Inspired by?
Musings by Kenneth Lyen
Singapore has a number of breathtaking architectural structures and I have often wondered what inspired the architects to generate such fascinating creations. Coincidentally this was the exact same question asked by my good friend, which got me writing this piece. To illustrate what I speculate is the source of inspiration, I have paired up the actual construction with what I think might be the origin of the fertilisation. Some of the pairings have been made by others some time ago. Some are probably a bit too far-fetched, in which case just ignore my poor sense of humour. The really funny pairings can be credited to my friend.
Although I would like to suggest that the picture paired with the building was the basis of the design creativity, in reality the nicknames given to these buildings were conferred only after they had been completed. Even the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay was not initially called the "Durian". It was thought to look like two loaves of bread, or the compound eyes of a fly. The general public kept on calling it the "durian", and so, in time, the name stuck. So therefore unusual buildings eventually get crowned by the public with a popular name that bonds, hopefully, in perpetuity.
Hope you enjoyed this piece!
Special thanks to Kim Li Chee, Dr Khor Tong Hong, Shaun Koo, Daniel Tan, and PW, Ludwig Tan, Winnie Woon for their suggestions and supplying some of the pictures.
Ken Lyen
19 September 2020, Updated 23 November 2020