The Coast, by Tierra Design, Sentosa, Singapore. In the heart of Singapore, it is often difficult to find a space secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. For the last few years, landscape architecture in Singapore has concentrated on creating tranquil and luxurious private spaces — and residents of The Coast have paid a high price for just that. Situated in a residential enclave of Sentosa Island Cove, The Coast is a large apartment building — the only residential building with access to panoramic views of the South China Sea. The design is focused on creating a holistic integration of the built environment, combining architecture, landscape, and interior design. While the building itself is much like any other apartment building in Singapore, the outdoor complex makes this site truly unique.
Masterplan. Credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
The Coastline is Reflected Through Design
The design aesthetic of this project by Tierra is simple and elegant, bringing the built environment to life by incorporating the rhythms and hues of the earth, its materials, colors, and sounds. Water plays a large part in the design, not only in the swimming pools, wading pools, and ponds, but also in the form.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
Verticle Wall Plantings
Because the site is located on the sea, it was important to the designers to reflect the surrounding water in the architectural landscape elements. This can be seen in the vertical wall plantings that appear to cascade like waterfalls, the stepping stones through the ponds that mimic large lily pads, and the flowing hardscape geometry.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
Lighting Creates a Tranquil Mood
The large site is tied together through the use of circular forms within the landscape, such as the floating planters, green mounds, outdoor pavilions, Jacuzzis, and viewing platforms of the waterfront. The landscape lighting is integral to the ambience of the space, sensitively complimenting the tranquil mood of the design. Early evening views of the ocean are enhanced through hidden lighting; as well as giving a more fun vibe to the water features and swimming pools at night, the colorful lighting adds interest to the landscape. Recommended Reading
- Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
- Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
Playing With Levels
The landscape architects chose to lower one section of the site below water level to create a private enclosed space, providing quiet relief from the surrounding city. The willows in this space add to the feeling of a secluded storybook pond. The simple and clean lines of the other spaces on the site — utilizing only wood, stone, and water — create a contemporary yet soft and quiet space. The entire site has used an uncomplicated tropical planting plan of to create a lush environment.
Creating the Tanquil Oasis
Every element of the design has been chosen specifically to create a peaceful oasis feeling in the residential development. While this sounds like a simple design, many landscape architects find this difficult, adding too many elements and cluttering the view. Simple is key in keeping a space relaxing, because too many distractions can overwhelm someone interacting with the space. Tierra makes designing a tranquil space seem effortless.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
Tranquility Comes at a Price
In all its extravagance, the space presents a soothing living experience away from the busy city lifestyle. However, people have to pay a hefty price for such luxury. The units in the building are consistently sold for anywhere between S $3.6 million to S $8 million (approximately $2.6 million to $5.8 million in U.S dollars). It goes to show that the landscape surrounding a building is extremely important and can dramatically increase the price of residential properties.
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
What Could Make This Project Even Better?
The only unfortunate aspect of this project is that the space is not open to the public, as it would be a great way for locals to relax at the waterfront. Tierra has managed to create a beautiful and luxurious oasis within a vibrant, bustling city. The design is a celebration of the ocean on which it is situated, brilliantly mimicking the water throughout the landscape and hardscape. Would you pay this kind of price for peace in a busy city?
The Coast. Photo credit: TIERRA DESIGN (S) PTE LTD.
Full Project Credits for the Coast
Project Name: The Coast Location: Sentosa, Singapore Date of Construction: 2010 Landscape Architect: Tierra Design + POD Client: Ho Bee Cove Pte Ltd. Recommended Reading
- Landscape Architecture: An Introduction by Robert Holden
- Landscape Architecture, Fifth Edition: A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design by Barry Starke
Article by Taylor Stapleton
Published in Blog
