CONSERVATION CONSERVATION CONSERVATION CONSERVATION

OF OF OF OF

BUILDINGS AND AREASBUILDINGS AND AREASBUILDINGS AND AREASBUILDINGS AND AREAS

SENSE AND SENSITIVITY

The Ancient Core of SingaporeThe earlier phase of Singapore’s urbanisation. Mainly two and three storey

buildings, spread over 5 sq. km of the Central Area, to the north and south of

Singapore River.

Every country has a history which is expressed in old buildings and their

surroundings. They are the results of the rich blend of many cultures of our

multi-racial and multi-religious society.

Spirit and Purpose of Heritage Conservation

“A City that loses its ancient buildings or a man his memory, knows

neither who they are nor where they belong”

Cities enable or disable a sense of place, a category of human

experience with a strong impact on how we situate ourselves within

the world.

Built heritage symbolizes the history of the people and art of the past century.

Existing old buildings add to the distinctive character and charm of the city, giving it a continuity of the sense and memory of the place and history.

Our past buildings have power to delight and stimulate.

Icon of Singapore

Uniqueness of character, charm and beauty gives it a cultural soul and individuality.Tourist trade depends upon such attractions.

Uniquely Singapore

The intrusion of an incongruous spaceship like structure on the top of the new

Supreme Court Building compromised the traditional uniqueness and importance of

the Civic District.

The centre of the District comprises the Padang and the two national monuments,

Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.

Together they form the traditional focus for national events, be it spiritual, social or

political.

Alien Intrusion in the Vicinity of the Padang

Insensitive and incompatible new additions impair the character of the traditional

architecture and ambience of the townscape in the Chinatown Area.

Indifference Surrounds China Court & South Bridge Court

Far East Square Conservation

It is an exercise that has gone astray and priority for conserving past values has

taken second place.

The recognition that it is otherwise is misleading. Very recently other new

developments at Clarke Quay and Cuppage Terrace have obtained wrong signals

from it.

Far East Square ConservationThe traditional character and charm of the past buildings and the ambience of the

townscape is significantly blurred by the barrage of new incompatible steel

structures, objects and graphics within the complex.

Trees planted inappropriately too close to the buildings within the cluttered and tight

enclosed space further erase the images and values we seek to safeguard.

Clarke Quay ConservationPure glitter and glitz and overarching commercial consideration has sold out the spirit and

soul of the place in the recent refashioning of an earlier successful conservation effort.

The construction of pseudo ‘boats’ along the riverside and the umbrella-style canopy over the

walkways have adversely muddled the traditional image.

One can no longer enjoy the exciting and exotic view of the original architecture of the

godowns, either from the ground, from the Singapore River or the many hotels and

apartments nearby.

Regression at Cuppage Terrace

Recent upgrading works there have downgraded the earlier restored street block with their open forecourt. Incongruous glass and steel structures hide and subjugate the existing old shophouses and the streetscape.Fully exposed rear extensions did not adequately screen all the flues and other mechanical and electrical installations, contributing to environmental degradation.

Singapore River ConservationExceptionally unique and attractive. The River together with the existing past

buildings and context is the premier national conservation landmark and asset.

The entire river bank ought to be stringently safeguarded for use by the public free

of obstructions at all times and be kept open for a wide diversity of economic,

social, recreational and cultural activities.

Singapore River ConservationThe existing permanent structures housing eatery and drinking outlets by the River

ought to be removed as they contravened the foreshore provision and prejudiced

the planning objective to provide a continuous 15m wide promenade to connect the

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay as outlined in the Singapore River

Concept Plan (1985).

Lively and Vibrant Conservation Area

Buzz and vibrancy will result when masses of people are attracted there

by a wide diversity of activities, the character and ambience of the place

as well as an adequate provision of user friendly pedestrianised spaces.

Commercial operation ought to be mainly confined within the buildings

with only limited and controlled outdoor operations. Night lighting of the

buildings will further enhance their importance and attractiveness.

Pedestrianised Conservation Area (Trengganu St, Pagoda St,

Temple St and Smith St)Excessive overcrowding by food and retail stalls and placement of eating tables

and chairs within the pedestrian mall defeats its purpose.

Overcrowding of these stalls and the extensive use of canopies of various

configurations and colours destroy the ambience of the place and make it difficult

for visitors to truly appreciate the original buildings and their setting.

Pedestrianised Conservation Area (Trengganu St, Pagoda

St, Temple St and Smith St)

Appropriate provision of outdoor spaces for other cultural and social

activities should be given due consideration within pedestrian mall.

This would enable and further encourage other organized or impromptu

dancing, singing and other artistic activities to take place there.

