{"id":19888,"date":"2018-10-05T11:32:08","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T03:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=19888"},"modified":"2022-07-01T04:59:59","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T20:59:59","slug":"hdb-common-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/hdb-common-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ingenious uses of HDB common spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Yes, we love to complain about how HDB flats are getting more expensive, and many of us are still hung up about the fact that we\u2019re just <\/span>lessees, and not actual owners of our properties<\/span><\/a>. But all in all, we\u2019d say that HDB has done a pretty good job at mapping out what limited space we have in Singapore, and making Singapore a truly liveable city. One evidence of this is how HDB common spaces are used across the island.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

So, here are 5 ingenious uses of HDB common spaces, some of which you may or may not have known about. If any of these sounds new and interesting to you, it\u2019s time to start exploring!<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

HDB Common Space #1: Bedok Maze in Bedok South<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"bedok\t<\/p>\n

Located between Block 41 and 42 Bedok South Road, Bedok Maze is <\/span>the <\/span><\/i>place that people go to practice parkour<\/a>. In fact, this spot is actually pretty renowned in the international parkour community, so it\u2019s not just locals who come here — there are plenty of foreigners who make a pitstop in Singapore specifically to check out the maze. <\/span>\t<\/p>\n

Parkour practitioners aside, Bedok Maze is also frequented by members of the general public. You\u2019ll find elderly folks taking their walks early in the morning, and children playing in the area from late afternoon onwards.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

It’s a shame that East Coast Fengshan Town Council currently has plans to demolish Bedok Maze, but there\u2019s an <\/span>online petition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that you can sign.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

**[Browse HDB homes for sale in Bedok here<\/a>]\t<\/p>\n

HDB Common Space #2: Brick Art Workshop at Taman Jurong<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"brick\t<\/p>\n

Most of our void decks are just, well, void decks\u2026 but this one at Block 336 Tah Ching Road has been transformed into a flexible workshop space that’s currently used for teaching Brick Art (art made with toy bricks). Completed in 2018, the space is decked out with Lego-inspired furniture designed by residents in the neighbourhood. The key man is Lee Aik Lam, a former robotics teacher who’s running Brick Art regular workshops for kids (and kidults) at this space. You can register for upcoming workshops here<\/a>.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

**[Browse HDB homes for sale in Jurong West\/Taman Jurong here<\/a>]\t<\/p>\n

HDB Common Space #3: Upcycled Play Yard at Aljunied Crescent<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"upcycled\t<\/p>\n

Just two years back, the space between Block 96 and Block 97 of Aljunied Crescent used to be an empty grass patch. A few residents came together and started thinking about how they could use the space better\u2026 and today, they\u2019ve transformed the area<\/a> into an upcycled play yard complete with swings, seating and mini-gardens (growing edible crops). It\u2019s a simple and rusticconcept, but one that has effectively brought the residents of the neighbourhood together.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

Want to start your own community project? Visit this page<\/a> for more information.\t<\/p>\n

**[Browse HDB homes for sale in Geylang\/Aljunied here<\/a>]\t<\/p>\n

HDB Common Space #4: ‘Play It Forward’ at various locations<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"play\t<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever spotted a colourfully decorated piano sitting bang in the middle of nowhere, that\u2019s probably the handiwork of Jean Hair, Billy Soh, and Lee Yan Chang of Play It Forward.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

Play It Forward started back in 2015, when Jean and her friends realised there were a huge number of pianos being disposed each year. The trio thought it was a pity that all these pianos were going to waste, so they decided to rescue the pianos and share the joy with the public. <\/span>\t<\/p>\n

The movement all started with just two pianos being placed on Aliwal Road as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) PARK(ing) Day. Today, Play It Forward has restored more than 20 pianos, gotte local artists to transform these pianos into public art pieces, and brought the pianos to over 16 locations in the city \u2014 including in HDB heartlands.<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

Right now, three of Play It Forward\u2019s pianos are housed in permanent locations at Bukit Panjang Community Centre, The URA Centre, and National University of Singapore. The rest live their days out as vagabonds, travelling throughout Singapore. Locate the pianos here<\/a>, one might just be near you!<\/span>\t<\/p>\n

**[Browse HDB homes for sale in Bukit Panjang here<\/a>]\t<\/p>\n

HDB Common Space #5: GoodLife! Makan at Marine Parade<\/b><\/h3>\n