Singapore River, Singapore: Adaptive Re-use of the Historic Boat Quay

Adaptive Re-use of the Historic Boat Quay
Singapore River, Singapore

Eunice M. Lin

INTRODUCTION

Within the small province of Singapore a rich history and a dynamic present exist side by side. As 20th century development transformed Singapore into one of the largest ports in the world and one of the major financial centers in Asia, interest in conservation also grew. In the mid-1980's, projects were initiated to preserve the city's heritage and culture, specifically in its built form. Initial proposals for re-use of the Boat Quay began in conjunction with Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) efforts to promote the value of conservation. On July 7, 1989 the Singapore River Boat Quay, in addition to nine other sites, was designated as a conservation area. Today the Singapore River hosts a number of adaptive re-use projects which have turned the area into one of the city's best known tourist spots, with restaurants and businesses housed in the restored traditional shophouses. Although the use of the buildings has changed, the original spirit, life, and intensity of activity of the Boat Quay has been kept alive. (Images 1a, 1b)

CONTEXT

Physical
Singapore is made up of one main island and 60 smaller islands. It is separated from the Malay Peninsula by the Straits of Johor and from the Indonesian islands by the Straits of Singapore. The main island measures about 42 kilometers from east to west and 23 kilometers from north to south. The island's highest point is only 163 meters, and on average the altitude is within 15 meters of sea level. The interior of the island is characterized by rounded hills with gentle slopes and valleys. The coast is generally flat with the majority of the coastline having been modified by reclamation, embankment formation and swamp clearing. (Image 2)

Climate
Singapore is an equatorial country with uniform warm temperatures, high humidity and rainfall. The average daily temperature is 26.7° C. There are two monsoon seasons, and frequent thunderstorms in between. Relative humidity is on average 84.3%.

Historical
Singapore's history can be traced through Chinese and Mongolian documents as far back as the 1300's, when it was known by the name of "Temasek" meaning sea town. The most relevant history to present-day development is that of European influence and colonialism.

Modern Singapore was founded by the British in the early 1800's as a port to service their vessels as well as an obstacle to further Dutch settlement in the East Indies. The English hold on the island was established in 1819 through the rule of Stamford Raffles, Lieutenant Governor of Bencoolen and an agent of the British East India Company. Early in 1819 he signed an agreement with the local Malay Chief, agreeing to protect the island in return for permission to establish a British trading post there.

Raffles was responsible for the development and layout of the city as set forth in his "Plan of the Town of Singapore." The plan "focused on the remodeling of the town according to principles which would facilitate public administration and maximize mercantile interest, inscribe public order in space, and cater for the accommodation of the principal races in separate quarters."1 Raffles' plan, though not completely implemented, had far reaching results, basically defining the urban fabric of the city as it still exists today. It is also an important document for addressing critical issues of public administration, order and economic growth in a rapidly growing and diverse colonial city.² The population grew from the initial 150 Malay fishermen at the time of Raffles' first landing in 1819 to 10,000 immigrants in 1824.

In 1826, as part of the Straits Settlement, Singapore came under the control of British India. By 1867, the Straits Settlement became a Crown Colony under the Jurisdiction of the Colonial Office in London. As a port it played a major role in the trade between Europe and East Asia, especially after the advent of the steamship and the opening of the Suez Canal in the 1860's. Prosperity attracted immigrants from around the region, establishing the cultural mix that still characterizes Singapore. The prosperity continued for decades, peaking from 1873 to 1913. ³

Foreign political control of Singapore continued with the WWII Japanese occupation of 1942, which lasted for three years. The British Military Administration governed the city when the Japanese left and eventually dissolved the Straits Settlement. In 1946 Singapore was established as its own Crown Colony. Increasing powers of self-government were ceded to the colony in 1959. The federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963 between Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei. In 1965 Singapore seceded and became an independent, democratic nation.

Social
In 1860 the population was 61.9% Chinese, 13.5% Malay, 16.05% Indian, and 8.5% other which included Europeans. This numerical dominance of the Chinese population continues today. The immigration of Indians began in the early days under British Indian rule and was also affected by the decision in 1823 to make it a penal station.

Singapore is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia. In addition to the 75% of the population that is Chinese, there is a mix of the following ethnicities in large numbers: Peninsular Malays, Sumatrans, Javanese, Bugis, Boyanese, Indians, Ceylonese, Arabs, Jews, Eurasians, and Europeans. In addition, four major religions are represented: Buddhism and Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.

