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Tatler Asia
16-07-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Malaysia and Singapore's Art Deco legacy: Buildings that tell stories
Above The former Singapore Civil Aerodrome (Kallang Airport, 1937) blends a streamline moderne exterior with various art deco details (Photo: Darren Soh) However, architectural photographer Darren Soh, who has documented Singapore's buildings for decades, notes an important distinction. 'The main differences between art deco and streamline moderne buildings lie mainly in the level of ornamentation,' he says. 'Art Deco buildings tend to be more elaborate, whereas streamline moderne buildings are sleeker, with fewer embellishments.' What emerged in British Malaya wasn't a carbon copy of Miami Beach or Manhattan Deco. Here, the style became something that was uniquely Southeast Asian—adapted for torrential downpours and the equatorial heat. Buildings featured deep overhangs, generous louvred windows for ventilation, and five-foot walkways that were already a set element of local architecture. Don't miss: David Rockwell on 40 years of global restaurant design: From Nobu to W Hotels and beyond Singapore: Preservation as national policy Photo 1 of 2 21 Carpenter by Woha Architects in Singapore (Photo: Darren Soh) Photo 2 of 2 The sleek interiors of 21 Carpenter by Woha Architects in Singapore (Photo: Darren Soh) On a narrow street in Singapore's Chinatown, 21 Carpenter Street exemplifies how careful restoration can breathe new life into art deco buildings. Four 1930s shophouses were amalgamated and transformed by Woha Architects into a modern hotel, while preserving the structures' distinctive features. Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has taken a systematic approach to conservation, with entire neighbourhoods such as the Tiong Bahru estate gazetted as conservation areas. 'For streamline moderne buildings, the way the lines flow on these buildings' facades makes them very visually attractive—like the lines on the facades of 78 Moh Guan Terrace and 81 Tiong Poh Road in Tiong Bahru, for example,' said Soh, pointing to buildings constructed in 1937. Read more: Mid-Century Danish Rattan: How iconic designs became Southeast Asia's everyday furniture Above 78 Moh Guan Terrace, also in Tiong Bahru, was built by Singapore Improvement Trust in 1937 and showcases the same architectural approach with its flowing horizontal lines and curved corners (Photo: Darren Soh) But Singapore's preservation record isn't unblemished. The Cathay Building, once Southeast Asia's tallest skyscraper and first air-conditioned cinema when completed in 1939, now exists only as a 'husk of a facade', according to Soh. 'In the 1990s, Singapore approached conservation in a very unsophisticated manner that unfortunately led to many cases of 'facadism', where only the old building's facade was kept and everything else behind it demolished,' he explains. Sometimes, the most remarkable buildings aren't the famous landmarks. Soh points to The Great Madras hotel in Little India, which was adaptively reused by Singapore design studio Farm from a former Singapore Improvement Trust 1940 residential building, as 'actually more visually interesting to photograph' than the more celebrated Cathay Building. See also: 9 greenest skyscrapers in Asia Malaysia: An uneven fight for preservation Photo 1 of 4 Recently restored as a restaurant called Peninsula House by Wunderwall Design, India House on Church Street Ghaut in Penang features classic Art Deco elements, including a curved corner entrance and decorative parapets (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 2 of 4 Original window details and structural elements are complemented by a restrained material palette of whitewashed timber, patinated wood, and stone (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 3 of 4 A key feature of Peninsula House was how the original metal framework was preserved with thoughtfully updated glass panels (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 4 of 4 A repurposed jewellery desk finds new life as Peninsula House's bar beneath the loft-like ceiling space (Photo: TWJPTO) Cross the Causeway into Malaysia and the architectural heritage story becomes more complex, with preservation battles being fought block by block, often against daunting odds. The Odeon Cinema in Kuala Lumpur, with its dramatic vertical fins and stepped outline, recently escaped demolition and is being converted into a Citadines hotel. Yet the Rex Cinema in Penang wasn't so lucky; it was slated for demolition in 2023 despite local protests. 'The loss of the Rex Cinema is devastating,' declares Lim. 'BWM considers it highly irresponsible and ultimately short-sighted to permit the destruction of these heritage gems, when there must be viable alternatives.' Don't miss: Biophilic luxury: 7 stunning nature-integrated resorts Above Bangunan Sulaiman (1933) blends Art Deco with neoclassical elements through its symmetrical facade and geometric detailing, adapted for the tropical climate (Photo: iStock) In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Bangunan Sulaiman's elegant four-storey facade still commands a fair amount of admiration and attention. Built in 1933 across from what is now the Majestic Hotel, its symmetrical composition showcases how Art Deco principles were successfully adapted to local contexts. 