A Small Island of History you have not notice
An art of treasury
Singapore National Monument
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993. As the custodian of Singapore’s Heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience and imparting our Singapore spirit. NHB’s Mission is to preserve and celebrate the shared heritage of our diverse communities, for the purpose of education, nation-buildings and cultural understanding. It manages the national museums and heritage institutions, and sets policies relating to heritage sites, monuments and the national collection. Through the national collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and present exhibitions to connect the past, present and future generations of Singaporeans. NHB is now a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Please visit www. nhb.gov.sg for more infomation.
Telephone: 6338 0000
Address: 61 Stamford Road #03-08 Stamford Court, Singapore178892
Website: www.nhb.gov.sg www.museums.com.sg
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Blog: Yesterday.sg
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Start at the beginning and read all the words one after the other until you come to the very end and then stop. Throughout this book, you will see six categories of informations. Each category has its own unique icon for easy identification. All 15 buildings that are covered in this book will have all or some of these icons. They are meant to direct you to the type of Information that you are interested in.
Introduction
Structure and Design Building It
Restoration
Personalities
Happenings
PREFACE As architectural history lives on today, it plays a significant role in Singapore. According to the URA website, there are 55 national monuments and over 7023 buildings which are currently being conserved. As our cityscape is being modernised, these old buildings are the architectural structures which bring us together in race and culture. And these will continue being a part of Singapore and our heritage. I had to choose between Museums, (target group: youth in secondary to tertiary) and Monuments, (target group: adults aged 25 to 40) given by the assignment brief. I had some ideas in mind for the youth. But after starting on the research on Monuments, I realize my fondness for Architecture and photography. Hence I’ve decided to conduct a deeper research on Monuments. Even though I did not take up Social Studies as a subject in secondary school, I never knew I could discover a small part of History that made Singapore today through National Monuments. Although I am a person who is weak at History, I really enjoy learning more about Singapore even when I dread reading up materials about History as it is lengthy and heavy to absorb. I would like to say that these are merely some highlights of architecture in Singapore and I am not covering all of it, nonetheless it is special in my eyes and my honor to share this with you. In addition I would like to acknowledge the books I’ve read about Singapore Architecture, Heritage and Monuments. Without these books, I would be unable to review this short introduction of a few buildings. I really hope you will enjoy looking through this book as much as how I enjoyed putting these pages together, and may your appreciation of national architecture grow deeper. Florence Lai
I N T R D O
For fellow readers who finds it hard to absorb lengthy and heavy words and are interested in the monuments, this is a good book to start with, knowing more about the national buildings and how it comes about. Through this you’ll also gain a greater awareness of the national monuments. Also if you are a great collector of miniature. There are miniature of paper house at the back pages of this book, waiting for you to design and fix them and display them!
C UT I O
CON BUILDINGS 10-12 14-17 18-21
04 05 06 07 64-67 68-69 70-77
About Nation Heritage Board How to use this book Preface Introduction A list of national monuments Bibliography Miniature paper house
Armenian Church Of Singapore Central Fire station CHIJMES
22-24 26-29 30-32
Civilian War Memorial Hong San See Temple Jamae Mosque
34-37 38-39 40-41
Lian Shuang Lin Monastry Mcdonald House MICA
42-43 44-47 48-50
Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church Raffles hotel Sri Mariamman Temple
52-54 56-59 60-63
St Andrew's Cathedral Telok Ayer Chinese Church Tian Hock Keng Temple
TENT
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The most vivid manifestation of a prospering and flourishing people are its buildings. A people can change its style of dress but they cannot easily change the buildings which have been erected for the present, and future generations. The great civilizations in the past were notable for the beautiful buildings and cities that were constructed at the height of their glory and sell remain to tell of the skill and artistry of its buildings.
�
Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 1st prime minister of the republic of singapore, at the dinner of the society of malayan architects on tuesday, january 12, 1960
BUILDINGS
Side facade shows skillful adaptation of Palladian Style to the demands of Tropical climate
60 Hill Street Owner: The Armenian Apostolic Church Of St Gregory The Illuminator Trust
Armenian Church Of Singapore
The Armenian Church of Singapore was gazetted as a National Monuments on 6 July 1973. It was given a 1995 Award by the Architectural Heritage Awards. Armenian Church constructed between 1835 to 1836, is the oldest church in Singapore, consecrated as the church of St Gregory the Illuminator by Rev. Eleaza Ingergolie. The Armenians were among the earliest Christian migrants to Singapore. They felt the need to establish a church for their community, and in tandem with fundraising efforts that commenced in 1827, the community received a plot of land at the Hill Street to build a Church in 1833.
