. Its outdoor theatre, roof terrace, exhibition floor and shopping area all complement its unusual architecture, which is built to bring out the best in everyone's artistic abilities.

Contemplating Its Future - Architecture

Architecture... What does its future hold? Is it still going to be relevant or de facto deemed obsolete, replaced by other professions or disciplines? Are we watching the hour glass with architecture's time almost run out?

In the 19th century the study of architecture was also pursued as a course of liberal arts or humanities' studies. We certainly do not live in the romantic era anymore, for our times are undoubtedly very "realistic" and technocratic.

It is known that man preoccupies himself with the arts after his basic needs are met. Try telling a hungry man in Africa about SANAA winning the 2010 Pritzker Prize. Or, not going that far, try engaging him in a discussion about architectural styles.

The computer has unveiled previously unimagined possibilities to the engineer, the designer or the builder... Design has been a household word in the developed world, as attested by countless glossy magazines and television shows devoted to the subject.

It is challenging to even imagine any other discipline that can take over the baton. Indeed, the training of an architect is very idiosyncratic, with the cerebral and philosophical conceptual approach being his forte. Although architecture has been around for centuries, the role of the architect has diversified, as a result of technology and ecology, amongst other factors, that have emerged during the last two centuries.

The key words here being ecology and technology. It is contended that in the future, all buildings would be ecological, so "ecology" or "energy conscious design" wouldn't even be considered as a determinant. Once indoor plumbing or electricity were a novelty...

Additionally, keep in mind that ecology and technology in themselves are very inadequate, to define the whole of architecture, without considering the humanitarian influences on architectural form and space. The social basis of architecture today is frowned upon, neglected, not a fad, or, at best, not in the limelight. Gone are the sixties where such issues were popular, with the architect optimistically marching under the banner of the urban doctor (True, today we hold a more realistic and holistic view of the urban ills).

"Concluding, there is the need to redefine and 'protect' architecture, a momentous task to be assumed preferably by the architects themselves. This is the new challenge architecture is called to face. Needed is the Ana-synthesis of architecture before it is too late. We support that the founding of any '-ism' or any trend in architecture in the 21st. century, when wars will be waged for water, will arise naturally out of a painstakingly careful approach, combining a technocratic environmental vision in tune with the psycho-social needs of man...".

Architectural Styles - Create Your Own

Architectural styles denote the classification of architecture in terms of form, techniques and materials in an integration of architecture designs from over lapping periods of time. There have evolved various and diverse types of architectural styles over the years; listed blow are some of the more popular ones.

Art Deco

The Art Deco style was an echo of the Machine Age and became popular in the 1920s. It was stylized by geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical emphasis of this style while flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs are symbolic of the Art Deco exterior. Facades are marked with zigzags and other stylized floral, geometric and sunrise motifs. A distinctly urban style, Art Deco in American architecture was used widely and popularly for commercial buildings during this period.

Colonial

More than simply the design elements, Colonial architecture refers to the time period in American architecture, between the early 1600s, when the first colonists began to build settlements and 1776, the year the colonies declared their independence from England. Economical, refined and basic, the colonial designs reflect the buildings practices of America's early settlers. Although Colonial architecture is often thought of as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows, it actually comes in several sizes, shapes and styles reflecting the diverse cultural traditions of the English, Dutch, Spanish and French.

Contemporary

Contemporary-style homes became hugely popular between 1950 and 1970. There were two types of contemporary American architecture - the flat-roof type and the gabled roof type. These were characterized by odd-sized and often tall windows, lack of ornamentation, and unique mixtures of wall materials like stone, brick, and wood. Both types of designs were one-story tall and designed to incorporate the surrounding architectural landscape into their overall look.

Georgian

Fanciful and royal, the Georgian architecture was styled in honor of the first three monarchs of England, all of whom were named George. Formal and majestic Georgian homes are known for their refined and symmetrical design with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Another unique feature is the orderly row of five windows across the second story. With sport side-gabled roofs, Georgian houses are two to three stories high, and constructed in brick. Besides symmetry, this kind of architecture is symbolized by rich classical detail such as large Greek or Roman style columns, elaborate entryways with beautifully arched windows resting atop them and elegant ornamentation.

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival became popular in the mid 1800s. This style was largely influenced by English romanticism and intricate wooden millwork. It was characterized by Gothic windows with distinctive pointed arches and featured exposed framing timbers and steep vaulted roofs with cross-gables. They also included extravagant features such as towers and verandas.

International

European architects initiated the modern style of architecture in the 20th century. Using materials such as concrete, glass and steel, it was devoid of ornamentation or decoration. The architectural landscape in the international style introduced the idea of exposed functional building elements such as elevator shafts, ground-to-ceiling plate glass windows, and smooth facades.

Prarie House

The first Prairie-style house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago in 1893. This American architectural style peaked between the years 1900s and 1920s and focused on modest homes that blended the natural beauty of the Midwestern landscape. It consists of two main styles - boxy and symmetrical or low-slung and asymmetrical and the materials used are brick and clapboard. It has low pitched gable roofs with eaves extending well beyond the walls, creating an effect that allows it to blend with the scenery. Other details included pronounced overhangs, stone belts to accentuate the horizontal designs, rows of casement windows, one-story porches with massive square supports as well as stylized floral and circular geometric terra-cotta or masonry decorations around doors, windows, and cornices.

