News release from the NTUC, dated 11/07/2003:
Source:
http://www.ntuc.org.sg/myunion/features.phtml?aid=20033313110715JP
One Marina Boulevard - A Modern Home For The Labour Movement
Come 2004, the labour movement will move into its spanking new building at the gateway to the new Downtown at the junction of Raffles Quay and the proposed Marina Boulevard. To be known as One Marina Boulevard, the building will house the new "NTUC Centre" which offers a host of amenities to better serve all union members. NTUC News gives a peek of what's in-store and outlines other related issues.
Since the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) was set up in 1961, it has kept faith with the basic aim of trade unionism: looking after the interests of workers.
Its headquarters, which was then located in the six-storey Singapore Conference Hall along Shenton Way, was a symbol of strong trade unionism and a home to many union leaders who assembled there for meetings and gatherings.
The building was known affectionately as the NTUC Trade Union House and it became synonymous to the many achievements of the labour movement. Over the years, it witnessed the growth of the NTUC and how it has protected workers' interests and fostered industrial harmony.
The next 30 years saw Singapore's economy growing by leaps and bounds, and this was most evidently noted by the tall office buildings that sprung up within the Central Business District along Shenton Way.
All these while, the NTUC continues to carry out its important role of safeguarding the well-being of workers and reinforcing strong tripartism between the various social partners.
In 1990, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced that the Government would build a new home for the NTUC, probably in Marina South.
He said: "As the commercial district would expand to Marina South sooner or later, NTUC should be there, in the heart of the new city which they will help to build. There, they would be able to rub shoulders as equals with management, proud that they as much as their employers, have contributed to the stability and prosperity of Singapore."
Speaking at the May Day Dinner in 1990, PM Goh also spoke on the need for a new NTUC building. "Today, it (NTUC Trade Union House) is dwarfed by many new and tall office buildings. It does not now adequately reflect the national importance of NTUC and its contribution to our national prosperity," he said.
The Prime Minister also added: "This time we should not make the same mistake of making it a small building."
Making headway
In August 2001, the NTUC embarked on the project of building its new home. A land parcel located at the gateway to the new Downtown at the junction of Raffles Quay and the proposed Marina Boulevard was allocated by the Government to the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF).
The rectangular plot of land covers 3,715 square metres. The NTUC offices and facilities will occupy about one quarter of the available space, while the rest of the space will be for lease.
Though the land was allocated to SLF without tender, SLF has to pay market value for the land as determined by the Chief Valuer. In November 2001, it paid the market price of $140.6 million (or $270 psf GFA) for the development of the new building.
The total development cost is $282 million. As the space occupied by NTUC is only about 26 per cent of the total floor area, the development cost for the NTUC space works out to be $75 million, or 26 per cent of $282 million.
Hence, as promised by PM Goh in 1996 when he said that the Government would provide a grant for NTUC's new home as a recognition of the key role that the labour movement has played in Singapore's success, the Government paid $75 million to SLF for the space occupied by NTUC. The balance cost of $207 million is financed by SLF. SLF does not collect rental from NTUC for the space that it occupies.
The design of NTUC's new home was awarded to DP Architects Pte Ltd after they won a competition for the design of the building. Construction works commenced after a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by National Development Minister and SLF Chairman Mah Bow Tan on 28 February 2002.
Seeking a balance
Being a prime 'Grade A' commercial building which is very well-located and well-designed with high specifications to attract corporate users, the tower is named "One Marina Boulevard".
On the other hand, the floors occupied by the NTUC Headquarters will be known as "NTUC Centre". The name and logo of NTUC will be prominently displayed on the facades of the building.
SLF is confident that the public will refer to the building as the NTUC Centre, just as the Singapore Conference Hall in Shenton Way was popularly referred to as the NTUC Conference Hall for years.
It is envisaged that One Marina Boulevard will be an icon of the labour movement and an important and visible symbol of workers' achievements. The building's location at the new downtown symbolises the labour movement's tripartite partnership with businesses and the Government, working hand-in-hand towards Singapore's progress.
Capturing the aspirations of the labour movement
The new One Marina Boulevard (OMB) building overlooking Marina Bay has been aptly summarised by architectural firm DP Architects as a building for and of the workers and the labour movement.
The architects stayed true to the NTUC's aspirations - to design a building that is original, contemporary and forward looking to capture the dynamic and progressive nature of the labour movement in Singapore.
The 32-storey structure is planned to be convenient for both vehicular and pedestrian movement and to make their circulation as efficient as possible. The various usable areas of the building are strategically placed to create distinct articulation of user types and therefore promote clarity of direction.
Fully-equipped
Other than housing the NTUC Headquarters, OMB will have a 600-seat auditorium, meeting and training rooms, a one-stop customer service centre for union members, as well as retail and medical facilities. These amenities will enable the NTUC to better serve its 420,000 union members.
About 320 staff from the NTUC Administration & Research Unit, Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC Link, NTUC Eldercare, NTUC Media, Ong Teng Cheong Institute and ICFTU-APRO will be moving to OMB in early 2004.
Visual connection
The first storey is a highly-accessible and visible space that establishes a visual connection between the city on one side and the future waterfront promenade on the other.
Covered walkways surround the building on all sides and provide weatherproof access and urban connectivity. The typical office floor is a larger than usual 1,800 square metres around a central core and is designed with a generous ceiling height.
OMB will stand out as a vertical form characterised by its purity and simplicity in what is otherwise a busy-looking skyline.
A consistency of geometric form not only results in more efficient office spaces but also creates a sense of stability which parallels the spirit of the labour force.
The simplicity of the glass and granite curtain wall system that DPA have designed, works with the proportions of the building form to create an elegant façade and a contemporary corporate image.
Reinforcing the "garden city" image
Landscaped sky lobbies carved out of the building form provide an opportunity for vertical landscaping for the building, reinforcing the "garden city" image and incorporating a sense of playfulness to the otherwise structured form.
The curtain wall itself is also not a bland "wrap" around the building as many modern building skins tend to be. The façade facing the bay has a more animated character to represent the life and dynamism of the activities on the bay, while the city side, which faces the Central Business District, is designed with a more cohesive, business-like and solid character.
Dual character
In addition, the bayfront façade is designed with a dual character. During the day, stark clean lines and elegant glass skin reflects adjacent sea view and skyline, exuding an understated corporate image. In the evening, this corporate skin "disappears" and the interior of the building is expressed as lit components behind the façade.
OMB is targeted to be completed in early 2004. When completed, it will be the new home of the NTUC and its affiliates with remaining office spaces being leased to other public institutions and companies.
The pride of workers
"Our former home at the conference hall was a very well-recognised location and it symbolises the contributions of the labour movement to society. The same significance has been retained in the new One Marina Boulevard. It expresses the confidence that Government and society has in the responsible labour movement led by the NTUC. It is also an expectation that we continue to be constructive and responsible in the future."
Mr Heng Chee How, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General
"I have been working with NTUC since 1978 and I have really seen a progression of the premises, especially the working environment for staff. The new building is our Government's recognition of the contributions of the labour movement towards the economic development and prosperity of Singapore. I will be glad to see the building completed. It is a very good gesture on the part of our Government."
Mdm Halimah Yacob, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General
"I'm glad that the new NTUC building will be back in the heart of the city, to be part of the action. I hope that the building, being near to the river, will bring good luck and prosperity to all workers."
Mr Thomas Thomas, General Secretary, Singapore Shell Employees' Union