Who would have thought that a nondescript lift lobby would turn viral?
However, that was what happened to the Tampines GreenVines BTO project when its red lift lobbies made headlines for their unorthodox colour and “creepy” vibes.
It also prompted Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng (Tampines GRC) to visit the infamous lift lobby earlier this month and request that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) review the design.
Since then, HDB has taken the feedback to heart and updated the façade of the lift lobbies.
As MP Baey shared in a Facebook post, “HDB will paint all the ceilings and non-tiled walls of Tampines GreenVines lift lobbies white.”
“While there have been differing views from residents and the public on whether the lobbies should be repainted or retained, HDB decided to apply a consistent approach to all blocks – red, yellow and blue.”
Being the biggest housing developer in Singapore, HDB is consistently pushing boundaries to build homes with distinctive identities to reflect the uniqueness of each town.
Unfortunately, in the case of the Tampines GreenVines project, the concept of using bold colours inspired by fruits (i.e. dragon fruit, mango and mangosteen) did not elicit the kind of aesthetic residents are looking for.
Now that HDB has repainted the walls to brighten the space, there is no doubt that some of us are lamenting the loss of a unique spot for artistic shots.
But the important takeaway from the lift lobby saga is that this Government will always take feedback, big or small, seriously.
As for the HDB, which provides housing to more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans, the aim is to create the best possible living environment where communities can thrive.
And when it does not get things right the first time, that is when feedback comes in.
“It is not uncommon for new projects to have teething issues. I urge residents to share their feedback with the Building Services Centre, which will definitely do its best to address them,” said MP Baey.
Judging by how swiftly HDB has resolved the issue of the red lift lobbies, this is simply one of the many instances of a responsive Government that has its finger firmly on the nation’s pulse.
Photo Source: Baey Yam Keng via Facebook