SPOTLIGHT / 30 YEARS OF CONSERVATION
Reflecting on conservation efforts over the years, Desmond Lee, Second Minister for National Development shared in his speech at the annual 25th Architectural Heritage Award and the launch of “30 years of conservation” exhibition on 21 October 2019:
“Our conservation journey started as early as the 1960s, when we began to safeguard older areas of our city. At this time, urban renewal was an urgent task, and many people did not quite see the value in keeping older buildings. I think you cannot look at it from today’s lens, but put yourself in the shoes of Singapore back then in the 1960s, and the kinds of imperatives, pressures, that Singapore then was under.
Thankfully, our pioneers saw the importance of protecting our built heritage. At the same time, they recognised that conservation had to be done pragmatically and with careful selection. Buildings needed to serve new purposes with new times, and continue to contribute to Singapore’s progress and development. Putting this philosophy into practice, URA launched the conservation programme in the 1980s, with the first phase of large-scale conservation. Since then, we have continued to expand the footprint of our conserved landscape.
At the formative stages of our journey, partnerships were key, and they remain so today. The support of building owners, the professional industry and the heritage community has been integral to our conservation efforts. Looking back on this journey, we celebrate not just 30 years of hard work, but also 30 years of partnerships, 30 years of trust.”
In remembering these 30 years, we present highlights from a special supplement featuring 30 individuals who contributed to shaping and sustaining Singapore’s built heritage. The full supplement is available here.
Even in the midst of urgent renewal efforts in the 1960s and early 1970s, there were already early stirrings on the importance of heritage conservation. Pioneers such as Alan Choe and Dr Liu Thai Ker worked behind the scenes to influence the path towards conservation.
The 1960s and early 1970s were focused on urgent urban renewal. Much of Singapore’s problems came from the city centre. The housing shortage was acute then, with three quarters of the population crammed into the small downtown area, and many families squeezed into shared accommodation in decrepit shophouses. Even in the midst of the renewal efforts, there were already early stirrings on the importance of heritage conservation amongst planners, experts, architects and others.
Smith Street in Chinatown in 1974. The 1960s and early 1970s were focused on urgent urban renewal. Three quarters of the population was crammed into the downtown area.
Alan Choe was the first architect-planner in the Housing & Development Board (HDB) when he joined in 1962. He later headed the urban renewal unit in 1964, a forerunner of URA (formed in 1974), tasked to oversee urban renewal efforts particularly for the Central Area. Dr Liu Thai Ker was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Housing & Development Board (1975-1989) and later the CEO and Chief Planner of URA (1989-1992). An advocate for conservation, Thai Ker led the development of the first Conservation Master Plan for Singapore in 19891.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, visited 9 Neil Road in 1989. Dr Liu Thai Ker (far left) is with the URA Chairman then, Professor Khoo Cheng Lim (on Dr Liu’s right).
While renewal efforts elsewhere which began in the United States from 1949 onwards was about tearing down older parts of the city, Alan recognised that Singapore’s situation was unique.
Thus, even while addressing practical needs, a range of smaller rehabilitation and conservation efforts took place and more extensive conservation plans were prepared behind the scenes. “Right from the beginning in urban renewal, we have already designated areas for preservation. We have identified Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam for conservation more from an urban design and planning point of view,” says Alan.
Alan Choe (in the middle with the pointer stick), hosting guests in 1978.
The support for conservation did not come easy. To Thai Ker, “at every step of the way, there were serious challenges, in the early days, when buildings were frequently destroyed or damaged.” It took “a series of champions with passion, careful strategising and even some cunningness” to make things happen. To him, it was about putting in place strategies at the right time, where circumstances and interconnected events enhanced each other in leading to the support for a stronger focus on conservation.
In finalising the Conservation Master Plan, Thai Ker recalls: “We identified buildings which were 50 years old and more2 and worked out the criteria to determine objectively whether they should be conserved or not. In many other cities, I was told, only buildings that were at least 50 years old could be considered for conservation. This is because If you decide to conserve a building too hastily, you do not have the historical perspective to assess its architectural merit correctly.
A sketch plan by the United Nations team from their 1971 report, proposing the conservation of Kampong Gelam and parts of Chinatown.
The six criteria of selection that were developed by my colleagues, to determine if a building should be conserved, were benchmarked against those of other well-known historical cities to ensure that they could measure up to international standards. Because of the six criteria, we were able to convince our government to conserve so much.”
