THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AWARDS

THE URA ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AWARDS are introduced to accord recognition to buildings with preservation and conservation status in Singapore which are well-restored and/or exhibit architectural/urban design excellence. The awards will:

(a) Serve as an incentive to professionals to pay particular attention to quality restoration, and innovative and sensitive new additions and alterations to conservation buildings.

(b) Provide a platform for benchmarking quality preservation or conservation buildings.

The Awards will have 2 categories - Category A (national monuments and fully conserved buildings) and Category B (integrated ‘old and new' developments).

ELIGIBILITY
All projects should be completed in Singapore and/or scheduled to be completed and Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) obtained by 31 March 2009 shall be eligible for the Awards. Projects withunapproved use, illegal works or unresolved planning issues shall not qualify for the Awards.

APPLICATIONS
Applications for the 2009 Awards shall be received on prescribed forms.

Each application should be submitted by the building owner and endorsed by the architect, professional engineer and the principal contractor to the Secretary, URA Architectural Heritage Awards Assessment Committee, Urban Redevelopment Authority NOT LATER THAN 1 PM ON 30 JUNE 2009.

The following are to be submitted:
(a) Submission of a A4 report which should include the following:
i Archive drawings, old photographs and measured building survey drawings.
ii History of the building.
iii Detailed write-up addressing the assessment criteria (see below) and
iv Drawings (plans, sections, elevations and details of proposed restoration works and/or new interventions)
v Structural condition report of the existing building and method statement of the proposed works highlighting any unique features and/or construction methods of the building (optional).

(b) Four (4) attractively presented and exhibition-ready 800 mm (W) by 1000 mm (H) compact-foam panels of 5 mm thickness. The panels in portrait format and clearly numbered as Panels 1 to 4 should show colour photographs on the exterior and interior of the building before, during and after restoration. Descriptions should highlight on the (i) design approach (ii) restoration process (iii) finished product and (iv) key features or special techniques/methods used.

(c) VCD / DVD containing a complete set of each of the images/photos in high resolution and as shown on the panels.

(d) VCD / DVD containing clear, sharp and proportional digital images in resolution of 300 pixels/inch and Photoshop Tiff format of each of the 4 exhibition-ready panels.

(e) A copy of the Termite Treatment Certificate.

The Assessment Committee reserves the right to reject any application for which the documentation does not comply with the above details.

ASSESSMENT
The Awards will be judged by an Assessment Committee appointed by the URA. The Committee comprises URA members, senior URA officials and senior representatives from government departments, professional institutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore Heritage Society and the Conservation Advisory Panel.

Submitted projects will be assessed based on:
(a) Design Approach
i Thorough research and documentation on history, building typology, architecture, structure, building techniques, materials and existing condition of the buildings.
ii Design approach respects and enhances the inherent qualities of the buildings.

(b) Restoration Process
i Quality restoration that adheres to the “3R” principle of maximum Retention, sensitive Restoration and careful Repair.
ii Use of protective measures to ensure structural integrity and maintenance of important elements of the buildings and application of “Top-Down” approach, i.e. to start from the roof downwards with the floors and roof retained.
iii Authentic and accurate construction techniques and detailing.

(c) Finished Product
i Retains the inherent and essential qualities of the buildings.
ii Serves as a good precedent for future projects in terms of its features, ideas and methods used.
iii Sensitively and innovatively adapted to current use, including barrier-free accessibility provisions.
iv Contributes to the surrounding environment.

For the Architectural Heritage Awards Category B, these additional criteria will apply:
(a) Design intention that clearly defines the relationship between the “old” and the “new”.

(b) Material, construction detailing and ambience that draw inspiration from the “old” buildings.

(c) “Old” and “new” elements that enhance each others' character and qualities.

(d) Finished product serves as a good precedent in terms of innovation and architectural excellence.

The applicant will be required to give a visual presentation to the Assessment Committee on the approach, design and restoration process of the submitted project at a date to be given by the Authority.

The Assessment Committee members will visit the restored projects and must be allowed access to such projects.

The decision of the Assessment Committee shall be final. The discretion of the Assessment Committee to make or withhold an Award is absolute. No form of discussion or correspondence relating to any decisions will be entered into by the Assessment Committee.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
Winners will be informed and the results announced in the press. The Awards will be withdrawn if the award-winning projects are poorly maintained or subsequently put to a disreputable use. The Award plaque shall be removed from the building if new major works are carried out to the building.

PUBLICATION OF MATERIALS
All materials submitted in connection with the entries shall become the property of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, who reserves the right, without payment of fees or royalties, to make whatever use it may consider desirable of all materials submitted in connection with the entries, including the publications of photographs and names, and to select from the entries at its own discretion materials for exhibition or publication, irrespective of the results of the Awards.

All enquiries concerning entries for the URA ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AWARDS shall be addressed to:

The Secretary
URA Architectural Heritage Awards Assessment Committee
Urban Redevelopment Authority
11th Storey, The URA Centre
45 Maxwell Road
Singapore 069118