The URA is seeking feedback on the developer’s hybrid proposal. Please feel free to use the following text as the basis of your letter or email, or download the template. Please amend, delete or add to the text as needed and sent it off before the deadline of 7th July 2007.
Letters should be sent to “Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Development, Maxwell Road, Singapore 069110”.
You can also email your feedback to the Permanent Secretary at tan_tee_how@mnd.gov.sg
Thank you!
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of National Development
Maxwell Road
Singapore 069110
Dear Sir,
Re: Proposed Amendment 37/07 to Master Plan - 23 Amber Road
I write in response to Notice 1717 made under Rule 4 of the Planning (Master Plan) Rules (R1). I should be grateful if you could please treat this letter as a representation under Rule 5 of the Rules.
Proposed Amendment 37/07 to the Master Plan to seeks to designate Lot 99777, Mukim 25, at Amber Road, as a Conservation Area. Presently, of the built structure at this location, only the porch entrance and stairhall are proposed to be conserved. I understand that the remainder of the structure will be demolished.
While I broadly support the proposal to designate the area as a Conservation Area, I believe that it is essential for the whole of the building at 23 Amber Road - and not just the porch entrance and structure - to be conserved.
I believe that historic buildings should be conserved in their entirety (the URA Conservation Guidelines make very clear that this should be so). The porch and stairhall are integral to the structure of the house, and do not “make sense” without the rest of the house. In fact, it is the crescent arms of the Butterfly House that make it special and worth preserving; they were designed by the architect to let in the sea breeze, to let in the light and to get the best view of the sea. The crescent wings are therefore in a real sense the raison d'etre of the house. Without them, the entire context of the house in its seaside location is lost.
The proposal to designate the area as a Conservation Area recognises that the Butterfly Building is architecturally important and unique. The hybrid proposal however seeks to preserve only a small portion of the building while destroying the crescent arms. It is therefore of questionable value as a conservation proposal.
Rule 6(2) allows the Minister to approve a proposal with such modifications as he may consider necessary. I therefore ask the Minister to approve an amended version of proposal (4) which designates the entirety of the built structure at 23 Amber Road as being conserved.
Should the Minister be minded to allow proposal (4) unamended, or to refuse proposal (4) altogether, and only in that event, then I request the Minster to appoint a public inquiry under Rule 6(1). If the Minister should decide not to appoint a public inquiry, then I request an opportunity of a hearing under Rule 6(1).
Yours faithfully,
[Name and address]
Letters should be sent to “Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Development, Maxwell Road, Singapore 069110”.
You can also email your feedback to the Permanent Secretary at tan_tee_how@mnd.gov.sg
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Five Foot Way: The Amber of the Moment
Thanks to the editors of Five Foot Way for featuring the Campaign to Save 23 Amber Road, the Butterfly House:
“Some members of the public are outraged that an iconic and landmark building has even been slated for redevelopment. Even the average Joe (or Beng) in the streets would agree, that the newly-proposed building clearly looks like an oddity slapped onto the site. It is certainly not aesthetically pleasing."
“Some members of the public are outraged that an iconic and landmark building has even been slated for redevelopment. Even the average Joe (or Beng) in the streets would agree, that the newly-proposed building clearly looks like an oddity slapped onto the site. It is certainly not aesthetically pleasing."
Friday, 29 June 2007
Today: An Abode for the Soul
Buildings are more than just bricks and mortar
My tai tai life is so busy, but every time I drop by the Chinese Swimming Club for a swim, I still pause to gaze at the Butterfly House nearby. What started off as an admiring glance at the unique architecture has now turned into a homage tinged with mourning.
If nothing is done, this butterfly will soon have its wings clipped. Thanks to the controversy surrounding it, I now know about its pedigree.
Designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell - the architect behind the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and Victoria Memorial Hall - this is the only residential property in Singapore with curved wings.
Pretty impressive. But for me, at least, that pales in comparison to how the Butterfly House makes me feel. Its curves and impressive entrance take me back to a gentler age - a time when Singapore had a seaside community, when her people valued gracious living and pretty abodes over making money and en bloc sales.
Conservation campaigners have been told they are just being sentimental, and that it makes financial sense to demolish the place. But what these critics do not realise is a good building is more than just a parcel of land topped by a pile of bricks. It is art, designed to evoke emotions.
Good architecture speaks to the heart, not just the mind.
The Butterfly House may just be a simple bungalow, but from the uproar it has caused, it looks like some of us love it in the same way Parisians love the Eiffel Tower or New Yorkers the Empire State Building.
If anything, we are probably more passionate because there are so few of such heritage buildings left in Singapore. Go down any street corner in Paris or Rome and you will probably stumble upon more than a few charming places. But here, all we have to boast about are some shophouses and pre-war flats. Even buildings of obvious historical significance such as Alexandra Hospital are not considered heritage monuments, thus facing the threat of the wrecking ball.
Seafront bungalows have made way for walk-up apartments, which themselves have become victims of en-bloc sales. Hardly any building today is more than 20 years old - which is hardly long enough for us to build any emotional attachment to it.
It does not help that the attitude here towards conservation is quite lackadaisical. Owners do not like their buildings to be declared a heritage site because they think it would lower its value. They do not like that they cannot renovate the buildings their way, coupled with the
fact they cannot make a packet from condominium developers hungry for land.
Compare that to the practice in England, where owners apply for conservation status because they know they will be able to sell it off at a premium later to heritage lovers.
The other argument against conservation is Singapore is so small that every bit of land is precious. To which I say: Is that piece of land so valuable it's worth losing your soul over?
You never see tourists favouring a trip to admire HDB flats over St Andrew's Cathedral. Wedding shoots, for instance, are hardly done in Shenton Way, but instead at places such as Raffles Hotel, The Fullerton, the old Supreme Court and Chijmes. What is common is they are all situated on prime land, sensitively restored and testaments to the fact "where there's a will, there's a way".
The developers of the Butterfly House say they can only save the back of the building because the wings take up too much space. All it takes is a bit of imagination and smart architects who can look beyond the obvious.
Do not tell me that in our 42 years of independence and education, we have not been able to produce a local Bidwell?
I once asked the chief executive officer of a large property developer why her firm spent money restoring old bungalows in its condo developments, especially since those buildings did not have conservation status. She answered simply: "They add value to the property."
A wise move, indeed. See how the Grand Duchess sold out during the soft launch, aided no doubt by the two Straits Chinese bungalows on the property. The developers of the Butterfly House would do well to take note.
If they don't, they can count on me not buying a condominium unit in that new development. I cannot bear the thought of looking out of the window every day to see my poor amputated friend lying there with both its limbs chopped off.
Tabitha Wang will be appealing to the Ministry of National Development to save the Butterfly House before the July 7 deadline. Anyone wants to join her?
My tai tai life is so busy, but every time I drop by the Chinese Swimming Club for a swim, I still pause to gaze at the Butterfly House nearby. What started off as an admiring glance at the unique architecture has now turned into a homage tinged with mourning.
If nothing is done, this butterfly will soon have its wings clipped. Thanks to the controversy surrounding it, I now know about its pedigree.
Designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell - the architect behind the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and Victoria Memorial Hall - this is the only residential property in Singapore with curved wings.
Pretty impressive. But for me, at least, that pales in comparison to how the Butterfly House makes me feel. Its curves and impressive entrance take me back to a gentler age - a time when Singapore had a seaside community, when her people valued gracious living and pretty abodes over making money and en bloc sales.
Conservation campaigners have been told they are just being sentimental, and that it makes financial sense to demolish the place. But what these critics do not realise is a good building is more than just a parcel of land topped by a pile of bricks. It is art, designed to evoke emotions.
Good architecture speaks to the heart, not just the mind.
The Butterfly House may just be a simple bungalow, but from the uproar it has caused, it looks like some of us love it in the same way Parisians love the Eiffel Tower or New Yorkers the Empire State Building.
If anything, we are probably more passionate because there are so few of such heritage buildings left in Singapore. Go down any street corner in Paris or Rome and you will probably stumble upon more than a few charming places. But here, all we have to boast about are some shophouses and pre-war flats. Even buildings of obvious historical significance such as Alexandra Hospital are not considered heritage monuments, thus facing the threat of the wrecking ball.
Seafront bungalows have made way for walk-up apartments, which themselves have become victims of en-bloc sales. Hardly any building today is more than 20 years old - which is hardly long enough for us to build any emotional attachment to it.
It does not help that the attitude here towards conservation is quite lackadaisical. Owners do not like their buildings to be declared a heritage site because they think it would lower its value. They do not like that they cannot renovate the buildings their way, coupled with the
fact they cannot make a packet from condominium developers hungry for land.
Compare that to the practice in England, where owners apply for conservation status because they know they will be able to sell it off at a premium later to heritage lovers.
The other argument against conservation is Singapore is so small that every bit of land is precious. To which I say: Is that piece of land so valuable it's worth losing your soul over?
You never see tourists favouring a trip to admire HDB flats over St Andrew's Cathedral. Wedding shoots, for instance, are hardly done in Shenton Way, but instead at places such as Raffles Hotel, The Fullerton, the old Supreme Court and Chijmes. What is common is they are all situated on prime land, sensitively restored and testaments to the fact "where there's a will, there's a way".
The developers of the Butterfly House say they can only save the back of the building because the wings take up too much space. All it takes is a bit of imagination and smart architects who can look beyond the obvious.
Do not tell me that in our 42 years of independence and education, we have not been able to produce a local Bidwell?
I once asked the chief executive officer of a large property developer why her firm spent money restoring old bungalows in its condo developments, especially since those buildings did not have conservation status. She answered simply: "They add value to the property."
A wise move, indeed. See how the Grand Duchess sold out during the soft launch, aided no doubt by the two Straits Chinese bungalows on the property. The developers of the Butterfly House would do well to take note.
If they don't, they can count on me not buying a condominium unit in that new development. I cannot bear the thought of looking out of the window every day to see my poor amputated friend lying there with both its limbs chopped off.
Tabitha Wang will be appealing to the Ministry of National Development to save the Butterfly House before the July 7 deadline. Anyone wants to join her?
Straits Times: The Case for 23 Amber Road
Heritage conservation can make good economic sense
By Tan Kar Lin , Ho Weng Hin and Dinesh Naidu, For The Straits Times
HERITAGE conservation through 'adaptive reuse' of a historic building is a well-established architectural and development strategy. This involves upgrading services and facilities to fulfil current needs, structural consolidation to ensure building stability, as well as cleaning, repairs and restoration to original finishes. Attention is paid even to floor materials, interior decoration and furniture, to ensure the integrity of the building's heritage value.
