Nestled next to the dramatic curved glass towers of the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium is an equally stunning clubhouse. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the clubhouse is the development's social centre and provides unique and intimate spaces for the residents.
Step into the expansive grounds of Reflections at Keppel Bay and you'll see soaring curved glass residential towers surrounded by reflecting pools, nature and artfully-arranged amenities. The Keppel Land property's piece de resistance, however, might be its clubhouse – a sculptural creation that gleams like a jewel in the sunlight.
The clubhouse, with its unconventional blend of glass and aluminium, wave-like roof and walls juxtaposed at different angles, is the brainchild of renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, who also came up with the blueprint for Keppel Land's Corals at Keppel Bay.
Mr Libeskind, whose globe-spanning designs include the master plan for the reconstructed World Trade Centre site in New York and the Jewish Museum in Berlin, is famous for the unusual geometry and asymmetrical looks of his creations. He had envisioned the clubhouse as a social centre for the condominium’s residents and a “composition in every direction” in its own right.
With a stunning arched roof that resembles crests of a wave – harmonising with the ethos of the shore-hugging residential property – and leaning walls, the intricate structure required extraordinary measures during its construction.
The reinforced concrete walls, glass curtain wall and thin aluminium cladding are all slanted, so they had to be propped up throughout the building process. The internal steel columns also slope at different angles.
More challenging was the steel roof and wall cladding, which Mr Libeskind had imagined as a single undulating piece, which meant it had to be built and positioned in its entirety before any of the wall props could be removed.
The clubhouse was so complex that it took two years to finalise the design and another year to construct. The team had to assemble a miniature, three-dimensional model so its structure could be carefully studied in detail, and the scale replica was modified several times before it was deemed satisfactory.
The jigsaw-like intricacy extended to the construction itself, with the team from engineering firm Woh Hup using building information modeling software to plan how to build the complicated roof in conjunction with the structural framework, curtain wall as well as the mechanical and electrical systems.
At the end of the day, the clubhouse cuts a dramatic, sinuous silhouette that is in symmetry with the six soaring glass towers and 11 low-rise villa blocks. Together, the buildings comprise 1,129 meticulously-designed luxury homes.
The clubhouse’s slanted roof, walls and columns also allowed its 755 sm interior to be carved into intimate yet functional spaces for entertaining guests. These include a reading lounge, private entertainment area, minimart, changing rooms with steam rooms and even a concierge across its basement and two levels. Its angles and curves are also matched by its décor and designer furnishings and fittings, which came from luxury Italian interior and furniture design firm Saporiti Italia. The company’s illustrious portfolio includes outfitting the United Nations office in Geneva.
The clubhouse also features the world’s first interactive designer kitchen by eminent Spanish artist and food designer Marti Guixe, who won the prestigious National Design Price of the Generalitat de Catalunya in 2007. His work can also be found in major museums globally including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
The kitchen top is fitted with an innovative projection display system that screens specially-created recipes to guide residents or chefs in whipping up delectable feasts. Enabling home-owners to offer their guests a delightful taste of the ‘Reflections at Keppel Bay’ experience – one where innovation and enjoyment live under the same stylish roof.