HERITAGE

CONSERVATION

The Warehouse Hotel

Rumah Degil
Portland Building
CONTENTS:

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Timeline
1.2. Neighborhood Context
1.3. Architectural style

2. BUILDING CONSERVATION
2.1. Method of Conservation
2.2. 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
In the 1990s, the
The warehouses The site became the Singapore’s URA
Warehouse Disco. A lot of transformed Now only the
were mainly
people in the city actually Robertson Quay warehouse is
used to store
remember the disco and it from a historic left at the area
It was a red light product, from
was an era they all remember wharf into a from the
district and a spices, rice and
and think very fondly. The commercial and historical past.
center of illegal coffee, to
warehouse’s triple-pitched residential Robertson Quay
activity, such as materials like
profile was uncommon even hotspot. is currently
prostitution and rubber and tin.
during its trading days. urbanised area
gambling, for
filled with
Chinese "secret
restaurants,
societies”.
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 Reconstruction

emphasizes the establishes
retention and repair of opportunities to
historic materials. It re-create a brand new
focus attention on the structure in all new
preservation on materials for the
materials, spaces and original building which
spatial relationships to the swimming pool
give the property a deck.
historic character.
2.2 STRUCTURE

ORIGINAL

Original exposed triple pitch metal roof

trusses(Trusses and frames are kept visible
throughout the rooms and new Original Metal Roof Trusses

circulation spaces)

Double-high ceilings and industrial details

at the lobby - to maintain the ‘’void’’ of the
warehouse, keeping its integrity space of a
warehouse space
Original Wall Facade
Jackroof, to bring natural light into the
interior space, Natural light filters in
through the jack roofs in the daytime.
STRUCTURE

New portal frames to the central

block that serve as discrete
2nd Storey structural interventions in the lobby,
New Structure 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
Double Volume
New Structure and an industrial-themed sculpture
that was custom designed by
Asylum as part of the interior design
works)

1st Storey
New Structure

NEWLY ADDED
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

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

WALLS & FLOORS

2.3 OPENINGS

ORIGINAL

Existing fenestration and skylight are kept

to ensure sufficient 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 fire
escapes.

OPENINGS
OPENINGS
To bring natural light into the
interior spaces, corrugated glass
skylight panels similar in profile 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 reflect 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 finally gave in when
she could no longer pay for maintenance.

The land was finally sold in 2013 and a new commercial

building was assigned to be build over it.
1.1 TIMELINE
As time passed, one The
The The building
by one the houses restoration
dismantled preserve the
The 2-storey wooden were swallowed up of the house
parts of the historical
house was built in 1926 by by the rapid began by
house is meaning of
Tuan Haji Jaafar Sutan development of the the National
carefully Rumah
Sinombar, descendant of Chow Kit area. Public Heritage
stored in a Degil now.
Sultan Puasa. with many Department.
house.
shophouses
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 finally
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.

- Starts with the softstrips such as doors,

linings, then roofing, claddings and windows.

- Then the framing, foundation and the post and

beam is removed delivered to a rented house.

- 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.
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

finally 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 flourishes, was in
stark contrast to the architectural style most commonly
used for large office 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 difficult to work in.
 The 1.1 TIMELINE
It is the best The lobby 1st time of The suggestion
hammer
representation of and food reconstru of demolition
copper
post-modern court ction. The prompted a The 2nd time of
statue -
architecture. It was were in building reconsideration reconstruction.
Portlandi
recognized by The need of also failed of the building,
a was
National Register of remodeli to meet and started a
placed in
Historic Places as a ng seismic debate on the
front of
building of “exceptional codes. preservation of
the
importance”. Postmodern
building
buildings.
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
influenced 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.

Aluminium overcladding had been built to completely cover

the original painted concrete serving as a building structure.
2.1 METHOD OF
CONSERVATION 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

floors 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
infiltration 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 efficiency 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.