Living near, or even in, UTown, makes it easy for one to take its beauty for granted, especially after gaining familiarity with its ins-and-outs. While we may have already grown accustomed to the look of UTown, there is actually much to appreciate about its design — it has contributed greatly to the aesthetically pleasing views one enjoys upon every visit to UTown, and the ease with which we coexist and conduct activities in UTown. In this article, we hope to shed light on a few lesser known aspects of UTown which have been designed for visitors, residents, and the like, to have an enjoyable time in the heart of NUS.
1. UTown has more greenery than you realise
According to STX Landscape Architects, the firm that was commissioned to design UTown, “over 2000 new trees and palms were planted on site”, and “including green roofs, 48% of the site was set aside for planting and greenery”. This astonishing amount of green in UTown shapes the overall identity of the place and allows the people in UTown to relax and be immersed in nature, as they go about their daily activities.
This notable characteristic of UTown is best represented by the ‘crown jewel’ – Town Green! This open and inviting green field sits right in the heart of UTown, and is one of the most eye-catching things in the area. The possibilities are made endless with Town Green, for students can gather here to conduct all sorts of activities. In the daytime, one passing by Town Green would be able to witness different groups of students ambling through the grass or engaging in sports. At night, residents can be found having deep talks over supper around the edges of the Green.
Trees and other plants that intersperse the man-made elements of UTown also allow such structures, e.g. a commercial-looking building, a tall residential block, etc. to blend in with the natural elements, and be easier on the eyes.
For example, the ERC building hugs a cluster of tall trees. The branches of these trees have grown eagerly to reach past the roof of the ERC, guiding one’s line of sight to move from the ground floor to the uppermost peripheries of ERC’s open rooftop, hence prompting passers-by to fully appreciate the design of the building.
The accessible roof of the ERC has also been intentionally crafted as a garden rooftop, and these plants beautify the topmost level of the building, whilst being drenched in much-needed sunlight during the day.
Furthermore, UTown is home to a significant number of NUS hostels, namely, UTown Residence, Tembusu College, Cinnamon College, College of Alice and Peter Tan, and Residential College 4. The residents of these hostels would understandably grow accustomed to, and perhaps even become tired of, the views of UTown, if not for the lush greenery that interlaces the pathways that run deep towards the respective hostels. As seen in the photo below, the row of steps leading to the Residential Colleges is lined with so many plants that anyone walking through them might feel like they are in a nature getaway!
2. There are many large windows in UTown
To capitalise on the great views of the place, many buildings that overlook Town Green have been constructed with large windows. For instance, the Education Resource Centre (ERC) building is lined with multiple panels of windows, which even hug and round the corners of the building, placing great emphasis on the impact that the outdoor views have on the atmosphere felt within the indoor compounds.
This observation is consistent even for the sides of the buildings that do not face the centre of UTown. These beautifully shaped, glassy windows make the place feel more breathable (by letting in natural light) and welcoming (especially when catching glimpses of the sights of nature that lie outside)!
3. The open spaces in UTown are criminally underrated
Whilst UTown is seemingly punctuated with beautiful structures that create endless possibilities, it is actually its open spaces, which have been liberally created amidst the vibrant blocks of resource buildings, that allow for the people who populate UTown to enjoy great freedom and breathing space. These intentionally crafted areas, such as the open plaza that connects the lawn of Town Green and its surrounding buildings, promotes creativity and exciting activities, as they silently watch the UTown community grow and strengthen.
For instance, the wide sheltered walkway of the Town Plaza enables the movement of large groups of people every day, to-and-fro the UTown bus stop and the centre of UTown.
On the ground floor of the ERC, the area outside of Starbucks has become a popular study spot despite it being partially outdoors, for it has a high ceiling that allows for air circulation and the occasional wind to pass through, ensuring that the area does not grow warm and stuffy. Over at the Stephen Riady Centre (SRC), the open spaces between its shops and lecture rooms now serve as perfect areas for student activities such as dance and cheerleading.
Source: World Architects
Even the walkway that takes one straight from the Town Plaza to the residential blocks is built to be a wide and breathable space, allowing one to enjoy the pleasant view of the Town Green, which sits right beside the walkway.
The harmonious relationship between nature, buildings, and open spaces is the thing that facilitates life and dynamism in UTown.
Ultimately, while this article does not have the capacity to capture every aspect of UTown’s well-designed infrastructure and environment, we hope that you have gained a newfound appreciation of the town that so many call their second home. If you have more interesting insights to share with regards to this topic, do post your thoughts (or pictures) on Instagram and tag us @nusresidentiallife, we would love to hear them!