Economic
Singapore is one of the economic leaders of Asia and the Pacific Rim. In the 1950's, it was the location of major international markets for rubber, tin and the distribution of oil in addition to having a well-established ship repair industry. Since independence in 1965, there has been a steady and impressive increase in the average annual growth rate. Singapore's goal has been to create a strong global presence equal to a first league developed nation. As stated by the Singapore Ministry of Information and Arts, the "mission today is to develop Singapore into a global city with total business capabilities by attracting foreign investments, developing local enterprises as well as promoting outward investments into the region."⁴ Today Singapore's major industries include electronics, chemicals, petroleum, paints, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, machinery, fabricated metals and plastic products.

COMPARISONS

In the 1980's, in light of rapid growth and development, the need for conservation became a great concern. With such a mix of cultures, the importance of maintaining a common heritage became an important issue. The government realized that the development of the last several decades had wiped out large historic areas and buildings, quickly changing the original fabric of the city in the desire for modernization.

In his book, Living Legacy, Robert Powell presents the background to Singapore's great surge of conservation projects. In the preface he states that there was

a growing awareness that the built heritage is an important component of a cultured and progressive society. In this book, I have recorded the results of this changing ethos...as a body of work, they form an impressive record in a nation seeking to conserve its past. In choosing a past, we say something about Singapore's evolving cultural identity.⁵

After providing examples of noteworthy conservation efforts, he ends with a warning of the reality behind all the conservation projects: though numerous, the quality of work is not high enough to maintain Singapore's heritage.

Conservation is happening too quickly. In the process, authenticity is often a secondary consideration. There is a tendency to 'gut and stuff' the interior (Raman 1993). Insufficient time is being spent on properly analyzing, researching, documenting, and surveying old buildings. There is a temptation to simply tear out the interior, leaving only the facade, and then to rebuild with a concrete frame structure within the existing party walls. Many architects and engineers and their clients versed in modern construction processes are insensitive to the nuances of an old structure, unable to 'read' the building, to sense its inherent qualities. As a result, there is a tendency to over-conserve on the one hand, 'dressing-up' buildings in colors and details that are coarse and inaccurate, and on the other hand to create an overall blandness by erasing the patina of age.⁶

Though the author is basically espousing a general conservation philosophy it is relevant here because his observations are also specific to the conservation effort going on now in Singapore. The Boat Quay is an example of a positive conservation effort in Robert Powell's book, but from the examples given it seems that it is also a place that has suffered from the "gut and stuff" style. As a former warehouse and industrial area, its dual role as historical site and touristic site is at issue here. The colors and details that now distinguish this area are not part of the authentic heritage which the conservation efforts of the URA attempted to preserve. There have been mixed reviews of the Boat Quay project, one local paper called it "an unremitting row of watering holes with a reputation for drunkenness and teenage catfights with little to remind one of the 'toil and tears of the immigrant generation of Singaporeans' who used to work on the river." (The Strait Times, 24 January 1996.)⁷ Reactions like this bring into question the appropriateness of the new uses inserted into the area.

In addition to the Boat Quay there were several other areas within Singapore that were designated as conservation sites. These include ethnic areas and civic monuments as well as residential areas. As comparisons, there are two other conservation projects worth noting that are true to the area's history and heritage. One is a restoration that maintains the original use of a shophouse and the other is the adaptive re-use of a different building type.

The Shin House located at No. 12 Blair Road is an example of a purely residential shophouse that was restored to an earlier state. The houses in this area were built in the 1930's after an influx of Chinese immigrants. They display a mix of Chinese, Malay, European and colonial elements. The area was identified as a conservation site in 1986. The owner of the house, Shin Choo Neo, had a particular interest in turn of the century architecture. She therefore made minimal structural changes and maintained the original spatial quality of the shophouse. Other changes to the house that were not compatible with the desired original appearance, such as a 1950's iron stairway, were removed. Some new elements such as patio doors were added to bring in light. Overall it is an example of restoration sensitive to both the desired appearance and the historical qualities of space and light characteristic of a shophouse. (Image 3 & 4)

The story behind the area of Fort Canning Hill is tied to the many political power struggles that mark Singapore's history. The main barrack block was erected in 1926. When the British army withdrew in the 1970's the building was converted into a restaurant with squash courts. In 1989 the National Parks Board decided to renovate it for use by two performing arts groups. The building was renamed the Fort Canning Centre, new mechanical systems were installed, and the squash courts were adapted to make room for new theater facilities. The original character of the building was restored by removing grillwork over the facade's openings and adding windows and doors and other authentic details. Although its use has completely changed, this structure maintains its original character both on the interior and the exterior.

