Conserved Building
179 Seletar Aerospace View
Applicable Guidelines
Other Building Guidelines
Conservation Area
Former Royal Air Force Seletar Conservation Area
Historic address: 179 Seletar Aerospace View
Block 179
About
Block 179 was the Station Headquarters and one of the earliest permanent buildings at Royal Air Force (RAF) Seletar, replacing a stilted hut that was located by the water's edge.
The History
During World War II, the building was the target of air raids and suffered extensive damage. It was occupied by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for the period of the Japanese Occupation. In 1971 when the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) took over the building from the British, it functioned as the Camp Commandant's Office.
The Building
The 2-storey building is a fine example of the tropical Art Deco style favoured by the British military in the years leading up to World War II. Designed with economy, efficiency and functionality in mind, the pared-down detailing and simplicity of expression reflect the ethos of building for the military. Fronting a small oval lawn and featuring a pediment with a '1931' date plaque, the relatively small building is at once stately yet restrained. Other features of the building include the diagonal cross pattern on its perforated parapets and the restrained moulded motif at the top of every column. Interestingly, the building has an accessible flat roof that runs around a central pitched roof.
The Legacy
Today, Block 179 continues to be a landmark for RAF and SAF veterans and visitors who associate it closely with the area's military history.
Guidelines and Procedures
All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.
Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.
Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved building are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA's review.
Gallery
Explore Street View
The building can be found at this street.