The proposed upgrading of the shopping center and office tower is in the form of a new extension that protrudes beyond the building line to capitalize on the commanding view of the Orchard Road pedestrian mall. The frame-like structure unifies the façade treatment and acts as an element where signage, banners and LCD visuals can be mounted. In place of the previous blue solid panel cladding with no views, is clear glass curtain walling to “display” Wisma’s retail and activities to the people on Orchard Mall. This complete transparency together with the three new external escalators showcase movement on the façade, projecting internal activities towards Orchard Mall. This in turn stirs people’s interest, drawing them into Wisma Atria.

The full frontage of Wisma’s ground level is also converted into alfresco dining with F&B activities engaging the people on Orchard Mall. The openness of this area forms a viable connection to Wisma through a platform for people watching. The A&A works to Wisma Atria thus creates a new interaction with Orchard Mall via it’s transparency, movement and bustling activities, particularly that on ground level which forms the primary people-friendly link with the pedestrians on Orchard Mall.

This project is therefore a new key element contributing to the vibrancy in URA’s vision of the “New Orchard Road Experience” for the most visited commercial and shopping belt in Singapore.