Void deck
Void decks refer to the open areas on the ground level of Housing and Development Board (HDB) public housing buildings in Singapore, which are commonly known as HDB blocks.[1] The first void deck was implemented in a HDB block in 1963 at Block 26, Jalan Klinik.[2] It is used for a range of casual community activities such as playing board games, exercising, and socialising. Residents can also book [3] void decks for events like weddings, birthday parties, funeral wakes, and religious ceremonies.[4]
History
[edit]At first, HDB blocks did not have void decks in the 1960s. The Housing and Development Board changed the design of the blocks and made the first level free of flats for activities such as light industrial workshops. However, the term "void deck" was not mentioned in HDB's annual reports until 1977–1978.[5] Precinct pavilions are added to newer void decks.[6]
Decoration and artworks
[edit]Artists must apply for permission from relevant authorities before displaying their works at void decks as the space belongs to the Town Council of the area where the void deck is located.[7]
Newer void decks
[edit]Some void decks[which?] are now not located on the ground floor and are integrated with sky gardens. Newer void decks are also smaller in size.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Cairns, Stephen; Jacobs, Jane M.; Yingying, Jiang; Padawangi, Rita; Siddique, Sharon; Tan, Eugene. "Singapore’s Void Decks." In Public Space in Urban Asia, edited by William Siew Wai Lim, 80–89. Singapore: World Scientific, 2014.
- ^ Tan, Alvin. The Story of Void Decks, p. 3. Singapore: National Heritage Board, 2013. Archived from its original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ Aljunied-Hougang Town Council. "Use of Common Area & Open Space." AHTC. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved on 10 September 2024.
- ^ Koh, Jaime. "Void Deck | Infopedia." National Library Board. 27 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ a b Singapore, National Library Board. "Void deck | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "Use of void decks changes in tandem with community's needs | HDB InfoWEB". www.hdb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ hermes (6 November 2017). "New public wall art put up at Yishun void deck". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
External links
[edit]
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