On-site activities Hui Ann Association holds many activities for both members and public on its premises. These activities include:
Returning to Hui’an Every year in October, the association organises a tour to Hui’an. The timing coincides with the favourable and cool weather in Autumn. The association corresponds with the Chinese government to help families reconnect. Approximately 20 - 40 clansmen go on the tour each year.
Calligraphy Occasional exhibitions
Latest activities
Off-site activities
The Youth Section has most recently pioneered a few activities to draw in a younger crowd. They have worked hard to ensure its relevance to the association’s younger members. They include:
To foster friendship amongst fellow clansmen, the association regularly holds activities beyond the building:
Martial arts Shaolin Wushu and Lion Dance
Golf tournament Sports and fundraising
Mahjong Weekly sessions in a dedicated room
Connecting with other Hui Ann associations regionally
Chinese Orchestra Occasional performances for all members
Movie screenings Bi-monthly movie nights first showed Hollywood movies to gain traction but now offer Mandarin films
Excursions Educational and active tours to various locations in Singapore
Singapore Hui Ann Association fosters community and connection with other Hui’an associations in the Southeast Asian region, the association plans regular trips to places like Malacca, Malaysia throughout the year.
Karaoke Regular leisurely singing
Barbeque Fostering stronger bonds between younger members
1934: Original Site The original 3 storey townhouse was at 7 Teo Hong Road, Bukit Pasoh, on the Western edge of Chinatown. The construction was completed in 1934, built by Hui Ann’s own clansmen. Behind it was the abandoned railway that once served Orchard Rd, Tank Rd, and Newton.
Chinese emigration and diaspora in Southeast Asia 17th C.: 1st wave of merchants and craftsmen Mid-19th C.: China’s defeat in the Opium Wars resulted in another wave of mostly coolies 1920s-1930s: The economic rise of Southeast Asia attracted a diverse composition of Chinese
The old building today
It was near an area called the Sepoy Lines, barracks for the Sepoys, Indian soldiers employed to maintain law and order in colonial Singapore.
Late 1970s: Wealth of PRC and social mobility of Chinese brought new immigrants
1970s: Moving to the new building Possibly due to Chinese emigration and increasing Singpaore population, the capacity of the building became inadequate for its growing membership and evolving needs, hence the need to move to a larger building.
The original building is now wuthin the Historic District and has been reused by the Singapore Food Manufacturers Association and a fitness outlet.
1979: Current location The Hui Ann Association moved to its current premise on 7 Geylang Lorong 29. The location was in line with the government’s masterplans to co-locate more than 100 associations in the same area.
Geylang Road This area and its 4-laned major trunk road was likely named after the gelang, an edible creeper.
Although the area has been poorly perceived by the general public, the associations bring life and vigour to the district.
The road has developed and zoned into a commercial thoroughfare, with institutional and residential areas abutting it. Hui Ann Association is along one of the perpendicular streets where footfall to the building is unfortunately lower.
2010: Major overhaul (planned)
Slowly, the government is rezoning the area into commerical and instutional uses only, changing the outlook of the district.
To rejunivate the association building to create a new facade and spaces, there was an attempt to plan and construct a new addition to the building. Unfortunately insufficient funds could be sought, and the building was renovated internally.
Renovations Over the years the current building has gone through a number of realized renovations. This brochure highlights the unique patina resulting from it.
The building today
F
Try to find these unique features of Hui Ann Association!
What can be seen today is a continuous accumulation and assemblage of time and history. This makes the building richer in narrative and value.
Staircase A spiral staircase has amazing views of the Association’s surroundings. Can you spot one of the oldest mosques in Singapore, Khadijah Mosque? It was set up with the wishes on an Indian lady trader in 1920. If you look down into the stairwell, a beautiful repetition of angles greet you.
A 2013: Additions and Alterations (A&A)
C
Major A&A works added an elevator, covered the roof, and updated the Association Hall. This drastically changed the look of Hui Ann Association, but also improved accessibility to aging members, and improved economic outlook by having more spaces for commercial rental.
Tiles Can you spot the difference in tiles? Inconsistently laid tiles indicate that they had been taken out and replaced after some works. The contractors probably used salvaged tiles to patch this spot back.
2018: Glazing
B
Most recently, windows were installed into the facades to protection from Singapore’s torrential rains.
This is where the parapet of the old balconies used to connect to the facade.
D Figurines and Furnitures What stories do these items hold? Many of the items on display were gifts or awards by generous members or patrons. Ask a staff to find out where they came from!
Waffle slab To create the large span that is the big expanse of the Association Hall, the engineers of the building used an innovative structural solution called a “waffle slab”. Can you find places in the building where it has not been hidden by ceiling panels?
E
Stone carvings What do you think these carvings mean? Granite is very important to Hui’an. There is potential in using artefacts and objects that are personal to remind ourselves of a place of origin.
G
4th Floor 8 spaces are leased out to various companies as offices. They are mostly in the construction industry. Even though the rental is affordable, some units are empty and unable to secure tenants.
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WC
Due to this floor being adapted to this use, it results in low quality of space. There is potential in studying new layouts and tenant mixes to attract Hui Ann Association-related or Hui’an county-related business.
