URA Conservation Principles

Overview

Quality restoration is more than just preserving a facade or the external shell of a building. It retains the inherent spirit and original ambience of historic buildings. It requires an appreciation and understanding of the architecture and structure of historic buildings, good practice and management.

The "3R" Principle

The fundamental principle of conservation applicable to all conserved buildings, irrespective of scale and complexity, is maximum Retention, sensitive Restoration and careful Repair - the “3R”s. Selective replacement should be considered only when absolutely necessary. Total reconstruction goes against accepted international conservation practices.

Conserved buildings are to be restored in accordance with the conservation guidelines. All original structural and architectural elements are to be retained and restored. Where replacement is necessary, e.g. where building elements are found to contain asbestos, owners should seek URA’s clearance for one-to-one replacement.

When upgrading and adapting a building to new uses, the existing structure is to be retained by strengthening and repairing the structural elements. Any alteration or strengthening to structural elements is to be done in the most sympathetic and unobtrusive way, using original methods and materials wherever possible.

Before any conservation work commences, a thorough research and documentation is to be carried out on the conserved building to ensure that restoration work is faithfully carried out. At every stage of the conservation work, the technical aspects and process of the various activities are to be documented.

Application to the various conservation areas

In the Singapore context, conservation guidelines are applied in different degrees to the different groups of conservation areas taking into consideration their historical significance, the context of the surrounding developments and the long-term planning intention for each area. The extent of the building to be conserved and the degree of adaptation allowed are shown in Figure 1 [PDF, 800 KB].

The four main groups of conservation areas are:

• The Historic Districts of Boat Quay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India;

• The Residential Historic Districts of Blair Plain, Cairnhill and Emerald Hill;

• The Secondary Settlements of Balestier, Beach Road, Geylang, Jalan Besar, Jalan Jurong Kechil, Joo Chiat, Mount Sophia, River Valley, Tanjong Katong, Upper Circular Road and Tiong Bahru; and

• The Bungalow Areas of the Good Class Bungalow Areas and Fringe (Chatsworth Park Conservation Area, Holland Park / Ridout Road Conservation Area and Nassim Road / Whitehouse Park Conservation Area) and the Mountbatten Road Conservation Area.

In the Historic Districts, the entire building is to be conserved. Change of use to commercial or residential use is permitted in these historic districts. The strictest form of conservation is practised in these districts.

The Residential Historic Districts are smaller areas mainly for residential use. In view of the restriction in building uses, an extension at the rear lower than the main roof is permitted to make the terrace houses more attractive and liveable to suit the needs of the individual owners.

Conservation within the Secondary Settlements is on a streetscape basis as the conserved buildings are adjacent to new developments. In these areas, the owners may choose to conserve the entire building or have a new rear extension up to the maximum height allowable for the area.

Conservation of bungalows is on a highly selective basis. They represent the architectural styles of different eras.

For conserved bungalows located within a site which is allowed for flat or condominium development, the bungalow may be strata-subdivided into apartment units or converted to a clubhouse. The owner may choose to conserve the entire building, including the outhouse, or just the main building to suit his needs and to optimise the use of land.