1 The Conservation Master Plan was unveiled in 1986 and 10 areas were eventually gazetted for conservation in 1989 – Chinatown (Kreta Ayer, Tanjong Pagar, Bukit Pasoh, Telok Ayer) Kampong Glam, Little India, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Cairnhill and Emerald Hill. This marked the start of more comprehensive conservations efforts carried out over 30 years.
2 Buildings considered and identified for conservation today have to be at least 30 years old.
In making the case for conservation in the 1980s, conservation pioneers Koh-Lim Wen Gin, Goh Hup Chor, Khoo Teng Chye and Pamelia Lee championed hard while French architect Didier Repellin inspired many on the importance of good restoration work.
By the 1980s, the context had shifted where conservation could be considered on a larger scale. The pressure for redevelopment had subsided. The focus also shifted to retaining unique and desirable characteristics of the urban environment.
Koh-Lim Wen Gin who joined URA in 1974 as a young architect and architect-planner Goh Hup Chor in 1982 were instrumental in leading the crucial conservation efforts while Khoo Teng Chye strengthened the case further as an engineer and corporate secretary in URA in the 1980s. And Pamelia Lee as the Singapore Tourism Board head of product development then used the tourism agenda to “help save Singapore’s historic districts”.
Chief Architect for Historic Monuments and Inspector General of Historic Monuments in France, Didier Repellin awakened people to the charm of shophouses and the importance of good restoration in working on projects such as the Armenian shophouses, CHIJMES and Empress Place as a conservation consultant in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Central Area Structure Plan by URA in 1985 created opportunities for entire areas of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Gelam to be conserved.
What were some of the early considerations in thinking about heritage and conservation?
Wen Gin: As a planner and architect, we looked at heritage from the point of view of how the city should evolve as a total environment. If you take a macro perspective on the city itself, the city needs the soul and the character and the history needs to be maintained. We also saw the early settlements where Stamford Raffles marked out in his town plan as really the start of Singapore. Why it is so important that we must conserve Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam is because these are the areas designated as the ethnic areas.
What were some of the factors that favoured the early conservation efforts?
Teng Chye: A key aspect that was crucial to the efforts was making conservation an integral part of the urban planning process. This enabled us to take a more holistic and integrated approach in making conservation workable and viable within the larger fabric. From the land point of view, we planned for and carried out land reclamation for Marina Bay. This meant that the city could grow into Marina Bay and that allowed us to keep a large part of the historic areas.
The Tourism Product Development Plan in 1986 included the conservation of entire historic districts. What was special about these areas?
Pamelia: It took Singaporeans five generations to build up a patina that is rich and unique. Seen from the eyes of an artist, our historic areas are full of life and character. Seen from the eyes of the urban planner, they are a rich assembly that cannot be engineered or forced. Seen from the eyes of tourists, they are better than any man-made attraction.
You were drawn to the Armenian shophouses and chose to restore one of them.
Didier: Every one of the shophouse was different. The engravings were beautiful and spontaneous. There was so much personal and local expression behind them and I was very touched by their qualities.
What is one lesson learnt that remains relevant for architects and planners today?
Hup Chor: Regardless of changing demands and tastes, we must remain convicted and committed to the professional values and beliefs that we are trained in as architects and planners. It is our role to present a strong case to decision makers for the things that we believe in and not wait for things to happen or directions to be given. We set the pace for the city.
In deepening conservation efforts in the 1990s, four professionals and experts, Dr Richard Helfer, Ler Seng Ann, Daniel Teo and Er Kian Hoo paved the way in conservation/restoration work and in improving the historic districts.
Throughout the 1990s, the focus was on clarifying and deepening conservation principles and standards that could hold up to global standards. Seminars and talks were organised to educate the industry and public on the value of conservation and restoration techniques. The Architectural Heritage Award that remains today was introduced in 1995 to encourage quality restoration.
Dr Richard Helfer oversaw the conservation, restoration and redevelopment of Raffles Hotel, from 1989 to 1991 that had set a new benchmark, as the then Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raffles International Hotels & Resorts and Executive Director and Chairman of Raffles Hotel. “When you do proper conservation and restoration of a building, you have to have a clear vision of what you want it to be,” he says. “Our goal was to create something that Singaporeans and visitors could experience as an important relevant component of the history of Singapore and a national icon for Singaporeans to be proud of”. This vision still survives some three decades on.
Ler Seng Ann, URA’s Group Director for development services who has led various infrastructure and restoration works over the years, recalls overcoming many challenges in putting in place essential infrastructure to enable historic districts to meet modern needs.
