Speech by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, at the opening of ArClab at 141 Neil Road on 14 November 2022

Speech by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, at the opening of ArClab at 141 Neil Road on 14 November 2022

Nov 14, 2022

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to all of you. I am very delighted to join you for the opening of the ArClab at this heritage townhouse at 141 Neil Road.

2. Our conservation programme in Singapore has come a long way since the 1970s. Some of you here would remember that our very first conservation showcase demonstration project was just down the road at 9 Neil Road. With the restoration of that building in 1987, it helped to change the minds of many, who had been skeptical about the economic, social and cultural viability of an urban heritage conservation programme in Singapore.

3. We are confident that the ArClab at 141 Neil Road will further strengthen our heritage conservation efforts. Through the generosity of the Portabella family who had owned the building, and now kindly donated it to NUS, another rare and intact heritage building will now be made accessible to the public, and serve as a valuable outdoor classroom for many generations of conservationists and built environment specialists. As 141 Neil Road is a relatively "untouched" shophouse, it will serve as a model for the research and application of traditional design approaches and sensitive, scientifically-informed retrofitting.

4. In addition, the Portabella family has also provided a S$2 million endowment to fund the building's repair and restoration for use as an educational centre, this ArClab.

5. The opening of ArClab today is the beginning of a journey, one that I hope will have the continued support of NUS, the Built Environment sector, our heritage stakeholders, agencies, as well as the public, so that it bears fruit for Singapore's built heritage.

Next Bound of Conservation Management

6. 2022 is a year of many milestones for our built heritage. Less than two weeks ago, we recognised six projects at URA's Architectural Heritage Awards 2022, and celebrated the many people who made those projects come about, with a stronger focus on projects with intangible outcomes like creating long-term value for the community. This year also marks the completion of a series of Conservation Technical Handbooks jointly produced by URA and the local chapter of the International Council of Monuments and Sites Singapore (ICOMOS SG), which will help to equip our local built heritage professionals with technical skills.

7. The opening of ArClab will build on these ongoing efforts to elevate the local built heritage sector.

8. Now, there are currently over 7,200 conserved buildings and structures in Singapore, which contribute to the uniqueness and identity of our city state. At the point of conservation, many of these buildings were given a new lease of life through an initial round of restoration, through the efforts of competent project teams and specialised tradespeople. But conservation is an ongoing process that does not stop there. On top of regular maintenance, conserved buildings require periodic, extensive repairs and restoration, which can only be done by experts with the relevant skillsets. And these skillsets continue to develop and grow, as technology and science progress. It takes many skilled hands to ensure that our conserved buildings continue to be upkept well for our future generations.

9. For many years, we have been learning from global best practices and relying on skilled foreign tradespeople for their expertise in restoration work. Moving forward, we would like to push ourselves further and elevate the conservation landscape in Singapore. One way is to further develop the skillsets of our local built heritage professionals - elevate skillsets but also grow the entire profession. After all, it is the local architects, designers, engineers and members of the Built Environment Sector who understand well Singapore's unique values and history, and working together with our counterparts from around the world, are able to translate these into our conservation efforts. These specialists will not only be vital to the technical restoration of conserved and heritage buildings, but also to their long-term management and value to the community.

ArClab: A Living Conservation Laboratory

10. The ArClab will also play an important role towards achieving our goal of developing a local built heritage sector.

11. It will facilitate graduate and postgraduate studies of built heritage, provide advanced courses for built heritage professionals and tap on innovative technologies.

12. I am excited to see how ArClab will become an engine to - First, build up knowledge of conservation practices and skills locally. Second, develop heritage capacity building in Singapore and our region. Third, support building owners in the maintenance and restoration of heritage buildings. Fourth, grow Singapore's overseas presence in built heritage and break new ground internationally. And fifth, see how we can imbue sustainability and liveability in built heritage.

13. Beyond providing opportunities to learn and research, I hope that ArClab can kickstart more conversations on the future of the built and cultural heritage in Singapore. Above all, we want to foster appreciation for our built heritage among the public and potentially even inspire future leaders in this area. So that we continue to have conserved and heritage buildings that current and future generations of Singaporeans can love and cherish.

Conclusion

14. Once again, I thank the Portabella family for their generosity, and for this wonderful living laboratory and classroom that will train many generations of Singapore conservationists, and congratulations to NUS for the opening of the ArClab. I wish you all a very exciting journey ahead. Thank you.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.