UE Square is a development of connections, of rich integrated relationships. The nature of its connections is diverse and firmly disciplined, ranging from internal to external linkages, from monumental to intimate scale executed both formally and spatially. Selected connections are direct, while others remain implicit, articulated with subtlety. Through these connections, UE Square proposes an expanded role for architecture in our communication and information society. It proposes an emphasis on architecture relational implications, both inside and outside of its given boundaries, and offers its users a sophisticated experience of multiple connections in dialogue. The design of UE Square bears interesting insights when read in tandem with Kenzo Tange concept of structuralism. With the theory of structuralism, Tange calls for increased emphasis on the connections between individual elements to structure the whole. It is a more against functionalism concern for the mere enabling of each individual functional element. It was as a student that Tange first revealed a passion and sensitivity for overall systems of order beyond individual components. Even investing such richly detailed architecture as the Ise Shrine, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, he "came to see that it is not the individual buildings, but the environment created by their placement that gives character". The notion of structuralism is evidenced at UE Square through the systematic connections developed within the project, and their implicit connections to the urban environment beyond. Limited connectivity has existed in the immediate peripheral environment surrounding the UE Square site. Consider the diversity: in size from the high-rise New Otani hotel to the three-storey shophouses, in style  from the ornate Sri Thandayuthapani Temple to the modern Liang Court Shopping Centre, and in activity  from riverside entertainment to sacred worship. Yet Tange writes, in reference to his 1960 Plan for Tokyo, that "Connection and collectivity must be the keynote of our approach". This concern for contextual relationships can be seen to affect not only his urban planning decisions, but also his master planning decisions for UE Square in terms of orientation, massings, ordering systems, and architectural language strategies. One of the strategies employed for the perimeter massing of UE Square is that of mimicking the masses of those immediately adjacent. This creates a near-symmetrical massing along the urban space of the street, emphasizing the significance of the space addressed. This thinking influences UE Square western perimeter as it addresses the existing shophouses along Mohamed Sultan Road with its low, finely scaled retail / residential massing. The general stepped profile of UE Square high-rise along River Valley Road, gradually stepping down towards the Singapore River responds to the URA guidelines for the site, similarly matching the densities for the planned adjacencies. The tall mass of the office tower, in order to establish its landmark quality within the district, is sited on the corner intersection of Clemenceau and River Valley Road. Using these strategies, the project builds made connections, not only with its immediate neighbours, but with the larger urban fabric. Another connective strategy creates the linear proportions of the project components, reducing the apparent massiveness of the dense complex. A linear ordering system overlays the project plan with axes running perpendicular to the river, and parallel to adjacent side roads. This allows for efficient planning, while respecting the river and accepting its hierarchical role in the design. A service road organizes the site into two linear plots, zoning the residential units separate from the office and service apartments. All parking is located underground to allow the creation of connective pedestrian spaces between the project components, separate from vehicular zones. UE Square is marketed as The Intelligent City, and is designed to accommodate the latest in information technology. Concealed in the buildings service spaces however, its intelligence remains chiefly invisible in terms of the public architectural expression. Tange argues that the current information society must have a direct impact on the making of space. He states "The more progress by indirect communication, the more direct communication becomes necessary". The role of architecture is critical, as "space is the medium of communication". As structuralism suggests, space designed to form disciplined relations to other parts and to the larger whole effectively guides the conceptual internal development of UE Square, making the intelligent city one of visible communication. Regarding the internal planning of UE Square, the notion of structuralism maintains its significance, informing the architect as it develops in many ways as a city within a city. Indeed, Tange handles the large public space of the project as formal civic spaces highly ordered, axial and symmetrical, drawing direct relationships to its urban context. As with Tange design for the urban connection space of UOB Plaza, the monumental spaces of UE Square become great mediators between urban and architectural scales. The experience of these spaces is enhanced by their ambiguous internal / external character achieved by their large scale and their glass and steel trussed skylights. Intimate spaces within UE Square also promote diverse connections and communications. The unique plan of the twin tower office building, for example, offers expanded visual connections. The lift lobby and connecting bridged corridors are not enclosed spaces, but open to exterior view, enhancing their role as spaces of communication. The adjacency of these two narrow column-free office blocks and the visibility between them also allow for a unique experience of multiple contexts from within. The office worker perceives himself within variant contexts  the office he works in, the mirror image of his office across the void, a part of the larger UE Square complex, and the larger urban environment. The spaces are communicating beyond themselves  not merely by window openings, but by disciplined design which controls perceptions of multiple parts in relation to the whole. The signature stepped mass parties of the residential apartment block and service apartment block naturally create numerous roof pavilions and terraces facing the Singapore riverfront. It seems unfortunate that they developed to become unoccupiable spaces, reserved for mechanical equipment alone. The social experience of intimate urban connections offered by the roof top observation spaces has been sacrificed. The architectural expression of UE Square is dominated by the language of the gridded frame ¨C intended to maintain the compositional unity and balance offset by the different scales of uses. The architectonic nature of the grid allows for variation in detail and scale, while maintaining the overall cohesion required. Handled with discipline and subtlety, each façade appears to possess subtle echoes of the others, creating an environment of active, sophisticated discourse. The grid of the residential block is based on a 7m shortspan and 9.8 widespan, effectively organizing the structural system to accommodate the living units, while creating an exterior expression of rhythmic continuity. Hierarchies are manipulated within the basic grid with the generation of numerous expression open grid, occupied grid (glazed or screened), and shifted grid. The low-rise residential frame is pink granite, while the upper floors are a spray finish to simulate the pink granite. As the landmark component of the project, the office building palette is a combination of the residential vocabulary with the added component of aluminum panel grids to communicate its high-tect image. The disciplined design of the multiple scales and materials of the office tower create a powerful architectonic composition, rich in detail. The tectonic expressions of the smaller components of UE Square, such as the mullion systems, balcony railings, façade details, light fixtures and canopies further express the joining of part to the whole. Along with the bold sculptures, they effectively mediate the monumental scale of the project to a human scale, enhancing the intimacy of the space experience. In this way, the design of the formal components of UE Square strongly support the spatial expression of urban and internal connections through the disciplined design of parts in relation to multiple contexts. Maintaining such an external architectonic order over a variant internal structure has not occurred without challenge. In few instances, it appears that external orders and details may have been compromised for the sake of efficiency. In others, internal planning efficiency has given way to established external orders. For swinging too broadly in each direction, the project has received some criticism. Yet, it is the delicate balance between form and function which remains the formidable task of architecture. Few designs convey such extensive, effective connectivity as does UE Square  from the intimate to the urban, its form and spaces connect and communicate. The dialogue is indeed refreshing.