parklane's architecture

Parklane Mall follows the Brutalist architecture design common in the early 1970s. Sparked by post-war modernism, it is an expression of social progressivism. It was applied to government buildings and shopping centres because of its low cost, in the economic downturn after the war. The brutalist design was in line with the early vision of Singapore as a modern socialist state.

 

The exterior of brutalist architecture is characterised by the use of raw materials such as concrete, as opposed to steel and glass of newer malls. They are also made up of repetition of geometric shapes “often cubic, geometry, robust textures, concrete fins, narrow windows and strong vertical and horizontal lines cut by diagonals characterise the style”. Most brutalist malls also have an exposed concrete surface. The architecture of such architecture are often seen as cold and inhospitable, thus largely abandoned.

 

Some other brutalist malls in Singapore include People’s Park Complex, Golden Mile Complex and Shaw House. For instance, Golden Mile Complex follows a metabolist and brutalist design. Its terraced profile reduces noise pollution from traffic and the sloping slab facilitates ventilation. However, the brutalist design soon fell out of favour due to a move towards a global capitalism and corporatism.