This is Singapore’s newest and most unique “container port”

You’d think the many corners here causes bad feng shui, but in fact…

Any mention of Singapore will usually bring to mind thoughts of our world-class port, among other things we’re famous for. As the second-largest port management company in the world the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA International Pte Ltd) handles billions of cargo containers each year, making Singapore one of the busiest ports in the world.

Perhaps there have been too many containers and they had to build a new warehouse? That’s certainly what it looks like at the junction of Alexandra Road and Depot Road! We’re kidding of course – that’s actually The Interlace, an eye-catching condomium development.

Whether in terms of architecture or feng shui, The Interlace has a controversial design. Some say the place possesses bad feng shui because the container-like apartment blocks signify the lack of a fixed abode or may lead to hermit-like behaviour. Others are uncomfortable with the many sharp corners! Hmm…let’s see if The Interlace really has such a terrible feng shui setting!

The Interlace is composed of 31 residential blocks joined together in a hexagonal design. This intersecting and overlapping forms eight themed gardens within the condomium grounds. This use of 6 or “hex” from Western metaphysics and the number 8 from Eastern geomancy can be said to be a perfect combination.

The Interlace is located in Singapore’s southwestern region, close to Telok Blangah Hill Park, Mount Faber Park, Hort Park and Kent Ridge Park – like a magnificent sculpture amid the Southern Ridges. In landscape feng shui studies, The Interlace is considered an “Ox land”. Think about it: an environment where oxen can sleep peacefully would naturally be a pasture rich in greenery. The Interlace is surrounded by scenic hills as well as its own themed gardens, allowing residents to unwind in nature’s beauty. Perhaps the architect had already known of the features of this “Ox land”! What’s worth mentioning is that this plot of land faces the Pasir Panjang Terminal, which is “guarded by twin lions”, and is one of the few places in Singapore with the superb feng shui placement of being “backed by mountains and facing the sea”.

The Interlace’s main architect is Mr Ole Scheeren, with whom Grand Master Tan Khoon Yong collaborated on DUO Residences, another major project in Singapore. Grand Master Tan suggests that Scheeren’s architectural style has evolved from a “distribution of force” (e.g. CCTV Headquarters in Beijing) to an “energy-centred” style (such as The Interlace and DUO Residences).

How so? Well, when designing the Interlace, Scheeren proposed a design that focused on the interaction between nature and tropical living. Thus he carefully considered The Interlace’s topography, climate, and wind direction, adding green elements to ensure every resident can enjoy scenic views as well as great ventilation and natural light. This concept is in line with traditional feng shui principles of “possessing wind and retaining qi”.

The Interlace sits at the busy intersection of Alexandra Road and the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), with its inevitable noisy traffic. However, if you enter The Interlace, the noise will seem to have been absorbed by the buildings; instead, you’ll hear the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze.

From its appearance, these stacked apartment blocks seem to present several sharp edges. Upon entering different individual units, however, there’s no feeling of being cornered. Obviously, the architect had thoughtfully ensured that each unit avoided these corners, but people tend to be misled by what they see and dare not consider living here.

In addition, each unit has numerous windows that face out to varying scenery. This multi-directional design allows for more airflow and also helps improve thinking ability. In the long term, this lets one see things from different perspectives and approach problems from different angles.

The pinnacle of feng shui is the “blending of people and habitats into nature, creating a harmonious whole”. The architect of The Interlace seems to have grasped this balance between Yin and Yang, and this human-based design is just what feng shui is all about.

If you live on this “Ox land”, remember that “you reap what you sow” and you’ll surely enjoy fruitful returns from your endeavours!