In 1834 the community elders commissioned George Drumgoole Coleman, Singapore’s Overseer of Convicts and Superintendent of Public Works who also had a private architectural practice, to design and build the Armenian Church. Coleman was paid 400 Spanish dollars. An Indian contractor undertook the construction work for 3,500 Spanish dollars. Work started in 1835. The total cost of building the church came to 5,058.30 Spanish dollars. Of this sum, about a quarter were donations from Armenian communities in Calcutta, Java and Europe as well as from other communities in Singapore. The rest of the money came from the twelve Armenian families in Singapore, a convincing testimony to their standing and relative wealth.
The Christ cloning experiment gets out of hand
The design of the Armenian Church is believed to be based on the mother church at Echmiadzin in northern Armenia, which was also dedicated to St Gregory. The Church is an example of colonial British Neo-Classical architecture. The pedimented porticos, framed by Doric columns, were popular architectural features in the mid-nineteenth century. Examples of such churches can be seen in other former British colonies such as India. The interior of the church is circular in shape. This Concept was thought to have been derived from the circular design of St Martin-in-the Fields, an Anglican Church located at Trafaglar Square, London. Others have thoughts the inspiration came from the Round Church (officially known as Holy Sepulchre Church) at Cambridge. Regardless, Coleman added his personal touch by enclosing the circle within a rectangular structure. In 1909 when electricity came to Singapore, the Armenian Church was believed to be the first building to have electricity with the installation of fans and lights.
In the grounds of the church is the parsonage. It was rebuilt in 1905 as a memorial to John Shanazar Sarkies by his wife, Nanajan. Sarskies was a merchant and a distinguished scholar who had died in 1904. The existing timbre roof was structure was strengthened and termite-treated and the entire roof was repaired to prevent water seepage.
George Drumgoole Coleman (1795–1844) Coleman was the designer and builder of the Armenian Church. Born in Ireland, he was trained as a civil architect and had worked in Calcutta India, before coming to Singapore by way of Batavia in 1822. In 1833, he was appointed the Government Superintendent of Public Works and Overseer of Convicts. He built the earliest bridges and public buildings in Singapore. He died in Singapore in 1844 at the age of 49 and was buried in the Fort Canning Cemetery. Coleman Street is named after him.
During the early years, the church was the centre of the small Armenian community’s activities; social gatherings, weddings, baptisms and funerals took place there. Succeeding generations of Armenians took upon the responsibilities of keeping the church in good shape. Through all these, the church has helped the Armenian community retain their cultural and national identity.
Old fire station rejuvenated
60 Hill Street Owner: Singapore Civil Defence Force
Central Fire station
The Central Fire Station is the oldest functioning fire station in Singapore, and is located at Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore’s central business district. The idea for a professional Fire Brigade was conceived after a fire in Kling Street destroyed S$13,000 worth of property on 7 November 1855. It was 14 years before a volunteer fire service was started and a further 36 years before Singapore’s first proper fire station — Central Fire Station — was built. In 1905, planning for Central Fire Station began under the supervision of the Fire Brigade superintendent, Montague Pett. The station was completed in 1908. Gazetted as a national monument of Singapore on 18 December 1998, a section of Central Fire Station was adapted for new usage as the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery.
Rusticated red brick and plaster banded facade restored
The station was completed in 1908. Built at a cost of S$64,000, it included a watch tower and living quarters for firemen. The completed building has a dozen bays for fire engines and rescue vehicles to be dispatched during emergency, as well as a watch tower The staff quarters within the rear of the compound were redeveloped and upgraded with new quarters and bays to cater to larger modern fire engines, while the Chief Fire Officer’s house has been converted into a restaurant.
Its main block, with its distinctive rusticated red brick and plaster banded facade, arched doorways and look-out tower. It was build in the “Edwardian England� architectural style.
Layers of paint were removed from the facade brick from the boundary walls were used to replace broken ones on the main block and its addition. Original windows were reinstated with fire doors and cast iron spiral staircases were restored to their original condition.
