Our final idea and presentation board!

AutoCAD plan of the Community Cafe, our final solution to the void deck space enhancement project!

Additionally, thanks to Mark, the photos below are created by Lumnia to be placed inside out A2 presentation board. This photos greatly help to illustrate our final solution better.

Combining our ideas!

Today's exercise is to combine 3 or more ideas from the 101 to produce a completely new idea. My group has chosen the WiFi services, pet hotel as well as the mahjong table.

Firstly, in our modern world, technology is indispensable therefore wifi is important to students, working adults as well as anyone who needs to surf the web. By providing wifi services at the void deck would definitely attract many people to hang out at the area.

The pet hotel is targeted at working adults or people who leaves the country for a vacation and has no one to help look after their pets.

Next, the mahjong table is simply a source of entertainment for housewives who might feel bored staying at home all day. It can be a social area for the housewives to come together for a chit-chat session and meet new friends.

Gina and I have also come up with the pros and cons to these ideas to better conceptualize our brand new idea.

Our 101 ideation!

Me and Gina having fun :) 

To come up with 101 ideas for our target problem was not easy at first, but given the purpose of Brainstorming is to simply generate a large number of ideas. Mark, Gina and I slowly came up with a chunk of solution to enhance the void decks.

We categorized our 101 ideas into different groups- Food&drinks/ Social corners/ Entertainment/ Services/ Leisure and Education/ Shops/ Others.

Mainly our goal is to bring in what the current void decks are lacking- which is FUN and ENTERTAINMENT. We also aim to bring back void decks' original purpose of gathering all the residents together to socialize. Additionally, using what we have learnt from the Empathizing exercise, the ideas that we have generated are catered to people of all ages, from young to old. For example, one of our idea, the pool/billiard tables are targeted at attracting teenagers to hang out at the void decks. The reading corner on the other hand, is suitable for not only the elderly but also any book lovers to relax and enjoy some quiet time.

Overall, my group members and I feel that we have covered majority of what is possible and practical to be added into the void decks. We will proceed into further research and discussion so as to improve our current pool of solutions.

Brainstorming!

Today we did our 101 ideas in class and also a sharing session with other group members. So as Mark was having a sore throat, I replaced him as group leader to share our ideas with other group members. A large part of our ideas were either 1) Leisure activities or 2) Shops/services to be constructed at the void deck.

Example:

• Pool/billiard tables
• Pet hotel
• ice-skating rink
• small kids pool
• fish spa shop
• locksmith
• H&M 
• Art Friend
• Overjoyed
• Manicure/pedicure shop
• cybercafe
• etc

So as I was sharing our ideas to Bryan's group, I also told them about my thoughts- about how most teenagers would usually head to town during the weekends to hang out with their friends. Teens, including us, would never have entertained the thought of hanging out at the void decks. Simply because it is EMPTY, NOT HAPPENING and LOOKS UNCOOL. 

So Bryan replied saying that he feels the main reason is because the space has already been given the title of 'Void Deck' and therefore we have already JUDGED the usage of the space. Furthermore, it is often observed that the elderly spend their time simply sitting around or even the foreign construction workers lying on the void deck floor taking a rest. Hence, no teenager who wants to be cool, would actually want to even be seen at the void deck, much less spend their time there. 

Which leaves me with a thought to ponder upon- What if we gave void decks a brand new term?/ What if we do not see the void deck as a VOID DECK?

Eco-friendly HDB Flats

Fig. 1 Building eco-friendly flats

Adopting environmentally friendly approaches is key to preserving Mother Earth. Countries all around the world have been actively participating in Global Climate Conferences to do their part in cutting down on the damage to the environment.

Even though Singapore as a small country, is not doing as much harm as bigger nations like Russia, China, Brazil, etc, it is crucial that we are environmentally responsible- which is what the Housing Development Board and National Parks Board are actively campaigning.

Why are HDB Void Decks disappearing?

History of HDB

The history of HDB void decks dates back to the early 1970s, where the government made it a common feature into public flats. Void decks offered shade and shelter, and were also the first go-to venue for community events and social interaction between the residents. HDB void decks can be said to have played an important role in paving the path for racial integration back in those days. Under the Housing Development Board's Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), a balanced mix of different races is ensured so as to prevent the formation of racial enclaves.

                                       


As a young adult born in the 90s, I understand the value of void decks and how children of my time played hopscotch, catching, hide-and-seek, etc at the void decks. It was the place where new friendships were forged, where our parents conversed with one another to establish close rapport.

                                           

Change of an era

However in past years, void decks are vanishing from public flats. Newer housing projects in estates such as Punggol, Sengkang, Kallang, Buona Vista and Ang Mo Kio no longer have large, spacious void decks as a common space. The lift lobbies and area on the first floor of these newly built flats have become too small to hold any functions.

The modification of void decks in recent years have brought about much inconvenience and happiness to some residents (http://www.iproperty.com.sg/news/4891/Void-deck-blues). "The only constant is change.". Since the void decks have already been built, there is no point lamenting on what is lost.

Now let my group embark on ideas to enhance void deck's space utility!

Reviewing the issue

After much discussion and clearing of doubts with the lecturers, my group realized that we should focus solely on the possible usage of the extra spaces below the newer HDB flats instead of the old ones.

