Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd: Winner of International Residential Architecture Awards 2025. Singapore, a compact nation spanning just 738 square kilometers, dedicates only 104 square kilometers to housing. With over six million residents—76.4 percent living in HDB flats—the challenge lies in balancing high-density development with quality living. While densification is inevitable, ensuring a high standard of living remains paramount.

Public housing success hinges on thoughtful design—both at the unit level and within the broader precinct. Each unit is meticulously optimized for space efficiency without compromising comfort. Smart layouts ensure every square meter serves a purpose, enhancing livability while maintaining a compact footprint. Prefabrication techniques further enable cost-effective, rapid construction while ensuring long-term durability.

Beyond individual residences, community infrastructure enhances convenience and connectivity. Essential amenities such as dining, retail, and childcare centers are strategically integrated within or near housing developments, reducing commute times. Recreational and exercise facilities encourage active lifestyles, fostering community and promoting well-being. Public housing is not just about shelter—it is about creating holistic, self-sustaining environments that enhance urban living.

Nestled along the shores of the Serangoon Reservoir at the eastern edge of Sengkang Town, Rivervale Shores optimizes its prime waterfront location for 2,500 residential units—the largest public housing development to date. Its design draws inspiration from the river’s fluidity, reflected throughout the site. By strategically bending building rows and incorporating urban nodes at key intersections, the project enhances land and river view intensification. Cascading building heights ensure that over half of the units enjoy scenic river views, while an extended riverfront—expanded from 600 meters to 800 meters—features a meandering network of pathways seamlessly integrated into the built environment.

Waterfront blocks are configured to maximize scenic vistas of both the river and central gardens, benefiting not only residents but also the wider community through accessible cascading roof gardens and sky terraces. Thoughtful orientation mitigates western sun exposure and shields residences from expressway noise, enhancing comfort and livability.

A key innovation of Rivervale Shores is its Environmental Deck (E-Deck), replacing the conventional multi-story car park. This design maximizes land efficiency while creating a lush, vehicle-free green deck that serves as a safe, serene communal space. The E-Deck transforms the development into an urban oasis, fostering social interaction and offering residents a tranquil retreat from city life.

The architectural concept of “shore” is further expressed through the dynamic façade design, inspired by the river’s cresting waves. A striking contrast of white and dark grey emulates the interplay of water and sand, while a seemingly random yet meticulously curated fenestration pattern for precast fabrication evokes a playful sense of movement—reminiscent of children shaping patterns in the sand.

By seamlessly integrating urban planning, environmental consciousness, and architectural innovation, Rivervale Shores sets a new benchmark for high-density public housing in Singapore—harmonizing nature, community, and modern living in a sustainable, aesthetically compelling way.

Project Details:-
Firm
Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd

Architect
Jennifer Chai

Project Name
Rivervale Shores

Project Category
Housing Design Multi-Unit Built

Team
Qualified Person- AR Lim Keng Yong

Project Location
Singapore

Country
Singapore

Photography ©Credit
©Darren Soh for Surbana Jurong

SJ is a diverse collective of problem solvers for the built environment, continually reimagining ways to create a smart and sustainable future. Headquartered in Singapore, the group has a global talent pool of 16,000 professionals in its member companies based in more than 120 offices across over 40 countries. They include architects, designers, planners, engineers, facilities managers and other specialists driven by progressive thinking and creative ideas to shape a better future.

Connecting communities and spaces in the urban environment with people-oriented architecture, SJ delivers sustainable, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary solutions that enable communities to thrive.