by jbs051710 j3 — May 19, 2010—The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore has awarded 13 buildings with two gold (for the first time), two silver and nine bronze for the BCA Universal Design Awards. The annual awards give recognition to building owners and architects who have embraced Universal Design in their building and upgrading projects, creating a seamlessly connected and friendly built environment that caters to the varying needs of people with different physical abilities.
Tampines Primary School is Singapore’s first public school to win Gold, for its exemplary Universal Design (UD) catering to both students and members of the public. Features include: seamless links and highly visual clarity for easy way-finding; changing rooms offering shower stalls with flip-down seats for users with diverse abilities; tactile floor markings; and accessible drop-off points.
According to the judges, the other Gold award recipient, City Square Mall and City Green, applied UD principles throughout the whole development, from planning to details. The user-friendliness of the building is evident in such UD features as: seamless integration to public transport; its comfortable City Green park for shoppers to rest; convenient drop-off points and comfortable waiting areas for shuttle buses and taxis; parking facilities for families, and even hybrid and electric cars; and such special micro-design features as armrests for seats, with holders for walking sticks.
This year’s winners are:
GOLD AWARD
- Institutional Building Category: Tampines Primary School
Commercial Building Category: City Square Mall and City Green
- Outdoor Spaces & Structures Category: Toa Payoh Sensory Park
Commercial Building Category: 313 @ Somerset
- Institutional Building Category: Al-Mawaddah Mosque
Institutional Building Category: New Supreme Court Building
Institutional Building Category: Singapore Islamic Hub
Residential Building Category: City Square Residences
Residential Building Category: Linear Green @ Bedok
Refurbished Building Category: Clementi Green
Refurbished Building Category: Northpoint Shopping Centre
Refurbished Building Category: Tampines Bus Interchange
Refurbished Building Category: Teck Ghee Heartlands
