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.