For example, the Tanjong Pagar area in Chinatown was in need of major improvements. It did not have a proper sewerage system. To provide the necessary sewerage system, an entire new back lane had to be created in between the rows of shophouses. “The buildings then were constructed back to back to each other so that made it more challenging,” says Seng Ann. The back lane served many purposes in supporting essential electrical and water supplies, including doubling up as a fire escape route. Today, this little jagged back lane has evolved with a sub character of its own.
Creating the back lane between the shophouses in Tanjong Pagar to provide the essential sewerage system as part of the crucial improvements for historic districts to enable them to meet modern needs.
With a greater appreciation for conservation in the 1990s, many individuals have also come forward to volunteer their properties for conservation under URA’s “Conservation initiated by Private Owner’s Scheme” initiated in 1991. One of them was Daniel Teo, Chairman and Managing Director, Hong How Group and Director, Tong Eng Group. He volunteered 338E River Valley Road for conservation in 1992 and 36 and 38 Armenian Street in 2001, where the restoration of the shophouses along these streets later garnered the Architectural Heritage Award in 2010.
36 and 38 Armenian Street were volunteered for conservation by real estate developer Daniel Teo as part of URA’s conservation voluntary scheme.
In building up expertise in good restoration work, Er Kian Hoo, Principal Partner of Towner Construction’s passion for such work grew since his first project in 1995. He and his firm have carried out over 40 restoration projects in more than 20 years.
“Restoration projects are very different from any other construction work that we do. Every conserved building comes with very different challenges. We have to take the time to understand how the building was built and the kind of materials used,” says Kian Hoo. He hopes builders, building owners, architects and other building professionals will take the time to appreciate and understand good restoration work and what it involves.
With the critical mass of historic buildings conserved by the early 2000s, the Chairman of the Conservation Advisory Panel (CAP) Dr James Khoo and CAP member Wo Mei Lan contributed to deeper conversations about identity and heritage and Peter Lee led the restoration and curation of the NUS Baba House.
The 2000s saw a shift in public expectations, with a growing interest in shaping a stronger sense of the collective past and identity together. The community also played a bigger role in contributing to important restoration work and the curation of historic buildings. An example is the NUS Baba House.
Dr James Khoo, a neurosurgeon, led the public engagements in 2002, contributing to the Identity Plan, a land use plan “plus”, that presented ideas on how to retain the identities of 15 local areas as part of the Master Plan 2003. He was the Chairman of the Old World Charm Subject Group that was part of the Identity Plan, focusing on four areas – Balestier, Jalan Besar, Tanjong Katong and Joo Chiat.
He also later became the Chairman of URA’s Conservation Advisory Panel (CAP) from 2002 to 2010, an independent platform that provided regular feedback on conservation proposals.
The CAP Chairman, Dr James Khoo (at the bottom), at one of their meetings. The CAP has evaluated 34 proposals covering 1,000 buildings during its tenure from 2002 to 2018.
Architect Wo Mei Lan, co-founder of Liu & Wo Architects who has built up her passion for historic buildings and restoration work over the years, developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for Singapore’s built heritage when she became a member of CAP from 2006 to 2012.
Architects Wo Mei Lan and Liu Kah Teck in their office at Duxton Hill. As early stakeholders in the Tanjong Pagar area, having bought their shophouse units in the initial phases of the shophouse tender for sale, they have grown to appreciate the importance of such historic areas. Image credit: Liu & Wo Architects.
On the value of CAP, she shares: “It offers an avenue for various different perspectives to be considered in evaluating the merits of a building for conservation. Beyond just the retention of buildings, we also discussed how buildings can fit into the physical, cultural and social contexts and how it can be relevant for future generations.”
With a growing love and appreciation for conserved buildings, the community also contributed in more significant ways to Singapore’s built heritage as in the case of the NUS (National University of Singapore) Baba House.
Curator Peter Lee at the NUS Baba House at 157 Neil Road.
“A precious jewel”, it is one of the last remaining intact Peranakan residential homes in Singapore that still has many original and unique architectural features of fine workmanship and quality in place. As its honorary curator, Peter Lee worked with the NUS Department of Architecture, NUS Museum, The Peranakan Association of Singapore and URA to restore and curate it as a living heritage museum.
Since it opened in 2008, the Baba House continues to fascinate in its form, curation and role in teaching and inspiring conversations about our past, present and future.
The ancestral hall in the NUS Baba House. Many pieces of furniture in the Baba House are original to the house.
