Festive Corridor
Summary
A Bedok Reservoir resident named Linda has become known for transforming her HDB corridor into a vibrant Chinese New Year display each year, creating a festive atmosphere for her neighbours. She spends about a week preparing the decorations, sourcing flowers locally and purchasing ornaments online or from overseas, while always seeking her neighbours’ permission before decorating shared spaces. Her efforts have attracted visitors, even though some items have occasionally gone missing. For Linda, the project is an expression of community spirit and generosity, and she sees the attention as a sign that others appreciate and enjoy the festive environment she helps create.
Application
Such decorated corridors can also be understood as “third places”, a concept referring to informal social spaces outside of home (first place) and work (second place) where people interact and build community ties. In high-density housing like HDB estates, corridors function as everyday shared environments; in them, neighbours greet one another and pause for conversation. They also participate in collective activities such as festive decorating. These spaces foster familiarity, imbue a sense of belonging, and nurture social cohesion. We should recognise how spaces and architectural design can have a tangible influence on the way we behave. While we shape buildings, buildings and designs can in turn shape us.