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery showcases the history of the Fire Service through exhibits of fire engines, fire-fighting equipment and uniforms of yesteryears; and tracks its development and contributions to civil defense since the 19th century.
CHIJMES complex, a dining and entertainment area that surrounds a gothic chapel, a former convent in Singapore.
30 Victoria Street Owner: CHIJMES Investment Pte Ltd
CHIJMES Former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel and Caldwell House (now CHIJMES) a premier girls’ school established in 1854 by an order of French Catholic nuns. Originally located on a self-contained city block bound by Victoria Street, Bras Basah Road, North Bridge Road and Stamford Road, the site formerly included the English-language primary and secondary schools, a Chinese-medium school called St Nicholas Girls’ School, an orphanage, the nun’s quarters, and the chapel. In 1983, the primary and secondary schools relocated to their current premises at 626 and 628 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh respectively. The site was redeveloped and partially demolished to build the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) headquarters. The remaining complex includes Caldwell House, the chapel now known as CHIJMES Hall, and the orphanage building, and now houses a number of retail and food and beverage outlets. The complex was gazetted as a national monument on 26 October 1990.
Restorated glass stained, column capital & symmetrical structure
Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus chapel (currently Chijmes Hall), design by Father Nain and built in 190204 and Cadwell House, designed by C.D. Coleman and built in 1842.
Father Nain was responsible for its Neo-Gothic design, believed to be inspired by French church architecture. The chapel features colorful stains glass windows and column capitals.
The restoration work sought to retain the buildings’ Original structural and architectural elements. In restoring the Chapel’s stained glass windows, the broken glass pieces were repaired by French specialists in line with original materials as well as authentic skills and craftsmanship. Italian experts were recruited ti oversee the cleaning and restoration of the building facades and column capitals. This arduous work took over a decade before reaching full completion.
For many years, abandoned babies and young children would be left at the “small gate” for the care of the Catholic nuns. A signboard now commemorates this small gate– the Gate of Good Hope–located at the corner of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Street.
Civilian War Memorial sits on serene parkland in the midst of busy city traffic near Singapore’s Padang and City Hall. Located within the War Memorial Park at Beach Road .
War Memorial Park, Beach Road
Civilian War Memorial
The Civilian War Memorial is a monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942-1945). It is located on a parkland, along Beach Road, opposite Raffles City, in the Downtown Core of Singapore’s Central Region. The structure of four pillars soar to more than 68 m symbolizing the shared ‘war experiences’ of the Chinese, Indians, Malays, and other races. It resembles two pairs of chopsticks, so it is affectionately called the “chopsticks” memorial because of its unusual design. Since its completion and unveiling on 15 February, 1967, exactly 25 years after the “Fall of Singapore”, every year on 15 February, ex-servicemen, families and others gather at the memorial to commemorate that fateful day.
The monument was built on a burial chamber which contained ashes of thousands of unknown civilians exhumed by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, from those “mass graves” that were discovered. The base, surrounded by a shallow pool of water gives an atmosphere of serenity. Completed in 1964, and popularly known as the “Chopsticks”, this 68 m high monument with four tapering columns symbolises the four cultures of Singapore merging into one. Inscribed on the memorial’s platform base, in our four main languages (English, Mandarin, Malay and Indian), are the words, “Memorial to the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945”. Swan & McLaren, were the architects. The memorial originally had a parkland of about 1.82 ha (4.5 acres), but some of that space may have been reduced due to development in the area.
“To Our Glorious Dead”
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Each monument is a unique symbol, and in Singapore’s context, it serves to “epitomise a bygone era when Singapore started developing as a British colony”. The newcomers who set foot on Singapore made their presence felt within the physical and architectural landscape. Ths is attributed to the “dense, urban community of different ethnic groups that converge and collide. Such cultural wonders in Singapore’s streets ... will reveal to us the histrory of Singapore”, and that walking down street in Singapore “is akin to approaching a slice of Singapore history that has withstood the test of time”.
Josea Evan
”
“High ground with a view of the sea”
31 Mohamed Sultan Road Owner: Singapore Lan Ann Association
Hong San See Temple The original temple to the God of Wealth was built in 1829 on Tras Street in Tanjong Pagar. It was erected by migrants from Nan An town in Fujian province. In 1907, the land was acquired by the government for road widening and the temple trustees were given compensation of S$50, 000. The temple trustee used the money to buy land on a 999-year lease in Mohamed Sultan Road from Sam Tomlinson who was the Municipal Engineer. The name of the temple means “Temple on Phoenix Hill�. Sited on the side of Institution Hill, it was on high ground with a view of the sea. According to the principale of Chinese geomancy this is a prime spot for a temple. It was gazetted a national monument in 1978.
