Case Study (City/Urban Redevelopment): Singapore

Singapore was once a 3rd world Country. In the 60s, Singapore was a newly
established country, separated from Malaysia, that struggles with its small area in
rapid population growth, poor housing, and urban slums, poor infrastructure and a
limited capital. Singapore experienced a rapid economic growth from 1965 to 1990s
up the point that the citizens had a high standard of living (A Brief History of
Singapore, 2016). Singapores Urban Redevelopment Authority came up with a
concept plan that will guide the development of Singapore in the next 40 to 50
years. This strategic plan also encapsulates the vision of the country.

The country established a master plan which a detailed and transparent

statutory plan that also shows the permissible land uses for each type of
establishments and its corresponding density. This master plan is being reviewed
every five (5) years to provide accurate information in the subject matter. It also
aims to improve the accessibility of the public to green areas by creating a loop
systemconnecting the green spaces to homes.

The government is responsible to realise the plan intentions and is to meet

the market demand for different establishments such as housing, industrial and
commercial developments. They also established a private-public partnership in
meeting these demands. The development control is responsible for each of these
developments being ensured to be in line with the planning intentions of the master
plan. They follow clear guidelines so that the master plan is being followed up to the
smallest detail.

Singapore is not only planning to solve its old problems, but also to develop a
proper living system within a small area. Due to its small area and population
growth, Singapore provides a variety of housing types to accommodate the

population. 88% of the land use is being created for housing. They also created and
give emphasis on mass transportation and connect them.

In spite of the development of Singapore, they valued their heritage and

history by conserving individual buildings and districts which include little India,
Chinatown, and Kampong Glam. It also helps by being a part of the tourist attraction
in Singapore.

Case Study (Adaptive Reuse): The Contemporary Austin

Location: Austin Texas

The Structure was built around built around the 1800s and was home of
several businesses. In the 1920s it was redeveloped into a theater and the later on
transformed into a department store in 1950s (Charles Long's Eco-decadence
redefines the Contemporary Austin, 2014). Located in downtown Austin, Texas, it is
now called the Arthouse at Jones Center, and now being expanded and renovation
for a bigger space for a contemporary art space. Rather than returning it to its
original faade, (LTL Architects) modified its faade and turn it into a modern design,
but retaining the elements that are still intact.

The building has undergone a lot or renovations for more than a century. It
started as a three-story brick building that was built on the corner of Congress
Avenue and 7th street. The Texas Fine Arts Association was formed here in 1911 that
later changed its name to Arthouse at the Jones Center in 2002. It started as a drug
store that later on turned into a theater in 1926, featuring a balcony and a
proscenium stage located at the 700 Congress avenue. Also, in 1956, Lerner Shops
moved in and renovates the building by adding windows, a second floor, and a new
elevation on Congress. Being a theater and a department store before it was turned
into an art space, the existing building combined to two. As a theater it was focused

at the west where the stage is, while the department store is placed on the east,
oriented to the street. It now houses the Arthouse, an art institution.

The Architects conceived the design of these previous features of the building
like the 1920s trusses, concrete frame, ornamental paintings and awning,
storefront, and upper-level display windows taken from the 1950s features. They
modified the neo-classical space by transforming the front column into large
cantilevered aluminum fins. The second floor has become a flexible gallery space
with a moveable wall moved by motorized system.

Case Study (Heritage Conservation + Adaptive Reuse): Aurora

Cultural Center, Canada

Location: 22 Church st, Aurora, Ontario, Canada

Aurora is recognized as a heritage community and won a prestigious Prince of

Wales Prize for preserving its built heritage. Being a heritage town, most of the old
building in the town of Aurora were preserved and reused. One of which is an old
public school commonly known as Church Street School which was built in 1886 ,
which now houses the Aurora Cultural Center, a center for the arts, culture, and
heritage (Aurora Cultural Center: Our Story) (The ContemporAry Austin--Jones
Center (formerly Arthouse at the Jones Center)).

Toronto Architect Thomas Kennedy designed the public school in a

Victorian manner, also mimicking the kiosks from the golden temple of Amristar in
India as Indian architecture highly influenced the British Empire when Queen
Victoria became the Empress of India in 1876. Since there was no electricity at the
time that the school was built, the school was built in a way that the windows were
arranged in manner where the light would fall over the left shoulder. Also the
classrooms were arranged to face the central staircase, constructed to have shorter

rises to accommodate the childrens short legs. The school was heated by a 4-coalfired furnaces located in the basement hall. Also there were no indoor plumbing
designed. Privies (Outhouses) were located in the north of the playground, where
the old library was erected. It was only in 1905 that they installed a complete set of
lavatories in the basement.

The cultural center is a center for programming and programming

partnerships. It also houses the collection of heritage artifacts of the place. The
exterior of the building was well preserved and the interior was made into a modern
space to house the cultural center. It services Cultural Heritage Programs,
Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. It also houses the Aurora Museum at the second
floor. It allows different artists to exhibit their work, instructional classes, community
events, musical concerts, and especially heritage events; one of which in the
display of artifacts at the Aurora room, and display of cases at reception, heritage
music, arts and crafts.

Arthouse at Jones Center, Austin Texas (LTL Architects)

Lerner Shops, circa 1950

Singapore

Circa 1960

Modern Day Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

Marina Bay Sands

Aurora Cultural Center

staccato

Cross section of Aurora Cultural Center

References
(A Brief History of Singapore, 2016)http://www.singaporeexpats.com/aboutsingapore/brief-history.htm
http://ltlarchitects.com/arthouse/
http://auroraculturalcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/History-of-ChurchStreet-School.pdf
http://auroraculturalcentre.ca/about-us/history/
https://stuff.mit.edu/afs/athena/course/11/11.337/www/MIT_Workshop_Materi
al/MIT_Workshop_Material/ppt/slides%20for%20MIT-SUTD%20grad%20archi%20&
%20plng%20students%2026%20Jan%2013_a.pdf
(Charles Long's Eco-decadence redefines the Contemporary Austin, 2014)
Image References
http://www.andysowards.com/blog/2012/30-epic-adaptive-reuse-architecture/
http://ltlarchitects.com/arthouse/
http://www.brendangeorgeko.com/biography.html
http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7506-aurora-culturalcentre/v=preview
http://greencitytrips.com/singapore-sustainable-city/
https://thenomadicjournal.com/2014/03/29/charles-longs-eco-decadenceredefines-the-contemporary-austin/