Architectural Conservation Studies

This programme is based on the ICOMOS Singapore and Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Conservation Technical Handbook series that aims to promote better quality restoration projects, enhance the level of competency within the heritage building industry and increase appreciation for our built heritage.

The eight-volume series covering different aspects of technical restoration, architectural elements and material usage for heritage buildings will be used as the course structure. The series will contain best practices and technical expertise on restoration works, and detailed information on locally used materials, construction methods and restoration techniques.

Instructors have a broad range of professional conservation experience from institutional to commercial heritage contexts.

This course is accredited with 6 BOA-SIA CPD points.

Supported by URA and ICOMOS Singapore

CPD points pending

Who Should Attend

Working professionals from the built environment industry.

Prerequisites
Professionals working in the built environment industry with at least 2 years of experience, or similar.

Programme Outline

Learning Objectives

Theoretical and Practical

Evaluate the historical and social contexts of our building environment and identify the interaction between the conservator, scientist, curator and society at large
Systematic understanding of technical knowledge, critical awareness of current problems, and/or new insights informed by conservation theory and practice
Demonstrate knowledge of materials and techniques in architectural conservation and an ability to extrapolate from the inter-relationship of historic and scientific evidence, aesthetics, functionality and social values, the appropriate selection of conservation processes
Evidence of how to use materials and techniques effectively and fluently in the successful realisation of conservation processes

Professional

Develop fluency in the construction of coherent arguments that allow the students to articulate ideas clearly to a range of expert and non-expert audiences, formally and informally, through a variety of media using appropriate terminology and conventions
Consolidate and further develop the students' understanding of professional standards and codes of conduct and the application of judgement and ethics in professional practice

Day 1

Introduction to course / structure / assessment method
1st sharing session / clinic / icebreaker interactive session
Who is ICOMOS? International Charters, Best Practices, Briefing on URA-ICOMOS series
Theory, philosophy, ethics of architectural conservation

Day 2

Adaptive Reuse + conservation Design 1 (eg. policy)
Adaptive Reuse + conservation Design 2
Historic materials / diagnostics 1
Historic materials / diagnostics 2

Day 3

Structural engineering interventions
Mechanical & electrical engineering interventions: Including hygrothermal performance of heritage buildings
Materials Lab visit
Site visit for advanced cleaning methods

Day 4

Field trip reflection
Concrete and 20th century heritage
Maintenance and monitoring of heritage buildings
Sustainability circularity and heritage
Final Quiz

Day 5

Case Study Consultation / Preparation for case study presentation (Half day)
Case Study Presentation (Half day)

Assessment

Case Study Presentation and Report; Quiz

Course Fees and Funding

Full course fee inclusive of prevailing GST	You pay S$6,955.00
SkillsFuture Course Fee subsidy (70%) For Singapore Citizens < 40 years old For Permanent Residents	You pay S$2,086.50
Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (90%) For Singapore Citizens ≥ 40 years old	You pay S$786.50
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (90%) For SME - Sponsored employees	You pay S$786.50

The above module fee payable is inclusive of prevailing GST.

Instructors

Yeo Kang Shua
Associate Professor and Associate Head of Pillar, ASD
SUTD

Kang Shua is currently an Associate Professor and Associate Head of Pillar in the Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) pillar at SUTD. He is also the President and Founding Director of International Council on Monuments and Sites, Singapore (ICOMOS Singapore).

Kang Shua obtained his PhD Architecture, MArch and BA Architectural Studies from National University of Singapore. Trained as an architect and architectural historian, his research interest is primarily in the area of architectural conservation. He has been involved in the restoration of some of Singapore’s religious and institutional buildings and awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2010 and 2014 for the effort. One of the things that he relishes about his work is the opportunity to get to know our built landscapes better.

