The notion of communal space has changed greatly ever since the idea of “living vertically” was broght into the context of Singapore. Re- locating into high- rise buildings has brought an abrupt change in how people interact with their neighbours. This has resulted in the lost sense of belonging in a community, and communal spaces are becoming void, meaning that they only serve as transitional spaces. NEST is an inter- generational daycare which target the seniors and the young to come together into one space. The purpose is to make the elderly feel that they stil belong to the communities and realize their important roles as pioneers in life. On the side note, this daycare centre also challenge a new way of forming early stage of education for the young children by breaking away from traditional classes. There are blurred boundaries in terms of the roles of teachers and students, meaning that the elderly are not only the teachers to the children but they are also able to recieve lessons from the younger generations, to reduce the generational gaps. The children are also encouraged to interact more with the elderly instead of hanging with their own circles, so that the stigma of “getting old” is eradicated. Spatially, the boundaries are minimized as well, so that one would feel less enclosed by walls and when transitting from one place to another, it would be seamless. 

P.I.T.C.H 

PEOPLE HDB dwellers: seniors who are retired and children who both are siding at  the neighbourhood of Jalan Kukoh. 

ISSUE Place making in communal space design has been done by top down approach, meaning that it is not specifically currated to any communities, rather targetting a generic use for the mass public. 

THEORY Place complexity: Any place has its own dynamics and mechanisms. Each member of such place hold their own identities, by having those individualities come together, complexity is achieved. Place making: design of a “place” should focus not just focus on physical appearance. A place, indeed, consists of three intertwined elements of landscape which are the built and natural elements, the associated social activities and its personal and shared meanings. CONTEXT Block 1, Jalan Kukoh, Singapore 161001 

HAPPY The insertion of new programme into the transitional space within the HDB block aims to revive the public spaces. Also, it targets such opposite groups (the seniors and the young) to promote the cross generation bonding, both demographic groups can learn from each other how to appreciate life and make it more lively. 

SITE 

Located just a few minutes away from the busy streets of China Town, Jalan Kukoh is rather more quiet and seccluded. The neighborhod consits of three HDB blocks. The area is known as one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Singapore, housing around 6000 families. Although the estate is relatively old, there are quite a number of young families. This has resulted in bringing two different generations into one space  in order to re- create a sense of belonging to the audiences, strengthening the community bonds and justify the meaning of communal space.