Shingle Victorian

This American architectural style was used widely in cottages along the trendy, wealthy North-eastern coastal towns of Long Island and Newport in the late 19th century. Wide porches, unadorned doors, windows, and cornices, steeply pitched roof lines are symbolic of this style. Continuous wood shingles cover the entire surface of the home, giving it a cohesive look. Some unique features in this style include dormers, recessed balconies, and side towers with bell or conical roofs structured under the shingles.

Tudor

This architecture was initiated in the 1920s and 1930s, but continues to remain a popular architectural style in suburbs across the United States even today. It is characterised by half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors with facades that are pronounced by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls, rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys are also some of the features of this architectural style.

Victorian

Victorian architecture in America originated in the second half of the 19th century, when America was identifying new approaches to building and design. Victorian styles include Second Empire, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne among others. Advances in modern technology ensured the incorporation of ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles into the Victorian designs.

Architectural Styles | World Architecture

Architectural styles denote the classification of architecture in terms of form, techniques and materials in an integration of architecture designs from over lapping periods of time. There have evolved various and diverse types of architectural styles over the years; listed blow are some of the more popular ones.

Art Deco

The Art Deco style was an echo of the Machine Age and became popular in the 1920s. It was stylized by geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical emphasis of this style while flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs are symbolic of the Art Deco exterior. Facades are marked with zigzags and other stylized floral, geometric and sunrise motifs. A distinctly urban style, Art Deco in American architecture was used widely and popularly for commercial buildings during this period.

Colonial

More than simply the design elements, Colonial architecture refers to the time period in American architecture, between the early 1600s, when the first colonists began to build settlements and 1776, the year the colonies declared their independence from England. Economical, refined and basic, the colonial designs reflect the buildings practices of America's early settlers. Although Colonial architecture is often thought of as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows, it actually comes in several sizes, shapes and styles reflecting the diverse cultural traditions of the English, Dutch, Spanish and French.

Contemporary

Contemporary-style homes became hugely popular between 1950 and 1970. There were two types of contemporary American architecture - the flat-roof type and the gabled roof type. These were characterized by odd-sized and often tall windows, lack of ornamentation, and unique mixtures of wall materials like stone, brick, and wood. Both types of designs were one-story tall and designed to incorporate the surrounding architectural landscape into their overall look.

Georgian

Fanciful and royal, the Georgian architecture was styled in honor of the first three monarchs of England, all of whom were named George. Formal and majestic Georgian homes are known for their refined and symmetrical design with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Another unique feature is the orderly row of five windows across the second story. With sport side-gabled roofs, Georgian houses are two to three stories high, and constructed in brick. Besides symmetry, this kind of architecture is symbolized by rich classical detail such as large Greek or Roman style columns, elaborate entryways with beautifully arched windows resting atop them and elegant ornamentation.

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival became popular in the mid 1800s. This style was largely influenced by English romanticism and intricate wooden millwork. It was characterized by Gothic windows with distinctive pointed arches and featured exposed framing timbers and steep vaulted roofs with cross-gables. They also included extravagant features such as towers and verandas.

International

European architects initiated the modern style of architecture in the 20th century. Using materials such as concrete, glass and steel, it was devoid of ornamentation or decoration. The architectural landscape in the international style introduced the idea of exposed functional building elements such as elevator shafts, ground-to-ceiling plate glass windows, and smooth facades.

Prarie House

The first Prairie-style house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago in 1893. This American architectural style peaked between the years 1900s and 1920s and focused on modest homes that blended the natural beauty of the Midwestern landscape. It consists of two main styles - boxy and symmetrical or low-slung and asymmetrical and the materials used are brick and clapboard. It has low pitched gable roofs with eaves extending well beyond the walls, creating an effect that allows it to blend with the scenery. Other details included pronounced overhangs, stone belts to accentuate the horizontal designs, rows of casement windows, one-story porches with massive square supports as well as stylized floral and circular geometric terra-cotta or masonry decorations around doors, windows, and cornices.

Shingle Victorian

This American architectural style was used widely in cottages along the trendy, wealthy North-eastern coastal towns of Long Island and Newport in the late 19th century. Wide porches, unadorned doors, windows, and cornices, steeply pitched roof lines are symbolic of this style. Continuous wood shingles cover the entire surface of the home, giving it a cohesive look. Some unique features in this style include dormers, recessed balconies, and side towers with bell or conical roofs structured under the shingles.

Tudor

This architecture was initiated in the 1920s and 1930s, but continues to remain a popular architectural style in suburbs across the United States even today. It is characterised by half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors with facades that are pronounced by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls, rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys are also some of the features of this architectural style.

Victorian

Victorian architecture in America originated in the second half of the 19th century, when America was identifying new approaches to building and design. Victorian styles include Second Empire, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne among others. Advances in modern technology ensured the incorporation of ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles into the Victorian designs.