The Pearl of People’s Park: A Position Paper on the Conservation of People’s Park Complex (Part 3 of 5)
This is the third of five posts on Docomomo Singapore’s proposals for the conservation and adaptive reuse of this pioneering modernist structure in Singapore. Our full Position Paper can be downloaded here.
This post contains the following sections (highlighted in red) from the full Position Paper:
1. Introduction
2. Building Data
3. Site & Building History
4. Summary Statement of Significance
5. Key Elements & Principles for Retention
6. Policy & Process Strategies
7. Programmatic Strategies
8. Building-Level Strategies
9. Precinct-Level Strategies
Bibliography & Further Reading
6. Policy & Process Strategies
Balancing commercial incentives, protection and custodianship in the conservation of PPC
Incentivising the conservation of PPC may springboard from the incentives offered by the Ministry of National Development (MND) in 2021 to gazette Golden Mile Complex (GMC) for conservation.
They may include:
Amalgamation of adjacent plots for development, allowing for the commercial viability from intensification whilst conserving PPC;
Enabling lease renewal or top-up to a fresh 99-year lease;
Discounts on Land Betterment Charge to incentivise developers to increase the value of the land that PPC currently is sited upon.
While the proposed policy strategies and recommendations strive to ensure the financial feasibility of conserving PPC, other policies are required to protect the existing building.
1. Legibility and additional Gross Floor Area (GFA)
The incentive should not exert so much pressure on the existing building such that it requires invasive structural modifications or measures such as decanting extant floor slabs.
2. Flexibility for new mix of uses
PPC should be allowed to be adapted for relevant uses today. The change-of-use should not involve extensive decanting in the name of intensification.
The next few sections in this Position Paper explores the various possibilities of balancing these priorities in the conservation of PPC.
Summary of planning incentives that MND offered for the conservation of GMC from 27 May 2022. (Source: The Straits Times)
7. Programmatic Strategies
An urban plaza created by the sensitive interfacing between PPC and People’s Park (HDB). (Source: HDB Annual Report 1973-74)
PPC: An ideal building in an ideal location
In view of PPC’s social and national significance, its commercial feasibility and generic market viability (e.g. standard commercial redevelopment) cannot be the only prevailing consideration.
The creation of healthy and mixed living communities representative of (or synergistic with) its historic role as a hub of social significance is crucial to its future success.
A way to mitigate critical issues of adaptive reuse – such as the technical, financial and practical feasibility – is to capitalise on the value of the ideal building in an ideal location. PPC presents an opportunity to develop an innovative product that takes advantage of its proximity to the Singapore General Hospital, amongst numerous other amenities
This scheme brings together residences for older people or persons with disabilities who require some help with their daily living as well as a variety of other residential and commercial uses. It is a win-win solution that balances the needs of an ageing society with the limited land in Singapore. The unprecedented project will also establish the country as a pioneer in “integrated senior living”.
Assisted Living integrated into a rehabilitated PPC with a mix of uses
FOSTERING NEW COMMUNITIES
PPC will become home to a mix of assisted living residences, serviced apartments and co-working spaces. These are supported by amenities such as daycare, rehabilitation, childcare and commercial units.
HERITAGE FOR ALL
The broad mix of uses means PPC will continue to be accessible to people from all walks of lives – seniors, professionals, tourists and locals.
EVERYDAY SENIOR LIVING
By integrating assisted living and its amenities into the city centre, PPC can lead the way in innovating urban solutions for seniors.
REJUVENATING A LANDMARK
While taking on a fresh programme, the conserved PPC can continue to serve as the gateway to the Pearl's Hill–Kreta Ayer–Keong Saik precinct.
Possible Programming
SLAB
Luxury hotel; Serviced apartment residences
Assisted living for older persons
Care centre for older persons and rehabilitation
Childcare facilities
Urban farming
PODIUM
Commercial, Food & Beverage
Co-working spaces
Viewing Deck
Urban farming
Event spaces in the City Room and City Mall
This strategy seeks to retain the residential nature of the slab block, thus minimising the need for extensive structural modifications to accommodate a change-of-use that is of greater intensity than its incumbent program.
By adopting a “light touch” approach, the scheme also retains the Slab on Podium massing, the morphology of the City Room whilst keeping its urban envelope intact (highlighted in red).
PPC Position Paper Working Group and Contributors
CHANG Jiat-Hwee
Calvin CHUA
ENG Jia Wei
FONG Hoo Cheong
HAN Jiajun Adrian
HO Weng Hin
KOH V-Nying
LAI Chee Kien
Ronald LIM
Jacob MEYERS
Jonathan POH
Imran bin TAJUDEEN
TAN Kar Lin
Justin ZHUANG
DocomomoSG would like to express our gratitude to the following individuals for their kind assistance and support:
Mdm KOH
Mr LAI Kuo Cheong
Mr PEH Ching Her
Mr Victor YUE
Bibliography & Further Reading
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Centre for Liveable Cities. 2016. Urban Systems Studies – Urban Redevelopment: From Urban Squalor to Global City. Singapore: Centre for Liveable Cities.
Centre for Liveable Cities. 2021. Urban Systems Studies – The Government Land Sales Programme: Turning Plans into Reality. Singapore: Centre for Liveable Cities.
Chang, Jiat Hwee, Ho, Weng Hin & Tan, Kar Lin. 2018. “Adding value without demolition, rebuilding: Regenerating Singapore’s modernist icons.” The Business Times. Singapore: The Straits Times, 6 April. Accessed 22 January, 2025. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/adding-value-without-demolition-rebuildingregenerating-singapores-modernist-icons.
Chang, Jiat-Hwee, Justin Zhuang, and Darren Soh. 2023. Everyday Modernism. Singapore: Ridge Books Singapore.
Chang, Jiat Hwee, Ho, Weng Hin & Tan, Kar Lin. “Conserve a building, save the planet.” The Straits Times. Singapore: The Straits Times, 12 November. A24.
Chin, Soo Fang. 2023. “People’s Park Complex being studied for conservation, may impact collective sale.” The Straits Times. Singapore: The Straits Times, 22 December.
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Docomomo Singapore. 2019. 8th mASEANa International Conference Singapore 2019. Accessed 21 January, 2025. https://www.docomomo.sg/happenings/8thmaseana-international-conference-singapore-2019.
Docomomo Singapore. 2023. Docomomo Singapore Statement on People’s Park Complex. Accessed 21 January, 2025. https://www.docomomo.sg/happenings/docomomo-singapore-statement-on-peoples-park-complex.
DP Architects. 2018. DP Architects: 50 Years Since 1967. London: Artifice Press.
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Far East Architect & Builder. 1967. “S$90M. Urban Renewal Projects, Singapore.” Far East Architect & Builder, August 1967. Hong Kong: Far East Trade Press.
Far East Architect & Builder. 1968. “People’s Park Shopping and Flats Complex.” Far East Architect & Builder, February 1968. Hong Kong: Far East Trade Press.
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Heng, C.K., and V. Chan. 2000. “The making of successful public space: a case study of People’s Park Square.” Urban Design International 5: 47-55.
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