History & Future of the Void Deck
Public History Project of the Quintessential Singaporean Space By Deck-Ed Out
Void decks are one of the most utilised public common spaces in Singapore. They sit right at the feet of our HDB blocks. Even if you live in a condominium or a landed property, you must've had some memories in the void deck during a wedding, funeral, or a party.
While most of us see it almost everyday, the history of the space is not widely accessible to the common Singaporean. In order to understand what the void decks are today, it is necessary to understand what they were in the past.
Our Mission
The void deck exists at the heart of our residential estates and the heart of most Singaporeans, aptly embodied in the word heartlanders. The experience and history we share at the void deck is a microcosm of one of Singapore's core values - intergenerational and multicultural harmony. Our mission is to showcase the history of all our fondest and not-so-fond memories from the void decks. Through public and oral history, collaboration, and community engagement we seek to deepen the understanding of the void deck's cultural significance, strengthen community bonds, honour shared histories, and inspire future possibilities at the void deck.
Our Vision
1. To present and bring the history of the void deck to the public through an innovative website
2. To create an interactive and collaborative public exhibition showcasing the history and significance of the void deck
3. To record oral histories of Heartlanders and showcase their memories through the website and exhibition
About Us
We are a group of NTU students seeking to revitalize the cultural significance of the void deck by transforming it into a space that preserves the nostalgia of HDB residents and reimagining its potential as a communal hub for future generations.
The Development of Void Decks (1960s-00s)
The first void deck was established in 1963 in Block 26 Jalan Klinik, but void decks only became a permanent part of the design since the 1970s. (Tan, 2016). The early void decks included only basic facilities like chess tables, lifts, staircase landings, telephone booths, bicycle racks, and the occasional provisional shop, but would later include childcare centres and senior corners and incorporate it into pavilions and sky decks (Cairns et.al., 2014).
According to a 2016 biography of then Law Minister E.W. Barker, S.S. Dhillon stated that the void deck was Barker's idea of keeping children out of the rain, based on a 1978 conversation they had (Sim, 2016). However, a 2024 TODAY online claimed instead that the void deck was created to prevent flooding and to promote air circulation (Loh, 2024).
The term 'void deck' originated from the term 'void area,' which was first used in a 1973 statement by HDB in the newspaper (The Straits Times, 1973). The void area was initially understood as the separative level between shophouses and residential flats in multi-function buildings. HDB began using 'void deck' when describing the HDB block ground level in an annual report in the late 1970s (Housing and Development Board, 1978).
Image source: https://mustsharenews.com/mama-shops-nostalgia/
The Social and Political Significance of the Void Decks
The void deck has played an important social and political role in Singapore's democracy. Together with the HDB ethnic quota introduced in 1989, the space has helped to encouraged community bonding and intermingling among different races, ethnicities, and religions (Cairns et. al., 2014). Through the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the void deck also served as important open spaces for election polling stations and also leisure corners for senior citizens (Tan, 2016).
Since the movement of the kampong into New Town estates in the late 70s, the void deck has been used frequently by Singaporeans to host Malay weddings receptions and Chinese funerals.(Cairns et. al., 2014). For some residents, the void deck was seen as a substitute for the house courtyard where most of them typically held these events (Cairns et. al., 2014). This has led to cross-cultural exchanges right at the doorstep of most Singaporean homes.
Image source:
https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/edac0900-1161-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad
A History of Issues at the Void Deck
The open use of void deck has led to a variety of ongoing issues. Among them are the parking and maintenance of motor vehicles in unauthorised areas. (The Straits Times, 1988). Another issue is children and youth engaged in noisy and dangerous activities such as playing football, which has caused discomfort and disturbance to residents (The Straits Times, 1989). Moreover, activities such as gambling, smoking and drinking at the void deck has led to concerns of attracting other crimes (Cairns et. al., 2014).
Chinese funeral wakes and Malay weddings, which are regularly conducted in empty decks, have led to complaints by locals. In response, several people have recommended moving these gatherings to more appropriate venues, such as event spaces or funeral parlours. (Straits Times, 1990).
Despite government encouragement to use neighbourhood function or multipurpose halls for these meetings, some residents have continued to choose void decks due to their convenient location and ease of access (Straits Times, 1990).
