Docomomo’s Statement on the passing of Elain Harwood
Elain Harwood photographing the old Pasir Panjang Power Station (1953) during the post-conference tour in November 2019 (Photo by Feng Yikang).
Docomomo Singapore is deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Elain Harwood, eminent architectural historian at Historic England and stalwart of the C20 Society in the UK last week.
In 2019, Docomomo Singapore working group co-organised the 8th mASEANa international conference ‘Progressive Once More’, to advocate for the re-evaluation and conservation of threatened modernist landmarks in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Elain gamely accepted our cold-call invitation to be one of the expert speakers. The expert panel put forth a compelling case for the conservation and rehabilitation of 20th century built heritage. There has been marked progress since then in the awareness and support for the cause, including concrete steps such as the landmark conservation of Golden Mile Complex in 2021.
Docomomo Singapore offers our deepest condolences to her family, friends and supporters.