Discover more about the NUS Baba House:
With closer partnerships between the public, private and people sectors from the 2010s, five individuals – Melody Zaccheus, Kwek Li Yong, Jayson Goh, Ashish Manchharam and Jonathan Poh, are actively shaping Singapore’s built heritage in a variety of ways.
From the 2010s, there is a closer collaboration and partnership in conservation efforts between the public, private and people sectors. Individuals and communities are increasingly taking ownership to define and shape identities and the built heritage and finding new ways to make the built heritage more accessible and relevant through stories, talks, films and tours.
Stakeholders are also actively leading place-making efforts in sustaining the rich heritage and culture of historic districts and key neighbourhoods.
Melody Zaccheus Heritage correspondent, The Straits Times
Journalist Melody Zaccheus at the iconic playground at Dakota Crescent. Her media coverage of this neighbourhood inspired greater public discussion about its merits and why it should be retained. Image credit: Dax Lim.
Straits Times heritage journalist Melody Zaccheus believes telling good heritage stories helps connect people and their relationships to places.
Melody’s foray into the heritage beat can be traced back to an article she wrote in 2012 on the National Heritage Board’s efforts to document Singapore’s eight remaining traditional bakeries known for producing conventionally prepared breads and buns. Learning first-hand about the struggles of these dying businesses, which once numbered up to 200 in the 1970s, inspired the then fresh journalism graduate to pursue more of such evocative stories.
Melody believes communities should be more involved in deciding what Singapore keeps for the future. “You cannot divorce a space from its community and we should not be alienating heritage from the very communities the structures are sited in,” she says.
Kwek Li Yong Co-Founder, My Community
My Community co-founder Kwek Li Yong (in red T-Shirt) with his team. Image credit: My Community.
The key for the past to stay relevant for the present and future is letting communities shape their identities and heritage, says Li Yong, co-founder of civic and heritage group My Community.
What started as two students (Li Yong and Jasper Tan) going door-to-door in Queenstown to document residents’ memories of the town in 2010 has since grown into a volunteer-led organisation that runs a museum, conducts heritage research and documentation as well as organises community events. A reason for the group’s growth has been its highly accessible programmes, which centre on the sharing and exchange of personal memories.
While conserved buildings and sites provide an anchor for the community, Li Yong says intangibles such as stories keep them relevant to the present. “Any building, any site, any object is meaningless without the memories and experiences that wrap around these,” says Li Yong.
Jayson Goh President 160 Squadron Anti-Aircraft Alumni Association
Jayson Goh (far left) at the unveiling of the storyboard in 2015 at Block 450 at Seletar East Camp with Minister Chan Chun Sing beside him. Image credit: 160 Squadron.
A simple storyboard at Block 450 at Seletar East Camp has connected generations of those who served in the 160 Squadron, Singapore’s longest-serving air defence unit. “Block 450 is the physical manifestation of the home spirit of every one of the servicemen and women who have gone through Squadron 160 and contributed to the air defence of this country for the last 50 years,” says Jayson.
He initiated the storyboard on site, which was put up in 2015 when he came to know about the conservation of the block in 2014. This is part of URA’s initiative to encourage stakeholders to produce heritage storyboards to share stories about important historic buildings.
“The storyboard reflects an era and the people who contributed to this place and to this country,” says Jayson. “And the more the content of the storyboard reflects that, the more historical meaning and heritage a place will have for future generations.”
Ashish Manchharam Founder and Managing Director 8M Real Estate
Ashish Manchharam at his latest boutique integrated lifestyle destination, KēSa House, along Keong Saik Road. Managing 52 shophouses, he seeks to inject new life into historic districts with creative uses while retaining their heritage.
Ashish Manchharam still remembers the strong sense of community shared amongst residents of Kampong Gelam where he spent his early childhood, and though his family moved out when he was just a boy, he is still deeply connected to the neighbourhood.
His growing up years in a historic district has influenced the way he manages 52 shophouses in Singapore. To him, shaping the use of shophouses is about ensuring the heritage and essence of historic districts remain.
“Real estate use and requirements change over time and you have to re-adapt. On the flipside here you have people who say let us keep it the same as it was before,” he says. “We want to make sure we have a good mixture of the two.”
Jonathan Poh Principal Architect/Director Provolk Architects
Architect Jonathan Poh leading a tour together with Dakota Adventures as part of the efforts to raise awareness on the value of Dakota Crescent. Image credit: Save Dakota Crescent.
The proactive effort of architect Jonathan Poh and his Save Dakota Crescent group has helped to retain six blocks at Dakota Crescent, one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates.