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Ho Weng Hin
Director, Studio Lapis

Weng Hin is founding partner of Studio Lapis, a Singapore-based architectural conservation specialist consultancy with local and overseas projects. He obtained both his BA(AS) and MArch from National University of Singapore (NUS), and his specialist postgraduate diploma in architectural conservation from the University of Genoa, Italy. Weng Hin is also Founding Chair of Docomomo Singapore, a Founding Director of ICOMOS Singapore, and a Bureau Vice President of ICOMOS ISC20C in the coming triennial.

Weng Hin has been engaged in adjunct teaching at the NUS Department of Architecture since 2010, and recently taught in the inaugural International Course on the Conservation of Modern Heritage organized by the Getty Conservation Institute. His expertise lies in the areas of heritage site documentation and assessment, deterioration analysis of historic building materials, architectural restoration methods, conservation management plans and architectural adaptive reuse design, with a focus on 20^th century modern built heritage and landscapes.

Tan Kar Lin
Director, Studio Lapis

Kar Lin obtained her BA(AS), MArch and MAArch from National University of Singapore (NUS). She is the founding Director of Studio Lapis, a Singapore-based architectural conservation specialist consultancy. She co-edited the Singapore Architect journal from 2004 to 2007, and is the lead editor of the URA-ICOMOS Conservation Technical Handbook series.

Kar Lin is actively involved in built heritage advocacy as both a founding Exco Member of Docomomo Singapore and a founding Director of ICOMOS Singapore. Her professional interest lies in Singapore’s built heritage research and analysis, place history and urban culture, conservation documentation, evaluation and adaptive reuse strategies.

Liau Wai Kun
Director, Keon Consult Pte Ltd

Er. Liau Wai Kun is a Professional Structural Engineer with over 20 years of experience in structural, civil, facade and conservation in Singapore. He is also a UK registered Chartered Engineer, member of IStructE, member of ICOMOS Singapore, Certified Welding Inspector, Qualified Erosion Control Professional and Competent Person for façade inspection. He has also served as member of Working Committees for preparation of both SS 607:2015 and SS EN 13374:2018 and was co-convenor of the new SS 570.

Er Liau is the managing director of Keon Consult Pte Ltd. In 2016, the firm won the SIA Archifest contest with the RGB pavilion and SIA design award 2023 for St. James Power Station. He has received the URA Architectural Heritage Award in 2015 for Alkaff mosque and in 2022 for St. James Power Station. Recently completed restoration projects as the role of engineer by the firm including Church of St. Teresa, Golden Bell Mansion and Old Bukit Timah Railway Station. His ongoing conservation project as structural engineer include restoration of the concrete platform of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, underpinning of Ellison building and restoration of Church of Our Lourdes.

Wong Chung Wan
Director, Maek Consulting Pte Ltd

Chung Wan has more than 30 years of extensive experience in materials consultancy, building envelope, building diagnosis and audit consulting works. He has undertaken a large number of projects providing third party advisory and consulting services in building pathology, conservation and restoration of historical buildings, materials evaluation and environmental studies. In the course of this work, he has addressed numerous issues on durability and sustainability in both the design and construction stages such as service life prediction, durability study, maintainability, life cycle assessment (LCA) and conservation and restoration of buildings.

Chung Wan obtained his BEng (Civil & Structural Engineering) and MSc (Building Science) from National University of Singapore (NUS). He is a Recognized Professional of the Association Preservation Technology International and an Expert Member of the International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage. He is the Technical Director of MAEK Consulting, an innovative third-party specialist consultant providing technical services to ensure sustainable management and development.

Kelvin Ang Kah Eng
Director, Conservation Management, URA

Kelvin has two decades of experience in architecture and conservation at the URA (Singapore’s national planning, land use and building conservation authority). He obtained his Graduate Diploma (Architecture) and MSc. in Sustainable Heritage, both at the Bartlett School, University College London.

Kelvin has led a multi-disciplinary team to deliver several key conservation projects including the legal protection of over 700 buildings and the showcase restoration of the 19th century ‘National University of Singapore - Baba House’ at 157 Neil Road. His portfolio includes public education and partnership programmes, industry development, regulatory and enforcement work.