The construction of the temple began in 1908 with materials imported from China. The chief contractor was Lim Loh the father of World War II hero Lim Bo Seng. The temple was completed in 1913 at the cost of S$56,000.
It was renovated once in 1934 and again in 1962. In 1970 renovations to the temple were not done according to restoration guidelines and several features were removed. There are to be restored to make the temple faithful to its original early twentieth century architecture. One major change, now likely to have been removed, was the addition of ornate carvings painted in gold all along the trusses of the temple.
“Temple on a Phoenix Hill”
Patron deities: The God of Wealth is often depicted as a genial-looking old man in flowing robes with either a white or black beard. Another image has him dressed as a government official with castanets – a symbol of high office – in one hand. Lim Loh The contractor who designed and built Hong San see was Lim Loh. He was from the Lam Ann district in China and migrated with his family to Malaya before coming to Singapore in 1925. Lim helped to construct well-known buildings such as Victoria Theatre and the Empress Place buildings that once functioned as government offices. Lim Bo Seng(1909–1944) The most famous Lam Ann man is Lim Bo Seng who was born there in 1909. He and his family migrated to Malaya and eventually came to Singapore in 1925 when he was sixteen. He studied at Raffles Institution and, after passing his Senior Cambridge Examinations, continued his studies at the University of Hong Kong. Like many overseas Chinese of his time, Lim was a Chinese patriot. Thus, in the 1930s, in respond to Japan’s hostile acts in China, Lim became active in raising funds for anti-Japanese activities in Singapore.
When Japanese aggression grew into warfare at the end of 1941, Lim knew he was a marked man and escaped to India. Then he was recited by the British into Force 136, a subversive group to be sent into the jungles of Malaya for anti-Japanese resistance activities. Together with a few other recruits, Lim returned to Malaya in 1943. While on a mission in Ipoh he was captured and interrogated by the Japanese Keppeitai. He died in Batu Gajah Prison. In 1946, his remains were brought to Singapore and he was buried with full military honours in the the grounds of MacRitchie Reservoir. In 1954 a memorial on the Esplande near Anderson Bridge was unveiled to commemorate his bravery. Bo Seng Avenue off Whitley Road is named after him.
Today, the temple has lost its view of the sea. blocked by high-rises which now surround it. However, it remains on high ground, and to reach the temple, devotees have to climb a long flight of stairs.
A well-known Chinatown landmark.
218 South Bridge Road Owner: Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Jamae Mosque
Also known as Chulia Mosque, this is one of serval Chulia mosques in Singapore. It is believed to be amount the oldest mosques here. One of several mosques built by Tamil Muslim migrants from south India,who contributed much to the economic success of this island. The present mosque was built between 1830 and 1835. Jamae Mosque was designated a national monument in 1974.
A mosque built by Ansar Saib in 1826 or 1827 stood on this site until it was replace by Jamae Mosque.
The Jamae Mosque features Indian architecture that is similar to the Nagore Durgha shrine. A pair of tower flanks its main entrance. These identical towers have pairs of small niches between delicate, horizontal mouldings, and a miniature dome on top. However, the foyer, main prayer hall, ancillary prayer hall and shrine all evoke Singapore architecture of the 1830s; of architect G.D. Coleman is seen in the Neo-Classical design of this section.
Two plans for rebuilding were submitted in 1897 and in 1911, but were not executed. It underwent repairs and repainting in 1996.
Entrance, wall, written with Arabic, Hindu & English
“
Architecture is the art of how to waste space.
Phillip Johnson
”
A great wall of Lian Shuang Lin Monastry
184 Jalan Toa Payoh Owner: Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery
Lian Shuang Lin Monastry
Also known as Siong Lim., was constructed in 1912. Modelled after a famous buddhist cong lin temple – Xi Chan Si– in Fuzhou, China. It is a large complex consisting of the temple, its front and rear halls and several new buildings built in the old style. However, only the entrance hall (Tian Wang Dian), the main hall (DaXiong Bao Dian), the Dharma Hall (Fa Thang) and the bell and drum towers form the Gazetted monument in 1980. Siong Lim Temple was founded by Low Kim Pong.
