3 Hidden Worlds You'll Find In Singapore's Rooftops | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• Urban Farming/Food Forests: Cultivating edible plants in urban environments, often on rooftops, for local consumption.
• Farm-to-Table Concept: A movement emphasizing locally sourced food, directly from the farm or producer to the consumer, promoting freshness and sustainability.
• Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly in relation to food production and consumption.
• Entrepreneurship: The activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
• Bee Rescue and Conservation: The practice of saving bees from extermination and understanding their vital role in pollination and ecosystem health.
• Repurposing Old Buildings: Adapting existing structures, like old industrial buildings or shophouses, for new and innovative uses.

Rooftop Food Forest at CapitaSpring

This section explores the world's highest food forest located on the rooftop of CapitaSpring, Singapore's second tallest building at 280 meters.

• Main Topic: The innovative use of skyscraper rooftops for urban agriculture and its contribution to the farm-to-table concept.
• Key Points:
  • The food forest cultivates over 60 varieties of edible plants.
  • These greens are harvested by urban farmers for use in two on-site restaurants.
  • The food forest must provide approximately 90 kilograms of produce monthly for the kitchens.
  • Specific Examples of Produce:
    • Ulam Raja: Traditionally used in Nasi Ulam, described as tasting like green mango.
    • Lemon Myrtle: Native to Australia, possessing a very strong lemon flavor.
  • Challenges of Urban Farming at Height:
    • Storms: Reduced visibility ("in the clouds") makes navigation difficult.
    • Pest Control: Lack of natural predators (birds) at high altitudes leads to grasshopper infestations. The strategy to mitigate this is to avoid planting all produce in one area to prevent total destruction.
• Real-World Application: The food forest directly supplies restaurants, demonstrating a closed-loop system where produce is grown and consumed on-site.
• Key Argument/Perspective: The farm-to-table concept, exemplified by this food forest, aims to educate consumers about the ingredients they consume and offer an alternative to solely relying on imported food. It provides a different perspective on farming and ingredient availability, highlighting that not all ingredients are available year-round.
• Notable Statement: "I think this is quite uniquely Singapore, I would say. And so I think it's something that we should be very proud of." (Attributed to Melvin Keng, referring to the integration of green spaces within tall buildings).
• Technical Terms:
  • CBD (Central Business District): The financial and commercial heart of a city.
  • Facade: The exterior face of a building.
  • Urban Farmers: Individuals who cultivate crops within city limits.
  • Farm-to-Table: A movement promoting locally sourced food.

Industrial Chic Cafe: Coexist Coffee Co.

This section details a unique cafe located in an old industrial building in Hillview, Singapore, offering a blend of industrial aesthetics and quality coffee.

• Main Topic: The repurposing of an abandoned industrial canteen into a successful cafe with a focus on unique ambiance and artisanal coffee.
• Key Points:
  • The cafe is situated in an old industrial building in a quiet residential area, previously a busy industrial estate.
  • The interior design incorporates elements from the 1980s, such as ventilation blocks, which provide natural lighting and complement the industrial aesthetic.
  • The counter is intentionally kept raw, enhancing the building's original character.
  • The cafe offers stunning rooftop views, including a resemblance to Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Gardens by the Bay.
  • Coffee Offerings:
    • Tasting Set: Features a house blend with hints of grapey notes.
    • Palate Cleanser: Contains pear.
    • Pour Over Coffee: Changes monthly to cater to coffee enthusiasts.
• Case Study: Coexist Coffee Co. is presented as a successful example of entrepreneurship, having started in an unlikely location and expanded to open other outlets.
• Key Argument/Perspective: The success of Coexist Coffee Co. highlights the potential for innovation and invention when individuals start their own ventures. It demonstrates that a business can thrive even without a trendy location or high foot traffic, relying instead on quality products and a unique experience.
• Notable Statement: "If you start something on your own there's a lot of innovation and invention along the way." (Attributed to Yi Jie, one of the founders).
• Technical Terms:
  • Industrial Building: A structure designed for manufacturing or industrial processes.
  • Ventilation Blocks: Building components used for air circulation.
  • Aesthetic: The visual appeal of something.
  • Artisanal Coffee: Coffee prepared with high skill and quality ingredients.
  • F&B (Food and Beverage): An industry term for food and drink establishments.

Rooftop Apiary and Nature Experience: The Sundowner

This section focuses on a shophouse rooftop in Siglap, Singapore, transformed into a "Nature Experience Centre" by Clarence, who runs a bee rescue service and offers workshops.

• Main Topic: The integration of beekeeping, bee conservation, and unique rooftop experiences within a repurposed shophouse.
• Key Points:
  • The location is a shophouse in Siglap, a neighborhood with an old-world charm.
  • The rooftop is described as a "Nature Experience Centre."
  • Beekeeping Experience:
    • Clarence offers workshops where visitors can observe bees up close.
    • He highlights the importance of the queen bee, the only one capable of laying eggs.
    • The bee hives are often rescued.
  • Bee Rescue Service: Clarence started this service five years ago after a chance encounter with bees, saving them from extermination by pest control.
  • Importance of Bees: Beyond honey production, bees are crucial for pollination, which supports not only fruit production but also the health of forests.
  • Honey Tasting: Visitors can taste honey, with a single serving representing the lifetime work of three to four bees.
  • Rooftop Activities:
    • Rooftop Mojito: A cocktail made with honey from the apiary.
    • Ice Bath Challenge: An activity designed to rejuvenate the body.
• Case Study: Clarence's initiative at The Sundowner showcases a passion-driven venture that combines education, conservation, and unique entertainment.
• Key Argument/Perspective: Clarence emphasizes that bees are vital for ecosystems and provide far more than just honey. His work aims to educate people about the multifaceted role of bees and promote their conservation.
• Notable Statement: "People always think about bees for the honey. Bees. Honey. They provide so much more than honey. You kill the bees, you don't get pollination and not just fruits but forest health is dependent on bees also." (Attributed to Clarence).
• Technical Terms:
  • Shophouse: A traditional building type in Southeast Asia, typically combining a shop on the ground floor with living quarters above.
  • Apiary: A place where bees are kept.
  • Queen Bee: The reproductive female in a bee colony.
  • Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, enabling fertilization and seed production.
  • Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Conclusion and Synthesis

The video explores the diverse and innovative uses of rooftops in Singapore, transforming often-overlooked spaces into vibrant hubs of activity.

• Main Takeaways:
  • Sustainability in Action: Rooftops are being utilized for urban farming (CapitaSpring) and promoting local food systems, contributing to food sustainability.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Unconventional locations like old industrial buildings are being repurposed by entrepreneurs (Coexist Coffee Co.) to create successful businesses, demonstrating innovation and resilience.
  • Passion-Driven Initiatives: Rooftops are becoming platforms for individuals with unique passions, such as beekeeping and conservation (The Sundowner), offering educational and engaging experiences.
  • Uniquely Singaporean: The integration of green spaces within skyscrapers and the creative repurposing of existing structures are highlighted as distinctive features of Singapore's urban landscape.
  • Rooftops as Special Realms: These elevated spaces offer a unique perspective, providing a sense of escape and a platform for thriving communities and businesses.
• Overall Message: The video celebrates the ingenuity and passion of individuals who are making a difference in Singapore's built environment by transforming rooftops into productive, inspiring, and enjoyable spaces. It underscores the potential for growth and innovation within these often-underutilized areas.