Void deck
[6][7] These receptions take place throughout the day and typically invite over 1,000 guests, who are not required to stay for the entire duration, in line with Malay customs.
[8][9] They often take place over few days and family members and relatives take turns looking over the venue overnight, typically playing games such as mahjong to keep themselves awake.
[9] Writer and photographer Tan Dingwei stated that "The heritage surrounding death practices in Taoist belief systems are abundant and sophisticated.
[9] The earliest record of the term "void deck" dates back to a 1967 Straits Times newspaper article, where it was used to describe the in-between floors of mixed-use buildings that separated the shopping levels from the residential blocks above them.
[1] Smooth white walls coat the verticals, and matte grey covers the base, with some walkways textured to prevent slippage.
[2] However, scholars such as the late Ooi Giok Ling and Thomas Tan have stated that the void deck can become a place for frequent yet superficial social interactions, especially when limited to passing greetings.
[19] It is suggested that the presence of void decks below HDB blocks would promote social interaction and contribute to fostering racial harmony.
[3] It also suggested that "[the] introduction of void decks has undeniably improved the lives of HDB flat dwellers as they provide shelter from the rain and sun, promote good airflow and natural light, and allow passers-by easy passage through the estates," mentioning the other possible reasons stated by Sim, Khoo, Cairns, and Tan.
[13] At the start, void decks featured only basic amenities such as bicycle racks, letterboxes, elevators, and telephone booths.
[3] During this process, New Town HDB void decks served as the functional equivalent of communal kampong spaces for gathering.
[3] In the 1980s, HDB began incorporating entertainment facilities like chess and checker tables, vending machines, and advertisement corners, along with safety and security features such as CCTV surveillance and defibrillators.
[23] In newer HDB blocks such as SkyVille@Dawson and Pinnacle@Duxton, void decks are not located on the ground floor but rather integrated with sky gardens.
[28] The Covid-19 restrictions saw frequent and public cases of residents flouting rules which were recorded and shared through social media along with misinformation.
[1][17][30][31] For some residents, the void deck has developed a negative association due to occasional instances of loitering, playing of loud music, gambling, drinking, drug-taking, etc.
[30] Meanwhile, the Singapore-based website Stomp encourages users to publicise and report cases of residents who misuse the void deck.
The first one goes as follows:Long after the birdsong ends spirits gather that never left drawn by the memory of a well-loved face drawn by the life of an empty place[32]An exhibition titled Void & Void Decks by Singaporean artists Chow Chee Yong and Tang Ling Nah was held at the Private Museum from August to September 2012.
[33] The interior design of the exhibition room was modelled after a void deck, featuring iconic smooth grey concrete floors, white walls, and rectangular pillars, creating the impression of being at home whilst inside the art gallery.
[33] The artist statement on the website is as follows: Chow juxtaposes different locations with a single shot, creating an ambiguous “Void” that exists only within the photograph.
[34]On August 22, 2023, an HDB estate-themed cafe called Lou Shang by Mama Diam opened on Prinsep Street.
