Singapore Architect

The proposal distinguished itself through the clarity and completeness with which architectural form, symbolism, and function are brought into alignment. Drawing inspiration from the banyan tree as a place of shelter, the cultural centre is organised as two complementary volumes - one inward-looking and contemplative, the other outward-facing and communal - unified beneath a single, expansive roof.

This shared canopy establishes a generous civic threshold and shaded public realm, articulated through a disciplined grid of columns that preserves openness while giving the architecture a calm, grounded presence within the Mission campus.

The jury recognised the project’s ability to synthesise spiritual intent and long-term adaptability into a coherent architectural whole. The meditation hall is expressed as a distinct vertical volume shaped by stillness and light, while the collective spaces are arranged to support shared activity and oriented toward gardens and water features that enhance climatic comfort.

Perforated brick screens, natural ventilation, planted roof terraces, and a rational structural grid reinforce both sensory richness and pragmatic resilience. Taken together, the scheme demonstrates a quiet authority and architectural maturity, offering a dignified and enduring framework.