Fountain at Bugis Junction

Bugis Junction is a place popular with both teenagers and families on weekends. I used to work in this area and spent my break time wondering around between the two shopping centers. Most of the time, I would just sit near the fountain area during the last ten minutes of my lunch break because it’s got good shade and most of all, IT’S FREE!
I find this open space between Parco and Seiyu indeed a remarkable space.
The water fountain in the middle of the open space has become a landmark of Bugis Junction. It is the default meeting place for shoppers and movie-goers.
On weekends, one can easily find children with/without their swimwear on, playing at the water fountain and making friends with other children. Parents socialize while watching their kids play in the water. It’s almost like a playground within the HDB flats except there are no slides and swings whatsoever.
With shoppers rushing between the doors of the two buildings and the sales people returning from lunch at Liang Seah Street just across the road, I find it interesting how this space gathers the two groups of people. They share the same space. Yet in this space, there is no mind about who should be doing what. There is no need for the sales person to be at anyone’s service here. They are all spending their own time, enjoying this very space to themselves.
Also, it is an ideal place for youngsters to spot trends. With Bugis Village nearby, it is not difficult to find teenagers hanging around showing off their latest outfit they bought at a cheap and good deal! They have contributed a fresh energy to the scene of Bugis Junction with their gaudy and ever-changing fashion sense.
In all, this is a comfortable place for people-watching. Everyone sits around observing other people, waiting, waiting to be observed. I believe it is a memorable place for many. For some, they spent their time here passing time with their loved ones. For others, they spent time reflecting and thinking while waiting for their friends to arrive. For them, this amount of short time spent to themselves might just be the most meaningful time spent for the day.

Zheng Xin Jia