This beautiful 3-story conservation shophouse facing the Singapore River offers an unobstructed view of Singapore's historic Civic District. However, it was in a dilapidated state with peeling paint, overgrown parasitic plants, and service pipes haphazardly punctuating the building's facade. The main design objective is to carefully and tactfully restore the shophouse's original features and bring out the beauty of the original architecture.
The historical records of the preserved building were retrieved, and the original timber doors, fanlights, and conservation windows were all reinstated. The internal spaces were cleaned up, and all services were neatly planned. The original ventilation blocks and existing large timber beams were then cleaned up to reveal their original beauty.
A noteworthy feature of the design is the installation of a 6-meter-long laminated glass railing designed to reveal a previously plastered but brittle ventilation block that is no longer in production worldwide. The glass barrier fulfills safety requirements and is elevated above the floor to address water drainage concerns.
The process of rediscovering all the “hidden memories” and original building features is a timeconsuming endeavor, but a greatly enriching and rewarding experience. The party wall's original brick was exposed to reveal a raw but beautiful texture.
Selection of new materials also focuses on complementing the overall nostalgic feel. For example, the use of small glazed tiles and terrazzo finish, which were common materials in the 19th century.
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