Twin Peaks, The Height of City Living

Standing proudly on the slopes of Leonie Hill, Twin Peaks towers above the city,  commanding views along Orchard Road and the Central Business District. It is a futuristic vision of a Singapore to come, where high-rise buildings embody the tenets of high-density, high-efficiency and high-end luxury lifestyle.

To truly understand the future of housing in Singapore, it is important to first consider the past. In the 1950s, there was a severe shortage of housing in Singapore; some 75 percent of the population lived in crowded tenements and unplanned settlements. Suburban new towns were created to re-house the people. By the early 1960s, this process was well underway, with spacious new apartment blocks being built throughout the island.

In theory, these new housing complexes were to be self-sufficient communities that provide for all the needs of the inhabitants. However, these areas were not able to provide sufficient employment and many residents began to commute into the Central Business District for work.

Public transport made this journey short enough that many residents of the suburban towns preferred to shop and dine in the city. Overtime, these towns came to serve as commuter settlements with most daily activities taking place outside the home.

This trend has continued; today, we are served by a transportation system and a city which can fulfill almost all of our daily requirements. As such, some Singaporean residents feel they do not require a large home, but would prefer one that is better connected to the city. In a sense, they are willing to trade private space for the ease of interacting in public space and the convenience of proximity. Out of this unique sociopolitical climate has grown the need for a new housing typology – one which blends the comfort and privileges of a private condominium, and the central location, services and style of a hotel. With this in mind, Twin Peaks was created.

Although situated on an expansive site, the architects decided to restrict the development’s footprint and extend the towers vertically, leaving more space for lifestyle facilities. This resulted in the design of two symmetrical 35-storey towers that hold 231 units each. Not only is this a highly efficient design, but one of beauty that is balanced and composed within its urban context.

The arrangement of the towers promises residents panoramic views of the Orchard shopping district, extending from the living room into the heart of Singapore. Twin Peak’s position in the city centre means it is an ideal location for business and recreation with the main commercial areas only a stone’s throw away. Residents will spend less time travelling and more time on the things they enjoy.

To this end, Twin Peaks has many lifestyle facilities for residents to take pleasure in, including numerous pools, sky gyms, gardens and beautiful dining facilities. The importance of these amenities is expressed on the exterior where the vertical volume of the buildings is punctuated with the landscaped sky gym, creating a signature void. There is also a dedicated concierge service on hand to support the residents’ busy lifestyles. Residents may even enjoy the privilege of housekeeping and hospitality services extended by the Mandarin Orchard Singapore.

In Twin Peaks, every effort has been taken to make sure the residents are afforded the luxurious lifestyle they desire, one which begins as soon as they receive their new apartment. With this in mind, each unit comes fully furnished with high quality furniture and classic designer pieces.

Twin Peaks is a product of Singapore’s unique sociopolitical climate and is the first of a new generation of residences which truly caters to a contemporary city lifestyle. In designing this new typology, the architects of Twin Peaks have understood that today’s urban dweller needs a home that is fully integrated with the city yet at the same time separate, and have provided a luxurious escape in which to unwind and enjoy the view.