Dragon Light Pagon
The temple owes its existence to a dream that a wealthy Buddhist businessman, Low Kim Pong, had one night. In this dream, he saw a golden light shining in the west. The next morning, he learnt that his son, too, had a similar dream. Believing this to be an omen, he and his son spent the day waiting at the waterfront. Just before dusk, a boat anchored in the harbor with a family of twelve Buddhist monks and nuns from Fujian province on board. They were returning to China after a six-year pilgrimage in India, Ceylon and Burma. To persuade them to stay, Low pledge to build a Buddhist monastery for their use. This was in 1898, the temple’s official founding date. The temple with its rear and front halls and two towers was built between 1902 and 1908 at the cost of about S$500,000. A plaque on the temple entrance has the year 1904, followed by the entrance hall (Tian Wang Din) In 1905, and the drum and bell towers in 1907.
Prior to restoration, the building were in poor condition due to termite infestation and structural problems. Before commencement of works on site, every piece of timber element was inventoried and taken down. Chinese craftsmen from Quan Zhou, Fujian Province of China, were engaged to carry out the restoration works, Materials, especially stones, were obtained from China. Carving works on both stone and timber elements followed the “Minnan” Style.
Although Shuang Lin Temple is a Buddhist temple and monastery with resident monks, on its grounds is a Taoist temple dedicated to Taoist deities such as Guan Gong. There are also side wings where the soul tablets of devotees are enshrined, a part of the Chinese folk practice of ancestor worship.
Front view of MacDonald House
40A Orchard Road
Mcdonald House
MacDonald house is a historic building in Singapore, as a symbolic reminder of the Indonesian Confrontation, one of the key historical events that had affected political developments in singapore and the region. And is located at Orchard Road in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore’s central business district. Initially built for a bank, it continues to function as a banking hall (albeit for a different bank) today, although it is more well known to be the site of a bombing attack in 1965. This bombing is among serve terrorist attacks in Singapore’s history and highlights the country’s vulnerability to terrorism.
It was designed by the architectural fir Palmer & Turner. Named after Mr Malcolm MacDonald, this 60-yearold red brick building has reinforced concrete frame structure and is Neo-Georgian character. It is likely to be the only office building clad in facing brick left in this district. It was the first building to be fully air-conditioned in Malaya. In addition to the ground banking hall, seven floors of staff flats occupied the building. An open well runs through the building, allowing natural light into the inner offices. There are six skylights in the ceiling of the banking hall which thus needs no artificial lighting during the day.
MacDonald house has been restored, and continues to function asa commercial building, occupied by a branch of an American bank together with offices of Singapore firms and foreign multi-national corporations.
A long stretch of MICA building
140 Hill Street Owner: Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA)
MICA
The Old Hill Street Police Station (OHSPS), was erected in 1934 to house the Hill Street Police Station and Barracks. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1998 and transformed into comfortable and lively premises for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA). MICA moved from PSA Building to the OHSPS which was renamed as the MICA Building in 2000.
The building was treated for rising damp. Detailed study was also carried out on the cast iron newel post and wrought iron handrail and balustrades that were repaired and reused. Six of the original eight blocks of the building complex were retained and restored with their corbel led loggias and balconies, timber louvered windows pedimented entrances.
Designed by F.Dorrington in Classical Renaissance architectural style, this six-storey building was one of the tallest buildings and the most modern police facility in Singapore then in 1934.
Before the construction of the Old Hill Street Police Station, the Assembly Rooms - a space for public functions and a building that housed a theatre and a school - occupied this site from 1845 to 1856. The inscription of the old building’s name, prison cell grilles and the two historic building plaques were kept. The triangular courtyard was landscaped and kept open-to-the -sky.
Front Exterior of Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
77 Prinsep Street
Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
The Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church was gazetted as a national monument on 12 January 2000. Marked Historic Site for being the birthplace of the Singapore Boys’ Brigade Movement. This structure was first known as the Malay Chapel, and was used as a Malay boys’ school, built in 1843 by Reverend Benjamin Peach Keasberry, a protestant minister from the London Missionary Society in 1843, the church went on to become the first Straits Chinese church. It was also the birthplace of the first company of the Singapore Boys’ Brigade, which was started at the church on 12 January 1930.