Image source:
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/no-football-allowed-sign-barricaded-void-deck-what-says-about-singaporeans-and-play?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social-media&utm
Understanding Void Decks through Oral History
Deck-ed Out intends to be a repository of oral histories specifically addressing the void deck, while the website also aims to collect and display other forms of history through primary sources such as photographs, voice recordings, and personal memoirs. As of this writing, the National Archives of Singapore has collected only 32 oral history interviews that mention the phrase 'void deck,' with even fewer directly addressing the topic in depth. (NAS, 2024). The Wikipedia page for the void deck also remains a 'stub' article despite recent efforts to expand it (Wikipedia, 2024). We believe that the void deck is a uniquely Singaporean space, significant to Singaporeans in the past, present, and future, but it has slipped through the eyes of Singapore's public historians.
The medium of oral history has largely appeared in the Singaporean context under the purpose of nation-building, which can be useful to construct narratives which support the Singapore story but can lead to selective storytelling and downplaying other narratives and voices (Blackburn, 2008). The oral histories of HDB residents, also known as heartlanders, are significant in recording the day-to-day and ordinary experiences of Singaporeans, which, together with other sources, help us understand the past and how we lived. These records are unique and interesting because of the way the space was designed. According to Ooi and Tan, the void deck’s ability to serve various functions depending on culture, age, or background—a concept known as 'functional indeterminacy'—creates a wealth of possibilities but also presents challenges (Ooi & Tan, 1992).
Giving a Voice to Minorities at the Void Deck
The Straits Times reported on concerns of motorists regarding migrant workers who preferred to sleep near roads than in dormitories because it is cooler, and some correspondents recommended sleeping at the void deck instead (Yusof, 2024).
In 2023, a migrant worker had to sleep at a Hougang HDB void deck due to miscommunication with a dormitory contractor (Wong, 2023).
The Ministry of Manpower posted a guide to working in Singapore as a migrant worker which stated that good behaviour included not sleeping at the void deck (Ministry of Manpower, 2024).
A trip down memory lane
Ever considered what the void deck can look like?
The possibilities of the void decks?
Presenting the future of void decks...
91% of heartlanders want change in the void deck
This is what Singaporeans want future void decks to look like,
according to our survey:
Study Corners
Our future children need quiet, accessible, and comfortable places to study to cool off from the worsening climate and increasingly hot competition.
Vending Machines
When its 12am at night and you want to reward yourself with a cool beverage after a long and tiring evening...
Art Installations
When the hustle and bustle of working makes us forget about the life and its beauties, art and greenery at our doorstep reminds us.
Bulletin Boards
Big bulletin boards grab people's attention and important events or reminders in the neighbourhood are easily accessible.
Activity Lounges
The accommodation of different needs is necessary for a common space with a variety of users of different age groups.
Senior Friendly
With the passing of age, we tend develop physical and visual impairments make it difficult to navigate our surroundings. Senior-friendly design is one way to make life easier for ourselves in the future.
Cairns, Stephen; Jacobs, Jane M.; Yingying, Jiang; Padawangi, Rita; Siddique, Sharon; Tan, Eugene. "Singapore’s Void Decks." In Public Space in Urban Asia, edited by William Siew Wai Lim, 80–89. Singapore: World Scientific, 2014. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/9789814578332_0005.
Ministry of Manpower. A Guide for Migrant Workers. [PDF]. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/publications/mw-guides/mw-handy-guide-english.pdf.
Ooi, Giok Ling, and Thomas T.W. Tan. "The Social Significance of Public Spaces in Public Housing Estates." In Public Space: Design, Use, and Management, edited by Beng Huat Chua and Norman Edwards, 69–81. Singapore: Singapore University Press, National University of Singapore, 1992.
Tan, Alvin. The Story of Void Decks, Singapore: National Heritage Board, 2013. 3-9. Archived May 9, 2016. Accessed September 19, 2024.
The Straits Times. "M-cycles at Void Decks." The Straits Times, March 17, 1988, Page 17. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19880317-1.2.27.14.5. Accessed September 19, 2024
The Straits Times. "HDB Stern with Errant M-cyclists." The Straits Times, July 8, 1989, p. 26.
The Straits Times. "When HDB Reminders Don’t Help Much." The Straits Times, February 10, 1977, p. 16.
Wong, Dao En. "Access Denied: Migrant Worker Sleeps at Hougang Void Deck after Miscommunication with Dormitory Operator." AsiaOne, May 9, 2023. https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/access-denied-migrant-worker-sleeps-hougang-void-deck-after-miscommunication-dormitory.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof. "Migrant Workers Sleep on Roads, Pavements after Drinking near Dorms Where Alcohol Is Banned." The Straits Times, June 10, 2024. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/migrant-workers-sleep-on-roads-pavements-after-drinking-near-dorms-where-alcohol-is-banned.
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