Case Study Analysis and Awareness Slide Report Presentation

HERITAGE CONSERVATION The Warehouse Hotel Rumah Degil Portland Building

CONTENTS: 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

Timeline Neighborhood Context Architectural style

2. BUILDING CONSERVATION 2.1.

2.2.

Method of Conservation Conservation Details (Varies for each building)

3. CONCLUSION 4.

REFERENCE

The Warehouse Hotel 1. INTRODUCTION Built in 1895 along the Singapore river as part of Singapore Strait of Malacca trade route. Survived 3 eras, the go-down, the spice-trade, the disco era.

In 1911, a businessman called Lim Ho Puah inherited a shipping company named Wee Bin & Co. And during that time, the trading activity along the Straits was very thriving.

Then, he built a very beautiful building - the warehouse. At that time, the warehouse was still looking with a peaked roof and shuttered windows, and it was placed along the river banks. So, In that era, the building was recognized as ‘’godown’’, or they named it ‘’the warehouse’’.

Plus, the Warehouse is situated in the very heart of Havelock Road, which was the verifiable red light district during that time.

1.1 TIMELINE

It was a red light district and a center of illegal activity, such as prostitution and gambling, for Chinese "secret societies”.

The warehouses were mainly used to store product, from spices, rice and coffee, to materials like rubber and tin.

The site became the Warehouse Disco. A lot of people in the city actually remember the disco and it was an era they all remember and think very fondly. The warehouse’s triple-pitched profile was uncommon even during its trading days.

In the 1990s, the Singapore’s URA transformed Robertson Quay from a historic wharf into a commercial and residential hotspot.

Now only the warehouse is left at the area from the historical past.

Robertson Quay is currently urbanised area filled with restaurants, pubs, cafes.

1.2 NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT

The Warehouse Hotel is located in Robertson Quay which is a heart for the tourism spots in Singapore. Robertson Quay has undergone a second transformation that has seen the development of a luxury hotel and a collection of eclectic F&B establishments including a private members’ club. The revitalised waterfront district has elevated the Robertson Quay neighborhood economically and socially, enlivening the area and local community. This is a one of its kind private-sector led urban waterfront precinct redevelopment in Singapore.

2. BUILDING CONSERVATION

2.1 CONSERVATION METHODS

Rehabilitation

Reconstruction

The building emphasizes the retention and repair of historic materials. It focus attention on the preservation on materials, spaces and spatial relationships to give the property a historic character.

Reconstruction establishes opportunities to re-create a brand new structure in all new materials for the original building which the swimming pool deck.

2.2 STRUCTURE ORIGINAL Original exposed triple pitch metal roof trusses(Trusses and frames are kept visible throughout the rooms and new circulation spaces)

Original Metal Roof Trusses

Double-high ceilings and industrial details at the lobby - to maintain the ‘’void’’ of the warehouse, keeping its integrity space of a warehouse space Jackroof, to bring natural light into the interior space, Natural light filters in through the jack roofs in the daytime.

Original Wall Facade

STRUCTURE

2nd Storey New Structure

Double Volume New Structure

1st Storey New Structure

NEWLY ADDED

New portal frames to the central block that serve as discrete structural interventions in the lobby, preserving the clarity of the open space (The new portal structure allows the roof to support additional M&E equipment, and serves as the hanging point for new cables, ducts and an industrial-themed sculpture that was custom designed by Asylum as part of the interior design works)

STRUCTURE

Newly added swimming pool deck

NEWLY ADDED A new extension complements the strong silhouette of the main wing, housing an elevated infinity pool as if hovering just above the Singapore River, provoking visual interest at the corner of the street. Extending the visual and tactile connection to the waterfront, consideration was also given to the selection of finishes surrounding the development including the pavers at street level – selected to match those along the promenade of the Singapore River, and the salmon pink tiles used in the pool – serving as a visual metaphor for the relationship between the pavement and the River.

ORIGINAL

Existing Wall Structure

Floor

A large existing brick wall(plants and furniture upholstered in brown leather were used to soften the industrial finishes of exposed brick and concrete on the floors and walls.)