Leased Offices
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5th Floor This floor contains spaces exclusively for Hui Ann Association use. The many different programmes of rooms in close proximity result in a space that seems vibrant and lively.
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Stairs
C
Tea Room
Leased Dance Studio
E
D
Calligraphy Room
Association Multipurpose Hall
D
Mahjong Room
Office
There is potential in employing higher quality of finishes in the next round of renovations to the building to improve quality of space.
Office
Waiting Rm
Martial Arts Practice Space
6th Floor Formely open to sky, this space was covered with a steel structure in the A&A of 2013. The Lion Dance Troupe and Shaolin Wushu group use this space to train. The large expanse gives them freedom of movement.
B
F
Stairs
3rd Floor This floor has been rented by a single tenant for over 20 years. This Dance Studio is a steady source of income for Hui Ann Association.
B
L5
Martial Arts Practice Space
L4
Association Hall, Office & Rms
L3
Leased Offices
L2
Dance Studio
L1
Association Hall
B
Carpark & Leased Office
1st Floor This is the main heart of association life. The large space is used for a variety of events and purposes. Should an event be too large for the Hall to handle, the Covered Patio serves as spillover space. The contemporary interior design harks to 2013.
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Association Hall
Elevated above the ground, this 1st Floor can be considered a “piano nobile” or noble floor, the principal floor of a building.
Diagrammatic Section
Basement While called a “basement”, it is actually the ground level.
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Spaces are limited at 13 car lots of which one is for handicapped persons. There are public lots along the streets in the vicinity.
Relationship with surroundings One of Hui Ann Association’s objectives is to participate in communal activities. For the past 22 years, the Mid Autumn Festival which is held on the first Saturday of the 8th Month has been celebrated collectively by all the associations along Geylang Lorong 29. Each association has their own programme, but congregate to form a procession with lanterns to walk around the area. The host is cycled through the associations yearly with each contributing about $300 to the host for procuring decorations.
G
G Covered Patio
A Lift
Leased office spaces give rise to many issues like troublesome tenants or lack of them. Potential could be found in commercial retail or food & beverage.
Carpark
Hui Ann Association was host of this festival in 2019.
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Stairs
Leased Office
A
Lift
Hui’an This brochure
The county of Hui’an is in the prefecture of Quanzhou, within the province of Fujian. It enjoys the southeast coast of mainland China. The county comprises 15 towns and has a population of just under 1 million to date.
is a compilation of interesting facts and observations that can be discovered from the historic Hui Ann Association. It gives you a glimpse of the association’s rich heritage and activities. The brochure is designed as a journey through the association’s past, present, and possible future. The overarching designs are inspired by Hui’an’s signature granite use and the colourful fabrics of the beautiful Hui’an maidens.
Granite Having a history of over 1,600 years, the unique craft of Hui'an is granite carving and construction. In traditional structures, the stone is laid as long narrow blocks. Maidens The Hui’an maidens are a distinct Han community. They have a special dress and marital customs. They are known to be especially beautiful and hardworking, labouring in various industries such as fishing and farming.
huiann.com Singapore Hui Ann Association huiannassociation@yahoo.com.sg 7 Lorong 29 Geylang Singapore 388063 +65 6748 8633 or 6744 8738 AR5952A Urban and Regeneration in Asia Adjunct Assistant Professor Chen Yu 陈煜教授 Sharne Sulaiman 苏利万进达 | Mitch Goh 吴杰诚
Special thanks to
Hui Ann Association 惠安公会 Secretary Teo Seng Yeong 张成雄总务
惠安公会
Open this up to see a dazzling design within!
HUI ANN ASSOCIATION A glimpse into its past, present, and future
Management structure In the current 46th Committee, there are a total of 43 members. All are volunteer clansmen who passionately devote their time to the association. The committees change annually with its members cycling through different roles, reciprocating between Executive Committee and Supervisory Committe. Some mmebers have been leading for more than 20 years!
Scholarships
Objectives of HAA •Foster the friendship among the fellow clansmen of Hui Ann •Strive for the welfare of the members •Organise various educational, cultural, sport and recreational activities with a view to advancing members’ understanding of the Chinese culture as well as enhancing the virtues of the Chinese tradition •Organise and take part in communal as well as charitable activities
1951: Hui Ann Association was one of the first associations in Singapore to give bursaries to members and/or their children for financial assitance. Today: $2,000 education scholarships (Primary-Tertiary level) are awarded to Hui Ann members or issues by per year basis
1923: First Executive Committee (EC) 1936: Supervisory Committee was formed, comprising previous EC members
Membership Member Type Entrance Fee Annual Fee Singaporean Citizen Permanent Resident Visitor Pass Holder
Ordinary Permanent
Associate
No less than No less than $10 $24
No less than $12
Executive Committee
Supervisory Committee
President
Head Officer of Supervisory
6 Vice-Presidents
Deputy Head Officer of Supervisory
Secretary
Treasurer
3 Asst. Secretaries
2 Deputy Treasurers
2 Education 2 Culture 2 Welfare 2 Social 2 Recreation 2 Women 2 Youth Deputies Deputies Deputies Deputies Deputies Deputies Deputies Chinese Correspondent English Correspondent
4 Supervisory Members