'Bangunan Sulaiman features a blend of art deco and neoclassical elements,' explains Widodo. 'Local architects adapted Art Deco by incorporating local materials and motifs, blending traditional elements together with modern design principles.' Widodo highlights other significant Malaysian examples: 'The Coliseum Theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Sulaiman Mosque in Klang and the Penang Masonic Temple are some notable examples of art deco buildings in Malaysia that demonstrate how this international style was interpreted through a local lens.' Read more: Home tour: Grand English-inspired mansion maximises stunning mountain views in Malaysia The economics of heritage Above The restored Art Deco building known as Toffee in Kuala Lumpur, designed by architect Tan Loke Mun, now houses the Ur-Mu art gallery (Photo: Lin Ho) Sitting in a beautifully preserved art deco building by Dr TanLM Architect now housing the Ur-Mu art gallery in Kuala Lumpur, a structure known colloquially as 'Toffee', it's easy to see the appeal of these architectural gems. But economics often dictate their fate. Most Art Deco buildings occupy prime locations in city centres, where land values make preservation financially challenging. Without robust heritage protection and enforcement, commercial interests often prevail. BWM advocates for a balanced approach. 'We do not believe in creating museums out of every heritage building, but in incorporating our heritage assets into the fabric of our modern built environment,' Lim explains. 'This necessarily means restoring the heritage infrastructure and adapting it for new uses.' See also: Home tour: A modern tropical Kuala Lumpur home with sculptural staircases and a four-storey climbing wall Above Hotel 81 Rochor on Jalan Besar, originally the White House Hotel (1941), preserves its streamline moderne design (Photo: Darren Soh) In both countries, successful adaptation requires finding the right balance. 'A good fit has to be found for any building that will be adaptive-reused,' notes Soh. He cites Hotel 81 on Jalan Besar as exemplary—originally built in the 1940s as the White House Hotel, it's still operating as it was intended. Widodo adds that the preservation challenges reflect broader regional issues. 'The challenges of preserving Art Seco heritage in Singapore and Malaysia reflect broader issues such as rapid urbanisation and economic growth, limited understanding and funding for conservation, and the need to balance development with heritage preservation. Both countries face pressures to modernise, while retaining their historical identity.' Don't miss: Malayan shophouses: The architectural heritage of Singapore and Malaysia The way forward Above The former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (1932) stands out with its art deco ornamentation (Photo: Darren Soh) As developers continue to reshape Southeast Asian cities, the fate of these architectural treasures depends on finding innovative ways to balance economic viability with cultural conservation. Lim proposes a comprehensive solution. 'There needs to be a detailed National Register of Malaysia's Heritage Buildings, including their state of repair, which would assist Jabatan Warisan Negara in taking a necessarily more proactive approach.' Widodo emphasises that 'conservation is the management of change; it is not freezing the past, but maintaining its relevance to the present and future.' He further advocates for sustainable approaches. 'Successful conservation must prioritise sustainability and carbon neutrality. This involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to reduce environmental impact, implementing policies to achieve carbon neutrality through renewable energy sources, and providing financial incentives like tax credits and grants to encourage conservation efforts.' Read more: 7 designer dining chairs that you'll recognise from restaurants and dining rooms Above The old Asia Insurance Building (1955), now Ascott Raffles Place, features a distinctive three-tiered stainless-steel crown (Photo: Darren Soh) Meanwhile, Singapore is expanding its preservation focus beyond the colonial era. 'It is important that Singapore is starting to recognise more post-war architecture as important and worthy of conservation,' says Soh. 'If we do not start looking at conserving these 'newer' buildings sooner rather than later, there may not be many of them left.' As the morning light shifts across Central Market's blue facade, these buildings continue to tell a story of when Southeast Asia embraced modernity while making it uniquely its own. The shadows they cast today may grow longer, but with proper care, they won't disappear entirely. NOW READ Bill Bensley: Eco-luxury hotels' design rebel Private islands and wealth: How 6 tech and business leaders built their secluded domains Home tour: Penang bungalow transformation creates resort-inspired living Best of Tatler Asia video highlights Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