The walls were punctured to create a dialogue throughout the hotel and emphasise the architectural character of the warehouse and accentuating the character of the warehouse’s former life.

WALLS & FLOORS

2.3 OPENINGS

ORIGINAL Existing fenestration and skylight are kept to ensure sufďŹ cient natural lighting are able to penetrate into the interior spaces of the rooms.

The distinctive, symmetrical façade and jacked roofs while original design elements like louvre windows, doors, cornices, mouldings and the Chinese characters on the leftmost gable are sensitively retained and restored. These elements have been complemented with restrained touches, including a metallic black canopy on the main entrance.

ORIGINAL

Louvre windows, doors, cornices, mouldings and original Chinese characters on the leftmost gable Original vertical security bars of the windows were repaired and an innovative touch is added to the frames to allow some of the windows can double up as ďŹ re escapes.

OPENINGS

OPENINGS To bring natural light into the interior spaces, corrugated glass skylight panels similar in proďŹ le to the corrugated metal roof were introduced.

NEWLY ADDED

2.4 ORNAMENTATIONS

ORIGINAL The Chinese characters on the leftmost gable are sensitively retained and restored.

The restoration of eroded features such as the Chinese characters ‘和豐油較 有限公司’ (Ho Hong Oil Mills Limited) on the facade, hotel’s collaterals, website and onsite storyboards reconnect the building back with the wider public

CONCLUSION The restoration strategy is to reect and reminisce the Singapore eras like spice trade, the go-down era, and disco era - to keep the integrity of the warehouse function.

Also, to maintain the importance of Singapore River that contributes to the development of Singapore’s trading industry.

Other than that, the restoration project has waken staff and patron’s memories in this warehouse, for example, their working experience in the past old days, the uncommon encounter of spirits and so on.

Rumah Pusaka Chow Kit (Rumah Degil) 1. INTRODUCTION Initially located in Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, the two storeyed Rumah Degil was the last wooden Malay house there which sat through the rapid development of the area.

It was built in 1926 by Tuan Haji Jaafar Sutan Sinombar, descendant of Sutan Puasa (the founder of Kuala Lumpur). Occupied by 4 generations, the owner Norma Manjawali held onto the house despite being offered millions for it however she ďŹ nally gave in when she could no longer pay for maintenance.

The land was ďŹ nally sold in 2013 and a new commercial building was assigned to be build over it.

1.1 TIMELINE

The 2-storey wooden house was built in 1926 by Tuan Haji Jaafar Sutan Sinombar, descendant of Sultan Puasa.

As time passed, one by one the houses were swallowed up by the rapid development of the Chow Kit area. Public with many shophouses

The dismantled parts of the house is carefully stored in a house.

The restoration of the house began by the National Heritage Department.

The building preserve the historical meaning of Rumah Degil now.

1.2 NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT Jalan Chow Kit was once a Malay village however throughout the years of development, it has transformed into one of Malaysia’s famous landmarks packed with shophouses.

In 1997 the architecture department of UTM made a survey and concluded that Rumah Degil is the last remaining traditional Malay house in Jalan Chow Kit. The building which sat in between two 3-4 storeyed shophouses has became the symbol on Jalan Chow Kit’s past as a Malay village before the development.

1.3 ARCHITECTURE STYLE It is designed in the style of a Malay traditional house that follows the designs of “Rumah Potong” from Perak. It have the basic features of a Malay traditional architecture: Built in stilts, enclosed in wooden walls (post beam structure) It have a mix of colonial (english), traditional (Malay) and eclectic (Chinese) influences due to the carpenters who build the house are Chinese.

Front Elevation

Side Elevation

2. BUILDING CONSERVATION 2.1 METHOD OF CONSERVATION In 2013 Norma Manjawali could no longer pay the maintenance of the house, therefore the land was ďŹ nally sold.

KC Tan Architect was appointed to design the new building in 2014. Coincidently his hometown is also in Jalan Chow Kit and he always had sentimental value to the house, therefore Tan initiated the conservation of the house.

