[caption id="attachment_8449" align="alignnone" width="560" caption="The Singapore FreePort Lobby"][/caption]
On May 18, 2010, the Singapore FreePort, a supremely secure, high-tech vault for the world’s most priceless valuables, officially opened its doors (and then, in all likelihood, promptly locked them).
Built to house billions of dollars of treasures from art, collectibles, precious metals, jewelry, and diamonds to classified records, antiques, cigars, carpets, and vintage wines and cars, the FreePort’s walls and vaults are fortified with a state-of-the-art security system. It also contains offices, showrooms, workshops, and studios. For preservation purposes, the FreePort's environmental control systems regulate temperature and humidity, and it utilizes nitrogen fire sprinklers and non-combustible flooring. The FreePort is also energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, fully integrating solar power and water recycling.
But the 4-story building is a modern marvel of not just technology, but also design. The Swiss architects Carmelo Stendardo and Bénedicte Montat from Atelier d’Architecture 3BM3 devised the FreePort, and contemporary designers Ron Arad and Johanna Grawunder fashioned the lobby, showrooms, furniture, and internal and external lighting.
This 25,000 square meter space is apparently just stage one, and 98% of that space is already set aside. Catering to art collectors, dealers, auction houses, diamond dealers, museums, and investors from all over the world, the FreePort is conveniently located next to the Singapore Changi Airport. Funded by the Singapore Economic Development Board, with the Singapore National Arts Council and the National Heritage Board of Singapore as shareholders, the Freeport is hoped to reinforce Singapore’s strong reputation for international relations, business, culture, and the arts by both city officials and the FreePort’s creators.
[caption id="attachment_8450" align="alignnone" width="560" caption="Exterior"]Corridor