The church was designed by C. J. Stephens of Swan & Maclaren in a modern fresco style. Inspired by the Spanish, the style was very popular in the 1930s in the United States. The church’s most notable features are its deep red bricks and the raised brickwork on the tower and belfry.
James Milner Fraser, a former member of 23rd Aberdeen Company and 23rd London Company, founded the 1st Singapore Company at Prnsep Street church after moving to Singapore for work as an architect. Assited by Quek Eng Moh and Dong Chui sing, the company began its activities in youth work. Displaying Romanesque-style architecture with the use of red bricks, a notable feature of its facade is the raised brickwork on the tower and belfry.
In 1901, a building fund was set up for the construction of a new church building. By 1930, the old church was demolished. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Sir Song Ong Siang, a prominent Straits Chinese, on 5 March 1930 and the new church building was opened on 4 February 1931. It had cost $55,000 to build.
Restored building fronting Beach Road
Beach Road Owner: Raffles Hotel (1886) Pte Ltd
Raffles hotel Raffles Hotel began as Beach House, a private home built in the early 1830s by Robert Scott, a descendant of Sir Walter Scott. In 1878, Dr Charles Emmerson leased the building and opened Emmerson’s Hotel. After his sudden death in 1883, the hotel closed and the Raffles Boarding School took up tenancy until its expiry in September 1887. The Armenian Sarkies brothers, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak, already established hoteliers at the time, then leased Beach House from its owner, the wealthy Arab merchant Syed Mohamed Alsagoff, and announced their intention to turn it into a hotel offering fine accommodation and cuisine. Thus on 1 December 1887, Raffles Hotel commenced operations as a 10room hotel. While the facilities in its early years were still under development, its prime sea-front location near town made it very popular with European residents and travellers.
Under the Sarkies brothers, Raffles Hotel grew as a commercial enterprise. Their commitment to the highest standards in service, accommodation and cuisine was responsible for making Raffles Hotel known as a firstclass establishment that attracted guests of stature.
Tigran Sarkies, in particular, was closely involved in the hotel’s development. He established the popular Raffles Tiffin Rooms at Commercial Square and undertook major building projects, adding three buildings to the original Beach House in the hotel’s first decade. A pair of two-storey wings containing 22 new suites was completed in 1890, followed by a new Billiard Room located at the junction of Beach Road and Bras Basah Road. In 1892, the brothers leased the site at No. 3 Beach Road and built the Palm Court Wing, which was completed in 1894. The Main Building of the hotel was designed by R. A. J. Bidwell of the architecture firm Swan & Maclaren and built on the site of the original Beach House. Completed in 1899, it was considered state-of-theart at the time. Designed with tropical architectural features such as high ceilings and extensive verandahs, the Main Building also included modern conveniences like powered ceiling fans and electric lights, a first for any hotel in the region. The Dining Room, featuring pillars and a white Carrara marble floor, could seat up to 500 people. In 1904, the Bras Basah Wing, also designed by Bidwell, was added. The Palm Court was extended in 1910 and the Ballroom opened in 1920. Unfortunately, with the onset of the Great Depression, the Sarkies brothers accumulated debts of S$3.5 million and by 1931 were declared bankrupt. However, the hotel survived and was incorporated in 1933 as Raffles Hotel Limited
Another view around Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel was gazetted as a national monument on 4 March 1987. In 1989, the hotel closed for large-scale restoration that lasted two years and reopened on 16 September 1991. The S$160 million restoration was undertaken by Architects 61, with interiors by Bent Severin and Associates, based on the original building plans and old photographs. Taking 1915 as the benchmark year, the restoration process involved replacing the 1920s ballroom with the original cast-iron portico; repairing decorative plasterwork; and reinstating the large timber staircase. A new block was also added that housed an in-house museum, a shopping arcade, and the Jubilee Theatre, a reproduction of a nineteenth-century playhouse. The hotel was re-gazetted as a national monument on 3 June 1995.
