State-owned 2 Moulmein Road put up for use as a lifestyle hub

Lianhe Zaobao, 摩绵路2号国有产业招标 将注入休闲时尚活力

(Summarised translation)

A tender for 2 Moulmein Road to be used as a lifestyle hub on a short-term tenancy was launched on May 28 by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

Approved uses for the site include office spaces, serviced apartments, spa and wellness facilities, and urban farming plots. It is currently zoned for residential use.

2 Moulmein Road is of great significance in the history of medical development in Singapore. Its history can be traced back to 1913, when Middleton Hospital was first built there. Later, it gradually developed into the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC), playing an important role in local fight against major infectious diseases such as smallpox, cholera, diphtheria, and even the SARS epidemic in 2003.

Experts: Innovation can be achieved through independent elements by focusing on addition

The emblem of the CDC used to be a black lion, and there were two black lion sculptures at the main entrance of the centre, so this place is also commonly known as the “Black Lion”.

Dr Yeo Kang Shua, associate professor of architecture and sustainable design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, said in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao that when modernising historical buildings, the most important thing is to ensure that any changes can be reversed. He suggested that natural ventilation should be used as much as possible in design to reduce reliance on mechanical systems such as air conditioning, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

When it comes to balancing history and innovation, Dr Yeo believes: “Designers can achieve innovation through independent structures or elements, rather than adding them directly to historical buildings.”

He believes that this approach is not only applicable to old buildings, but also to buildings built after Singapore’s independence, encouraging all parties to shift from demolition and reconstruction to a combination of old and new elements.