IT TOOK over $6 million - not to mention appeasing a colony of bats - but a grande dame on Pulau Ubin believed to be Singapore's oldest remaining authentic Tudor-style house with a fireplace has a new lease of life.The two-storey former holiday home, built in the 1930s on the eastern tip of the island off Singapore, is buzzing with activity in its transformation into the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre.
It was rescued from a state of decay by the National Parks Board (NParks), which took over management of the surrounding marine wildlife park, Chek Jawa Wetlands, in 2001.
It was marked for conservation in 2003 and restoration began two years ago. NParks worked with local architecture firm CPG Consultants on the project, which culminated in it being a winner of an Urban Redevelopment Authority Architectural Heritage Award this year.
But it was quite a task. The total cost of restoration, together with constructing a new boardwalk and observation tower, was $6.2 million.
Special attention was paid to the fireplace, which is still in working condition.
Ms Lilian Kwok, head of development management for NParks, says that mid-way through the cleaning and servicing, a family of bats moved into the chimney. Luckily for the bats, NParks decided to close the fireplace to give them a home.
The builders took a top-down approach in the 18-month-long restoration which, among other things, required sourcing for roof tiles that had to be replaced. They were found at a second-hand tile seller in Kranji.
A glass maker was also hired to handblow pieces of green glass to fit on the windows.
In addition, the honeycomb-shaped terracotta floor tiles were cleaned and water repellent was applied to make them more long-lasting.
While some things such as light switches could be changed to modern ones, the team decided to retain the existing ones and even went to Malacca to track down replacements for those that were broken.
Though restoration requires much work, Ms Kwok says 'it is a beautiful house and we're happy to restore it, so Chek Jawa will have a pleasant visitor centre'.
Saved for posterity
SINGAPORE'S conserved buildings are within four main groups of conservation areas: the historic districts of Boat Quay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India; in residential historic districts like Blair Plain, Cairnhill and Emerald Hill; secondary settlements including Beach Road, Joo Chiat, Balestier and Mount Sophia; and individual bungalows, which is done on a selective basis.
Many of these conservation buildings were built before World War II.
URA's deputy director for conservation and development services, Mrs Teh Lai Yip, says: 'By protecting Singapore's built heritage, we also ensure that we do not lose places that are unique in character and are significant to Singapore's history.'Saved for posterity
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