ARCHITECTURE & MEMORY : A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN CHINATOWN

Abstract

Statement The presence of the past will contribute to the architectural continuity of a city. The Concern Chinatown, a place where many chinese immigrants first started out in Singapore. The Situation The conservation programmes implemented by the government in the early '80s have saved many historical buildings from being demolished. However, in its zeal of saving buildings, the human aspect had been neglected, resulting in a loss of vibrancy in Chinatown and other conserved areas. The Belief Saving buildings is not enough. There is a need to actively find activities, both old and new, that can contribute to the vibrancy of the place. More can be done at the masterplan level to bring these activities together. Architectural Issue Architectural continuity plays a pivotal role in informing the collective memory of its sense of place. The Vehicle The boutique hotel is a new activity that has found a niche in Chinatown. The project uses the boutique hotel programme to explore the concept of continuity in the contewt of shophouse architecture in Chinatown. The Objectives 1. To design a boutique hotel that continues the characteristics of the shophouse, affirming the versatility of the shophouse as a building type that can evolve through time. 2. To inform the hotel guests of the characteristics of the Straits Chinese Shophouse through the design of the boutique hotel.