ST : Orchard Road: Funky or distracting?

Sep 5, 2010

Orchard Road: Funky or distracting?

The lights are so much brighter there... so go downtown...

So goes a hit song of the Sixties.

Today, the downtown Orchard shopping belt, with malls like Ion Orchard and Orchard Central, are aglow come night-time.

These two malls especially stand out - with their towering facades of moving, coloured displays of flashy lights, images and digital art.

They are in sync with the Urban Redevelopment Authority's lighting masterplan that calls for exciting shopfronts and vibrant facades.

Its spokesman told The Sunday Times the plan for Orchard Road 'focuses on creating a revitalising and delightful shoppers' experience'.

But glitzy facades will have their detractors. Architect Aamer Taher, 48, is one. The Singapore Institute of Architects council member felt both malls have overdone the lighting in their bid to attract shoppers.

'It's all right if we are in Disneyland but a city should be soothing and pleasant. It should be more a glow and not a glare.'

Both malls have defended their facades, saying they add vibrancy to the streets and create ambience for shoppers.

For instance, the LED wall on Ion Orchard's curvy facade of glass and metal broadcast the National Day Parade and the Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony. Free popular movies are screened on the last Saturday of every month.

'During Christmas last year, snowflakes patterns lit up the facade, while National Day saw the entire exterior enveloped in fireworks and the national red and white colours,' a spokesman added.

Taking a contrary view to Mr Aamer's is Singapore Institute of Architects president Ashvinkumar Kantilal, 49, who likes the facades.

'They are funky and add character,' he said.

The URA's masterplan also provided for the lighting up of the streets and trees to create a sequential experience, its spokesman said.

New street lights were part of a $40 million makeover of Orchard Road completed early last year.



Love it or hate it, Orchard Central's glitzy facade stands out. -- ST FILE PHOTO