Now in its twenty-fourth edition, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s Architectural Design Awards (AHA) continues to recognise projects that demonstrate exceptional restoration and innovative architectural work on heritage buildings. 

The AHA programme does not only recognise the architects of the projects, but also the entire team who have worked on the projects, including the building owners, engineers, contractors and conservation specialists – a great incentive for the built environment ecosystem. 

The URA has announced four award winners and one special mention for AHA 2018 today at a ceremony at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

In addition to contributing to Singapore’s collective sense of identity and distinctive landscape, the projects are also recognised for serving Singapore’s current and future needs when adapted for contemporary uses. 

The AHA 2018 has introduced a new award category, the Award for New Design in Heritage Context, which recognises new buildings with outstanding design that complement and enrich their heritage setting. 

The first winner of this new category is the ceremony’s hosting venue, 1 Empress Place, Kwek Hong Png Wing and Riverfront Wing, at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Kwek Hong Png Wing © Nigel Greenhill, courtesy of GreenhilLi Pte Ltd

Designed by Li Sau Kei and Nigel Greenhill of GreenhillLi, the project comprises two new contemporary wings masterfully added to the museum’s existing nineteenth-century building.

New volume is sensitively set back from the facades (Kwek Hong Png Wing) © Nigel Greenhill, courtesy of GreenhilLi Pte Ltd

The project was lauded for creating new vistas, vantage points and physical connections between the new wings and the existing context, as well as enhancing public interaction with the museum. 

New vistas with the historic setting have been created (Kwek Hong Png Wing) © Nigel Greenhill, courtesy of GreenhilLi Pte Ltd

Carefully detailed lightweight connections (Kwek Hong Png Wing)  © Nigel Greenhill, courtesy of GreenhilLi Pte Ltd

AHA 2018’s Special Mention went to 29, 31, 33 Mount Sophia in the Sophia Hills development (former Trinity Theological College Chapel, former Nan Hwa Girls’ School, and Olson Building of former Methodist Girls’ School) by architect Laurence Tan Jer Kiat of Consortium 168 Architects and conservation specialist Ho Weng Hin from Studio Lapis. 

Olson Building of Former Methodist Girls’ School © Tiptoe Images, courtesy of Studio Lapis Conservation Pte Ltd

The Special Mention was awarded for the project’s carefully considered rejuvenation of a trio of conserved buildings. The rejuvenation efforts involved engagements of former communities and heritage markers that keep the legacies alive in the residential development. 

The Former Trinity Theological College Chapel © XTREME Media Pte Ltd, courtesy of Hoi Hup Sunway Mount Sophia Pte Ltd

The Restoration Award was given to two projects. The 9 Jurong Town Hall Road, Jurong Town Hall project by architect team helmed by Tan Kok Hiang of Forum Architects (read more about the project in Cubes 91), with Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCCI) and JTC as stakeholders. 

A key landmark of Jurong © Edward Hendricks, courtesy of Forum Architects Ptd Ltd

The building exterior has been sensitively refurbished © Urban Redevelopment Authority

“Through sensitive restoration, the national monument has been rejuvenated as a symbol of Singapore’s industrialisation journey in the post-independence years, and of the country’s ‘Merdeka Generation’s’ ‘can-do’ spirit to build a new country. Home to trade associations today, the refreshed building features original spatial qualities that continue to provide a space that facilitates collaboration and promotes industrial growth,” cited the jury. 

Spatial qualities of the atrium have been restored © Edward Hendricks, courtesy of Forum Architects Pte Ltd

The original atrium staircase has been retained and restored © Edward Hendricks, courtesy of Forum Architects Pte Ltd

The original opening into the basement has been recovered © Urban Redevelopment Authority

The other Restoration Award recipient was the 28, 30, 32 Madras Street, The Great Madras hotel project by Peter Sim of FARM Architects, which shared the honour with building owner Shaik Mohamed of Mini Environment Service. 

Former Singapore Improvement Trust flats in the Little India Historic District © StudioPeriphery, courtesy of  FARM Architects Pte Ltd

The project was lauded for its meticulously refurbished pre-war flat that serves as a great specimen of Art Deco architecture.  “With more open and inclusive spaces that relate well with the neighbourhood, the building enlivens the street and brings the younger generation back to the Little India Historic District,” cited the jury. 

Former Singapore Improvement Trust flats in the Little India Historic District © StudioPeriphery, courtesy of FARM Architects Pte Ltd

One of Cubes 93‘s case study projects, the 2 MacTaggart Road, Khong Guan Building by Meta Architecture and Lua Architects Associates, was bestowed the Restoration and Innovation Award.

The iconic apex of the Khong Guan Building © Darren Soh, courtesy of META Architecture

The project was praised for restoring the old biscuit factory’s key features, including the historic shopfront at the building’s apex, which will continue to operate and to be open to the public, thus allowing more people to experience the building’s historic fabric.

The main doorway with 1950s mosaic tiles and metal-grille gate have been restored © Darren Soh, courtesy of META Architecture

The project was also noted for its new, eight-storey extension, which respects the form and scale of the existing three-storey heritage building.

New extension takes reference from the form and massing of the historic building © Darren Soh, courtesy of META Architecture

The AHA 2018 is part of URA’s Architectural Heritage Season, a month-long programme filled with various events and activations to facilitate knowledge sharing between professionals and broader public awareness for URA’s conservation efforts.

The Season will culminate with the Kampong Glam Day Out on 24 November. Click here to view the complete programme.