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Design Dilemma
angrysg

Why Destroy Ellison Building?

angry singaporean
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Hi everyone, understand that many architects use this website. Hope to hear some valuable opinions.

Recently the government announced they intend to demolish the 1924 Ellison Building, DESPITE it being gazetted as a conserved structure by URA.

Straits Times: North- South Corridor tunnel works to affect Ellison Building

Singapore Heritage Society's Statement on Ellison Building

This is not the first time this has happened. As a person born and raised in Katong, I saw it happen to the Butterfly House designed by architect Regent John Alfred Bidwell on Amber Road. It was a conserved structure, and the authorities allowed it to be demolished, only to be turned into a monstrosity.

"Conservation in Singapore can be a bit of a joke" - blog

URA even tried to justify it by saying "oh well, better than nothing: The Fragile Balance: Conservation or Commerce?

I would love to hear some opinions from SG and international architects!

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    SUGARBAKERS
    7 years ago

    Hi Angry Singaporean,

    We feel for you and share the same sentiments. In the name of 'progress' we see many old buildings and and also many green/forested areas being torn down and cleared for new much need housing and office space. Its easy for us to blame the govt board to be insensitive to our heritage areas and conservation of old buildings especially when architecture like this has been gazetted as a conservation structure.

    Lets hope that URA will not tear down this building but try and maintain a fine balance and keep the facade of the building at least and build whatever required monstrocity they want behind it. By incorporating our past and future perhaps we can maintain that fine balance.

    Whilst, i see the reason for URA to re purpose this area for the North South tunnel works, on a personal note, i dont see why we need more commercial buildings in the area as there are so many empty spaces at the moment along the whole stretch of Selegie Road. It would be a shame to erect yet another building at sky rocket prices and pass costs on to tenants.

    I am a die hard fan of "mum and pop" shops. I frequent them even if i dont have anything at all to buy and always buy something. The nostalgia of these establishments remind us of who we are and where we belong. Otherwise its all the same tenants all over the city from Orchard to Woodlands.

    Perhaps URA could investigate on new building and architectural technology to conserve the building facade somehow.

    One can dream.



    Comments (8)

    • Olivia Chng
      7 years ago

      Not an architect, but wanted to say... this building houses one of the best, old-school nasi lemak places, Nasi Lemak Kukus, I've eaten at. So from a purely selfish, food-loving perspective, I'm worried about where local favourites like Kukus will go if Ellison Building is going to be partially demolished.


      Also, although, it doesn't look like much now, look at how Capitol Singapore's adaptive reuse turned out: an icon that can be appreciated by everyone.

      angry singaporean thanked Olivia Chng
    • angry singaporean
      Original Author
      7 years ago

      Hi Sugarbakers, thank you for your insights. I have lost hope with URA. And I don't believe in simply keeping the facade!

    • Rachel Lim
      7 years ago

      This would be great shame.

    • joanne_fe
      7 years ago

      This building if I am not wrong, is part of the Jewish quarter in old Singapore. Along with other buildings like Elias building. I'm not sure if the younger generation knows about this. Tearing down this building is such a shame, and doesn't acknowledge different ethnic groups that made up early Singapore.

    • PRO
      Eliot Koey
      7 years ago

      Agreed with Rachel and joanne_fe!
      Here's some additional commentary:

      "There are 2 broad but pressing points in both the SHS and ICOMOS responses to the proposed demolition and reconstruction of Ellison Building which are very clear:

      1. The lack of a public process of consultation and the opaque nature of the decision taken in announcing the proposed demolition / reconstruction of a building earmarked for conservation is unacceptable, to say the least; and
      2. The proposed “solution” to demolish and reconstruct is entirely unacceptable in line with internationally recognised and accepted standards or guidelines, except in extreme cases of calamity (natural or otherwise)."

      https://heritagechacha.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/__trashed/


    • Rachel Lim
      7 years ago

      Love your comments, SUGARBAKERS

    • PRO
      SUGARBAKERS
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      Looks like our voices were heard somehow and part of the building's facade will be saved.

      angry singaporean Rachel Lim

      "How do we move forward if we dont know where we came from ?"

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