Of all the newer HDB designs that I have researched on, I would like to point out The Pinnacle@Duxton.

The Pinnacle@Duxton is the world's tallest public housing. Created for the first international design competition for public housing, it has two sky-bridges connecting seven blocks at the 26th and 50th storey. Standing at the sky-bridge, one can have a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline.

Zooming in on the spaces within the building, not only is the Pinnacle@Duxton fully equipped with basic facilities such as tables, chairs, gardens and playgrounds, it also offers basketball courts and open dining areas for the residents.
In the case of the Pinnacle@Duxton, I personally feel that the usage of space is extremely well-thought out and there is more than sufficient communal bonding areas.

Credits:
http://vincenttraveljournal.blogspot.sg/2010/01/pinnacle-duxton-0901.html,  http://www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg/about.php

Gathering information

(Note to self)

Some helpful links I found for our report:
Further research to be conducted on.

http://www.kingbostrike.com/content.php?pagename=Notable-Projects

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_news&task=view&id=342&Itemid=247

http://www.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/old-playgrounds-old-hdb-estate-part-1

http://www.elmich.com/elmich/projects/1/0/180/Casa%20Clementi%20(HDB%20Multi%20Storey%20Car%20Park)/

http://www.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/official-launch-of-nhb-our-void-decks-our-shared-spaces

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2013/11/why-malay-weddings-are-held-in-void-decks/

http://ssa1207photoessay.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/void-deck/

http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-property/hdb/the-vanishing-void-deck/a/47440

http://rainec.webs.com/apps/blog/show/14853334

https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/tag/history-of-void-decks/

Empathizing the stakeholders

Having an increasing aging population in recent years, Singapore has gradually come up with many policies to help the elderly live more comfortably. Majority of Singaporean elderly live in HDB flats. Hence to target the problem that my group has chosen, we should definitely take into account the elderly's point of view.

Standing in the elder's point-of-view, I feel that currently the space allocated to Senior Citizens' Corner is rather limited. As I walk around my neighbourhood, I noticed that the Senior Citizens' Corner merely provides TV, tables and chairs.

As an elderly, I would love to see more facilities added into the spaces dedicated to us, so that I can have a more meaningful time together with my family and friends. For instance, a small area for gardening could be built near void decks so that :

1. gardening enthusiasts can gather together for a meaningful afternoon
2. social bonds between the elderly are forged
3. beautifying the neighbourhood at the same time

Secondly, as an elderly, I feel that every Senior Citizens' Corner should be built close to the Community Centre (CC) of the neighborhood. This way, when the CC organizes classes for the elderly eg. Tai Chi, line dancing, embroidery, computer/IT, it would definitely be much more convenient. Additionally, by building the Senior Citizens' Corner near the CC, elderly can bring/fetch their grandchildren from tuition at the CC.

Lastly, I suggest that sufficient surveillance be added to the void decks. It is not uncommon that robbery/rape/gang gatherings occur despite Singapore's efficient police force. By adding CCTV cameras, not only is the elderly's safety protected, security in the entire neighborhood will also ensured.

Extra space at void decks under HDB flats

The problem that my group has chosen to do is regarding the space underneath HBD flats that often goes unused. To go deeper into this problem as well as ultimately coming up with a solution, my group members and I have created the following mindmap:

Additionally, I have done my individual research by walking around the neighborhood to observe the current situation.

Void decks under HDB flats are often neglected spaces which if put into good use, will benefit the residents greatly. After some observation, I noticed that the void decks around my neighborhood are either empty spaces or merely equipped with tables and chairs.

In some cases, there are murals and bicycle parking lots:
 

The problems that may result from the current situation might be:

• youths loitering by the table and chairs- smoking, gambling, creating noise pollution
• littering caused by neighborhood school students who hang out at void decks
• crimes might happen at night when lights are dim eg rape, robbery, gang fights, bicycle theft
• vandalism; graffiti onto walls, table and chairs by teens

However in my research, I have also found out the newer  HDB flats have all been revamped, where spaces at void decks are being used efficiently, and have become an integral part of community bonding. An example would be the Treelodge @Punggol, Singapore's first Eco-Precinct. It envisages comfortable green living, bringing residents closer to nature, simultaneously encouraging social development.

In the case of Treelodge @Punggol, less problems arise as residents take pride in their beautiful dwelling and share the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the Eco-park. Sufficient surveillance are also placed to ensure a safe and crime-free environment.

Sources: http://dwellings.sg/9/living-the-green-life



Although it is highly unlikely that older HDB flats be redeveloped, my group members and I have listed out several common usages for empty void decks.
As many of us know, Malay weddings are often held at void decks and I personally feel that it is a very good usage of space. I have noticed that the Malays are able to organize rather grand weddings even in such constrained space. There are of course down sides (problems) such as the hindrance of pathway and noise pollution to other residents.

Another commonly seen usage of void decks would be the Chinese holding their funerals for a couple of days under the blocks. Similarly, problems such as blocking of pathways would arise.



The following are pictures of facilities found at the void decks near my house. They include barber shop, providence shops, beauty shops, fitness corner, child care center, etc.