The 1942 Japanese invasion prompted Raffles staff to bury the hotel silverware, including the silver beef trolley, in the Palm Court. The Japanese renamed the hotel Syonan Ryokan or Light of the South Hotel, and its main entrance was moved to face east to catch the morning sun. The hotel was appointed the quarters for senior Japanese military officers. After the Japanese surrender, M. S. Arathoon, whom the Japanese had retained as assistant manager, re-opened the hotel in September 1945. Many of the local staff had remained with the hotel during the war years, and other displaced staff returned. The silverware was duly retrieved from its hiding place. The hotel became a temporary transit camp for prisoners of war who were to be repatriated. After the war, Raffles Hotel regained some of its former fame, remaining a colonial landmark that drew expatriates and foreign visitors. During the 1950s and 1960s, the hotel faced new challenges due to changing political, economic and social circumstances. With the withdrawal of the British colonial administration, the Singapore government actively promoted tourism to earn revenue. Raffles Hotel became a tourist attraction because of its reputation as a historic hotel and encountered competition from more modern hotels that had sprung up along Orchard Road. By the 1970s, some of the hotel’s former glory had faded and its buildings were in need of refurbishment.
View of the gopuram (left) & sculptures of Cows
244 South Bridge Road Owner: Hindu Endowments Board
Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman temple takes its place as the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. This temple is located in the heart of Chinatown, and the local road, Temple Street, was so named in its honor. It was first constructed in 1827 by Naraian Pillay, an Indian pioneer who came to Singapore’s shores with Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819. Sri Mariamman Temple played an important role in the lives of Singapore Hindus. In the early days, it helped new immigrants to settle down in Singapore. It also served as the Registry of Marriages for Hindus when the temple’s priests were authorized to solemnize Hindu marriages.
The Dominant feature of the temples’s South Indian architectural heritage is the gopuram (entrance tower). The gopuram was first built in 1930, and the present six-tiered tower was added in 1925. Its height signals its presence to the devotees from afar, so that they can prepare for their prayer or meditation at the temple. On the gopuram are displays of hindu deities and their reincarnations in various poses. These are flanked by a statue of Murugan (the Lord of War) and the blue Krishna. Among the various Hindu deities, ne can also notice Indian Sepoy soldiers located within the gopuram. On April 2010 Sri Mariamman Temple undergo a restoration.
Naraina Pillay A government clerk in Penang, Pillay was picked by Stamford Raffles to come with him to Singapore in 1819. As enterprising man, Pillay became a building contractor and set up a brick making kiln. He was also a textile merchant, with one of the largest shops, in the market at Cross Street. Disaster Struck one night in December 1822 when a fire swept through the wood and attap build market and razed most of the shops including Pillay’s cloth shop. Pillay became bankrupt, but with help from Raffles, he was able to recoup his losses and pay off his debts. He was able to start another shop in Chulia Street. He was appointed chief of Indians from Cholamandalaman and given powers to settle disputes in the community.
Multi-purpose centre
“
Like what Devi says, monuments are of huge significance to the Singapore architectural landscape. It provides us with great historical information from the past for all of us to learn from. Not to mention, there is definitely a huge deal of cultural importance as well. The dense and urban community and landscape in Singapore will not be complete without these monument
Josea Evan
�
Close up shot of the Steeple
11 St Andrew’s Road Owner: Anglican Diocese of Singapore
St Andrew's Cathedral St Andrew’s Cathedral is the second church building on the site of the original Church of St Andrew, a location selected by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1823. An Anglican cathedral, named after the patron saint of Scotland, it is the oldest Anglican house of worship in Singapore and was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. St andrew’s Church building was sited on this area between 1838 and 1852 However, it was considered to be structurally unsound, and was demolished after suffering two lighting strikes on the church steeple in 1845 and 1849.
The current St Andrew’s Cathedral was designed by Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald MacPherson, with the construction carried out entirely by Indian convict labourers.
The cathedral’s appearance was inspired by a 13th-century Gothic Cistercian abbey called Netley, located in Hampshire, England. Departing from the flamboyant Gothic church architecture, Colonel MacPherson designed this church with clean, simple lines. Absent were the ornate decorations and elaborate tracery associated with Gothic church architecture.
St Andrew’s Cathedral has undergone a few phases of expansion. In 1952, the War Memorial Wing was added with the extension of the North Wing facing North Bridge Road. The South Transept facing the Padang was extended in 1983. In 2005, the church expanded its facilities underground. The ground alongside North Bridge Road were excavated and construction work took place to build a new underground auditorium for the Cathedral’s use. Landscaping works then took place to restore the open lawn environments.
Looking inside: Arched window with stained glass
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The architect had not stopped to bother about columns and porticos, proportions or interiors, or any limitation upon the epic he sought to materialize; he had simply made a servant of Nature - art can go no further.