Policies and Financing Options

SSG Funding Terms and Conditions

Use of Personal Details

In consideration of the subsidy provided by SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (“SSG”) through the SUTD Academy for the Course,

I consent to:

The collection, use and disclosure to relevant third parties of my personal data by the SUTD Academy including but not limited to personal particulars, attendance records, assessment/performance records, for the following purposes:

Reporting of national statistics and conducting of holistic continuing education training research and analysis;
Facilitate the conduct of the relevant surveys and audits in relation to the Course;
General administration of the Course including but not limited to processing of the subsidy provided by SSG;
Publicity and marketing of the Course or other Courses to be provided by SSG or SUTD Academy; and
SSG or its Appointed Auditors or Nominated Representatives to directly contact Course Participant to obtain information deemed necessary for the purposes of conducting effectiveness survey or audits in relation to the Course.

SUTD will have to claim the full course fee from participant who is unable to fulfil the SSG funding requirements stated below.

I agree to:

Attend and complete all lectures, class exercises, workshops and assessments;
Complete the Course feedback at the end of the Course;
Complete the post Course survey sent about 3 to 6 months after class attendance; and
Sign up for a personal email account.

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Methods of Payment

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Cancellation & Refund Policy

If a written notification is sent to sutd_academy@sutd.edu.sg within 24 hours after course registration deadline there will be no cancellation charges. A full refund will be made.
No refund is provided if written notification is more than 24 hours after course registration deadline. SUTD Academy reserves the rights to collect the full fee amount from the participant.

Replacement Policy

Companies may replace participants who have signed up for the course by giving a 3-working day notice before the course commencement date to sutd_academy@sutd.edu.sg. Terms and conditions apply.

Registration Policy

Course may be cancelled due to insufficient participants. SUTD Academy will not be responsible or liable in any way for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, any direct or indirect damages for loss of profits, business interruption or loss of information) resulting or arising directly or indirectly from any course cancellation.
Course enrolment is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
SUTD Academy reserves the right to change or cancel any course or instructor due to unforeseen circumstances.

Types of Funding

Funding under Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy ("MCES")

MCES is an enhanced Subsidy to encourage mid-career individuals to upskill and reskill, thereby helping them to remain competitive and resilient in the job market. With this, all Singaporeans aged 40 and above will receive higher subsidies of up to 90% course fee subsidy for SSG-funded certifiable courses.
Individuals/employers are not required to submit an application for the MCES. Those pursuing SSG-funded programmes will be charged the appropriate subsidised fees by SUTD Academy if they are eligible MCES. Individuals/employers will only need to pay the nett fee (full course fee after SSG's grant).

For more info, please visit SkillsFuture website at https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/enhancedsubsidy

Funding under Enhanced Training Support for SMEs ("ETSS")

ETSS is an enhanced funding to enable SMEs to send their employees for training.
SMEs will enjoy subsidies of up to 90% of the course fees when they sponsor their employees for SSG-funded certifiable courses.
In addition to higher course fee funding, SMEs can also claim absentee payroll funding of 80% of basic hourly salary at a higher cap of $7.50 per hour. SMEs may apply for the absentee payroll via the SkillsConnect system.
To qualify, SMEs must meet all of the following criteria:
- Organisation must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
- Trainees must be hired in accordance with the Employment Act and fully sponsored by their employers for the course
- Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents

For more info, please visit SSG website at https://www.ssg.gov.sg/programmes-and-initiatives/funding/enhanced-training-support-for-smes1.html

Funding under Union Training Assistance Programme ("UTAP")

UTAP is a training benefit for NTUC members to defray their cost of training. This benefit is to encourage more union members to go for skills upgrading.

NTUC members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year when you sign up for courses supported under UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme).

For more info, please visit https://e2i.com.sg/individuals/ntuc-education-and-training-fund/.