A GROUP of heritage property lovers are trying to save a bungalow designed by the architect of Raffles Hotel that could be facing demolition after it was bought recently by a developer.
The neo-Renaissance style bungalow on Amber Road was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1912.
The two-storey property, which stood on the seafront before land reclamation began, has an unusual crescent shape to let in as much fresh air as possible. It is currently surrounded by many private housing projects.
A new developer, AG Capital, bought the bungalow last year. The company told The Straits Times 'no corporate decision has been adopted' on future plans for the site.
The company is free to tear it down though, as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has no plans to add it to its list of more than 6,000 buildings that have to be retained because of their historical heritage value.
The URA told The Straits Times it adopted a 'pragmatic' approach to conservation. It said: 'It is done on a highly selective basis to retain the unique character and identity of an area.
'We have adopted a 'win-win' approach to strike a balance in allowing owners to realise the economic potential of their properties and ensuring the identity and character of our historic past are retained.'
However, a group of about 20 people, who call themselves the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan, feel this bungalow deserves preservation. On Christmas Eve, the group distributed fliers about the bungalow to residents in the Mountbatten area.
One member, Mr Terrence Hong, 26, unemployed, suggested the building be dismantled and relocated rather than demolished.
Destroying buildings like this would 'contribute to the sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore', he said.
Another member, 72-year-old retired administrator Helen Khoo, said: 'Modern buildings are okay in themselves. But when we have too many, we start everything on a clean slate and rub off all the happy memories.'
The group is trying to get the authorities to conserve at least 12 other buildings.
They include private buildings like the National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road, the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road, as well as state properties like a two-storey manor in Gilstead Road that used to be home to Leslie Charteris, author of the mystery books that inspired the television series, The Saint.
The conservation group tries to raise awareness of heritage properties by giving their owners or tenants information on their historical value. They recently approached Gracefields Kindergarten, which rents the house in Gilstead Road.
The imposing 1920s building, which used to house the Spastic Children's Association, was painted a cheery mint green when the kindergarten took up the tenancy in August.
Its principal, Ms Joyce Teo, 50, said that since then, at least eight people have walked in to express admiration for the building.
'I stand in awe. Every day that I stand here, I am grateful for this place,' she said. 'It's so majestic.'
tanhy@sph.com.sg
BEING PRAGMATIC
'We have adopted a 'win-win' approach to strike a balance in allowing owners to realise the economic potential of their properties and ensuring the identity and character of our historic past are retained.'
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SAVE OUR HERITAGE
'Destroying buildings like this would contribute to the sense of impermanence and unrootedness in Singapore.'
MR TERRENCE HONG, suggesting the building be dismantled and relocated rather than demolished
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Save these buildings
Some of the properties the Historic Architecture Rescue Plan hopes to conserve are listed here. The Urban Redevelopment Authority says it is studying whether this can be done for the state-owned properties on the list. As for the privately owned ones - the National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road and Shaw Brothers movie studio in Jalan Ampas, off Balestier Road - the URA said: 'If their owners are willing to consider an alternative to complete redevelopment, we will welcome them to a discussion.'
Old Kandang Kerbau Hospital in Hampshire Road 
More than one million babies were born in this hospital, opened in 1924. It has since moved to bigger premises in Bukit Timah Road, and the old building houses the Land Transport Authority headquarters. There are no development plans for the site until 2015. National Aerated Water Company building in Serangoon Road 
The company moved into this building in the 1950s, producing soft drinks like Sinalco, Kickapoo and Royal Crown Cola. The art deco factory exudes an understated charm, despite the stacks of plastic crates that block its ground floor facade these days. Former Nafa campus in Sophia Road 
107A Sophia Road used to be the site of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts' San San Campus from 1984 to 1990. Nafa acquired the site with the help of the Hokkien Clan Association. Notable features include wall art in the courtyard, one wall depicting different sports and the other showcasing various art forms. Alexandra Hospital in Alexandra Road 
Established in 1938, it was the principal hospital for the British in the Far East. It became a public hospital in 1971. Staff at the hospital will move to a new 450-bed facility in Yishun in 2009. Ellison building in MacKenzie Road 
Erected in 1924, the yellow and green building is unique for the two domes on its roof, from which British governors reportedly watched horse races. Named after its original Jewish owner, the building still bears a Star of David sign beside its name. Now owned by the Government, it is leased out to eating houses, convenience stores and clothing stores. Old Fire Station in Upper Bukit Timah Road 
The station was used by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) from 1956 to 2005. According to the SCDF, it was used by the British military before that. Former police headquarters in Pearl's Hill Terrace Built in 1934, this building was used in pre-war days as the living quarters of the Sikh Contingent, which was disbanded in 1946 after World War II. It was used as police headquarters from 1989 to 2001. Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas 
Behind the discoloured walls of the Shaw Brothers film studio in Jalan Ampas is an illustrious history. Established in 1937, it was used by the Japanese to make propaganda films during World War II and reopened by Shaw in 1947 as Malay Film Production Ltd, which closed in 1967. This was the place which shot the film legend P. Ramlee to fame. House at 25 Gilstead Road 
The imposing manor, built in 1927, was the childhood home of author Leslie Charteris, whose books inspired The Saint TV series. Old Yan Kit Swimming Complex in Tanjong Pagar A locked gate greets visitors these days, since the complex was closed permanently in 2001, having been deemed unsafe. It was the first public swimming complex to open in Singapore in 1952. It was named after a wealthy, influential Cantonese dentist, Look Yan Kit. Atbara House at 5 Gallop Road The French embassy used to be located in this black and white building, which was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwell in 1898.
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TO GO OR NOT TO GO: A group of heritage property lovers want this bungalow, which was designed by the architect of Raffles Hotel, to be preserved. -- DESMOND WEE
