Farrells to design Singapore high-speed rail terminus

Architects and urban designers Farrells, in collaboration with AECOM, have won a Land Transport Authority competitive tender to design the Singapore terminus of the new Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail. The terminus will form an integral part of the Jurong Lake District, earmarked as Singapore’s futuristic second Central Business District.

Farrells have designed some of the world’s largest high-speed termini, including the Beijing South and Guangzhou South railway stations in China. In order to cope with incredibly high patronage, these stations pioneered airport-style segregation of arriving and departing passengers. In Singapore, Farrells designed Punggol MRT Station, the core of the Punggol New Town.

The design was conceived as a new civic landmark and Farrells will now develop the winning concept to address the requirements of both the High Speed Rail link and the district’s new visionary master plan currently being developed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the team of consultants led by KCAP Architects & Planners (KCAP). Though the railway platforms are below ground, Farrells’ design seeks to form an iconic above-ground focal point that marks this new international gateway to Singapore.

“The High-Speed Rail terminus is touted as a game-changer for Jurong Lake District, envisaged as Singapore’s second Central Business District and a ‘District of the Future’ – the new station will drive international exchange and growth there,” said Farrells director Stefan Krummeck. “The majority of the station structure is hidden below ground, so we felt it crucial to mark the station’s presence as a focal point and catalyst for the success of the district with a sculpted and elegant station hall.”

In keeping with Singapore’s reputation as the Garden City, the station’s undulating roof will be developed to become an integral element within the verdant landscape of the new Lakeside Gateway precinct. Skylights will flood the station with natural light, creating continuity between interior and exterior and celebrating the departure and arrival point for the new HSR. The station will be connected to the existing Jurong East MRT station as well as a stop on the planned Cross Island MRT line. The resulting multi-modal transport interchange will energise Jurong East as a strong economic hub, by boosting its high-connectivity and accessibility.

The 350 km Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail project will link Singapore to the Malaysian capital in only 90 minutes. The leaders of the two countries signed a bilateral agreement for the project’s development on 13 December 2016. The railway is expected to open by the end of 2026.

14 February 2017