Abstract
Singapore is one of the most densely populated country in the world with a population size of 5.61 million (as of June 2016), and a total land area of 719.1 square kilometres. Having extensively expanded outwards through land reclamation, and upwards through high-rise buildings, Singapore has already begun looking underground for more space to grow. While there is definitely still space to grow further outwards and upwards, it is necessary for Singapore to prepare for a subterranean habita- tion for the future. The current use of underground space in Singapore consist mainly of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) railway lines, underground retail spaces, and a few major underground project which include the Singapore Armed Forces’ Underground Ammunition Facility built in 2008 and the Jurong Rock Caverns built in 2014. These underground developments, built for practical reasons such as security and space-efficiency, are not intended for human inhabitation. This thesis projects the near future where available land in Singapore is consumed to its fullest capacity and the use of underground space for living is required. Diving 60 metres below the surface of Singapore, this thesis envisions the unlimited design possibilities for underground living in the future. The mixed-use prototypical subterranean city-space should provide the necessary conditions for a comfortable human inhabitation, whilst focusing on creating a utopian-like environment that can only be experienced underground. Technical requirements will for underground construction will be used as a general framework to provide the principles and parameters for the architecture. The smart and sustainable subterranean urbanism will also be strong geared towards underground liveability and aim to reconcile society’s perception of underground living.