In March 2015, Tan attempted to get heritage status for the house but failed because the house isn't too distinct from other Malay abodes. It was too late to preserve the building in its original location, therefore Tan suggested to restore and relocate it.

An independent initiative to dismantle, restore, relocate and reintegrate

2.2 DETAILS BEFORE CONSERVATION After confirming that the house is linked to Sultan Puasa, Tan insisted that the relocation of the house must be within Kuala Lumpur.

The clearing of the land couldn't be delayed, therefore Tan created a FB group to create awareness and recruit volunteers to help dismantle the building.

To prevent having the parts stolen, Tan rented a house in Damansara to store the parts using his own expenses.

After years of struggle, the house finally caught the attention of Jabatan Warisma Negara through the publicity they got from social media and in 2018 they finally found a land outside the National Visual Arts Gallery and the reconstruction immediately began.

An independent initiative to dismantle, restore, relocate and reintegrate

2.3 DISMANTLING PROCESS Deconstruction - remove building components piece by piece.

Following dismantling and preservation Method Statement prepared by KC Tan Architect.

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Starts with the softstrips such as doors, linings, then rooďŹ ng, claddings and windows.

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Then the framing, foundation and the post and beam is removed delivered to a rented house.

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Built elements carefully removed to prevent further damage and contamination.

The dismantle process took 3 months, from March to May 2015. The materials were kept in a double storey building in Damansara.

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CONCLUSION To relocate a building and risk losing its authenticity or to demolish it and end its history?

The Rumah Degil has been the sole survivor in the street of developed buildings, therefore Rumah Degil has been the pillar of the past that recites the history of Jalan Chow Kit. After 5 years of struggle, the history Rumah Degil has ďŹ nally been preserved and known to the public in the form of an open exhibition into the house.

The house might have lost its original place, however its new location at the National Visual Arts Gallery is a place of visit attracting people who are eager to know more about the history of the house.

Portland Building 1. INTRODUCTION The building is a symbolic gesture, an attempt to re-establish a language of architecture and values that are not a part of modernist homogeneity. The distinctive design of the building is known with its use of a variety of surface materials and colors, small windows, and inclusion of prominent decorative ourishes, was in stark contrast to the architectural style most commonly used for large ofďŹ ce buildings at the time, and made the building an icon of postmodern architecture.

When the building was just built, the reaction among architects was mixed, with many criticizing the design while others embraced it as a welcome departure of postmodernist architecture.

The building's failings are the subject of much humor and contempt by the civil servants who work there, who describe it as cheaply built and difďŹ cult to work in.

It is the best representation of post-modern architecture. It was recognized by The National Register of Historic Places as a building of “exceptional importance�.

The hammer copper statue Portlandi a was placed in front of the building

The lobby and food court were in need of remodeli ng

1st time of reconstru ction. The building also failed to meet seismic codes.

The suggestion of demolition prompted a reconsideration of the building, and started a debate on the preservation of Postmodern buildings.

1.1 TIMELINE The 2nd time of reconstruction.

1.2 NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT

The project, aimed to hold the city’s municipal offices, was uniquely located adjacent to City Hall, the County Courthouse and the Chapman Square Park.

Importance of arrival of Post Modernist Architecture - Bringing the Post Modernist Architecture out from the academy, into the public realm. And inuenced a lot of new Post-Modernist Architecture to exist in that era such as Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (1990), Denver Central Library (1996), and the St. Coletta School.

2. BUILDING CONSERVATION Renovation The Portland building by Michael Graves was constructed in the early 1980s. The city had decided that renovation is needed for functional aspect of the building in the future.

2.1 METHOD OF CONSERVATION

Aluminium overcladding had been built to completely cover the original painted concrete serving as a building structure.

The building’s original dark shaded windows were replaced with clear glass to improve interior lightings.

It has been argued that it is not historic preservation, as some of its character-defining features has been covered.

It has been delisted from the National Register status as it warned against alterations to its historic features and fabric.

However, as Peter Meijer said, it was never a goal of the project to maintain its National Register listing.

