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
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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)
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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
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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?
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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.
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