The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced the winners of the URA Architectural Heritage Awards (AHA) today at a presentation ceremony attended by Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee. This year, three winners were recognised for their exceptional work in heritage building conservation and restoration.
The three winning restoration projects are:
The Awards were inaugurated in 1995 to recognise the people who make conservation happen – dedicated owners, insightful developers, creative professionals and sensitive contractors. They exemplify the highest standards within the conservation movement and have gone beyond what is necessary to sensitively restore their heritage buildings for continued use.
Now in its 20th year, the annual Awards also promote public awareness and appreciation of quality restoration of monuments and buildings with preservation and conservation status in Singapore.
With these three winners, the total number of projects that have received the Awards has risen to 120.
Awards scheme
There are two categories for the URA Architectural Heritage Awards:
Category A
This category is for National Monuments and fully conserved buildings in the Historic Districts and Good Class Bungalow Areas. Buildings fully conserved according to the restoration principles in other areas can also be considered under this category. They are assessed on how far they adhere to quality restoration principles of maximum retention, sensitive restoration and careful repair.
Category B
This category is for integrated “old” and “new” developments such as those in the Historic Residential Districts and Secondary Settlement Areas. They are assessed on the quality restoration of the “old” elements, the innovation and architectural excellence of the “new” elements, and how the “new” draws inspiration from the “old”.
2014 winners
Here is an overview of the three winning projects. Detailed write-ups are available in Annex A.
Well known for its richly ornamented roof, vibrant wall reliefs and frescoes outside and within its walls, the Yueh Hai Ching Temple built in the 1820s has been faithfully restored to articulate detail, showing deep respect for the monument’s architectural roots. At every turn, this stunning restoration demonstrates thoughtful choices informed by extensive archival research and technical consultation with local and overseas architectural experts and temple craftsmen.
This terrace house of Transitional Style has been skilfully transformed through a series of clever interventions. Its charming vintage features have been retained as much as possible and lovingly restored. Elements that required replacement were reinterpreted with a refreshing touch to fulfil the building’s purpose as a modern dwelling.
This boutique hotel project has enhanced the qualities of five conserved two-storey shophouses and added a new six-storey tower to the neighbourhood skyline. The outcome is understated yet tasteful, and makes a considered and positive contribution to the surrounding streetscape.
There will be an exhibition showcasing the three 2014 URA Architectural Heritage Awards winners at The URA Centre. There will also be a series of talks and visits to selected award winners. Details are as follows:
Date: 3 October to 22 November 2014
Venue : The URA Centre Atrium 45 Maxwell Road Singapore 069118
Opening Hours : Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 7pm Saturdays, 8.30am to 5pm Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Please check online at www.ura.gov.sg for other public events related to this year’s AHA. Admission is free.
Factsheets:
Factsheet on the AHA Scheme
Factsheet on UNESCO winners
Factsheet on Kampong Glam and School videos
Citations for the winning projects