Benoy-designed Plaza Singapura has been named the winner of the 2013 Shopping Centre Renovation Award at the Global Retail & Leisure (RLI) Awards.

Plaza Singapura was recognised for demonstrating innovation through architecture and design, for contributing to the overall regeneration of the area and for taking steps to improve sustainability.

Plaza Singapura is a long established retail destination located at the entrance of the famous Orchard Rd shopping district in Singapore. Newly renovated and extended, the mall converted and amalgamated three floors of prime commercial office space from two separate towers into a unified retail offering of over 89,000 sqm.

A façade wrapping unites the three developments, a key design element to seamlessly bring together the previously discrete elements. Following a ribbon-like motif, the fluid and elegant exterior design was inspired by the Stamford Canal and has revitalised the underused plaza through the creation of several large canopies and enhanced active frontage.

The addition of two large atria placed between the existing towers allows natural light to flow into the lower interior spaces and the bustling Dhoby Ghaut MRT station beneath the development.

To mirror the façade design, the interior detailing focuses on dynamic forms and flowing patterns. In keeping with Plaza Singapura’s existing Green Mark Gold Award from 2011, sustainable products and Singapore Green Label Scheme (SGLS) certified products were used in the renovation to contribute to considerable water and energy savings.

“Plaza Singapura has deep roots in Singapore and has long been a popular retail destination in the city. We are extremely excited to have been involved in the development’s transformation and to be recognised for the contributions to regeneration, innovation and sustainability that the new scheme delivers,” said Benoy’s director of Asia Meeta Patel.