The estate is an example of early public housing designed by British town planners. The Singapore Improvement Trust built it in 1958 for public rental housing. His “Save Dakota” campaign initiated in 2014 and subsequent ground-up efforts contributed to the retention of six blocks, the estate’s courtyard and the iconic dove playground in December 2017.
Reflecting on lessons gained, he shares: “It is important to put across proposals that are well thought through to present a coherent picture of the historic buildings and its larger context. It is also important to listen well to many different voices and views on ground.”
Watch this video to discover how URA has partnered the community in Kampong Glam to enhance the vibrancy and charm of the area.
What are the challenges for conservation for the future? Key players and experts Chan Sui Him, Dr Chua Ai Lin, Dr Yeo Kang Shua, Dr Nikhil Joshi and Tan Kar Lin reflect on key issues to focus.
“In envisioning Singapore 50 years from now, we need to also ask ourselves if our current policies, programmes and efforts can continue to sustain our efforts of balancing the old and new for the future,” says Chan Sui Him. He is the first Chairman of URA’s Heritage and Identity Partnership formed in 2018 to support public-private-people collaboration in shaping and promoting Singapore’s built heritage and identity. An architect for over 50 years, Sui Him was the Chief Executive Officer (1999-2004) and Chairman (2004-2015) of DP Architects.
Chan Sui Him, the Heritage and Identity Partnership Chairman (standing with blue shirt) with some of its members and URA management staff.
“Heritage is about the future,” says Dr Chua Ai Lin, Executive Director of the Singapore Heritage Society (SHS). “It is about people, not just about buildings. It is not about something that is gone, but something that is here.” This belief that Singapore must have a “living presence of the past” was why a group of citizens led by architect William Lim founded the SHS in 1987.
As heritage becomes more mainstream, Ai Lin believes SHS must dig deeper into the issues it champions, going beyond nostalgia and memories. “I see our niche as looking at intellectual and policy issues,” adds the independent historian. “We are asking questions about best practices in heritage management, sustainability and how to move forward.”
The five past Presidents of the Singapore Heritage Society (SHS); clockwise from top left, Dahlia Shamsuddin, Dr Chua Ai Lin, Dr Kevin Tan, William Lim and Kwok Kian Woon. Image credit: SHS.
To ensure historic buildings continue to last, we need to pay closer attention to the science of restoration, suggests Dr Yeo Kang Shua, Associate Professor, architectural history, theory and criticism, the Singapore University of Technology and Design. A project he has been working on for years is building a database of colour profiles and paints used in Singapore’s historic buildings. While it may seem like a trivial detail, he says paint colour offers an understanding of the preferences of society then and even what was available to the industry. “When you use inappropriate materials, the eventual loss is even more than if you leave it alone,” he says.
Dr Yeo Kang Shua (with white helmet) at the Yueh Hai Ching temple restoration. Image credit: Lim Shao Bin.
Tan Kar Lin, Partner of Studio Lapis and Dr Nikhil Joshi, researcher and conservation consultant are actively promoting good restoration work and the use of traditional materials such as lime plaster for historic buildings.
To deepen the public and industry’s appreciation for conservation and restoration work, Kar Lin worked with URA to produce an eight-volume Conservation Technical Handbook as its editor from 2016 in collaboration with ICOMOS Singapore, which was set up in 2014 as the local chapter of the International Council of Monuments and Sites. “The handbook series is intended to introduce a range of available diagnostic and conservation methods and materials, presented through real local project examples that follows best conservation practices based on ICOMOS principles. Through this, we hope to also bring across the point that we do have local resources and skills to carry out quality conservation work,” says Kar Lin.
Kar Lin (second from right) with other founding committee and advisors of the ICOMOS Singapore. Image credit: ICOMOS Singapore.
On the value of lime plaster, Nikhil explains: “Although Singapore used to have craftspersons skilled in making lime suitable for the local climate, they vanished in the mid-20th century due to the popularity of modern construction. Historic buildings were built with porous materials such as clay bricks, sand, earth and timber. In particular, the mortars used to construct traditional brick and stone walls is composed of sand, water, and non-hydraulic lime, also known as slaked lime, high calcium lime or air lime. The mortar sets slowly by absorbing carbon dioxide and allow moisture trapped within walls to escape through the joints, allowing the walls to breathe.”
Professors and students at Nikhil (far right)’s first course on lime plaster for the National University of Singapore in 2016. Image credit: Nikhil Joshi.