In many cases, varying degrees of new architectural additions are introduced in the process, giving rise to a synthesis of old and new.
As a strategy that aims to meet competing needs - conservation, the market, and architectural aesthetics and function - an adaptive reuse proposal can be assessed in terms of its architectural merit, integrity of heritage value and commercial viability.
Architectural merit
ADAPTIVE reuse projects with new additions in contemporary materials such as glass and steel are architecturally successful when the juxtaposition is sensitive and well-considered - significantly, it communicates a meaningful dialogue between the historic 'old' and the 'new'.
A good example is the Central Fire Station at Hill Street.
Regrettably, the juxtaposition of 'old and new' in the 23 Amber Road proposal is incongruous. Not only is there a mismatch between scale and design, but also it is exacerbated by the proximity and immediacy of the disparity. Rather than engaging in dialogue, the two conflicting architecture styles appear grafted together in a Frankensteinian fashion. Instead of complementing each other, old and new are seriously compromised in a forced marriage of agendas as yet reconciled.
Heritage integrity
ONE of a small and diminishing number of stately historic family houses, 23 Amber Road exemplifies the sea-fronting residential architecture that evolved with the development of the Katong area in the early 20th century.
The charmingly laid-back yet cosmopolitan character of the eastern coastal enclave gave rise to a distinct ambience and a rich cultural heritage that is still palpable today.
In response to its coastal context, architect R.A.J. Bidwell, of the eminent local European firm Swan and Maclaren, designed the house with generous sea-facing verandas, extended along curved 'butterfly' wings to maximise both views and sea breeze circulation, creating an inimitable crescent-shape structure unlike any other along the seashore.
The house has two dissimilar fronts - one facing the main road, the other embracing the seafront in symmetrical crescent curves.
Although the shoreline has receded from the house with successive reclamation, the building remains key to the history of Katong, which is at risk of losing its characteristic appeal to an increasing number of indifferent new constructions.
In the proposal put up by the developer which bought the land, only the part facing the main road is to be retained. The signature crescent wings will be demolished, to be replaced by the new condominium.
Even though a portion of the building will be 'saved', by disregarding the critical historic significance of the building, the proposal debases the integrity of the heritage value of the house, and that of the Katong historic enclave.
Commercial viability
THE current proposal for 23 Amber Road is clearly tilted towards commercial concerns: It seeks to 'conserve' plans for the new condominium before making any accommodation for heritage purposes.
The initiative of Goodland Development is commendable, and the efforts of the URA to negotiate between various government departments for waivers and concessions are well appreciated. Still, it is apparent that these concessions are meant only to save, literally, the leftover remains of the house after ensuring the economic sanctity of the condominium development.
Even then, it is questionable if the effort will be worth it, for the unsatisfactory architectural solution has the effect of undermining the very act of heritage conservation it set out to achieve. The disembodied remains of the house would end up consuming valuable space without a corresponding payback in terms of heritage value and prestige to the new development.
Rather than a win-win solution, we could end up over-compromising all round in a lose-lose situation.
Rethinking priorities
THERE are many ways to approach adaptive reuse projects, but the common principle centres on the integrity of the historic building, which should form the basis of the design, regulatory, or commercial decision.
The best adaptive reuse projects are those that manage to strike a sensible and sensitive balance between the three factors of integrity of heritage value, commercial profitability and architectural merit, through considered commercial programming and innovative design, facilitated by sophisticated conservation policies and regulatory flexibility.
Most importantly, these are premised upon the care and priority placed on history and built heritage by all parties. As such, heritage conservation projects speak volumes about the importance that a society places on history, how it relates to its past, and where its values lie.
Not unlike the Cathay Building, 23 Amber Road suffers the unfortunate fate of belated conservation, after development plans have been set in motion. Given the limitations in such cases, we hope that solutions outside the proverbial box can be explored, especially by the URA, including floor area ratio substitution or even property swop.
Even if compromise is unavoidable, we hope it will be a meaningful and dignified one.
Rethinking architectural heritage
MUCH as original manuscripts and paintings are one-off and irreplaceable evidence of history, architecture constitutes an important material heritage. Most of the time, it is impossible to even reconstruct due to the loss of traditional craftsmanship and building materials that are no longer in production, such as the Malayan rubber tiles in the old Supreme Court.
The significance and communicative power that a tactile and spatial experience of a properly restored heritage structure provides cannot be substituted, whether by virtual simulation, paper documentation, commemorative plaques, or by saving totemic building parts.
To break out of the confusion that often confronts the pro-development state of conservation, it is necessary to challenge the notion that heritage conservation means stagnation and an obstacle to progress.
In many post-industrial economies, including the United States, Britain, Scandinavia and the European Union, heritage conservation has become a highly developed and progressive industry. It has spawned its own research and development fields, as well as exportable high- end technology and specialised services, playing an increasing role in the economy beyond tourism.
Heritage conservation projects are more labour-intensive compared to new constructions of similar finance. When heritage rehabilitation occupies a larger share of the construction industry, it generates proportionately more skilled and specialised employment.
Singapore is well past the phase of massive urban development that was necessary to address its housing shortage. There is no better time than now to actively address the shortfall in the state of heritage conservation. We should aim to move beyond totemic efforts that belie an uncompromising stance towards profit-making, at the expense of a healthy appreciation of our history.
The writers are with the Singapore Heritage Society.
By Tan Kar Lin , Ho Weng Hin and Dinesh Naidu, For The Straits Times
HERITAGE conservation through 'adaptive reuse' of a historic building is a well-established architectural and development strategy. This involves upgrading services and facilities to fulfil current needs, structural consolidation to ensure building stability, as well as cleaning, repairs and restoration to original finishes. Attention is paid even to floor materials, interior decoration and furniture, to ensure the integrity of the building's heritage value.
In many cases, varying degrees of new architectural additions are introduced in the process, giving rise to a synthesis of old and new.
As a strategy that aims to meet competing needs - conservation, the market, and architectural aesthetics and function - an adaptive reuse proposal can be assessed in terms of its architectural merit, integrity of heritage value and commercial viability.
Architectural merit
ADAPTIVE reuse projects with new additions in contemporary materials such as glass and steel are architecturally successful when the juxtaposition is sensitive and well-considered - significantly, it communicates a meaningful dialogue between the historic 'old' and the 'new'.
A good example is the Central Fire Station at Hill Street.
Regrettably, the juxtaposition of 'old and new' in the 23 Amber Road proposal is incongruous. Not only is there a mismatch between scale and design, but also it is exacerbated by the proximity and immediacy of the disparity. Rather than engaging in dialogue, the two conflicting architecture styles appear grafted together in a Frankensteinian fashion. Instead of complementing each other, old and new are seriously compromised in a forced marriage of agendas as yet reconciled.
Heritage integrity
ONE of a small and diminishing number of stately historic family houses, 23 Amber Road exemplifies the sea-fronting residential architecture that evolved with the development of the Katong area in the early 20th century.
The charmingly laid-back yet cosmopolitan character of the eastern coastal enclave gave rise to a distinct ambience and a rich cultural heritage that is still palpable today.
In response to its coastal context, architect R.A.J. Bidwell, of the eminent local European firm Swan and Maclaren, designed the house with generous sea-facing verandas, extended along curved 'butterfly' wings to maximise both views and sea breeze circulation, creating an inimitable crescent-shape structure unlike any other along the seashore.
The house has two dissimilar fronts - one facing the main road, the other embracing the seafront in symmetrical crescent curves.
Although the shoreline has receded from the house with successive reclamation, the building remains key to the history of Katong, which is at risk of losing its characteristic appeal to an increasing number of indifferent new constructions.
In the proposal put up by the developer which bought the land, only the part facing the main road is to be retained. The signature crescent wings will be demolished, to be replaced by the new condominium.
Even though a portion of the building will be 'saved', by disregarding the critical historic significance of the building, the proposal debases the integrity of the heritage value of the house, and that of the Katong historic enclave.
Commercial viability
THE current proposal for 23 Amber Road is clearly tilted towards commercial concerns: It seeks to 'conserve' plans for the new condominium before making any accommodation for heritage purposes.
The initiative of Goodland Development is commendable, and the efforts of the URA to negotiate between various government departments for waivers and concessions are well appreciated. Still, it is apparent that these concessions are meant only to save, literally, the leftover remains of the house after ensuring the economic sanctity of the condominium development.
Even then, it is questionable if the effort will be worth it, for the unsatisfactory architectural solution has the effect of undermining the very act of heritage conservation it set out to achieve. The disembodied remains of the house would end up consuming valuable space without a corresponding payback in terms of heritage value and prestige to the new development.
Rather than a win-win solution, we could end up over-compromising all round in a lose-lose situation.
Rethinking priorities
THERE are many ways to approach adaptive reuse projects, but the common principle centres on the integrity of the historic building, which should form the basis of the design, regulatory, or commercial decision.
The best adaptive reuse projects are those that manage to strike a sensible and sensitive balance between the three factors of integrity of heritage value, commercial profitability and architectural merit, through considered commercial programming and innovative design, facilitated by sophisticated conservation policies and regulatory flexibility.
Most importantly, these are premised upon the care and priority placed on history and built heritage by all parties. As such, heritage conservation projects speak volumes about the importance that a society places on history, how it relates to its past, and where its values lie.
Not unlike the Cathay Building, 23 Amber Road suffers the unfortunate fate of belated conservation, after development plans have been set in motion. Given the limitations in such cases, we hope that solutions outside the proverbial box can be explored, especially by the URA, including floor area ratio substitution or even property swop.
Even if compromise is unavoidable, we hope it will be a meaningful and dignified one.
Rethinking architectural heritage
MUCH as original manuscripts and paintings are one-off and irreplaceable evidence of history, architecture constitutes an important material heritage. Most of the time, it is impossible to even reconstruct due to the loss of traditional craftsmanship and building materials that are no longer in production, such as the Malayan rubber tiles in the old Supreme Court.
The significance and communicative power that a tactile and spatial experience of a properly restored heritage structure provides cannot be substituted, whether by virtual simulation, paper documentation, commemorative plaques, or by saving totemic building parts.
To break out of the confusion that often confronts the pro-development state of conservation, it is necessary to challenge the notion that heritage conservation means stagnation and an obstacle to progress.
In many post-industrial economies, including the United States, Britain, Scandinavia and the European Union, heritage conservation has become a highly developed and progressive industry. It has spawned its own research and development fields, as well as exportable high- end technology and specialised services, playing an increasing role in the economy beyond tourism.
Heritage conservation projects are more labour-intensive compared to new constructions of similar finance. When heritage rehabilitation occupies a larger share of the construction industry, it generates proportionately more skilled and specialised employment.