THE PROJECT

Significance, Role in the City, and Development
The area along the Southern Bank of the Singapore River was first developed in Stamford Raffles' original plan for the town. After leveling a hill for the public square, Raffles Place, the removed earth was added to the swampy area of the south bank as landfill, thus reclaiming the area for the development of warehouses and wharves. Displaced merchants from the north bank area were given priority in the division of plots. This area would go on to become the heart of the commercial district:

By the 1860's, three quarters of Singapore's shipping business was transacted from the Boat Quay. Cargoes were carried from ships anchored in the roads to Boat Quay by lighters or tongkang. At its zenith in 1865, there were as many as 150 boats moored on the water, trading in everything from rubber, tin, steel, to silk, porcelain, rice, opium, spices and coffee.⁸

The area had various names, which were descriptive of its liveliness. The Chinese called it "Bu Ye Tian" meaning place of ceaseless activity. It also had the nicknames of "Tiam Pang Lo Thau," place to go for sampans, "Chap Poet Heng ,"the eighteen houses, and "Chwi Chu boi," bathing house end. (Image 5)

In conjunction with growing governmental concerns for the conservation of heritage in the built environment, William Lim Seiw Wai and Dr. Goh Poh Seng developed a conservation proposal for the Boat Quay area in 1982. Though the proposal was not implemented, their basic ideas for converting it to restaurant and commercial use were similar to the resulting re-use project results. The proposal was a comprehensive scheme addressing the whole area as opposed to the way that the area was actually conserved, in a piecemeal fashion, building by building.

In 1983 as part of the government's efforts to clean up the river, the remaining shipping industry's lighters were moved to a new site off Pasir Panjang. The presence of the industry had already begun to dwindle with the introduction of the more efficient and safe mechanized container port at Tanjong Pagar. Thus, from 1983 to about 1990 the Boat Quay was empty and unused. Once the area was designated a conservation area in 1989, redevelopment began and by 1993 every shophouse was under reconstruction.

Physical Description
The conservation area is a triangular piece of land surrounded by the Singapore River to the east, South Bridge Road to the west and North Canal Road to the south. The quay is about 110 shophouses long. In total the conservation area includes about 200 two or three story shophouses of the "Early, Transitional and Art Deco Styles."⁹ The majority of the buildings were built in the 1920's and 1930's with extensive renovations after WWII. (Image 6) Shipping offices, supply shops and warehouses were housed in these buildings. The area was typically covered with items such as shipping crates, stacks of rubber and rice sacks that had been unloaded from the brightly colored tongkangs (Malay for barge or lighter).¹⁰

The shophouse is a traditional architectural form in Singapore, and a building type indigenous to South East Asia, with its origins in the Chinese provinces and influenced by European colonial architecture. Typically they were used for businesses at the ground level and had living spaces on the upper floors. Spatially they are narrow, small and terraced, having exposed timber structure and staircases and a masonry party wall. Being only 6 meters wide, the resultant depth of the building's interior was opened up by internal open-air courtyards. The distinctive five foot covered walkways that line the quay and form a continuous path along it are actually a remnant from Raffles' original plan's concern for public spaces and pedestrians. As well as providing shelter from bad weather, these spaces, which were required on all houses on both sides of the street, were also used by minor random tradesmen such as fortune-tellers, barbers, medicine men, and traveling foodsellers.¹¹

Structures, Materials, Technology, Construction
Typically the roofs were covered with unglazed clay tiles and the interiors were dominated by wooden floorboards, joists, staircases, doors and screens. Unlike the rest of the structure, the party wall was masonry. As set forth by the URA's conservation guidelines the key elements in the building to be respected are the following: the roof, party walls, timber structural elements, airwells, rear court, timber windows, timber staircase, and the front facade. (Image 8)

Little specific information has been published about individual projects since typically each shophouse is privately restored, and does not come under any comprehensive proposal or master plan. The majority of the information I found was in the form of photographs and general descriptions of the changes made in the reconfiguration of the interior. Since the URA's guidelines for conservation seem to be so strict, one can assume that the use of materials, method of construction and their overall effect on the structure falls within these guidelines. See the section on Conservation Philosophy for more specifics.

