Talking a Walk around Marina Bay Sands

When I thought of Marina Bay, I can't help thinking of the time I spent there having steamboat with my junior college classmates. Of course, the steamboat restaurants were gone by now, overtaken by the gigantic Marina By Sands Integrated Resort.

It happened that I got some free time before a dinner at Bonifacio, so why not take a trip down to the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands.

I like the design of the Helix Bridge with its complex line works and use of glass panels to create the futuristic feel. However, I am disappointed that the bridge besides serving as a pedestrian connection lacks the practical function of providing shelter for people during bad weather while it could.

The Marina Bay Sands was huge no doubt. Three tall towers supporting the sky garden like an futuristic spacecraft has docked at Marina Bay. The building was incomplete both visually and functionally. Much of the complex remains under construction such as the theatre, expo and even their exclusive Marina Bay Club.

The opened areas includes part of the Shopping Mall, Casino, Hotel and Exposition Halls. However, do not expect much as most of the shopping remained closed with gigantic boards proclaiming that the shops are going to open "not too long".

The Hotel adopts a simplistic, contemporary design with an interior that echoes the depths of a canyon. Rows and rows of corridor stacked diagonally on top of each other till it reaches the top hence one could see about 20 plus stories to the top. The rooms are going for above $400 plus.

What intrigued me most is the reflective plates that were stacked in rows outside the hotel. As it moves with the wind, the reflected light creates a rippling effect. The restaurants are positioned like floats at the lobby rather having a room for themselves. Lobby dining I would call it, the good point is that because of the amount of space created by the tall lobby designed with the interior illuminated with natural lighting, I think dining at Rise can be quite nice but not somewhere you would find much privacy.

The Casino is one of the major highlights of the Marina Bay Sands, but I am not interested in it. Other highlights include "Celebrity Restaurants" (yet to open although the signage were up) featuring Guy Savoy's Guy Savoy, Mario Batali's Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda...definitely not a cheap affair.

In short, the Marina Bay Sands is not complete, design wise, it appeals more to the people who love simplistic, systematic, orderly, contemporary architecture with a touch of chaos and glitter I think. Not my cup of tea although I like this for its large naturally lit space due to the wide usage of glass covers.

For now, just wait for it to be completed.