100 Guillemard Road

Former Singapore Badminton Stadium

About

The genesis of the former Singapore Badminton Hall (SBH) at 100 Guillemard Road can be traced back to events linked to the first Thomas Cup Tournament first held in Britain in 1949, which the team from Malaya won and was given the opportunity to host the next tournament.

The History

In 1949, the team from Malaya unexpectedly won the 1st Thomas Cup Tournament held in Britain, and with that victory, they were given the opportunity to host the following Thomas Cup. As there was no suitable indoor hall in Malaya at that time, the Singapore Badminton Association undertook to build a sports hall for the 2nd Thomas Cup Tournament. Completed in June 1952, the Hall hosted the 3rd and the 4th Thomas Cup Tournaments in 1955 and 1958 respectively.​

In the 1950’s, the Hall was the nurturing ground for local badminton talents, such as Wong Peng Soon, Ismail Marjan and Ong Poh Lim. Besides badminton, the Hall also hosted other sporting competitions, such as gymnastics, sepak takraw, table tennis, billiards and wrestling. It was also a venue for entertainment events such as plays, movie screenings, talentimes, and even hosted international acts like Rolling Stones.​

From late 1950’s onwards, the political scene in Singapore picked up and the Hall was used as a gathering space and the vote-counting venue for the referendum on the Singapore-Malaysia merger in 1962. ​

These memorable moments marked important times in the development of the local sports scene as well as the historic events related to the future of the nation. In recognition of the significance of the venue, the National Heritage Board marked the Singapore Badminton Hall as a historic site in 1999. It symbolized the development of a local sporting culture and national representation and pride within the Sports and Recreation narrative. ​

The Building

The Badminton Hall, designed by architect Ng Keng Siang, has a rectilinear form characterized by Modern architectural features such as streamlined concrete fins, canopies, pre-cast concrete vents and parapet wall. The entrance at the centre of the front façade is marked by a protruding box structure complete with inset framed RC canopy and concrete flag post. The Hall’s key internal features are its large open hall roofed over by a metal deck with steel trusses, and the tiered grandstand seating. Offices and ancillary spaces are located around the perimeter of the building under the tiered grandstand seating. ​

The Legacy

The site is zoned Sports and Recreation on the Master Plan 2019. There is no intention to rezone the site. In August 2024, the Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) returned to its historic site and will take direct tenancy of the site till 2032. The newly revamped facility aims to elevate the standard of sporting facilities in Singapore by combining heritage and technology. ​

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.

• Apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG) ↗ (opens in new tab)

• Submission Process for Works

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