27-5-2023 (Singapore) The sunshade design of the new Housing Development Board (HDB) flats in the Woodleigh Glen estate has sparked attention due to the pattern on it bearing a striking resemblance to cannabis leaves. In response, authorities have installed signage explaining that the design is actually based on maple leaves. While most residents interviewed expressed indifference, some architects believe that designers should consider the potential sensitivity surrounding such issues.
Located in the Woodleigh Glen estate, the Woodleigh Glen Build-to-Order (BTO) project was completed less than a year ago, and residents have been gradually moving in. However, some residents and members of the public have noticed that the sunshades installed in the common corridors of these new flats feature a pattern of seven leaves. Coupled with the ventilation holes on the sunshade, the pattern takes on a mosaic effect, resembling the leaves of the drug cannabis, leading to discussions among netizens and residents.
Wong Shuo Xiu (50), a private hire driver who moved into Block 206B six months ago, shared, “Personally, I don’t pay much attention to these details. I quite like the nature-themed designs in the estate. However, if these leaf patterns do indeed spark controversy, Singapore has a variety of plant species that could be used as alternatives.”
Yang Yi Zhi (40), a homemaker, also admitted to not paying much attention to the patterns but expressed that if they truly resembled cannabis leaves, it would be inappropriate. She mentioned that the sunshades were originally yellow and gray, but a few weeks ago, authorities painted some of the leaves orange and red, presumably to emphasize that the pattern represents maple leaves, not cannabis leaves.
Lin Wen Jie (31), a product manager, stated, “I only noticed this issue after seeing someone share photos of the sunshades in a residents’ group. Later, when we saw the informational signs installed near the car park area, explaining that the pattern represents Japanese maple leaves, we stopped being concerned. Ultimately, the most important thing is that we live comfortably, and we don’t have to pay too much attention to the exterior decorations of the HDB flats.”
