All Tangled
Together
Now
_PLUG-IN PARKING CITY
‘Tangled Together Now’ arose from initial studies at the public spaces surrounding Blk 103 Jln Rajah and the pedestrian bridge across Whampoa River leading to Jln Ampas. The key observation on site was the presence of BlueSG electric car charging points at the carpark. The introduction of the charging points resulted in 4 car park lots removed from public use, and a diversion in pedestrian traffic. This scenario gave hints of the effects of introducing emergent technologies into urban spaces, and its opportunities for public utility and perception. Our prototype was inspired by the works of Archigram and aims to reimagine carparks as an urban infrastructure by combining deeper automation with fresh functionalities missing at the site. The reimagined carpark is conceived as a “system of events” that offers improved functionality and efficiency for storage, and more importantly, acts as a catalyst for the exchange of goods and people. The events within the system are functions that are organized around a common structure, with infinite possibilities of modification based on the needs of the residents. Ultimately, automation will be further normalized into the public’s lifestyles without preconceived notions of invasiveness and being inhumane.
The events are fluid and together with moving mechanisms, are connected to a permanent steel frame structure that is anchored to the ground. The main steel structure frames the spatial boundaries, while an interior substructure exists to create partitions and to facilitate movement. A sliding mechanism and a pulley mechanism are embedded into the substructure, which facilitates the movement of event loads, similarly to automated car lift systems. Similar to the “Plug-in City”, there is a divide in lifespan between the events (components), and the structure. The permanent structure can be constantly maintained over the lifespan, while programmatic blocks can be removed and replaced based on their fluid wear and tear. This increases the overall lifespan of the main infrastructure and opens up new opportunities for modification in the future due to community needs or technological advancements.