The retail industry is rapidly evolving in today’s world, pushing businesses to break free from traditional methods and embrace constant innovation.
The Design Orchard project introduces a fresh approach, diverging from conventional retail models to offer a unique living and creative space. Situated on Singapore’s renowned Orchard Road—Asia’s premier shopping street—Design Orchard is dedicated to nurturing emerging creative talents. This building seamlessly combines retail and incubation spaces, fostering collaboration across all stages of design, from concept to production, and from display to sales. With this innovative concept, the building stands out among the many shopping centers in the area and acts as a catalyst for the revitalization of Orchard Road.
This three-story stepped building extends toward the intersection of Orchard Road and Kane Hill Road, offering expansive views from both ground and upper levels. The entire venue is designed as public space, featuring an accessible rooftop open-air theater surrounded by lush gardens. The ground floor hosts open retail spaces facing the street, while the second and third floors provide flexible incubation spaces with a collaborative workspace environment. These spaces support emerging designers by offering an adaptable floor plan that encourages creativity.
The rooftop public space is designed at an angle to the street level, creating the form of an urban amphitheater surrounded by a shaded rooftop pocket park. Large concrete planters with trees frame the space, while curtains hanging from the roof add a soft architectural element. This area serves as a versatile venue for outdoor fashion shows, performances, concerts, and other events that complement the building’s purpose. Occasionally, an ice cream pavilion adds to the lively atmosphere, all set against the backdrop of the famous shopping street. Retail and incubation areas are linked via an internal atrium near the main entrance, providing visual connectivity between the two zones.
The incubator space and café on the third floor overlook the rooftop park, creating a harmonious blend of functions. This integrated concept nurtures young designers from initial concept through production, provides retail opportunities for their products on the ground floor, and showcases their work through events held in the rooftop amphitheater.
The building boasts a clean and modern aesthetic, constructed from concrete, glass, wood, and landscaping elements. This neutral backdrop enhances the vibrancy of the design activities within. The original irregular concrete walls are artfully punctuated with circular openings and framed precast concrete elements, allowing natural light, ventilation, visibility, and even retail displays to seamlessly integrate without compromising structural integrity.
Design Drawings
▲ General layout plan
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Third floor plan
▲ Sectional view
Project Information
Architectural Firm: WOHA
Location: Orchard Road, Singapore
Category: Shopping Centers
Chief Architect: Wong Mun Summ
Building Area: 2,350.0 square meters
Project Year: 2019
Photographers: Darren Soh, Patrick Bingham Hall
Suppliers: Autodesk, Rice Fields Pte, Kebony
Design Team: Schirin Taraz Breinholt, Jonathan Choe, Eng Cheng Hui, Jonathan Tan, Evelyn Ng
Client: JTC Corporation
Structural Engineer: Web Structures Pte Ltd
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer: Belmacs Pte Ltd
Landscape Design: WOHA
General Contractor: Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
Prefabricated Component Contractor: LWC Alliance Pte Ltd
Landscape Contractor: Amozonia Pte Ltd
Site Area: 1,841.4 square meters
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