Singapore is well past the phase of massive urban development that was necessary to address its housing shortage. There is no better time than now to actively address the shortfall in the state of heritage conservation. We should aim to move beyond totemic efforts that belie an uncompromising stance towards profit-making, at the expense of a healthy appreciation of our history.
The writers are with the Singapore Heritage Society.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Five Foot Way: A Butterfly Without Wings
Thanks to the editors of Five Foot Way for featuring the Campaign to Save 23 Amber Road, the Butterfly House:
“Take another good look at the new proposal, and then glance back at the 23 Amber Road; and ask yourself if you’d really prefer to show your kids a 32 storey condominium, (with a stump of a colonial building at its base) instead of the last surviving piece of residential Butterfly Style architecture in Singapore."
“Take another good look at the new proposal, and then glance back at the 23 Amber Road; and ask yourself if you’d really prefer to show your kids a 32 storey condominium, (with a stump of a colonial building at its base) instead of the last surviving piece of residential Butterfly Style architecture in Singapore."
Monday, 25 June 2007
早报: 建筑保留课题历久弥新
保留旧建筑等于保留集体记忆，这已是新加坡人的共识。市区重建局1989年开始推行有关计划，至今已保留了超过6500座建筑，可说成绩斐然。
但是，属于市建局1967年首批发售、加冷公园地段的水上餐厅——海京楼突然被征用的消息，却让一些公众认为，它是新加坡著名地标之一，走进历史未免可惜。
《早报星期天》昨日的一篇特写《留住老屋 留住记忆》，争议的焦点是加东安柏路一栋有95年历史的老洋房。老房子被业主卖给发展商，准备兴建高楼公寓，引起60名热心人发动称为“历史建筑拯救计划”的一项保屋运动。
再往上推，史丹福路国家图书馆的红砖建筑，大坡牛车水区的旧同济医院，福康宁山麓的国家剧场，都在不同时期引起公众的议论，甚至发起情绪激昂的挽留运动。这让我们意识到，保留旧建筑的课题永远不会过时，历久弥新。
为什么会有这些争议？6500多座建筑得以保留，还不够吗？人们到底争议些什么？
集体记忆是个牵涉层面很广的复杂课题，不同的建筑，对不同的社会群体，意含也是不一样的。然而，要是沿着民众的“声音来源”作一探索，再对照资产转手的决策过程，归纳起来，矛盾其实不光出在经济发展与感情记忆的简单对立。“话语权”的因素，也应该是其中之一。
安柏路老房子为什么没法保留？市建局说，研究的结果是“最后因考虑到洋房的地段太狭窄，若强制保留洋房，将意味着发展商根本无法在这个地段兴建任何建筑”。
海京楼为什么看来也无法保留？社会发展、青年及体育部发出的信息是：海京楼是否拆除，取决于同体育城有25年合约的财团，因此“如果中选的财团决定不保留海京楼，（当局）希望新加坡人能够理解。”
具有讽刺意味的是，21年前，海京楼曾面对过一次拆除的命运，只是因为有关方面对兴建水上运动设施的条件谈不拢，此楼因此得以“保留”。据记者的了解，两次的何去何从，海京楼的业主都“蒙在鼓里”，差别只是在于有没有听到“突然征用”的消息罢了。
换句话说，人们要求保留某项建筑，固然是有许多个别的感情因素，比如海京楼提供的番薯粥和台湾小吃、史丹福路图书馆曾是年轻人安乐窝等等；但大家共同体验的，则是一种对记忆的“保留”所面对的无力感。
发展自然是硬道理，根据经济原则，政府和发展商的确可以提出建筑物或某些建筑必须拆除的充分理由。与之相比，民众的声音是薄弱的，“理由”可能亦不够充分。但是在拆与留之间，在6500多座建筑的具体成绩之外，有关当局或许也可以从一些软性的层面，多开一扇听取与兼纳民意之门。
因为民众会根据一些“拆除－发展”的旧例，评估当时拆除的理由：比如质疑国家剧场留下的平地，有些什么经济意义。我们也看到，旧同济医院曾有一位业主，花了数百万元装修旧楼，准备经营餐饮业，但在得知这栋房子的历史与华人祖辈的奋斗不可分割后，毅然退出。
再如前南洋大学的牌坊，虽因大学的重建而失去了原有功能，但它的拆除，却找不到承包商来承担。云南园内的小型复制品，也引来“真假西天”的感慨。
诚然，建筑保留的课题，反映的是许多“人同此心”的民情，普世的价值观。
但是，属于市建局1967年首批发售、加冷公园地段的水上餐厅——海京楼突然被征用的消息，却让一些公众认为，它是新加坡著名地标之一，走进历史未免可惜。
《早报星期天》昨日的一篇特写《留住老屋 留住记忆》，争议的焦点是加东安柏路一栋有95年历史的老洋房。老房子被业主卖给发展商，准备兴建高楼公寓，引起60名热心人发动称为“历史建筑拯救计划”的一项保屋运动。
再往上推，史丹福路国家图书馆的红砖建筑，大坡牛车水区的旧同济医院，福康宁山麓的国家剧场，都在不同时期引起公众的议论，甚至发起情绪激昂的挽留运动。这让我们意识到，保留旧建筑的课题永远不会过时，历久弥新。
为什么会有这些争议？6500多座建筑得以保留，还不够吗？人们到底争议些什么？
集体记忆是个牵涉层面很广的复杂课题，不同的建筑，对不同的社会群体，意含也是不一样的。然而，要是沿着民众的“声音来源”作一探索，再对照资产转手的决策过程，归纳起来，矛盾其实不光出在经济发展与感情记忆的简单对立。“话语权”的因素，也应该是其中之一。
安柏路老房子为什么没法保留？市建局说，研究的结果是“最后因考虑到洋房的地段太狭窄，若强制保留洋房，将意味着发展商根本无法在这个地段兴建任何建筑”。
海京楼为什么看来也无法保留？社会发展、青年及体育部发出的信息是：海京楼是否拆除，取决于同体育城有25年合约的财团，因此“如果中选的财团决定不保留海京楼，（当局）希望新加坡人能够理解。”
具有讽刺意味的是，21年前，海京楼曾面对过一次拆除的命运，只是因为有关方面对兴建水上运动设施的条件谈不拢，此楼因此得以“保留”。据记者的了解，两次的何去何从，海京楼的业主都“蒙在鼓里”，差别只是在于有没有听到“突然征用”的消息罢了。
换句话说，人们要求保留某项建筑，固然是有许多个别的感情因素，比如海京楼提供的番薯粥和台湾小吃、史丹福路图书馆曾是年轻人安乐窝等等；但大家共同体验的，则是一种对记忆的“保留”所面对的无力感。
发展自然是硬道理，根据经济原则，政府和发展商的确可以提出建筑物或某些建筑必须拆除的充分理由。与之相比，民众的声音是薄弱的，“理由”可能亦不够充分。但是在拆与留之间，在6500多座建筑的具体成绩之外，有关当局或许也可以从一些软性的层面，多开一扇听取与兼纳民意之门。
因为民众会根据一些“拆除－发展”的旧例，评估当时拆除的理由：比如质疑国家剧场留下的平地，有些什么经济意义。我们也看到，旧同济医院曾有一位业主，花了数百万元装修旧楼，准备经营餐饮业，但在得知这栋房子的历史与华人祖辈的奋斗不可分割后，毅然退出。
再如前南洋大学的牌坊，虽因大学的重建而失去了原有功能，但它的拆除，却找不到承包商来承担。云南园内的小型复制品，也引来“真假西天”的感慨。
诚然，建筑保留的课题，反映的是许多“人同此心”的民情，普世的价值观。
Sunday, 24 June 2007
HARP: Historic Architecture Rescue Plan
Welcome and a big THANK YOU for your interest in HARP, the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan.
The very fact that you’re taking time to read this little document shows that you are somewhat interested or at least intrigued by our aims and what we hope to accomplish with your help and support.
What is HARP?
The Historic Architecture Rescue Plan is an interest group which was formed after the sudden and unnecessary demolition of a 1930s Art-deco building at Allenby Road which formerly housed the film archives of a local film maker.
HARP members are known as Rescuers and all Rescuers believe there is a need to create an increased awareness of noteworthy buildings which may be in danger of demolition and deserve conservation.
How do I join HARP?
To sign up, send an email to harp_rescue@yahoo.com
What does HARP aim to achieve?
HARP’s long term goal is to foster an environment where owners of heritage properties are aware of the social responsibility they shoulder as proprietors of such unique properties and will voluntarily come forward to offer to put their buildings on the URA’s conservation list. Through the collective effort of HARP Rescuers, HARP hopes to persuade owners of old buildings that conservation should not be viewed as a hindrance but as a way to build and design creatively.
Isn’t this what the URA is doing?
The URA has done well in managing to gazette more than 6000 individual properties as heritage properties but many more buildings which possess significant historical / architectural merit continue to be in danger of demolition due to soaring land prices.
Surprisingly not all properties inside “historic districts” such as Geylang, Katong or Jalan Besar are protected from demolition. Because the URA believes in striking a balance between sentiment and financial prudence, it does not require everything within a historic enclave to be preserved. Most conserved properties are those which line the main roads while buildings in the inner areas are often not conferred conservation status.
Click on the links below to see the areas which are conserved and those which have been left out.
www.ura.gov.sg/conservation/balestier.htm
www.ura.gov.sg/conservation/gey.htm
More examples may be found at www.ura.gov.sg
Click on “Conservation of built heritage” at the bottom left and further click “Areas and Maps”
Is HARP just living in the past and being unrealistic?
Singapore’s stock of colonial era buildings is finite and dwindling. By this we do not just mean shophouses but rather a whole gamut of buildings ranging from hospitals, factories, schools, warehouses, fire stations and even humble residential house (like the traditional Malay house on stilts that can still be found in the Joo Chiat area). These all have great historic and social significance and are just as part of the “Singapore Story” as the Padang or Fullerton Building.
Isn’t it also interesting to observe that newly industrialising states like China are feverishly building faux-Baroque towns or rebuilding exact replicas of former colonial era buildings in Shanghai while owners in Singapore are razing their old properties? Why is Singapore throwing her away treasured heirlooms?
HARP will complement the work of the URA
In 2002, a special study was undertaken by a group of eminent people in Singapore and recommended several actions to be taken to preserve the old world charm of certain areas in Singapore. In this report, numerous buildings were listed as possible candidates for conservation given their special roles in their respective neighbourhoods. However, being listed in this study report does not necessarily guarantee conservation as clearly seen in the sad episode of the former movie archive at 3 Allenby Road.
