Historic temple, shophouse among URA’s Architectural Heritage Award winners

SINGAPORE — A historic temple, a shophouse and a hotel have won the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) annual Architectural Heritage Award this year.

Yueh Hai Ching Temple at 30B Phillip Street, which underwent a S$7.5 million, five-year makeover, bagged a 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award.

The project team took great care and attention to the repair works and erected a temporary roof over the temple, which was built in the 1820s, to protect it during restoration works. A chemical protective layer was applied to the relief paintings on the upper panels of the front facade before painting to ensure the original paint layer can be recovered in future.

Additionally, only authentic materials, traditional techniques and sensitive construction methods were used, which according to the URA showed “deep respect for the monument’s architectural roots”.

“The restoration of the Yueh Hai Ching Temple has successfully brought back to life many rare and refined features typical of the building’s Teochew architectural heritage,” said the URA in a news release.

Another awardee was a “Transitional Style” shophouse at 145 Neil Road, which underwent two years of renovation work and was successfully transformed from a vintage shophouse to a modern home. Retaining and restoring as many vintage features as possible, this two-storey terrace house maintained both the interior and exterior.

Many of the original elements, like the window shutters, tiles from a former timber staircase and oxidized iron-gate were all repaired and reused.

Boutique hotel J8, at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Townshend Road was the third winner. The hote combines five conserved two-storey shophouses and a new six-storey tower. “The outcome is understated yet tasteful, and makes a considered and positive contribution to the surrounding streetscape,” the URA said.

The project team was commended for sensitively repairing damage and replacing missing elements and features like windows, balustrades and pre-cast vents of the shophouses. It not only breathed new life into the pre-war buildings but also attracted more visitors, tourists and new businesses with a positive transformation effect on the mixed-use neighbourhood.

The awards are given out to recognise owners, professionals and contractors who have gone the extra mile to sensitively restore heritage buildings to their former glory and promote quality restoration of monuments and buildings with preservation and conservation status in Singapore.