Project Shophouse

The Temasek Shophouse is an addition and alteration project to a conserved building in Singapore’s prime retail street, Orchard Road. Envisioned to be a “social impact cradle”, the owner's request was to incorporate complementary co-working areas and function spaces ideal for championing the social good. Originally designed in 1927, the building was conceived as a symmetrical structure, with two units of office space on its ground floor and a residential apartment on each wing. Its elevation has two different architecture styles, the Neo-Classical façade fronting Orchard Road and a more muted Neo Edwardian style facing Stamford Canal. In line with the spirit of conservation, our design was aimed to restore the building's original architecture intention while extending its use to the future. The original spatial intent of the building was restored. All false ceiling was removed to maximize daylight into space. The new green wall and auditorium space emphasized the hierarchy of the first storey. Mechanical and Electrical fittings are consolidated on the roof to avoid any visual clutter. Acknowledging the building's function as a public building, the existing structural configuration is reconfigured while respecting the original building grid, to create a larger contiguous space. It also helps to support other functions and garden spaces on the upper floor. Sustainability serves as a main driving design force in this building. The client committed a significant portion of real estate to be converted into a garden space. This garden houses multiple flowering plants and is currently used as a pilot for bee hotel, an initiative to bring back urban pollinators. Beyond the introduction of greenery, the building adopts a hybrid cooling system and evaporative cooling system. The building is designed to be as universally accessible as possible. All storeys are equipped with accessible toilets and are configured to be wheelchair accessible. The reception desk is equipped with an audio-enhancing feature. Lastly, the first storey’s nursing room and family toilet accommodate the need of any nursing mother.