Void deck

Void decks refer to the open areas on the ground level of <a href="/facts/Housing_and_Development_Board/umsR9WEY">Housing and Development Board</a> (HDB) public housing buildings in <a href="/facts/Singapore/CQDkhUvD">Singapore</a>, which are commonly known as <a href="/facts/HDB_blocks/umsR9WEY">HDB blocks</a>. They are one of the most used public spaces in housing estates. The first void deck was implemented in 1963 at Block 26 Jalan Klinik. The void deck is used for a range of casual community activities such as playing board games, exercising, and socialising. It is often booked for Malay weddings, Chinese funerals, and birthday parties. Void decks today are occasionally populated with convenience stores, <a href="/facts/Early_childhood_education/A9GVDps2">early education centres</a>, community clubs, senior citizen clubs, and <a href="/facts/Kopi_tiam/hB02EGfV">coffee shops</a>.
In contemporary Singapore, Malay wedding receptions are typically conducted at the void deck as it serves as an equivalent to the courtyards of the family's house at which Malay wedding receptions are traditionally held. 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. However, there is a misconception that Malay void deck weddings are inexpensive. In reality, these weddings are often heavily decorated and accompanied by a feast, with each reception costing the average couple around S$40,000 to S$50,000.

Chinese funerals are also common at the void deck for Buddhist and Taoist traditions. Christian and Hindu funerals are also held in void decks. 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. It is a misconception that void deck funerals are merely convenient and superstitious. Writer and photographer Tan Dingwei stated that "The heritage surrounding death practices in Taoist belief systems are abundant and sophisticated." Tan published a photo-essay "A Chinese Funeral in a Void Deck" in the book Death and the Afterlife edited by Kit Ying Lye and Terence Heng which shows that Chinese funerals vary across beliefs in Singapore.

Void deck open-in-new

Void deck