The report may be viewed at
www.ura.gov.sg/pwbid/documents/owcmerge.pdf (refer to page 15)
The URA may only recommend areas or specific properties be conserved but the final decision will lie with the property’s owner.
It is now time for conservation work to move up a few notches in Singapore to commensurate with our status as a First World Nation. Property owners should realise that as proprietors of notable heritage properties, they too have an added social responsibility of keeping them for further generations. Conservation should not be viewed as a hindrance but as a way to build and design creatively as seen in many URA conservation award winners. Let owners of non-gazetted “heritage properties” come forward and offer their properties for conservation and fulfil their duty of helping forge a national identity.
Why does HARP think it’s so important to save old buildings?
Old buildings are Singapore’s most visible claim of being a cultural melting pot of East and West since the day it was founded. Building styles in the past may have been predominantly European oriented but these have been designed and executed by Singaporeans and hence represent the sweat, genius and industry of our forefathers. We need to ask ourselves if we would ever refuse an inheritance.
Not only does the razing of buildings and the subsequent environmental damages involve a terrible waste of resources, more importantly, it contributes to a sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore.
Singularly old buildings may not have much value but their social value is priceless. Old buildings are store houses of social memory and integral blocks of national identity. Dare anyone say that our national identity can be less valuable than $800 psf?
What tangible benefits are there when we support HARP’s ideals?
Old buildings and other heritage properties of architectural and historical merit collectively form the genius loci (spirit) of an area and it requires a collective effort to maintain the old world charm of a district. What claim does Katong have as the place where Peranankans built their Edwardian Baroque villas if Mountbatten Road was lined with modern steel and glass houses? Would you find pleasure in visiting Joo Chiat when it looked like any modern housing estate?
Using Serangoon Gadrens as an more tangible example, wouldn’t it be great if certain streets of single storey terraced or semi-detached houses could remain as they are without having their twin demolished and replaced with a modern 3 storey structure which dwarfs the entire neighbourhood and sticks out like a sore thumb? What old world charm is left to speak of ?
What can I do to help?
1. HARP encourages you to contact us by sending us an email to express your desire to be a Rescuer
Every Rescuer is a valued member of HARP and you will be our eyes, mouth and ears. If you see any noteworthy building which you think may be in danger of demolition but deserves some notice, write to your local MP, the National Monuments Board, and the URA or to the newspapers to tell them about what you think this building is special. Do also send your photos to our mailing list so that you may share your findings with fellow Rescuers!
2. Volunteer to put your heritage property on the conservation list
If you own property which was built before 1965 or which has some noteworthy aspects which deserve preservation, why not tell the URA you wish to up the property up for conservation status? If you know someone who has a heritage property outside a gazetted conservation area, you may also try to explain the importance of conservation as listed in this FAQ.
3. Tell local legislators some suggestions that HARP has formulated
The government can extend huge tax concessions for MNCs to set up shop here. It must therefore be possible to offer some tax incentives for individuals and firms who conserve their properties. Such a scheme would not be too different from the existing National Heritage Board scheme of offering donors a tax rebate of twice the amount donated.
We ask that all HARP Rescuers write to their MPs, the National Monuments Board and the URA to tell them that you of your desire to see the above mentioned tax benefits extended to building conservation.
4. Share your admiration and love for old buildings
Every one of us must have a favourite old building which we see every now and then. Why not tell the owner of the house that you admire his property? Everyone likes to be complimented so go tell people you like their homes. It’s exactly like telling your friend that you like his new painting or her new piece of jewellery. HARP believes that if property owners are aware that so many people actually are so fond of his home, he may think twice about pulling it down and replacing it with a cookie cutter modern house.
The HARP list of endangered buildings and structures
(list is not exhaustive)
1. Old KK hospital
2. Field House (25 Gilstead Rd ; home of Leslie Charteris, author of cult TV series “The Saint”)
3. Alexandra hospital
4. Old Yan Kit swimming pool behind Tanjong Pagar Market
5. Old single gate post along Stevens Rd (at the start of White House Rd)
6. Horseshoe shaped seaside villa of the Cashin family at 23 Amber Rd
7. Singapore Aerated Water Co factory along Serangoon Rd
8. Old central police station (beside Peoples Park)
9. The White House (beside former Traffic Police HQ at Maxwell Road)
10. Former NAFA campus on Mount Sophia
11. Georgian style house at Eng Hoon St (Tiong Bahru)
12. Old fire station at the Upper Bukit Timah Rd (near the former Ford Factory)
13. Ellison Building at the junction of Selegie and Mackenzie Rd (the only shophouse with twin domes; used by the governor to watch the races at the old race track at Race Course Rd.)
14. Atbara (Former French embassy at Gallop Rd)
But I don’t even know my cornices from my Corinthian columns. What help can I be?
Not all our members are architects. HARP’s founding members include homemakers and students who have no knowledge of architectural terms but share the same passion of admiring works of art done in concrete, plaster and brick and the fiery determination to save them from demolition.
By joining HARP, you are sending out a clear, loud and firm message that buildings of architectural merit should and MUST not be wantonly razed.
Suggested list of references
Websites
www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk
www.greatbuildings.com
www.ura.gov.sg (click on “conservation of built heritage” )
Books
In Granite and Chunam by Gretchen Liu (Landmark Books)
Black and White by Julian Davison (Talisman Publishing)
The Singapore house and residential life 1819-1939 by Norman Edwards (Oxford University Press)
The Singapore House 1819-1942 by Lee Kip Lin (Times Publishing)
DVD
“Site and sound” by Julian Davison (originally telecast on Arts Central but now sold in Borders)
Official website with trailers and write ups: www.siteandsound.tv
One final reason you should join HARP
We already are unable to show our children and grandchildren the red brick stairs old national library which stood as silent witness to countless first dates. How many of us have gone back to the house we were born only to find that it has been redeveloped into a row of non-descript modern terrace houses? Wouldn’t it be nice for post 1960ers to be able to show their children how the Singapore of their youth was, without having to go to specific conservation areas only? Don’t you think that is a going to feel very contrived?
HARP’s role in conservation in Singapore was featured in the TODAY newspaper on 11 Nov 2006
What are you waiting for? Be a HARP Rescuer today!
Everyone can play a part in widening the net of conservation in Singapore. It has been done well till now but let’s help make it better!
To sign up, send an email to harp_rescue@yahoo.com
The very fact that you’re taking time to read this little document shows that you are somewhat interested or at least intrigued by our aims and what we hope to accomplish with your help and support.
What is HARP?
The Historic Architecture Rescue Plan is an interest group which was formed after the sudden and unnecessary demolition of a 1930s Art-deco building at Allenby Road which formerly housed the film archives of a local film maker.
HARP members are known as Rescuers and all Rescuers believe there is a need to create an increased awareness of noteworthy buildings which may be in danger of demolition and deserve conservation.
How do I join HARP?
To sign up, send an email to harp_rescue@yahoo.com
What does HARP aim to achieve?
HARP’s long term goal is to foster an environment where owners of heritage properties are aware of the social responsibility they shoulder as proprietors of such unique properties and will voluntarily come forward to offer to put their buildings on the URA’s conservation list. Through the collective effort of HARP Rescuers, HARP hopes to persuade owners of old buildings that conservation should not be viewed as a hindrance but as a way to build and design creatively.
Isn’t this what the URA is doing?
The URA has done well in managing to gazette more than 6000 individual properties as heritage properties but many more buildings which possess significant historical / architectural merit continue to be in danger of demolition due to soaring land prices.
Surprisingly not all properties inside “historic districts” such as Geylang, Katong or Jalan Besar are protected from demolition. Because the URA believes in striking a balance between sentiment and financial prudence, it does not require everything within a historic enclave to be preserved. Most conserved properties are those which line the main roads while buildings in the inner areas are often not conferred conservation status.
Click on the links below to see the areas which are conserved and those which have been left out.
www.ura.gov.sg/conservation/balestier.htm
www.ura.gov.sg/conservation/gey.htm
More examples may be found at www.ura.gov.sg
Click on “Conservation of built heritage” at the bottom left and further click “Areas and Maps”
Is HARP just living in the past and being unrealistic?
Singapore’s stock of colonial era buildings is finite and dwindling. By this we do not just mean shophouses but rather a whole gamut of buildings ranging from hospitals, factories, schools, warehouses, fire stations and even humble residential house (like the traditional Malay house on stilts that can still be found in the Joo Chiat area). These all have great historic and social significance and are just as part of the “Singapore Story” as the Padang or Fullerton Building.
Isn’t it also interesting to observe that newly industrialising states like China are feverishly building faux-Baroque towns or rebuilding exact replicas of former colonial era buildings in Shanghai while owners in Singapore are razing their old properties? Why is Singapore throwing her away treasured heirlooms?
HARP will complement the work of the URA
In 2002, a special study was undertaken by a group of eminent people in Singapore and recommended several actions to be taken to preserve the old world charm of certain areas in Singapore. In this report, numerous buildings were listed as possible candidates for conservation given their special roles in their respective neighbourhoods. However, being listed in this study report does not necessarily guarantee conservation as clearly seen in the sad episode of the former movie archive at 3 Allenby Road.
The report may be viewed at
www.ura.gov.sg/pwbid/documents/owcmerge.pdf (refer to page 15)
The URA may only recommend areas or specific properties be conserved but the final decision will lie with the property’s owner.
It is now time for conservation work to move up a few notches in Singapore to commensurate with our status as a First World Nation. Property owners should realise that as proprietors of notable heritage properties, they too have an added social responsibility of keeping them for further generations. Conservation should not be viewed as a hindrance but as a way to build and design creatively as seen in many URA conservation award winners. Let owners of non-gazetted “heritage properties” come forward and offer their properties for conservation and fulfil their duty of helping forge a national identity.
Why does HARP think it’s so important to save old buildings?
Old buildings are Singapore’s most visible claim of being a cultural melting pot of East and West since the day it was founded. Building styles in the past may have been predominantly European oriented but these have been designed and executed by Singaporeans and hence represent the sweat, genius and industry of our forefathers. We need to ask ourselves if we would ever refuse an inheritance.
Not only does the razing of buildings and the subsequent environmental damages involve a terrible waste of resources, more importantly, it contributes to a sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore.
Singularly old buildings may not have much value but their social value is priceless. Old buildings are store houses of social memory and integral blocks of national identity. Dare anyone say that our national identity can be less valuable than $800 psf?
What tangible benefits are there when we support HARP’s ideals?
Old buildings and other heritage properties of architectural and historical merit collectively form the genius loci (spirit) of an area and it requires a collective effort to maintain the old world charm of a district. What claim does Katong have as the place where Peranankans built their Edwardian Baroque villas if Mountbatten Road was lined with modern steel and glass houses? Would you find pleasure in visiting Joo Chiat when it looked like any modern housing estate?
