Redefining Singapore's Skyline: 8 Shenton Way by SOM

Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) has unveiled the design of 8 Shenton Way, a towering 63-story building that will stand at the intersection of the Central Business District, Marina Bay, the historic Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood, and the emerging Greater Southern Waterfront in Singapore. Upon completion, it will be one of the most recognizable structures on the city's skyline, standing 305 meters tall and becoming Singapore's first supertall skyscraper. The tower will feature a series of garden terraces that bring the lush tropical landscape of Shenton Way, Anson Road, and Maxwell Road into the sky.

With its public spaces, offices, retail, hotel, and luxury residences offering breathtaking views of the South China Sea, the heritage district, and the Tanjong Pagar district, 8 Shenton Way will be a bustling 24/7 hub. The tower's design incorporates post-pandemic features and a diverse mix of functions and amenities, making it a fitting addition to one of Asia's premier international centres.

“8 Shenton Way will be the newest landmark on the Singapore skyline—a next-generation tower for the city,” said SOM Consulting Partner Mustafa Abadan. “Designed specifically with the tropical climate of Singapore in mind, this building will be one of the first post-pandemic mixed-use towers in the world, with health and wellness as its primary design drivers. By seeking to achieve the city’s newest and most rigorous sustainability standards, our design will establish a new paradigm for resilient and elegant high-rise design in Singapore and beyond.”

 

“We are proud to play our part in the transformation of Singapore’s skyline and cityscape as the nation builds up its credentials as a truly global city in the post-pandemic era,” said Perennial Holdings Private Limited and its consortium of investors. “With the collaboration of world-class architecture firm, SOM, and renowned local architecture firm, DCA Architects, 8 Shenton Way will set a new standard for best-in-class integrated developments that elevate global standards of sustainability through design innovations and advanced technology.”  

 

The design of 8 Shenton Way is fueled by the principles of nature and sustainability. The tower takes its cue from bamboo forests and incorporates biophilic design elements that reflect the vertical structures found in nature. The materials used were selected with the aim to minimize both embodied and operational carbon. The terracotta used in the construction was manufactured in a zero-waste process and engineered bamboo was utilized to further enhance the tower's sustainability. The building is aiming to receive the Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Certification, which would result in a 55% reduction in energy consumption compared to the benchmark. This certification is the highest sustainability certification in the region and 8 Shenton Way is striving to achieve it.

8 Shenton Way is a unique development project that is the first of its kind under the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore's CBD Incentive Scheme. This high-rise building will bring together a diverse range of components including retail shops, offices, SOHO-style units, luxurious residences, a hotel, and event space. By integrating these functions in a compact urban area, 8 Shenton Way will be a highly efficient structure that maximizes its prime location in the city centre. The construction process will also be mindful of sustainability, with the reuse of existing foundations and infrastructure reducing material waste and embodied carbon. The building's facade will be made of energy-efficient glass, and its concrete structure will incorporate recyclable aggregates produced through a low-carbon process. Additionally, waste will be properly segregated and only Singapore Green Building Council-certified materials will be used where available.

“Emerging from the pandemic, this moment presents a rare and exciting opportunity for architects to explore new approaches to health-driven placemaking,” said SOM Design Principal Nic Medrano. “Singapore is an incredible canvas to do this, with its excellent quality of life, abundance of green space and diversity of cultures. Our design weaves together nature, heritage, connections to transit, luxury living, healthy workplaces, and lively public spaces into a thriving hub for the community.”  

 

This new development in Singapore's downtown area will seamlessly blend live, work, and play elements with luxury. A public performance and events space will be located on the street level and feature retail shops, seating, and bike racks, adding to the lively atmosphere. The building's design will also include a green corridor that extends from the street into the building, providing a picturesque environment for pedestrians. On the second floor, residents and guests can gather in an open-air green space with restaurants, surrounded by a lush landscape filled with plants chosen to attract birds and butterflies. The design includes over 10,000 square meters of elevated public green space, surpassing the size of the entire site.

The building's facade will be made of natural materials such as champagne-coloured terracotta and bamboo walls in the sky gardens, with curved edges that create bay windows on nearly every floor, offering breathtaking views of the city and sea. The lobby will be elegantly designed with a combination of wood, stone, and terracotta finish, featuring artwork and a reflecting pool, and framed by a multi-floor atrium. There will be seven terraces located throughout the tower, including one for the hotel floors and three for the residential levels. These gardens, carved out of the building every five to six floors, will provide natural light, air, and ventilation, promoting well-being for building occupants. The residences will be situated on the highest levels of the tower, providing the most stunning views for its inhabitants.

Spanning over 148,000 square meters of floor space, 8 Shenton Way is designed to prioritize tenants' health in the post-pandemic world. The building boasts an array of features that promote wellness, including contactless technology, antimicrobial materials, improved natural ventilation and filtration, flexible interior spaces, and expansive outdoor areas with lush landscapes.

In an effort to promote sustainability, the tower will have direct access to Singapore's underground pedestrian network, making it easy for tenants to travel via public transportation. The building will be connected to the Tanjong Pagar Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station and is just a five-minute walk away from two additional MRT stations: the Maxwell MRT Station, which will be operational on the Thomson-East Coast Line starting in November, and the Prince Edward MRT Station, set to complete the Circle Line loop between Harbourfront and Marina Bay MRT stations in 2026. For those who prefer cycling or electric vehicles, the building also offers ample bike and electric vehicle parking.

Perennial Holdings Private Limited, in partnership with a consortium of investors, is the proud owner and developer of 8 Shenton Way. The building project is being overseen by SOM, serving as the architectural design consultant, with the talented team of DCA Architects of Singapore serving as the architects. The highly anticipated completion date for 8 Shenton Way is set for 2028.

 

Press release courtesy of SOM Images ©SOM | Bezier