Lew Wallace, Ben-Hur
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South entrance, of restored church with “pagoda-style� Paviilion
235 Telok Ayer Street Owner: The Methodist Church Of Singapore
Telok Ayer Chinese Church Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church, is considered the oldest Chinese-speaking Methodist church in Singapore. Established in 1889 by Dr Benjamin Franklin West mainly for the Hokkien-speaking Chinese, the church now serves Chinese from various dialect groups and a growing English-speaking community. Gazetted as a National Monument in 1989. The church was founded by Dr Benjamin Franklin West, who first set up his missionary practice at a shophouse at Upper Nanking Street in 1889 to reach out to the immigrant Chinese. There, he held two services every Sunday, beginning in August 1889. Even during that early period, at least 30 people would gather at the shophouse to listen to his sermons, which were delivered in Malay and then translated into Hokkien. Many of those in attendance were opium addicts.
In 1921, the church purchased some land at this site (belonging to the Chinese Free School, now known as Gan Eng Seng school), and began a fund-raising campaign for a permanent church building. This building was constructed in 1924 at a cost of S$45,000 for use by a Hokkien-speaking congregation. The foundation stone was laid on 19 January 1924 by Bishop G.H. Bickley, and consecrated the following year on 11 January 1925 by Bishop Titus Lowe.
A view of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church facing Telok Ayer Street
Designed by the architectural firm Swan & MacLaren. Unlike the traditional church, it does not display a cruciform plan. Instead, the church reflects its Chinese environment and the time in which it was built. Art Deco was popular in the 1920s and Art Deco features can be seen in the ornate window styles. The roof of the pavilion atop the story of the building is distinctly Chinese.
During the restoration process in 1993 at a cost of S$3 million, the original timber windows with four Chinese characters were uncovered and carefully restored. The double loaded corridor on the third storey were removed, and the space restored to its original spatial quality. The fourth storey, which was a later addition, was re-constructed to complement the original building. To recapture the charm of the monument, ironmongery, fans and lightings of compatible design were sourced and added.
Beside the gateway of the entrance hall, a view of “Minnan” Style roof , Chong Boon Gate
158 Telok Ayer Street Owned: Hokkien Huay Kuan
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Temple of Heavenly Happiness; also: Tianfu Gong Temple) is the oldest and most important Fukien, or Hoklo (Hokkien) temple in Singapore. The main temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Taoist goddess of the sea and protector of all seamen, while a second temple at the back is a Buddhist one dedicated to Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy. Thian Hock Keng Temple was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973. The temple started out as a prayer house located along the shoreline of the Telok Ayer Basin. Immigrants from China built the prayer house dedicated to the goddess Ma Zu (or Tian Hou), protector of seafarers and navigators, between 1821 and 1822. Chinese voyagers who had just completed their journey across the turbulent South China Sea would make offerings of money and joss-sticks here as thanksgiving.
It was built during the days when Telok Ayer Street was still a sandy beach crowded with small sailing craft–long before the first land reclamation began the inexorable separation of the temple from the seashore, which was the very reason for its existence.
The Gateway
Constructed in the temple architectural style of southern China, Thian Hock Keng has a grand entrance with a high step in front. The side entrance gates feature brightly coloured tiles portraying peacocks, roses and the universal Buddhist swastikain green and brown. This symbol represents good luck, eternity and immortality. Guarding the doors are tigers, lions and Door Gods, traditional sentinels of any Taoist temple. Beyond this elaborate entrance are two courtyards. Straddling the courtyards is the temple proper, comprising the shrine of Ma Cho Po. On either side of the temple are pagodas -- the one on the left is a shrine of Confucius while the one on the right houses ancestral tablets of immigrants who founded the temple .
Between 1998 and 2000, Thian Hock Keng underwent major restoration works which saw up to 70 Fujian craftsmen, including wood carvers, stonemasons and artisans, being brought in to ensure that the restoration remained true to the original. The roof ridges were restored to reflect decorations using the chien nien technique, a Fujian style where colourful broken porcelain form relief patterns on the roof ridges. The S$3.5-million restoration, headed by architectural firm James Ferrie & Partners, won the temple an honourable mention in the 2001 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.
In 1907, Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty presented a scroll to the temple. This had hung over the temple’s main altar signboard until renovations began in 1998. The scroll was subsequently donated to the Singapore History Museum (now the National Museum).