Using Serangoon Gadrens as an more tangible example, wouldn’t it be great if certain streets of single storey terraced or semi-detached houses could remain as they are without having their twin demolished and replaced with a modern 3 storey structure which dwarfs the entire neighbourhood and sticks out like a sore thumb? What old world charm is left to speak of ?
What can I do to help?
1. HARP encourages you to contact us by sending us an email to express your desire to be a Rescuer
Every Rescuer is a valued member of HARP and you will be our eyes, mouth and ears. If you see any noteworthy building which you think may be in danger of demolition but deserves some notice, write to your local MP, the National Monuments Board, and the URA or to the newspapers to tell them about what you think this building is special. Do also send your photos to our mailing list so that you may share your findings with fellow Rescuers!
2. Volunteer to put your heritage property on the conservation list
If you own property which was built before 1965 or which has some noteworthy aspects which deserve preservation, why not tell the URA you wish to up the property up for conservation status? If you know someone who has a heritage property outside a gazetted conservation area, you may also try to explain the importance of conservation as listed in this FAQ.
3. Tell local legislators some suggestions that HARP has formulated
The government can extend huge tax concessions for MNCs to set up shop here. It must therefore be possible to offer some tax incentives for individuals and firms who conserve their properties. Such a scheme would not be too different from the existing National Heritage Board scheme of offering donors a tax rebate of twice the amount donated.
We ask that all HARP Rescuers write to their MPs, the National Monuments Board and the URA to tell them that you of your desire to see the above mentioned tax benefits extended to building conservation.
4. Share your admiration and love for old buildings
Every one of us must have a favourite old building which we see every now and then. Why not tell the owner of the house that you admire his property? Everyone likes to be complimented so go tell people you like their homes. It’s exactly like telling your friend that you like his new painting or her new piece of jewellery. HARP believes that if property owners are aware that so many people actually are so fond of his home, he may think twice about pulling it down and replacing it with a cookie cutter modern house.
The HARP list of endangered buildings and structures
(list is not exhaustive)
1. Old KK hospital
2. Field House (25 Gilstead Rd ; home of Leslie Charteris, author of cult TV series “The Saint”)
3. Alexandra hospital
4. Old Yan Kit swimming pool behind Tanjong Pagar Market
5. Old single gate post along Stevens Rd (at the start of White House Rd)
6. Horseshoe shaped seaside villa of the Cashin family at 23 Amber Rd
7. Singapore Aerated Water Co factory along Serangoon Rd
8. Old central police station (beside Peoples Park)
9. The White House (beside former Traffic Police HQ at Maxwell Road)
10. Former NAFA campus on Mount Sophia
11. Georgian style house at Eng Hoon St (Tiong Bahru)
12. Old fire station at the Upper Bukit Timah Rd (near the former Ford Factory)
13. Ellison Building at the junction of Selegie and Mackenzie Rd (the only shophouse with twin domes; used by the governor to watch the races at the old race track at Race Course Rd.)
14. Atbara (Former French embassy at Gallop Rd)
But I don’t even know my cornices from my Corinthian columns. What help can I be?
Not all our members are architects. HARP’s founding members include homemakers and students who have no knowledge of architectural terms but share the same passion of admiring works of art done in concrete, plaster and brick and the fiery determination to save them from demolition.
By joining HARP, you are sending out a clear, loud and firm message that buildings of architectural merit should and MUST not be wantonly razed.
Suggested list of references
Websites
www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk
www.greatbuildings.com
www.ura.gov.sg (click on “conservation of built heritage” )
Books
In Granite and Chunam by Gretchen Liu (Landmark Books)
Black and White by Julian Davison (Talisman Publishing)
The Singapore house and residential life 1819-1939 by Norman Edwards (Oxford University Press)
The Singapore House 1819-1942 by Lee Kip Lin (Times Publishing)
DVD
“Site and sound” by Julian Davison (originally telecast on Arts Central but now sold in Borders)
Official website with trailers and write ups: www.siteandsound.tv
One final reason you should join HARP
We already are unable to show our children and grandchildren the red brick stairs old national library which stood as silent witness to countless first dates. How many of us have gone back to the house we were born only to find that it has been redeveloped into a row of non-descript modern terrace houses? Wouldn’t it be nice for post 1960ers to be able to show their children how the Singapore of their youth was, without having to go to specific conservation areas only? Don’t you think that is a going to feel very contrived?
HARP’s role in conservation in Singapore was featured in the TODAY newspaper on 11 Nov 2006
What are you waiting for? Be a HARP Rescuer today!
Everyone can play a part in widening the net of conservation in Singapore. It has been done well till now but let’s help make it better!
To sign up, send an email to harp_rescue@yahoo.com
Straits Times: Frankenstein buildings?
Some experts think the 'hybrid' condo idea to replace unique Katong bungalow does not work
By Melissa Sim
ONE half colonial bungalow, and one half glass and steel skyscraper, the proposed condominium at 23 Amber Road has some people calling it a 'Frankenstein building'.
The crescent-shaped half of the stately 95-year-old Neo-Renaissance-style bungalow on the site will be hacked away to make space for a modern 18-storey condominium.
The plan was announced last week, after the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan (Harp) group lobbied to save the whole house.
Similar patched-up conservation works are common in the face of rapid redevelopment here, such as Gambier Court in Kim Yam Road and the commercial building The Cathay.
Some work. Others, not so much, said architects interviewed.
To successfully integrate old buildings with new developments, several considerations must be made: first, conservation of the old, and second, relating new designs to the old.
Singapore Institute of Architects president Tai Lee Siang said: 'It is important to understand the principle of scale and proportion between the old and new so that they can forge a strong relationship.'
The Amber Road plan fails on all counts, say experts.
First, its design is slated for a very tight space - just 11,786 sq ft - which will make the new building look as though it is stuck onto the old.
Mr Tai said: 'I can't see a direct relationship between the old and new buildings and because of the tight site, I can't say it looks comfortable.'
Secondly, not only will half of the building be demolished, experts say it's the wrong half.
Singapore Heritage Society president Kevin Tan said: 'The crescent part used to be the front of the house, facing the sea. If you cut that off, it's like slicing off the face and keeping the backside.'
One building which has already suffered a similar fate is The Cathay. There, Mr Tan feels, the 'transition' between the old facade and the new glass buildings at the back 'is too stark'.
But the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) feels that the plan for Amber Road is a 'great solution', adding that keeping the building's crescent section would be difficult because it sits in the middle.
Mr Tan Chee Beng, one of the directors of developer AG Capital, thinks it has done all it can.
In fact, the site was due for development, with 'no conservation at all', he said.
'But as good citizens, we were willing to explore various options with URA.'
Still, some say more can be done. Singapore Heritage Society's Mr Tan suggests constructing the new building on pillars so apartments start higher up - a method that saved the Tan Chin Tuan house in Cairnhill.
The house, which belongs to the family of philanthropist banker Tan Chin Tuan, now sits below a new 20-storey condominium, Tan Chin Tuan Mansion.
The head of Harp, Mr Terrence Hong, 26, said: 'In 10 years, if you want to dismantle the building above the house, it can still be done and the house will be intact.
'At Amber Road, it will be irreversible.'
But successful hybrids do exist, such as residential properties Sandalwood in Tembeling Road, Grand Duchess in St Patrick's Road and Gambier Court.
Gambier Court's 'cross' motif on the old terrace houses were repeated on the balconies of the 10-storey condominium.
Mr James Toh, group managing director of the ACT Group of Companies Singapore, which developed Gambier Court, said materials for the new building were inspired by the originals.
Mr Tan from the Heritage Society said: 'It doesn't jar and it works seamlessly.'
Unfortunately, such sensitivities seem lacking at The Cathay and the proposed Amber Road condominium, said experts interviewed.
The public has till July 7 to send their feedback on the proposed plan for 23 Amber Road to the Ministry of National Development.
By Melissa Sim
ONE half colonial bungalow, and one half glass and steel skyscraper, the proposed condominium at 23 Amber Road has some people calling it a 'Frankenstein building'.
The crescent-shaped half of the stately 95-year-old Neo-Renaissance-style bungalow on the site will be hacked away to make space for a modern 18-storey condominium.
The plan was announced last week, after the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan (Harp) group lobbied to save the whole house.
Similar patched-up conservation works are common in the face of rapid redevelopment here, such as Gambier Court in Kim Yam Road and the commercial building The Cathay.
Some work. Others, not so much, said architects interviewed.
To successfully integrate old buildings with new developments, several considerations must be made: first, conservation of the old, and second, relating new designs to the old.
Singapore Institute of Architects president Tai Lee Siang said: 'It is important to understand the principle of scale and proportion between the old and new so that they can forge a strong relationship.'
The Amber Road plan fails on all counts, say experts.
First, its design is slated for a very tight space - just 11,786 sq ft - which will make the new building look as though it is stuck onto the old.
Mr Tai said: 'I can't see a direct relationship between the old and new buildings and because of the tight site, I can't say it looks comfortable.'
Secondly, not only will half of the building be demolished, experts say it's the wrong half.
Singapore Heritage Society president Kevin Tan said: 'The crescent part used to be the front of the house, facing the sea. If you cut that off, it's like slicing off the face and keeping the backside.'
One building which has already suffered a similar fate is The Cathay. There, Mr Tan feels, the 'transition' between the old facade and the new glass buildings at the back 'is too stark'.
But the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) feels that the plan for Amber Road is a 'great solution', adding that keeping the building's crescent section would be difficult because it sits in the middle.
Mr Tan Chee Beng, one of the directors of developer AG Capital, thinks it has done all it can.
In fact, the site was due for development, with 'no conservation at all', he said.
'But as good citizens, we were willing to explore various options with URA.'
Still, some say more can be done. Singapore Heritage Society's Mr Tan suggests constructing the new building on pillars so apartments start higher up - a method that saved the Tan Chin Tuan house in Cairnhill.
The house, which belongs to the family of philanthropist banker Tan Chin Tuan, now sits below a new 20-storey condominium, Tan Chin Tuan Mansion.
The head of Harp, Mr Terrence Hong, 26, said: 'In 10 years, if you want to dismantle the building above the house, it can still be done and the house will be intact.
'At Amber Road, it will be irreversible.'
But successful hybrids do exist, such as residential properties Sandalwood in Tembeling Road, Grand Duchess in St Patrick's Road and Gambier Court.
Gambier Court's 'cross' motif on the old terrace houses were repeated on the balconies of the 10-storey condominium.
