The Esplanade - Singapore

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The Esplanade - Singapore

[Public Domain] 25 Feb 2006 Dylan O'Donnell
CATEGORY : Architecture
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The Esplanade is a unique piece of architecture that is host to Singapore’s touring entertainment and large conferences or events. It was designed by DP Architects Pte Ltd. and Michael Wilford & Partners and is based on the shape of two durian fruits, Singapore’s national fruit. The durian fruit is called “The King of Fruits” and its flesh is regarded as a delicacy. Its odor however, is to my nose at least, much like human baby feces, and repelled me so greatly, any thought of eating this fruit was immediately quashed.

That this paradoxical fruit is the basis for Singapore’s art center is perhaps fitting. Its spiky exterior conceals a highly regarded treasure. Singapore’s highly oppressive, almost totalitarian government has banned podcasting and blogging during the elections without express permission from the censors, echoing similar moves in China and political censorship in Australia. While these places maintain high standards of living on the inside, it comes at a cost to freedom that from the outside, smells a little rotten.

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