Current State
The original shophouse form has proven to be a very flexible and adaptable base for re-use. The many businesses that are now housed within the Boat Quay area are mainly restaurants, pubs and small shops. The interiors have been changed to varying degrees in response to each particular new use, with changes being made in the interior spatial layout as well as in the addition of new non-traditional interior ornamentation, materials, and colors. (Image 11)

For example, in The Opera Cafe at No. 40 Boat Quay the interior was dramatically changed to create an ambiance similar to an opera stage set. On the other hand, the Lim Family Shophouse, No. 58 Boat Quay, is actually a shophouse that has stayed within the Lim family since 1908. The ground level that once housed a warehouse space has now been transformed to house a Japanese restaurant. The uppermost floor has been retained as weekend living spaces for the Lim family. The architect Mok Wei Wei opened up the space by removing some of the original partition walls but for the most part such things as the original teak floors, paint color on the window frames, wooden balcony doors, and tile roofs have been restored and maintained. All original blackwood furniture and art pieces were restored and used as well. (Image 9, 10a, & 10b)

Located near the business district, the Boat Quay is frequented by office workers and professionals during the day and at night becomes a popular hotspot for tourists and yuppies alike. It has become a much publicized area with everything from restaurants with outdoor dining areas to a cyber cafe. One web page advertising popular restaurants in Singapore has this to say about the Boat Quay: "Now it's the biggest tourist trap in Singapore since the Old Bugis Street queens once ruled the night. Stroll down the quay on a Friday or Saturday night, smell the heady mix of beer and cigarettes...On weekends it's a human zoo, but the area is not without its charms. The Boat Quay actually offers some of the best dining in Singapore, despite the extravagant prices."¹² (Image 7) Another local web page echoes the same message, "The new developments along the river will form the backdrop for Singapore Tourism Board's plans to develop the river as one of the thematic zones in the near future...Now Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are renowned internationally as Singapore's hottest dining spots and the hub of Singapore night life."¹³

CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY

Singapore's efforts in conservation really began in the 1970's in response to the overwhelming amount of development that was occurring and the consequent obliteration of its historic built structures. In 1989 the Planning Act was amended to establish a definitive approach to conservation. As defined within the act, conservation was stated as: "the preservation, enhancement or restoration of: a) the character or appearance of a conservation area, b) the trades, crafts, customs, and other traditional activities carried on in a conservation area."¹⁴

More specific definitions can be found in the Urban Redevelopment Authority's internet home page. The important message that the web page seems to advocate is the three R's of "maximum Retention, sensitive Restoration and careful Repair." They also state that high quality restoration involves more than just the external appearance of the building and should address the "inherent spirit and original ambiance of historic buildings. It requires an appreciation and understanding of the architecture and structure of traditional buildings, good management and practice."¹⁵ Therefore, the documentation and research of existing conditions as well as of the whole process of conservation is also stressed.

The URA's stringent guidelines for conservation are based on the principles set out in the Venice Charter, the International Charter for Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites. (ICOMOS, Venice, 1966) The principles established in Venice were integrated with relevant local concerns to develop today's current guidelines. The overall objective of the URA seems to be to maintain the cultural heritage while keeping economic growth alive. Consequently, a large number of the non-residential conservation projects are also expected to produce an economically viable end product in combination with maintaining a portion of their heritage.

CONSERVATION PROGRAM INTERVENTIONS

Phases of the Renovation Effort
Initial interest in the Boat Quay area and the understanding of the need to conserve its heritage came in the form of a scheme by William Lim Seiw Wai and Dr. Goh Poh Seng in 1982 as the Bu Yet Tian Proposal. (Images 12a & 12b) This proposal suggested maintaining heritage by re-using the shophouses for traditional types of commercial and craft activities, which were slowly losing ground within the city. It was felt that this would appropriately represent the varied culture of Singapore by providing space for such things as ethnic food sellers, craftsmen, medicine shops, fortunetellers, geomancers, and clan associations, as well as an outdoor Chinese opera performance space. As the drawings show, the character of the shophouses was to be maintained in their exterior facades. For reasons which could not be discovered the proposal was never accepted.