Mr James Toh, group managing director of the ACT Group of Companies Singapore, which developed Gambier Court, said materials for the new building were inspired by the originals.
Mr Tan from the Heritage Society said: 'It doesn't jar and it works seamlessly.'
Unfortunately, such sensitivities seem lacking at The Cathay and the proposed Amber Road condominium, said experts interviewed.
The public has till July 7 to send their feedback on the proposed plan for 23 Amber Road to the Ministry of National Development.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Today: A Home for Our Heritage
Important historical value in preserving old buildings
Letter from Ken Lee
Thank you for your report, "Butterfly House escapes wrecker's ball" (June 19). To me, this is an important issue concerning the way Singaporeans think about our material history. This issue is not something that merely concerns "architecture buffs"; it should worry all Singaporeans.
There is important historical value in this house not only because of its designer, age or even its unique architecture. For many residents of Katong like myself, it has gained a life of its own.
During my childhood, my brother and I saw it as an abandoned, haunted house. In my teenage years, I found out that a good friend of my grandparents grew up in the house during the 1930s. This gentleman, Mr Lee Kip Lee, set much of his memoirs - a published book titled Amber
Sands - in the house. As I read the book, it opened my eyes to the important human value embodied by this structure.
Recently, I have begun to see the Butterfly House as a reminder of a Katong gradually lost to high-rise developments. Today, it is a grand old dame ageing with quiet dignity.
To lose the house would be akin to losing an actual human being. Looking at the artist's impression of the projected development soon to rise up around it, I cannot help but agree with the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan's (Harp) view that we need to protect distinctive buildings vital to our heritage.
When will our current craze for integrating the old and the new in such a draconian, absurd fashion end? When will we, as a country, without the help of groups such as Harp, realise the need to preserve the very tangible structures that remind us of our past?
Letter from Ken Lee
Thank you for your report, "Butterfly House escapes wrecker's ball" (June 19). To me, this is an important issue concerning the way Singaporeans think about our material history. This issue is not something that merely concerns "architecture buffs"; it should worry all Singaporeans.
There is important historical value in this house not only because of its designer, age or even its unique architecture. For many residents of Katong like myself, it has gained a life of its own.
During my childhood, my brother and I saw it as an abandoned, haunted house. In my teenage years, I found out that a good friend of my grandparents grew up in the house during the 1930s. This gentleman, Mr Lee Kip Lee, set much of his memoirs - a published book titled Amber
Sands - in the house. As I read the book, it opened my eyes to the important human value embodied by this structure.
Recently, I have begun to see the Butterfly House as a reminder of a Katong gradually lost to high-rise developments. Today, it is a grand old dame ageing with quiet dignity.
To lose the house would be akin to losing an actual human being. Looking at the artist's impression of the projected development soon to rise up around it, I cannot help but agree with the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan's (Harp) view that we need to protect distinctive buildings vital to our heritage.
When will our current craze for integrating the old and the new in such a draconian, absurd fashion end? When will we, as a country, without the help of groups such as Harp, realise the need to preserve the very tangible structures that remind us of our past?
Friday, 15 June 2007
Last Chance to Save 23 Amber Road
After an active campaign and many months of waiting, the URA has finally published its proposals for 23 Amber Road.
According to the proposal, only a small portion of the house comprising the porch and stairhall structure will be saved. The proposal allows the developer to destroy the rest of the building, including the distinctive crescent portion which has given the house the nickname “the Butterfly House”.
We encourage you to submit your feedback on the proposal to try to save the building in its entirety.
How to Send Feedback
Any objections or representations to the proposal need to be made in writing. They need to be sent in no later than 7th July 2007.
The address to send to is “Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Development, Maxwell Road, Singapore 069110”. You can also email your feedback to the Permanent Secretary at
tan_tee_how@mnd.gov.sg
We have made up some letter and email templates, which you are free to use as a basis for your letters.
If you prefer to write your own letters, please do so, but make sure you cite “Notice 1717 in the Gazette of 8th June 2007” and “Proposed Amendment No. 37/07” in your letter.
Possible Reasons for Objecting
The Proposed Amendment does not adequately protect the Butterfly House from inappropriate development and destruction We feel that the Butterfly House should be preserved as a whole.
Here are some reasons why you might agree with us:
According to the proposal, only a small portion of the house comprising the porch and stairhall structure will be saved. The proposal allows the developer to destroy the rest of the building, including the distinctive crescent portion which has given the house the nickname “the Butterfly House”.
The developer proposes to dovetail an 18 storey modern condominium on the porch to make a hybrid building, which looks like the product of a genetic experiment gone wrong. This Frankenstein building would be an "eyesore on the seashore".
We encourage you to submit your feedback on the proposal to try to save the building in its entirety.
How to Send Feedback
Any objections or representations to the proposal need to be made in writing. They need to be sent in no later than 7th July 2007.
The address to send to is “Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Development, Maxwell Road, Singapore 069110”. You can also email your feedback to the Permanent Secretary at
tan_tee_how@mnd.gov.sg
We have made up some letter and email templates, which you are free to use as a basis for your letters.
If you prefer to write your own letters, please do so, but make sure you cite “Notice 1717 in the Gazette of 8th June 2007” and “Proposed Amendment No. 37/07” in your letter.
Possible Reasons for Objecting
The Proposed Amendment does not adequately protect the Butterfly House from inappropriate development and destruction We feel that the Butterfly House should be preserved as a whole.
Here are some reasons why you might agree with us:
- Historic buildings should be conserved as an integral structure (the URA Conservation Guidelines make this very clear).
- The porch and stairhall structure are integral to the structure of the house, and do not “make sense” without the rest of the house.
- The crescent arms of the Butterfly House are what make it special and worth preserving.
- The crescent arms of the Butterfly House were designed by the architect to let in the sea breeze, to let in the light and to get the best view of the sea. The crescent arms allowed maximum enjoyment of the seaside location.
- The crescent wings are therefore in a real sense the raison d'etre of the house. Without them, the entire context of the house in its seaside location is lost.
- The house was by Regent A J Bidwell, who was the architect who designed the Raffles Hotel, Victoria Concert House, Stamford House and the Goodwood Park Hotel.
- The house is the only private residence designed by Bidwell in the "Butterfly Style" (semi-circular).
- There are other buildings in the Butterfly Style in Singapore, but these are all public public buildings which were built for a different purpose and with different considerations.
- The house was built in 1912 and because of its age it should be saved.
- If the developer cannot be trusted to come up with a sympathetic proposal that preserves the character of the building, then perhaps it is time for the Government to step in and acquire the land.
- It would be a bold step, but this may be the only way to protect and preserve the building for the benefit of future generations of Singaporeans.
Saturday, 20 January 2007
Campaign Featured in I-S Magazine
From I-S Magazine this week comes this article on 23 Amber Road:
"And how much of a difference has or will all [the effforts to save the building] make? Especially in a society known more for its top-down approach than for grassroots influence?URA is supportive of the cause to save the house, but so far is not making any concrete move to save it. 23 Amber Road is not on URA's conservation list, and the URA is leaving it to Goodland Development to voluntarily list the property which would immediately protect it-but given Goodland's plan to build a condo on the site, this is unlikely."
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Straits Times: Conserve Linguistic Heritage of Singapore
“Look beyond brick and mortar preservation and save dialects from becoming extinct
By Paul Tan
THE recent debate on saving the Butterfly House at 23, Amber Road is heartening on two counts.
One, it points to the growing interest many Singaporeans have in protecting the island's architecture. The 20-member group that was formed to lobby for its preservation, the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan, has its forebears in the enthusiastic Singaporeans who petitioned against the demolition of Eu Court along Stamford Road in the early 1990s and, more recently, the old National Library.
Two, it underscores the uniqueness of certain parts of Singapore. The individuals interviewed for the Straits Times report identified themselves as Katongites and spoke passionately of the distinct character of the area. In a modern era of homogeneous public housing and families who change homes every few years, that unique historical flavour should be valued, not least by the country's urban planners.
But in this popular discussion to conserve heritage and foster the rootedness of Singaporeans, one wonders, can preservation be extended beyond brick and mortar? For instance, should we also try to save Singapore's rich linguistic heritage?
...
One wishes the Katongites well in their petition to save 23, Amber Road. It will be an uphill task, given that the prime land the mansion sits on belongs to a private entity and the planning authorities' track record when it comes to petitioners.”
Read the full article at the Straits Times website.
By Paul Tan
THE recent debate on saving the Butterfly House at 23, Amber Road is heartening on two counts.
One, it points to the growing interest many Singaporeans have in protecting the island's architecture. The 20-member group that was formed to lobby for its preservation, the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan, has its forebears in the enthusiastic Singaporeans who petitioned against the demolition of Eu Court along Stamford Road in the early 1990s and, more recently, the old National Library.
Two, it underscores the uniqueness of certain parts of Singapore. The individuals interviewed for the Straits Times report identified themselves as Katongites and spoke passionately of the distinct character of the area. In a modern era of homogeneous public housing and families who change homes every few years, that unique historical flavour should be valued, not least by the country's urban planners.
But in this popular discussion to conserve heritage and foster the rootedness of Singaporeans, one wonders, can preservation be extended beyond brick and mortar? For instance, should we also try to save Singapore's rich linguistic heritage?
...
One wishes the Katongites well in their petition to save 23, Amber Road. It will be an uphill task, given that the prime land the mansion sits on belongs to a private entity and the planning authorities' track record when it comes to petitioners.”
Read the full article at the Straits Times website.
Thursday, 11 January 2007
Bird’s Eye View of 23 Amber Road
This photo was taken by Mrs Helen Khoo, from a neighbouring apartment block Amberville (Block 50D), and shows very clearly the “butterfly” configuration of this house.
Wednesday, 10 January 2007
Amber Road on Singapore Infopedia
The Singapore Infopedia website maintained by the National Library Board has a very interesting article on the history of Amber Road.
Here’s an extract:
“In 1921, a stretch of road running between Grove Road (now discontinued) and Tanjong Katong Road was named Amber Road, after a renowned property owner, the Elias family. Amber Elias was the mother of Joseph, Ezra and Issac Elias and they belonged to a well-known Jewish business family. Other places named after her is the Amber Building on Malacca Street and Amber Mansion on Orchard Road.
Amber Road was the scene of two tragic events in Singapore's history. During the Japanese Occupation, the beach across this road was used for Operation "Sook Ching", carried out to purge suspected anti-Japanese elements. As a result, many Chinese males were brought to the beach only to be slaughtered mercilessly by the Japanese soldiers. Amber road was also one of the worst hit areas during the Maria Hertogh Riots that took place in 1950.”
