Situated at the intersection of Geylang Road and Tanjong Katong Road, One Katong Mall (One KM) was conceived as an important cornerstone of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) master plan for Paya Lebar Commercial Hub. The master plan has also called for a future civic centre to be located next to Geylang Serai Market and directly opposite the site, while the adjacent Geylang Canal will be redeveloped as a park connector. The proximity to these public spaces will naturally activate One KM’s potential to become the common gathering point for the Geylang neighbourhood.

An outdoor plaza – framed by 2 tapered wings of the retail podium and a 6-storey high canopy – forms the development’s main entrance from Geylang Road. A full glass façade above the entrance displays anchor stores’ signage and ongoing festivities. The outdoor plaza continues into the mall’s indoor piazza as an atrium space, where visitors have a direct view of the shops lined up along the perimeter on all floors. The mall’s façade is clad with perforated aluminium panels that fold at the floor slabs, creating a three-dimensional effect while reducing the large building to a more relatable scale. The panels are punctuated by large, thick framed glass displays that feature stores’ exhibits within.