The actual phases of conservation began with the designation of the area in 1989. This act was the first of five phases in the URA's conservation efforts for Singapore. After that point it seems that all conservation projects within the Boat Quay area were individual initiatives carried out by private owners and architects.

Structural Changes to Spaces
The URA's guidelines for conservation are very thorough. They state that in general "the existing structure should be retained by strengthening and repairing the structural elements. Any alteration or strengthening to structural elements should be done in the most sympathetic and unobtrusive way possible using original methods and materials whenever possible."¹⁶ Specifically for this area, though, guidelines read:

The entire building must be conserved. Change of use to commercial use is allowed. The following may be introduced: a new jack roof, skylight at the rear slope of the main roof and on the secondary roofs, a roof mezzanine within the existing building envelope, a cover over the rear court, new windows on the rear facade and the gable end wall. Addition of secondary doors and windows.¹⁷

THE KEY PLAYERS

The main player is the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority, which set the stringent guidelines for restoration and is the governing body that also approves conservation proposals. After that it seems each shophouse within the quay has been conserved individually by private owners.

FINANCING

The Singapore government does not make cash grants or give tax relief for conservation projects. The only aid is indirect, with the waiver of development charges, car parking requirements and car park deficiency charges, and in the provision of infrastructure and legislation of rent control.18

Endnotes

1. Marin Perry, Lily Kong and Brenda Yeoh, Singapore: A Developmental City State, (London: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997), pp. 26-27.
2. Perry, Singapore, p. 30.
3. S.B. Balachandrer, ed., Singapore 1997, (Singapore: Ministry of Information and the Arts, 1997), p. 30.
4. Balanchandrer, Singapore 1997, p. 116.
5. Robert Powell, Living Legacy: Singapore's Architectural Heritage Renewed (Singapore: Singapore Heritage Society, 1994), p. 12.
6. Powell, Living Legacy, pp. 204-205.
7. Perry, Singapore, p. 275.
8. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 48.
9. http://www.ura.gov.sg
10. Carl G Larson, "Adaptive Reuse: Singapore River," Mimar, no. 12 (March 12. 1984), p. 32.
11. Maya Jayapal, Old Singapore, (Singapore: Oxford Press, 1992), p. 13.
12. "Float Your Boat: Quayside cuisine by the riverbank," http://www.happening.com.sg/food/feature
13. "Singapore: River of Life",
http://www.travel-asia.com/07_31_98/stories/river.html
14. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 25.
15. http://www.ura.gov.sg
16. http://www.ura.gov.sg
17. http://www.ura.gov.sg
18. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 26.

Bibliography

Balachandrer, S.B., ed. Singapore 1997. Singapore: Ministry of Information and the Arts, 1997.

Jayapal, Maya. Old Singapore. Singapore: Oxford Press, 1992.

Larson, Carl G. "Adaptive Reuse: Singapore River." Mimar. no. 12 (March 12, 1984): pp. 32-39.

Perry, Marin; Lily Kong, and Brenda Yeoh. Singapore: A Developmental City State. England: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.

Powell, Robert. Living Legacy: Singapore's Architectural Heritage Renewed. Singapore: Singapore Heritage Society, 1994.

Siong, Ng Poey, ed. Singapore: Facts and Pictures 1997. Singapore: Ministry of Information and Arts, 1997.

"Conservation Homepage." http://www.ura.gov.sg

"Float Your Boat: Quayside cuisine by the riverbank." http://www.happening.com.sg/food/feature

"Singapore: River of Life."
http://www.travel-asia.com/07_31_98/stories/river.html

Illustration Credits

1a. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 50.
1b. Perry, Singapore, Cover.
2. Balachandrer, Singapore 1997.
3. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 87.
4. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 86.
5. Perry, Singapore, p. 33.
6. http://www.ura.gov.sg
7. http://www.ura.gov.sg
8. http://www.ura.gov.sg
9. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 58.
10a. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 62.
10b. Powell, Living Legacy, p. 62.
11. Photographed by Hasan-Uddin Khan
12a. Larson, "Adaptive Reuse: Singapore River," p. 33.
12b. Larson, "Adaptive Reuse: Singapore River," p. 38.