Straits Times: No. 23 Wasn't 'Cashin Mansion'
This letter was published in the Straits Times Forum today:
"TO DISPEL any misinformation, may I, as a former resident who lived in Amber Road, point out that 23 Amber Road was never known as Cashin Mansion, although it was given by Mr A. W. Cashin to his brother-in-law, Mr D. Kitowitz.
The only residence there dubbed with a name was Mandalay Villa at No. 29 Amber Road.
The other surviving original buildings in the locality are No. 40 Amber Road and, as far as I know, the Elias mansion, which now forms part of the Sea View Hotel complex.
Lee Kip Lee"
"TO DISPEL any misinformation, may I, as a former resident who lived in Amber Road, point out that 23 Amber Road was never known as Cashin Mansion, although it was given by Mr A. W. Cashin to his brother-in-law, Mr D. Kitowitz.
The only residence there dubbed with a name was Mandalay Villa at No. 29 Amber Road.
The other surviving original buildings in the locality are No. 40 Amber Road and, as far as I know, the Elias mansion, which now forms part of the Sea View Hotel complex.
Lee Kip Lee"
Save 23 Amber Road Campaign Blogged!
Edoraye has written about the Campaign to Save 23 Amber Road at her blog, Many Degrees Off the Equator.
The whole article is really worth reading, and here’s a taster:
“I believe that in the course of keeping up with the times, our society should not run the risk of becoming overly modernized and culturally sterile. After all, even the newest of buildings which we build today will someday become old but the oldest of buildings we preserve today will always remain fondly in style in the years to come. Some day, when I walk along the streets of Mountbatten with my children, I will tell them stories of my childhood and that of my parents, my grandparents and my great grandparents. And I pray that we will be able to stop by the Cashin Mansion to awe at how far Singapore has come to be the great nation it is and the place we affectionately call 'Home'.”
Straits Times Highlights Plight of 23 Amber Road
The Straits Times newspaper published a two page spread on building conservation today. There are excellent photos (in colour) of eight of the buildings HARP has earmarked for rescuing. They are lined up on H2 of the Home Section.
Call to preserve 1912 ‘crescent’ house
Save these buildings
The 1912 'crescent' house is shown on H1 with Tan Hui Yee's write-up:
“A GROUP of heritage property lovers are trying to save a bungalow designed by the architect of Raffles Hotel that could be facing demolition after it was bought recently by a developer.
The neo-Renaissance style bungalow on Amber Road was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1912.
The two-storey property, which stood on the seafront before land reclamation began, has an unusual crescent shape to let in as much fresh air as possible. It is currently surrounded by many private housing projects.
A new developer, AG Capital, bought the bungalow last year. The company told The Straits Times 'no corporate decision has been adopted' on future plans for the site.
The company is free to tear it down though, as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has no plans to add it to its list of more than 6,000 buildings that have to be retained because of their historical heritage value.”
Read more on the Straits Times website, or here.
Tuesday, 9 January 2007
New Paper: Save this “Butterfly” House
This grand old Katong mansion, sold to a private company for $9m, isn't designated for conservation. It has one anxious heritage group harping on this theme
By Ng Tze Yong
December 31, 2006
THE imposing house at 23 Amber Road has seen better days.
The 'Butterfly House', with its unique crescent-shaped verandah, is the forgotten cousin of Singapore's grand dames - the Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and Stamford House.
All were designed by Regent Alfred Bidwell, one of Singapore's most famous architects in colonial days.
The house was sold to a private company for about $9 million in August this year, a property search by The New Paper has revealed.
It's not clear what plans the new owner has for the house.
When The New Paper tried to interview the new owner - a company with an office near the Farrer Park MRT station, an official of the company declined to comment.
Now a group of Katongites fear the house may be demolished as it has not been designated for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
BULLDOZERS COMING
They have formed a group called Historic Architecture Rescue Plan (Harp). Its 20-odd members - 'ordinary people who have no knowledge of architectural terms' - call themselves rescuers of old buildings.
'It's not a good sign. The bulldozers are coming soon,' said Mr Terrence Hong, 26, an undergraduate and a founding member of Harp.
'We share a passion for preserving our past. We want to give heritage buildings a voice.'
On Christmas Eve, Harp sent out an e-mail petition, complete with the e-mail addresses of President SR Nathan and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, urging Singaporeans to save the house.
'There is no way you can look at this house and not take a second look. You travel back in time 100 years, and go 'wow...',' said Madam Helen Khoo, a 72-year-old retiree.
SEMI-CIRCULAR VERANDAH
Waves once lapped at the house's backyard. The 'butterfly' - the house's semi-circular verandah - was designed to catch the sea breeze.
But after reclamation, the sweeping sea view has been replaced by condominiums and the East Coast Parkway.
The house used to belong to the prominent Cashin family.
Cashin Street, off North Bridge Road, was named after Mr Joseph Cashin, a lawyer's clerk who made his fortune investing in legal opium farms in the 1880s. It was just one of about 400 properties he came to own island-wide.
A Chinese family lived in the house but moved out a few years ago. It has been vacant since.
When The New Paper visited the house last week, trays of oranges, Sprite cans and incense paper - offerings to the spirits - had been left all around the 1,095 sq m compound, about the size of four basketball courts.
'This magnificent house has become a part of every Katongite,' said long-time Katong resident Miss Irene Low, a 35-year-old scientist.
'But it's not just about Katong. It's about Singapore.'
'We're not silly people being nostalgic about the past,' added Mr Hong.
'How many of us have gone back to the house we were born in only to find that it is gone?'
He believes that if the Government wants to keep Singaporeans in Singapore, it must keep their places of childhood.
'HDB flats and shopping centres are not going to make us stay,' he said. 'We need to remember the places we played in as kids.'
But saving houses isn't easy.
'Conservation is an integral part of our city planning,' said a URA spokesman, but it is done on a highly selective basis.'
The URA uses a 'win-win approach' to balance the owner's desire to realise the economic potential of his property and society's wish to preserve the past.
'Based on this pragmatic approach, we have carefully evaluated the house and will not be conserving it,' said the URA spokesman.
URA added, however, that it 'welcomes' the new owner to a discussion to consider alternatives.
Architecture professor Chan Yew Lih, of the National University of Singapore, believes that the 'Butterfly House' is 'worthy of conservation'.
'It is one of the few remaining seaside houses that the elite of old used as weekend getaways from the crowded city,' she said.
She suggests turning the house into a museum, inn or multi-family housing.
Mr Hong said that while saving old buildings may not make dollars and cents, their social value is priceless.
'They are the storehouses of our memories and our identity,' he said. 'Can anyone say our national identity is less valuable than, say, $800 psf.'
Monday, 8 January 2007
Straits Times: Cashin Mansion in our Urban Village
This letter was published in the Straits Times Forum today:
“I REFER to the impending demolition of Cashin Mansion at 23 Amber Road and request a moratorium on its demolition so the Urban Redevelopment Authority may reconsider conserving it. We ask this because the building means something to us; it is part of what makes Singapore our home.
My parents and I moved to Jalan Batu a few years ago and have never felt more at ease. We love it not only for its proximity to town but also its unique mix of old and new. Within a 1 km radius of our flat, there are skyscraper condominiums, mid-rise HDB flats like the one we live in, four-storey HDB flats like the one I grew up in, private bungalows and historic private residences like Cashin Mansion. Each housing type represents an era in Singapore's progress and development, as well the number of generations our family has called Singapore home.
More important, we love how the physical diversity of the neighbourhood promotes interaction between Singaporeans across all ages, and ethnic and socio-economic groups - something we could not experience in our previous neighbourhood where such physical diversity is lacking. To us, Jalan Batu is our urban village.
We know our neighbours and we converse with the shop and foodstall owners. Even a simple daily routine such as having lunch at the hawker centre at Block 4 is a visual, cultural and gastronomic treat. There are hip LaSalle students with their trendy outfits and outlook on life; working professionals in office attire who, despite the heat and humidity, carpool from the city to patronise stalls that were there even before the hawker centre underwent renovation; retirees who always congregate at the same tables to get their caffeine fix; and everyone else in between.
Cashin Mansion is not just another building worth conserving for its historic and architectural importance. It is an integral part of what keeps our neighbourhood socially alive and vibrant.
We believe that, to keep up with the times, society should not risk becoming overly modernised and culturally sterile. After all, even the newest buildings we build today will some day become old, but the oldest buildings we preserve today will always remain fondly in style. Some day, when I walk along the streets of Mountbatten with my children, I will tell them stories of my childhood and that of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. I pray we will be able to stop by Cashin Mansion to gaze in awe at how far Singapore has come to be the great nation it is today and the place we affectionately call 'home'.”
Serene Laudene Lee (Ms)"
“I REFER to the impending demolition of Cashin Mansion at 23 Amber Road and request a moratorium on its demolition so the Urban Redevelopment Authority may reconsider conserving it. We ask this because the building means something to us; it is part of what makes Singapore our home.
My parents and I moved to Jalan Batu a few years ago and have never felt more at ease. We love it not only for its proximity to town but also its unique mix of old and new. Within a 1 km radius of our flat, there are skyscraper condominiums, mid-rise HDB flats like the one we live in, four-storey HDB flats like the one I grew up in, private bungalows and historic private residences like Cashin Mansion. Each housing type represents an era in Singapore's progress and development, as well the number of generations our family has called Singapore home.
More important, we love how the physical diversity of the neighbourhood promotes interaction between Singaporeans across all ages, and ethnic and socio-economic groups - something we could not experience in our previous neighbourhood where such physical diversity is lacking. To us, Jalan Batu is our urban village.
We know our neighbours and we converse with the shop and foodstall owners. Even a simple daily routine such as having lunch at the hawker centre at Block 4 is a visual, cultural and gastronomic treat. There are hip LaSalle students with their trendy outfits and outlook on life; working professionals in office attire who, despite the heat and humidity, carpool from the city to patronise stalls that were there even before the hawker centre underwent renovation; retirees who always congregate at the same tables to get their caffeine fix; and everyone else in between.
Cashin Mansion is not just another building worth conserving for its historic and architectural importance. It is an integral part of what keeps our neighbourhood socially alive and vibrant.
We believe that, to keep up with the times, society should not risk becoming overly modernised and culturally sterile. After all, even the newest buildings we build today will some day become old, but the oldest buildings we preserve today will always remain fondly in style. Some day, when I walk along the streets of Mountbatten with my children, I will tell them stories of my childhood and that of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. I pray we will be able to stop by Cashin Mansion to gaze in awe at how far Singapore has come to be the great nation it is today and the place we affectionately call 'home'.”
Serene Laudene Lee (Ms)"
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Poll: How Should Historic Buildings be Preserved?
