SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse (SAFRA CCK) | 2018-2023

Location: Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Architects: DP Architects
Design Team: Ng San Son, Tan Kok Ming, Jireh Lee, and Nigel Chew
Client: SAFRA National Service Association
Photographs: Courtesy of the Architects

Nestled in the heart of a public park, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse (SAFRA CCK) is a recreational clubhouse that offers a comprehensive suite of health and wellness activities for National Servicemen and their families. The architecture of SAFRA CCK expresses itself with bold, fitness-inspired forms, including super-scaled trusses and multi-faceted concrete facade that symbolize unity and strength.

Underneath its robust exterior, SAFRA CCK seamlessly blends nature and fitness to reinvigorate the neighborhood and reignite the community spirit. The clubhouse is designed with environmental sensitivity and green plot ratio of 362%, ensuring a reciprocal relationship with nature. The building massing is oriented in the North-South direction to draw in greenery and activities from the existing park, creating a self-shading lush courtyard that brings the outdoors into the clubhouse. This greenery extends itself upwards at strategic locations such as corridor planters and roof gardens, where it not only gives occupants better access to nature but also acts as a buffer for rain penetration.

To further enhance porosity and encourage movement on the ground storey, the swimming pool is elevated into the tree canopies. This extends the pool to seemingly blend into the foliage and provides stunning aerial views of the park. High volume spaces within the clubhouse are positioned along the extended arms of the building to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation. In air-conditioned spaces, high-performance double-glazed glass is used to reduce heat transfer, leading to significant energy savings. These features also create a comfortable environment for various fitness programmes such as swimming, futsal, and gym.

Adjacent to the courtyard, the “Steps-of-Life” feature staircase promotes active mobility by binding various fitness facilities, and linking the park’s running route to the building’s sky running track at fourth storey. Besides passive design strategies, SAFRA CCK also optimises energy consumption through green technology and sustainable construction. It boasts a high-efficiency water-cooled chiller plant, rainwater harvesting with 100% smart auto-irrigation landscapes, rooftop photovoltaic panels and energy-efficient lighting systems.

During construction, green concrete and recycled steel were also used, reducing carbon emission per gross floor area by 23%. With an overall energy savings of 42.7% totaling 1890MWh, the project is awarded the Green Mark Platinum – Super Low Energy certification by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority. This recognition reflects the clubhouse's commitment to harmonise with nature and underscores its role as a mindful and sustainable space, prioritising the wellbeing of occupants in every facet of its design and functionality.