VERDALE, inspired by Forest Bathing or shinrin-yoku, provides residents with a wellness sanctuary to dwell in nature
Those who seek respite from the hasty pace of urban life are set to find them in VERDALE. Once completed, the 258- unit boutique development will sit nestled amidst verdant foliage, spread across seven five-storey residential blocks in the Beauty World enclave.
Set along De Souza Avenue, off Jalan Jurong Kechil, VERDALE is situated in a neighbourhood poised for growth. The Singapore government has since announced plans for the transformation of Beauty World, which include a one-stop integrated facility comprising a community club, redeveloped market and hawker centre, and an indoor sports hall and community library.
Beauty World’s transformation
To inject vibrancy into the Beauty World area, the government has launched a commercial and residential site of 3.22 ha at Jalan Anak Bukit for sale, emphasising on the future development to include well-designed public spaces and pedestrian networks that integrate seamlessly with public transport. This will also include an integrated transport hub that will draw more crowds and further enhance the value of the locale.
Set along De Souza Avenue, off Jalan Jurong Kechil, VERDALE is situated in a neighbourhood poised for growth in the rejuvenated Beauty World precinct
The precinct has also been earmarked as gateways for nature and heritage, and lush landscaping is set to improve the pedestrian experience and access to the Rail Corridor, the Coast-to-Coast Trail, and Rifle Range Nature Park.
Residents of VERDALE are bound to reap the best of both worlds - the convenience of choice facilities at their doorstep, and the accessibility to nature reserves and parks within close proximity to their homes. The development is well connected to all of Singapore via the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) and the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), while Beauty World MRT station is nearby. Eateries are also aplenty in the neighbourhood, with a wide range of select dine-outs along Cheong Chin Nam Road, and in the Bukit Timah area.
Shinrin-yoku inspired concept
Set against such a backdrop, the architects of VERDALE weaved the narrative of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, into the grounds of the project, a Japanese practice of taking in the forest atmosphere. “Our design focused on the creation of a fine lifestyle boutique development, for living in a very serene environment,” says Choy Meng Yew, director at P&T Consultants. Trees and shrubbery, for one, will be a common sight within the development.
Homeowners can lounge at the forest bathing pods, flushed into the grassland within the central courtyard that spans over 100m from one end to the other. Tall trees will line one side of the 50m lap pool, casting moving shadows on the water as the leaves sway. Residents can also recline at the poolside alcove greeting the other side of the pool.
The giant arrival portal marks the transition from a busy city-life into a wellness sanctuary
Design-thinking starts from the arrival of homeowners at VERDALE, where a giant arrival portal marks the transition from a busy city-life into a peaceful home. A timber lookalike trellis frames the grand entrance, carefully selected to allow slivers of light to pass through as the sun casts its rays, creating lighting effects that vary throughout the day.
The development’s landscape architect intended to “bring in the experience of how you walk in and detach yourself from the city life”, shares Thanapong, managing director for Ecoplan Asia. The arrival portal marks the first entrance into tranquility at home, whereupon residents will enter the central courtyard and be greeted by an expansive tiered landscape and water features. This culminates finally in VERDALE’s wellness zone, an exclusive nook comprising amenities like a Spa Pavillion and a Yoga Meditation Pod. Entering this zone, the sounds of water trickling gets much louder, and its footpaths narrower, designed purposefully for homeowners to slow down their steps and unwind, says Thanapong.
VERDALE’s wellness zone, an exclusive nook comprising amenities like a Spa Pavillion and a Yoga Meditation Pod
Smart Space Solutions
The interior of VERDALE’s units are not exempt from meticulous planning. Units boast floorto- ceiling windows, a design feature that welcomes greenery into residents’ homes. To expand on the sights, the ground floor units boast soffit heights of up to 4.3m, providing homeowners with design flexibility and the allure of a larger space.
The Atelier is a modern island kitchen design that adds comfort and functional space
Notwithstanding views, homes at VERDALE also come with smart space solutions for selected units. The Atelier is a modern island kitchen design that adds comfort and functional space for preparing food or as a breakfast counter and even for entertaining friends. The Armadio is a windowsill in the kitchen for extra countertop space and storage, that can hold kitchen canisters, cookbooks or pantry items. The Alcove is a great display shelf that cleverly hides clutter for a clean and organised space. The Armoire is an elegant dressing table of sorts for accessories and small personal items, all sectioned for easy access.
The Armadio is a windowsill in the kitchen for extra countertop space and storage
“The element of a good interior or architecture must touch your inner senses and enrich your soul. It must be more that just a home where memories are made and shared with your love ones,” says Angelena Chan, managing director of Index Design, interior designer for the project.
The Alcove is a great display shelf that cleverly hides clutter
The Armoire is an elegant dressing table of sorts, all sectioned for easy access
To offer flexibility to homeowners, one-bedroom units at VERDALE feature a sliding door that slices the space into a living area and master bedroom. VERDALE’s joint developers, COLI Singapore and CSC Land Group, have also planned for 12 duplex units that take after its immediate neighbourhood of landed homes. With this, homeowners get to enjoy condo facilities and added security, yet still indulge in the spaciousness of a two-storey unit.
From striking architectural design and thoughtful interior finishes, to landscaping touches that blend in with the Beauty World precinct, VERDALE offers the promise of rest to all who call it home.
ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd
8828 1222
OrangeTee & Tie Pte Ltd
9784 9748
PropNex Realty Pte Ltd
6100 2686
Viewing by appointment only
This article appeared in The EdgeProp Pullout Issue 950 (Sep 14, 2020) of The Edge Singapore.