All heritage buildings need new additions to the building to evolve in a more

productive manner. The challenge lies in blending the new with the old in a

sensitive and harmonious manner.

Yin and Yang of Conservation

Yin and Yang of Conservation

Insensitive new additions to the street block disrupt the architectural

character of the street block and streetscape.

Total disregard for its exceptional historic and architectural significance and

interest as a national monument.

Undue bottom-line consideration has grievously affected the architectural

aesthetics of the first cast-iron framed building to be built in Singapore in 1894

by a Glasgow company.

Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Street Market)

An unsatisfactory demise to the national monument – Singapore first

highest multi-storey building designed by Frank Brewer and completed in

1939.

The remnants of an art-deco front is insensibly married to a post-modern

glass block at the back.

Erasing the images and memories of the past amounts to a form of urban

vandalism.

Cathay Building

Cashin Mansion, 23 Amber Road

Will soon suffer the same fate as Cathay Building because

of belated conservation safeguard

Appreciation of Built Heritage

The uniqueness and appeal of the architectural character and streetscape

ambience of the terraced shophouses and warehouses are principally viewed and

appreciated at close quarters from the front and not from the rear.

Viewed from above at a distance we appreciate their roofscape character and the

fine texture and pattern of the buildings and surrounding.

Rear Court and Service BuildingSeriously marred by mechanical and electrical services installation they look unpleasant from the rear.Visitors do not normally make a beeline to the backlane to appreciate and enjoy the architectural character and charm of our past buildings.Architecturally they do not possess any significant character or interest compared to the front building since they are concealed from normal view at the front.

Rear Extension RestrictionConservation building in Secondary Settlement Area is permitted rear extension in excess of their height of the front building. Even stand alone national monument, building of exceptional historic and architectural importance and interest is not denied any extension.Yet infilling rear extension up to the height of the main building is stringently discouraged for building within Historic District, notwithstanding that it can blend in with the front building.

Existing

Proposed

Precedent cases in the Boat Quay, Telok Ayer and Kreta Ayer Historic

District exemplify that it does not invalidate nor nullify their uniqueness

and appeal

Rear Extension to Conservation Building

Can blend and enhance their optimum and effective re-use without affecting adversely their character as a whole. URA Architectural Heritage Award precedents at Bukit Pasoh, Yue Wah Building at 70 Eu Tong Sen Road and as well as the AIA Tanjong Pagar office building at Neil Road / Keong Siak Road are relevant examples.

The policy restriction to disallow such alteration and addition after 1989 should be reviewed and the one-rule-fits-all approach should not apply to deserving case.

Rear Modification to Conservation Building

Rear ExtensionInfill rear extension not exceeding the height of the main roof can blend in with the main building and would not be visible from the front.

Such rear extension for building in Historic District would revitalize and further adapt it for more practical and efficient manner for re-use.

Existing Proposed

Level 3

Level 2

Negatively impact on the traditional image and character of the

building and streetscape

Uncontrolled Advertisement Signs, Wall Graphics & Colours

The liberal and uncontrolled use of awning, supposedly to give greater

weather protection, aggravates the problem of illegal encroachment and use of

public covered footway and open walkway spaces.

The Counter Productive Use of Awning

Illegal Encroachment of Public Spaces

Non enforcement action for the encroachment leads to illegal monopoly of

such spaces for sole commercial interest of a few.

It subverts urban planning and urban design intent to create a conducive

user friendly environment for the majority.

Protected public spaces for pedestrian and social interaction when exclusively

dedicated and well maintained can contribute to the creation of world-class quality

city living environment.

A qualitative network of covered and open walkways impart a sense of comfort,

cleanliness and safety within the Central Area conservation streets and

neighbourhood.

Covered Footway

Universal shabbiness and filth exist. They reflect poorly on the degree of care

and appreciation we have for our built heritage.

A qualitative and sophisticated surrounding is essential to attract and impress

more discerning visitors and tourists.

Lack of Quality & Sophistication in Conservation Areas

Unaesthetic and uncontrolled mess seriously detract and compromise

on the ability to appreciate and respect our built heritage.

Urban Housekeeping

The practice and habit of displaying rubbish bins is a culture we should

not promote and impart to tourist. Rubbish bins attract more misplaced

refuse.

The Rubbish Affair

Trees planted at close spacing and/or close to buildings conceal the

architectural character and charm of conservation buildings and the

streetscape.

Insensible and Insensitive Landscaping

Kerbside Parking in Conservation Area

Complete removal of kerbside parking will enhance the ambience. Less

obstruction and congestion will make it more conducive for visitors to explore

the conservation neighbourhood.

Successful Examples of Conservation

There is a unique sense of place and history and conducive sophisticated

space for social interaction and reflection.

Raffles Hotel & Chjimes