Singapore's Very First Vertical Kampung @ Kampung Admiralty

Friends of mine would probably know that I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli's animated feature film Laputa: Castle In The Sky which tells the story of an ancient civilization on a mysterious island that floats in the sky.

We all know that is not quite possible in reality, however, what if I were to tell you that we do have our very own version of Laputa right here in Singapore?

Well, sort of and it is located at Admiralty, to be precise.

Kampung Admiralty is Singapore's very first vertical kampung, a retirement village for the elderly built with every amenity and service they needed all under one roof.

The basement is where the car park, supermarket and a bank are located while retail outlets and a community plaza are on the first floor. A hawker centre occupies the second floor followed by a medical centre on the third and fourth. The sixth and seventh floor comprises of a eldercare centre, a childcare centre, a function hall and a roof garden while the eighth to eleventh floor is the sky terrace.

*There is no mention of the fifth floor and the lift bypasses this level.

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This is how it looks like from the street level but what is so special about it?

And here is the angle taken from the corridor at the opposite HDB block on the twelfth floor. This is the time I wished I have a wide angle lens to capture the view in all its grandeur.

Here I am, on the sixth floor looking up at the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh floors.

The lift cannot venture beyond the eighth floor. The remaining three floors up is the sky terrace accessible via gentle slopes. The top-most floor is the community garden where residents can grow vegetables and fruits just like the good old kampung days.

Living space enshrouded by luscious greenery. This is why Kampung Admiralty reminded me of Laputa. *cues Laputa theme song.

Did you know, this development won the World Building of the Year award at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam beating 535 others from 57 countries? This is one of the most prestigious awards ceremony recognizing architecture.

Part of the 100 units of studio apartments where the retirees live. Don't you simply love the environment and landscape?

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On the sixth floor is a childcare centre, eldercare centre, a playground and a fitness corner.

The hawker centre is located on the second floor. It is required of the stalls here to offer at least one dish at $2.80 so that food is affordable for everyone. You can check out some of the stalls I have tried here.

The man-made stream at the first level is more than just for aesthetic purpose. The water actually helps to keep the surroundings cool.

This is the community plaza on the first level where mass workouts and various events aimed at encouraging active living among seniors, as well as inter-generational bonding are held.