The renovation was to fix the exterior leaking problem once and for all.

2.1 WALL & FLOOR The teal colored tiles of the lower three oors would be replaced with larger terracotta rainscreen tiles The existing painted concrete facade would be covered by a new aluminum rainscreen cladding,

The existing dark tinted windows would be replaced with clear glass windows, and the stucco garlands on the side of the building will be rebuilt using formed aluminum. (not removing because the concrete facade serves in a structural capacity.

Its ground-floor loggias, meant for retail, will now become part of the lobby, glassed in for further light.

The parking garage entry on SW 4th Ave will be removed, and the opening reconfigured to form a double height window. The single level of underground vehicular parking will be repurposed for bicycle parking, fitness rooms, lockers and mechanical equipment.

2.2 OPENINGS

2.3 ORNAMENTATIONS

The copper Portlandia statue will be protected by scaffolding and plastic wrap, at all times, during the construction work.

Additionally, the building’s operational systems and seismic structure will be modernized.

Michael Graves opted to support the building using a cheaper exterior concrete wall, but poor workmanship led to water inďŹ ltration issues. they will also replace the dark windows, value engineered in for insulation, with lighter insulated glass.

CONCLUSION Does this building worth a renovation?

The Portland Building has been the kick off of Post-Modernist realm in the past decades.

Although the building has been argued by the public due to its outlook and functionality but Michael Graves left the ideas of renovation for the renovation for the Portland building before he has left us in 2015.

We believed that he had a vision in the post-modernist superstructure even before the building is built.

And now it proves that, after renovation, the building worths a Gold title from National Register because of its energy efďŹ ciency and natural light.

THINGS THAT I LEARNED AND CAN APPLY TO THE FINAL PROJECT After our involvement with these case studies, we learned the importance and types of conservation that varies in different situations. We realize that the type of conservation must suit the situation of the heritage building in order for it to be successful.

For our final project, we gained the awareness that whatever we alter in our site must not destroy the existing cultural identity of the place but to preserve or emphasize on it.

REFERENCE LIST: Kelley, J. (2012). The Portland Building (Portland Municipal Services Building). Journal of Architectural Education, 66(1), 21–22. doi: 10.1080/10464883.2012.714911 Brake, A. G. (2015, September 12). Postmodernism in architecture: Michael Graves' Portland Building. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2015/09/12/postmodernism-architecture-portland-municipal-services-building-michael-graves/.

The Portland Building. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.portlandoregon.gov/omf/66129. https://www.thevocket.com/satu-satunya-rumah-tradisional-di-chow-kit-kini-semakin-hilang/ https://badanwarisanmalaysia.org/2019/01/16/lets-talk-heritage-relocate-and-save-but-risk-losing-its-authenticity-or-keep-in-situ-and-risk-losing-it-al together/ https://www.worldofbuzz.com/this-lonely-old-house-in-msia-was-dubbed-rumah-degil-the-story-is-just-like-pixars-up/ https://www.thevocket.com/satu-satunya-rumah-tradisional-di-chow-kit-kini-semakin-hilang/ https://poskod.my/features/chow-kits-stubborn-house/ http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1646735 https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/travel/2018/09/29/rumah-pusaka-chow-kit-heritage-house https://sarawakvoice.com/2018/09/29/cinta-pandang-pertama-selamatkan-rumah-degil/ https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/03/09/dbkl-undecided-on-saving-chow-kits-stubborn-house/?fbclid=IwAR2gdqe1JRuFY3dIK7c U9uvSJySMAPNH23Jz4RwzDd0kw4bE3Z6u8S9AVyE https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325121973_The_Traditional_Malay_Houses_in_the_District_of_Muallim_Perak_A_Lost_Legacy Libby, B., Libby, B., & New York Times. (2019, June 27). With New Facades, Will the Portland Building Still Be the Portland Building? Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/design/2019/06/portland-building-michael-graves-architecture-oregon/592603/.

Merin, G. (2013, July 28). AD Classics: The Portland Building / Michael Graves. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/407522/ad-classics-the-portland-building-michael-graves.