VivoCity, an integral part of Singapore’s 24-hectare HarbourFront precinct, is a dynamic integrated waterfront business, entertainment and lifestyle hub developed by Mapletree, a leading real estate company in Singapore with an Asian focus. Singapore’s largest shopping mall, VivoCity features a vibrant mix of about 300 dining, retail and entertainment outlets from the focal point of its central atrium with a unique 300 meter waterfront promenade. VivoCity is co-designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, who was behind the renowned Sendai Mediatheque in Japan. Ito is well-known for his signature-style, focusing on the utilization of nature, climate and open spaces and VivoCity is his first major project in Asia outside of Japan.

“VivoCity’s undulating forms give continuous curvature to the structure’s halls, facade and roof, reformulating the typical hard-edged, ‘big box’ mall type…

“VivoCity serves as an important transportation hub and transition site, linking Singapore with Sentosa Island, now a destination for over 15 million visitors annually. The mall is linked to a Mass Rapid Transit system terminus and connects to adjacent shopping and business centres via pedestrian bridges.” ~ DP Architects

Situated on 9.5 hectares, the design for VivoCity was inspired by the harbourfront location of the development which evokes images of waves in the sea with each space leading intuitively into the next. Patrons can shop in the 1.04 million square feet of retail space, dine al fresco at the waterfront restaurants, observe the collection of international artwork, or splash out with children who can go barefoot at the low wading pools at the third level rooftop sky park and second level open-air playground. The rooftop was designed to provide topographies of landscaped gardens, observation landings, and a large shallow reflection pool. The rooftop amphitheatre offers a platform to showcase the vibrant arts and cultural scene in Singapore, and the rooftop water feature in the sky park is an icon within VivoCity, spanning the area of 4 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Among numerous others, VivoCity received AsiaOne’s People’s Choice Awards 2014 – Best Family-Friendly Mall; CNBC Asia Pacific Commercial Property Awards: Best Retail Development 2009; and Universal Design (Silver) Award Building and Construction Authority, 2009. It is also a winner of the inaugural Singapore Institute of Architects and National Parks Board (SIA-NParks) Skyrise Greenery Award in 2008.

“Vivocity presents a public roof garden that is accessible to everyone – an innovative use of landscape as a part of the shopping experience. This inclusion of a wading pool on the roof plays up the waterfront theme and injects a great sense of playfulness into a commercial project. The roof design is also commendable as it discards the conventional flat surfaces to create an angular roof shaped like waves to blend in with the seafront.” ~ Skyrise Greenery Award 2008

To provide sub-soil drainage for VivoCity’s landscape roof garden: VersiCell® sub-soil drainage cells were positioned over the prepared grounds and in planter boxes on the roof followed by a geotextile filter fabric layer and then the planting soil. The bottom cavity created by the drainage cells facilitates the efficient drainage of water preventing water-logging and promoting healthy plant growth.

To provide plant media containment and stabilization for planting on steep concrete retaining walls on the roof deck of the mall: Metal pins for securing VersiWeb® cellular slope stabilising panels are embedded in the concrete walls. The expandable honeycombed cells of VersiWeb® are filled with lightweight planting media on which plants are installed. VersiWeb® confines the planting media within the cells and uniformly distributes weight-bearing loads. Media erosion is minimised and both plants and media are prevented from being dislodged.

To provide general waterproofing and root-resistant waterproofing membrane for the landscape roof: Evalon is a pre-formed homogeneous thermoplastic EVA/PVC therpolymer waterproofing sheet membrane, tested to stringent German FLL Standards for root-resistance. It is vapour permeable and not subject to plasticizer migration even with prolonged exposure to ultra-violet radiation and weathering. Lap joints are homogeneous and maintain the same strength as the membrane.

To provide water-retaining structure waterproofing: Fleximent 201 is a two-component, flexible cementitious waterproof coating comprising of synthetic resin and a blend of selected cement mixed with fillers. Once cured, it allows entrapped water vapour to escape but remain impermeable to water.

To provide general wet area waterproofing: Eurathane 2000 is a high solids, tar-free, single component polyurethane waterproof coating. It forms a seamless elastomeric waterproofing membrane with excellent flexibility and elongation properties, allowing expansion and contraction with the substrate over a wide range of temperatures.

VivoCity’s iconic architecture sets it apart from the traditional retail and commercial developments in the region. A landmark development along Singapore’s prime southern waterfront, the HarbourFront precinct is a world-class waterfront hub to work, live and play. And VivoCity provides a seamless and user-friendly environment where people of all ages can enjoy its numerous offerings.