● Detection

Cell Wall

ID05

TypeArchitecture

Date2023-11-20

Coords1.3774 N, 103.7719 E

Posx 1.60 y 1.70 z 0.90

Slug05-cell-wall

Residential urban farming.

For the residents of Bukit Panjang, this is a space designed for urban farming by the residents themselves. Crafting a vertical garden here wasn't just about greenery — it was about fostering community and addressing food security. Guided by five core principles — safety, community engagement, interaction, food security, and accessibility — the design blends functionality with play.

The wall is built from a modular hexagonal planter cell. Stacking and staggering are the two design drivers: varying the size of each cell changes the density of the wall, while staggering the planters creates different visual and gardening experiences and brings reachability into the design. Cells are "pulled out" from the vertical plane in tiers (0.0 m → 1.9 m) so residents of every ability can tend them.

Assembled into a hexagonal grid, the panels double as seating and table components and define a circulation route across the site — giving back a sense of ownership to the community. A space designed for the residents, by the residents.

In collaboration with Aceson Han, Wong Zi Yi, Zachary Lim, and Poon Jun Zhe.

Media & materials

Street-level render of the Cell Wall vertical garden with residents gardening — Cell Wall at the Bukit Panjang bus stop — residents tending the hexagonal planters.

Render of residents around the Cell Wall planting pods — Pod view — the planters double as seating and gathering points.

Section diagram showing the six height tiers of the Cell Wall planters — Six planting tiers, 0.0 m → 1.9 m, keeping every cell within reach.

Board of sketches and diagrams exploring stacking and staggering of planter cells — Design drivers — stacking and staggering the modular hexagonal cells.

Studies of wall panel variations with incident radiation analysis — Panel iterations and solar radiation analysis across the wall geometry.

Garden layout plan of the Cell Wall installation at Bukit Panjang — Garden layout plan — panels set in a hexagonal grid forming a circulation route.