A Y U S H

19 Apr 2016 • 268 views
 
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photoblog image Rochor Center

Rochor Center

Rochor Centre is one of three iconic public housing estates soon to be demolished for redevelopment. A cluster of four Housing Development Board blocks, each painted red, blue, yellow or green, Rochor Centre is one of the few remaining landmarks from Bugis of the 1970s. Completed in 1977, Rochor Centre was originally home to 183 shops and 567 households.

Rochor Center

Rochor Centre is one of three iconic public housing estates soon to be demolished for redevelopment. A cluster of four Housing Development Board blocks, each painted red, blue, yellow or green, Rochor Centre is one of the few remaining landmarks from Bugis of the 1970s. Completed in 1977, Rochor Centre was originally home to 183 shops and 567 households.

comments (17)

  • Ray
  • United States
  • 19 Apr 2016, 00:23
You have captured it well, Ayush.
Ayush Basu: Thank you for the kind remark, Ray.
Nice shot and information.
Ayush Basu: Thank you, Michael. Singapore is known for its relatively rapidly evolving urban landscape.
Very nicely presented Ayush!
Ayush Basu: Thank you, Richard.
  • Martine
  • France
  • 19 Apr 2016, 06:04
Jolie présentation mais je n'aime pas trop cet immeuble.
Ayush Basu: I can see why one would feel that way, Martine. In the 1970s, exterior aesthetics had a low priority on them.
Il a été construit dans les années 1970, lorsque la pensée de l'esthétique extérieure avait une faible importance .
I'm not sure about the green decor Ayush, but perhaps it looks better in context.
Ayush Basu: I am sure the original paint job was not green. This coat was added much later, perhaps in the 19xxs or early 20xxs. Public housing in Singapore may not be the best from exterior aesthetics but it is one of the success stories.
  • Chris
  • England
  • 19 Apr 2016, 07:16
A study in greens
Ayush Basu: This was not the original colour when constructed in the 1970s, but the result of a paint job in the late 19xx or early 20xx, Chris.
I think that green was the best of the colour choice.
Ayush Basu: This was not the original colour when constructed in the 1970s, but the result of a paint job in the late 19xx or early 20xx, Martin.
They haven't lasted long have they? Mind you it is the same here. 60s and 70s buildings aren't standing the test of time very well
Ayush Basu: I think here the driving factor is the scarce available land and need to constantly make effective utilization of it. That coupled with the determination of the governance has pretty much sealed the fate of these blocks.
Is housing still the aim of the redevelopment, I wonder.
Ayush Basu: It makes way for an expressway as this is very close to the city center. The governance here believes that this is necessary for the vehicular traffic that will grow in the coming twenty/thirty years, Mary.
  • blackdog
  • United Kingdom
  • 19 Apr 2016, 10:10
I remember seeing miles of these on the way from Changi to the city centre - is this one of those?
Ayush Basu: Public housing in Singapore may not be the best from exterior aesthetics but it is one of the success stories. This is very close to the city center. If you were on foot around this area, this would have been very hard to miss.
A very good shot Ayush, history recorded before it disappears. Where have all those people been moved to now?
Ayush Basu: Thank you, Brian. I will have a brief run-through of some more shots. These residents have been offered some alternate locations to move to and been awarded compensation. So in a practical sense, they will face as little disruption as possible. But then there is always a human/emotional element which will be lost, I reckon.
  • Lisl
  • England
  • 19 Apr 2016, 19:00
That is a lot of people to move out, Ayush
Ayush Basu: Some of them have moved out and already this place is beginning to wear a deserted look. In land scarce Singapore, this happens routinely - old structures pulled down for more efficient utilization of the space freed up, Lisl.
  • CherryPie
  • United Kingdom
  • 20 Apr 2016, 00:27
Lovely shot.

I wonder what they will replace it with...
Ayush Basu: Thank you, CP. It makes way for an expressway as this is very close to the city center.
it's a sad situation Ayush... are the people going to sleep on the streets until the just may rebuild more housing units...
IMO...redevelopment never turns the land into housing....petersmile
Ayush Basu: The residents have been offered alternate accommodation units elsewhere, Peter. These blocks after being torn down will make way for an expressway to a central location.
Did we tell you that it's possible they will tear down and rebuild our section of the complex where we live, Ayush? We're supposed to find out by July. It would mean we'd have to move out...and then move back in...something we're not looking forward to, as you'd imagine. (sigh)
Ayush Basu: Oh yes, it can (most likely will) be a major disruption and painful. If I remember, they do not even take your opinion into account before finalizing the decision, isn't it?
  • Louis
  • South Africa
  • 20 Apr 2016, 11:45
A great composition. The house I am living in, has been completed in 1977 and it still has many years to go. So, what went wrong at Rochor Center?
Ayush Basu: The general thumb rule in land scarce Singapore is, whatever that was built several decades ago probably made use outdated (less efficient) technology and philosophy > let us redo it > use newer, more efficient, more productive means > old makes way for the new > people bemoan the loss of memories and landmarks for a while, then life continues to go on.
  • Astrid
  • Netherlands
  • 21 Apr 2016, 20:23
I am glad that we live in a kind of smaller apartment building. The green looks great smile
Ayush Basu: I see what you mean, Astrid. And I think you made a good point. There are so many people, neighbours and families living together in such close proximity. But how much do we really connect with each other in the real sense?

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