The apartment blocks at Jervois Mansion will feature a “living façade” made up of multiple planters that run the length of each block (Picture: Kimen Group)
SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - In July, former residents of Jervois Mansions, a freehold development in prime District 10, gathered for a party by the pool to bid a final farewell to the development they had called home. The residents had been tenants at the 32-unit apartment, which for the last 36 years had been held for lease by owner and developer Kimen Group.
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The 32-unit apartment will be redeveloped into a new residential development called Jervois Mansion, housing 130 residences. The project, which was launched for sale last October, has seen 104 of the 105 units that were released for sale taken up, based on caveats lodged. The last unit has also been sold. Kimen Group is retaining ownership of 25 units as a long-term investment.
Arthur Aw, executive director of Kimen Group, says that owning the units helps align the developer’s and the buyers’ interests. “We want to make sure that maintenance of the development is done well and kept affordable,” he adds.
Buyers of the new units at Jervois Mansion were also invited to the farewell party, providing a chance for them to get to know their future neighbours as well as mingle with former residents. For Aw, fostering a strong sense of community among residents is an important part of the redevelopment process. “A close-knit community with shared values will help ensure the longevity of a development,” he explains.
Jervois Mansion is located along Jervois Road, in the vicinity of the Bishopsgate-Chatsworth Good Class Bungalow (GCB) enclave. The original Jervois Mansions itself was a redevelopment of three former GCBs that had once sat on the 93,183 sq ft site.
Taking its cue from the surroundings, Kimen Group set out to create a development based on a “bungalow-inspired living” concept. Designed by London-based architectural firm Serie Architects, Jervois Mansion comprises six low-rise blocks “placed loosely on the site”, which Serie Architects co-founder Christopher Lee says is akin to the placement of villas in a GCB neighbourhood.
Serie Architects also drew inspiration from Singapore’s black-and-white heritage bungalows, which often featured verandas and lush surrounding gardens to help counter the country’s hot and humid climate. Emulating this, Jervois Mansion was crafted with a “living façade”, made up of multiple planters that run the entire length of each apartment block. Balconies for each unit are placed amid the planting, allowing each apartment to have close contact with nature.
Recognising the unique appeal of the development, judges of this year’s EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) have crowned Jervois Mansion with the Top Development Award as well as the Landscape Excellence Award.
Indeed, nature is a focal point that binds the entire development. Besides the planters that adorn the apartment blocks, the development’s landscaping includes gardens, ponds, a 100m linear garden in the basement, and other pockets of greenery, all crafted to provide a “close-to-ground” living experience surrounded by nature.
Landscape design firm Mace Studio, the landscape architect for the project, also curated roof gardens at the top of each block, which are connected through a series of trellised bridges. Nestled within the rooftop landscaping are various facilities that have been grouped around specific themes for each block. For example, one block is designed for family activities with a barbecue area and a tandem swing, while another focuses on providing a place to relax, with a sun-tanning lawn and hammocks.
As part of the overall vision of creating a thriving Jervois Mansion community, one of the blocks has been dedicated to community activities and includes an urban farm where vegetables, herbs and other plants will be grown. A series of programmes will be run to educate and encourage Jervois Mansion residents to grow their own food. Landscape design firm Mace Studio has been appointed to oversee the programme for two years upon completion of the development.
On the ground floor, multiple courtyards are spread between the blocks, around which other facilities are clustered, including a swimming pool, a clubhouse and a gym.
The emphasis on biophilic design and greenery plays a large role in the development’s sustainability. Jervois Mansion has received the BCA Green Mark GoldPLUS Super Low Energy (SLE) award, making it among the first private residential developments to achieve the SLE rating.
Various sustainable solutions are included in the development’s design, including light fixtures fitted with motion sensors, energy-efficient lifts, and an automatic water irrigation system for the landscaping.
Sustainability was also incorporated into the design of each unit. Windows and openings are carefully calibrated to ensure good ventilation, reducing dependence on air-conditioning. In addition, each unit is installed with a metal grill door outside the main door. This way, residents can leave the main door open to promote further cross-ventilation.
Units at Jervois Mansion comprise a mix of one- to five-bedroom apartments, with sizes starting from 495 sq ft and going up to 1,808 sq ft. Studio iF, led by Gwen Tan, principal architect and partner at Formwerkz Architects, is the appointed interior designer for the project.
All units were configured to maximise the amount of usable space. For example, the dining room was planned to comfortably accommodate a dining table without blocking pathways, while sufficient space was included in bedrooms so there is room to walk around the bed. All bedrooms also have full-height windows that allow plenty of natural light to pass through, as well as full-height wardrobes that provide ample storage space.
Units at Jervois Mansion are also decked out with smart-home features, including a central hub for ease of integration with smart apps and home appliances, as well as smart air-conditioning that can be controlled remotely. An e-concierge system is also available with services including facility booking, pre-registering of guests and collection of parcels.
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