The Chic Home: Rare pre-HDB terraced house is ceramist's creative sanctuary
This ceramist's house is a 1970s-era terraced house built by the Singapore Improvement Trust, the predecessor to the Housing Board. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA SINGAPORE – Ceramist Maureen Cheng, who used to work in graphic design and publishing, initially moved house for a shorter commute. She chose a terraced house built in the 1970s by the Singapore Improvement Trust, the predecessor to the Housing Board. Such units are not only extremely rare – fewer than 300 were built – but also more affordable than private terraced houses. Cheng, who is in her 50s and runs studio Maison MCeramics, is the proud owner of this 1,600 sq ft corner unit in Jalan Bahagia. After living in it for about a decade, she decided to overhaul it. With her background in the creative industry, she chose to redesign the place herself and engaged S.T. Design & Contract to execute the renovation works. Her vision was to create a home with a studio. She knew exactly what she wanted to do, how the spaces would work for her and which areas got the most sun, breeze and noise. The home owner adopted an open-concept design to maximise natural ventilation and views of the garden. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA She adopted an open-concept design to maximise natural ventilation and views of the garden. The living area and two bedrooms are located away from the boundary wall, which is adjacent to the main road. She went with a modern, timeless look with a black, white and grey palette, and low-maintenance materials. 'I love grey because it is neither black nor white and it can be feminine or masculine, depending on what you pair it with,' she says. The living room has a pair of lounge chairs instead of a sofa. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA She kept the original, nostalgic terrazzo flooring – a nod to the home's history – in the living area. Instead of a sofa, which Cheng felt would take up too much space, she opted for a pair of lounge chairs for herself and her mother. The living area has a view of the dining zone. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA A vintage teak extendable table by a Danish designer takes pride of place in the dining room. In its most compact configuration, it is a cosy table for two set against the wall. When fully extended into an elliptical form, it can seat up to eight people. This large kitchen island offers plenty of space for baking and cooking. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The kitchen is the heart of the home. Cheng wanted an island, as the idea of facing a wall when cooking or baking did not appeal to her. With the oversized island, she and her mother can bake and cook together while enjoying the view of the side garden. The island also doubles as a workspace when needed. The pottery studio occupies the rear of the plot and has access to the garden. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Cheng's studio is another important space within the home. She had the spot picked out from the start. It occupies the rear corner of the plot and opens up to the back garden with plenty of natural light. It also has access to a water point and space for a kiln. Every part of the pottery studio has been meticulously planned. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Despite its compact footprint, every part of the studio has been meticulously planned, from a potter's wheel for throwing to a worktop for kneading clay. She also has a large table for hand coiling or slab work; and racks for storing clay and drying artworks. The home owner's bedroom has no windows, but is naturally lit by a skylight. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA Cheng and her mother's bedrooms are located beside the party wall shared with the neighbour, farthest away from the road. Her mother's room opens out to the rear terrace. Although Cheng's room has no windows, she added a skylight by replacing a section of the roof tiles with translucent ones that let in natural light. The en-suite bathroom attached to the home owner's bedroom doubles as a common bathroom. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA The renovation cost between $150,000 and $200,000, and took about a year to complete due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Cheng finally moved back into her home in 2022. The kitchen island is juxtaposed with softer, natural elements like the rattan and ceramics atop this cabinet. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA This article first appeared in Home & Decor Singapore. Go to for more beautiful homes, space-saving ideas and interior inspiration. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
