First Master Plan ('70s to '80s)

– Dr Van Embden (OD 205)

OD 205 – The Master Plan of Kent Ridge Campus was drawn up by the Dutch firm OD205 and was accepted by the Cabinet in 1969.

Dr Van Embden adopted a ‘tartan grid’ development pattern as a planning guide over the Kent Ridge site. Typically it consists of 6 bays of 4’0” x 4’0” grids in both direction with 2’0” intermediate grids to house column and services. Physically, this translated to a low-rise development of 3 to 4-storey buildings to integrate with the undulating contours of the Ridge. The Ridge was reflected as the dominant feature on the site. Consideration was given to the dynamic changes inherent in University curricula and buildings were structurally designed to take an additional floor for minor upward extension. The buildings were carefully laid out with adequate land for future major extensions. This element of flexibility was further expressed in the separation of service cores from the main building. This allowed for adaptability and change in use of internal space as the technical facilities (electricity, gas, water, air-conditioning ducts, etc.) were located in service cores external to the main building.

Parking zones in the campus were decentralized. They were planned on the lower contours of the site and as near to the buildings as possible. Separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic was achieved by the provision of overhead linkages and under-pass for pedestrians. A main pedestrian routing which also acts as a link for the whole University was incorporated in all the buildings. It passes through areas where facilities were used by large crowds such as lecture theatres, seminar rooms and so on. Because of the terrain, the route goes through different levels. This network of linkages in the various buildings forms a main connection route and was given its distinct identity by treatment of double storey height, yellow metal ceiling and dark brown floor tiles.
Preservation of trees and treatment of open spaces were given special attention: the central green area spreading eastwards along the whole Ridge was left intact; this central green was further complemented by fringe green areas dotting the peripheral of the campus; and small open spaces between buildings were similarly landscaped.

• Stages of Physical Development
  The stages of physical development were divided into two main phases:
  
  

• Phase I (1973 to 1977)
  Following facilities were completed:
  • Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Architecture
  • Computer Centre
  • 1 Canteen
  • 6 Lecture Theatres
  • 1 Electrical Sub-station
  • Yusof Ishak House
  • Canteen
  • Estate Office/Maintenance Quarters
  • Central Administration
  • Central Library
  • School of Accountancy & Business Administration
  • 2 Lecture Theatres
  • 1 Hall of Residence (450 Students)

• Phase II (1975 to 1981
  

  Following facilities were completed:

  • Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Language Centre
  • Faculty of Law
  • 1 Canteen
  • 3 Lecture Theatres
  • Bio-Sciences Complex (Faculties of Science, Medicine & Dentistry)
  • Bio-medical Library
  • 1 Canteen
  • 5 Lecture Theatres
  • Sports Complex/ Staff House
  • Centre for Musical Activities
  
  
• On 8 August 1980, the National University of Singapore (NUS) incorporating the University of Singapore and Nanyang University was established.
  
  Together with the establishment of the NUS, the Government decided on an expansion programme for the University to increase total enrolment from 9,000 in 1982 to 16,000 in 1990. This expansion was carried out under Phase III and implemented in two stages, namely:
  
  
• Phase III (1981 to 1983)
  

  First stage included the construction of additional floors to the following buildings:

  • Arts & Social Sciences
  • Language Centre
  • Accountancy & Business Administration
  • Engineering Block I

  
  Second stage included upgrading and renovation of existing facilities in the Faculty of Medicine and the construction of new buildings for the following Faculties:

  • Faculty of Architecture
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Accountancy & Business Administration
  • Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Science
  • Library
  • School of Postgraduate Management Studies