sLIP SWITCH

Public Space

Queensway, Singapore

2024 (Competition Entry)

(in collaboration with Hyphen Architects)

KTM tracks once,

a foreign cut across local soil;

a forest lush once,

in a long forgotten past.

With the passage of time,

layers upon layers;

sensitive or thoughtless; quietly or with fanfare,

by us and by the people before us.

Park connector,

one’s commune with nature;

underbelly of the viaduct,

another’s daily commute.

As we wade through these layers,

past memories unfold before us;

now we seek to make our own layer,

and glimpse into possible futures.

———

Like a frozen river,

snaking through trees and columns;

into the forgotten undercroft,

curious monoliths and objects emerge.

Like a giant’s toys strewn across,

at times awash with activities and youthful zeal;

at times a lone yogi and rustling of trees nearby;

for each to find their own way, time and space.

A plaza for many festivals,

and for communities to manifest;

yet we still have our tranquil corridor,

and keep our trees and squirrels.

Like a slip switch on train tracks,

one can switch between the peace and the bustle;

as we bridge over to retain,

and slip into the barren to carve out a whole other world.