A newly posted poll on the Singapore Heritage Yahoo Group website (registration required) asks:
We're all aware that more effort should be made to conserve historic buildings like 23 Amber Road. However, it's less clear how these buildings should be preserved.
Should they simply be left where they are? Is it best to convert them to some other use? If so, what type of use?
Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singaporeheritage/polls to cast your vote! Polling closes on 31st January 2007.
Developer and Owner of 23 Amber Road Identified
Developers involved in project management, project development, general:
Goodland Development Pte Ltd
18 Roberts Lane
Hex 02-01/02 Goodland Building
Singapore 218297
Phone: 62890003
Fax: 62893818
email: goodland@goodlandgroup.com.sg
Owner of 23 Amber Road:
AG Capital Pte Ltd
18 Roberts Lane
Hex 02-01/02 Goodland Building
Singapore 218297
Phone: 62890003
Fax: 62893818
email: goodland@goodlandgroup.com.sg
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Straits Times: Call to Preserve 1912 'Crescent' House
Developer has no plans for Amber Road site but it's not on heritage list
By Tan Hui Yee
A GROUP of heritage property lovers are trying to save a bungalow designed by the architect of Raffles Hotel that could be facing demolition after it was bought recently by a developer.
The neo-Renaissance style bungalow on Amber Road was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1912.
The two-storey property, which stood on the seafront before land reclamation began, has an unusual crescent shape to let in as much fresh air as possible. It is currently surrounded by many private housing projects.
A new developer, AG Capital, bought the bungalow last year. The company told The Straits Times 'no corporate decision has been adopted' on future plans for the site.
The company is free to tear it down though, as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has no plans to add it to its list of more than 6,000 buildings that have to be retained because of their historical heritage value.
The URA told The Straits Times it adopted a 'pragmatic' approach to conservation. It said: 'It is done on a highly selective basis to retain the unique character and identity of an area.
'We have adopted a 'win-win' approach to strike a balance in allowing owners to realise the economic potential of their properties and ensuring the identity and character of our historic past are retained.'
However, a group of about 20 people, who call themselves the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan, feel this bungalow deserves preservation. On Christmas Eve, the group distributed fliers about the bungalow to residents in the Mountbatten area.
One member, Mr Terrence Hong, 26, unemployed, suggested the building be dismantled and relocated rather than demolished.
Destroying buildings like this would 'contribute to the sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore', he said.
Another member, 72-year-old retired administrator Helen Khoo, said: 'Modern buildings are okay in themselves. But when we have too many, we start everything on a clean slate and rub off all the happy memories.'
The group is trying to get the authorities to conserve at least 12 other buildings.
They include private buildings like the National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road, the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road, as well as state properties like a two-storey manor in Gilstead Road that used to be home to Leslie Charteris, author of the mystery books that inspired the television series, The Saint.
The conservation group tries to raise awareness of heritage properties by giving their owners or tenants information on their historical value. They recently approached Gracefields Kindergarten, which rents the house in Gilstead Road.
The imposing 1920s building, which used to house the Spastic Children's Association, was painted a cheery mint green when the kindergarten took up the tenancy in August.
Its principal, Ms Joyce Teo, 50, said that since then, at least eight people have walked in to express admiration for the building.
'I stand in awe. Every day that I stand here, I am grateful for this place,' she said. 'It's so majestic.'
By Tan Hui Yee
A GROUP of heritage property lovers are trying to save a bungalow designed by the architect of Raffles Hotel that could be facing demolition after it was bought recently by a developer.
The neo-Renaissance style bungalow on Amber Road was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1912.
The two-storey property, which stood on the seafront before land reclamation began, has an unusual crescent shape to let in as much fresh air as possible. It is currently surrounded by many private housing projects.
A new developer, AG Capital, bought the bungalow last year. The company told The Straits Times 'no corporate decision has been adopted' on future plans for the site.
The company is free to tear it down though, as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has no plans to add it to its list of more than 6,000 buildings that have to be retained because of their historical heritage value.
The URA told The Straits Times it adopted a 'pragmatic' approach to conservation. It said: 'It is done on a highly selective basis to retain the unique character and identity of an area.
'We have adopted a 'win-win' approach to strike a balance in allowing owners to realise the economic potential of their properties and ensuring the identity and character of our historic past are retained.'
However, a group of about 20 people, who call themselves the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan, feel this bungalow deserves preservation. On Christmas Eve, the group distributed fliers about the bungalow to residents in the Mountbatten area.
One member, Mr Terrence Hong, 26, unemployed, suggested the building be dismantled and relocated rather than demolished.
Destroying buildings like this would 'contribute to the sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore', he said.
Another member, 72-year-old retired administrator Helen Khoo, said: 'Modern buildings are okay in themselves. But when we have too many, we start everything on a clean slate and rub off all the happy memories.'
The group is trying to get the authorities to conserve at least 12 other buildings.
They include private buildings like the National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road, the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road, as well as state properties like a two-storey manor in Gilstead Road that used to be home to Leslie Charteris, author of the mystery books that inspired the television series, The Saint.
The conservation group tries to raise awareness of heritage properties by giving their owners or tenants information on their historical value. They recently approached Gracefields Kindergarten, which rents the house in Gilstead Road.
The imposing 1920s building, which used to house the Spastic Children's Association, was painted a cheery mint green when the kindergarten took up the tenancy in August.
Its principal, Ms Joyce Teo, 50, said that since then, at least eight people have walked in to express admiration for the building.
'I stand in awe. Every day that I stand here, I am grateful for this place,' she said. 'It's so majestic.'
Straits Times: Save these Buildings
Some of the properties the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan hopes to conserve are listed here. The Urban Redevelopment Authority says it is studying whether this can be done for the state-owned properties on the list. As for the privately owned ones - the National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road and Shaw Brothers movie studio in Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road - the URA said: 'If their owners are willing to consider an alternative to complete redevelopment, we will welcome them to a discussion.'
Old Kandang Kerbau Hospital in Hampshire Road
More than one million babies were born in this hospital, opened in 1924. It has since moved to bigger premises in Bukit Timah Road, and the old building houses the Land Transport Authority headquarters. There are no development plans for the site until 2015.
National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road
The company moved into this building in the 1950s, producing soft drinks like Sinalco, Kickapoo and Royal Crown Cola. The art deco factory exudes an understated charm, despite the stacks of plastic crates that block its ground floor facade these days.
Former Nafa campus in Sophia Road
107A Sophia Road used to be the site of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts' San San Campus from 1984 to 1990. Nafa acquired the site with the help of the Hokkien Clan Association. Notable features include wall art in the courtyard, one wall depicting different sports and the other showcasing various art forms.
Alexandra Hospital in Alexandra Road
Established in 1938, it was the principal hospital for the British in the Far East. It became a public hospital in 1971. Staff at the hospital will move to a new 450-bed facility in Yishun in 2009.
Ellison building in MacKenzie Road
Erected in 1924, the yellow and green building is unique for the two domes on its roof, from which British governors reportedly watched horse races. Named after its original Jewish owner, the building still bears a Star of David sign beside its name. Now owned by the Government, it is leased out to eating houses, convenience stores and clothing stores.
Old Fire Station in Upper Bukit Timah Road
The station was used by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) from 1956 to 2005. According to the SCDF, it was used by the British military before that.
Former police headquarters in Pearl's Hill Terrace
Built in 1934, this building was used in pre-war days as the living quarters of the Sikh Contingent, which was disbanded in 1946 after World War II. It was used as police headquarters from 1989 to 2001.
Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas
Behind the discoloured walls of the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas is an illustrious history. Established in 1937, it was used by the Japanese to make propaganda films during World War II and reopened by Shaw in 1947 as Malay Film Production Ltd, which closed in 1967. This was the place which shot the film legend P. Ramlee to fame.
House at 25 Gilstead Road
The imposing manor, built in 1927, was the childhood home of author Leslie Charteris, whose books inspired The Saint TV series.
Old Yan Kit Swimming Complex in Tanjong Pagar
A locked gate greets visitors these days, since the complex was closed permanently in 2001, having been deemed unsafe. It was the first public swimming complex to open in Singapore in 1952. It was named after a wealthy, influential Cantonese dentist, Look Yan Kit.
Atbara House at 5 Gallop Road
The French embassy used to be located in this black and white building, which was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1898.
Old Kandang Kerbau Hospital in Hampshire Road
More than one million babies were born in this hospital, opened in 1924. It has since moved to bigger premises in Bukit Timah Road, and the old building houses the Land Transport Authority headquarters. There are no development plans for the site until 2015.
National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road
The company moved into this building in the 1950s, producing soft drinks like Sinalco, Kickapoo and Royal Crown Cola. The art deco factory exudes an understated charm, despite the stacks of plastic crates that block its ground floor facade these days.
Former Nafa campus in Sophia Road
107A Sophia Road used to be the site of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts' San San Campus from 1984 to 1990. Nafa acquired the site with the help of the Hokkien Clan Association. Notable features include wall art in the courtyard, one wall depicting different sports and the other showcasing various art forms.
Alexandra Hospital in Alexandra Road
Established in 1938, it was the principal hospital for the British in the Far East. It became a public hospital in 1971. Staff at the hospital will move to a new 450-bed facility in Yishun in 2009.
Ellison building in MacKenzie Road
Erected in 1924, the yellow and green building is unique for the two domes on its roof, from which British governors reportedly watched horse races. Named after its original Jewish owner, the building still bears a Star of David sign beside its name. Now owned by the Government, it is leased out to eating houses, convenience stores and clothing stores.
Old Fire Station in Upper Bukit Timah Road
The station was used by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) from 1956 to 2005. According to the SCDF, it was used by the British military before that.
Former police headquarters in Pearl's Hill Terrace
Built in 1934, this building was used in pre-war days as the living quarters of the Sikh Contingent, which was disbanded in 1946 after World War II. It was used as police headquarters from 1989 to 2001.
Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas
Behind the discoloured walls of the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas is an illustrious history. Established in 1937, it was used by the Japanese to make propaganda films during World War II and reopened by Shaw in 1947 as Malay Film Production Ltd, which closed in 1967. This was the place which shot the film legend P. Ramlee to fame.
House at 25 Gilstead Road
The imposing manor, built in 1927, was the childhood home of author Leslie Charteris, whose books inspired The Saint TV series.
Old Yan Kit Swimming Complex in Tanjong Pagar
A locked gate greets visitors these days, since the complex was closed permanently in 2001, having been deemed unsafe. It was the first public swimming complex to open in Singapore in 1952. It was named after a wealthy, influential Cantonese dentist, Look Yan Kit.
Atbara House at 5 Gallop Road
The French embassy used to be located in this black and white building, which was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1898.
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