Architects: Helen Chen, Un Wai Kay, Siti Suriah Bte Taib,
Wu Zhiwei, Asnee Tasnaruangrong, Evelyn Houng
Architects 61 Pte Ltd
Owner: Precious Treasure Pte Ltd
End User: The Fullerton Singapore
Civil & Structural Engineer: Thomas Sit, Lee Tuck Cheong
Oscar Faber Asia Pte Ltd (now Maunsell Consultants Pte Ltd)
Project Management: Chan Sui Him
DP Consultants Pte Ltd
Interior Designer: Andrew Moore
Hirsch Bedner Associates Pte Ltd
Main Contractor: Ludwig Reichhold
Dragages Singapore Pte Ltd
Design of the Year - President*s Design Award 2006
The Fullerton Hotel / One Fullerton combination encompasses boldness and sensitivity both in its adaptive reuse and contemporary approach. Fullerton Hotel is an excellent example of how built heritage can be successfully adapted for modern use, resulting in a high quality development with memorable spatial qualities. One Fullerton sports a dynamic, modern look but maintains a low building profile, complementing the neo-classical Fullerton Hotel. It weaves in a ‘city room’ which maintains visual porosity to Marina Bay. Although the two buildings appear as independent structures, the Jury appreciated how they are seamlessly connected to each other and the waterfront. This sensitivity to context and urban design is further expressed through the strategic positioning of a view corridor, allowing glimpses of the bay when travelling along Fullerton Road. Together with the Merlion and city skyline, the Fullerton Hotel / One Fullerton forms a distinctive, signature view of Singapore which is reflective of the city’s growth across the ages.
"The approach adopted for both the Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton was to ‘design with the times, for the times.’ In other words, the intent was to reflect, in architectural form and language, the technology and materials of the appropriate era." Tay Lee Soon
Exterior of The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore, 2001
Presidential Suite, The Fullerton Hotel
Born in Penang of parents who were art teachers, Tay Lee Soon has always found himself always in the thick of discussions about art. His father’s friends who were artists in Penang became his own friends and as a teenager, he was made to sketch historical colonial buildings like the Municipal Building and churches. With such exposure and an inherent passion for the arts, it is inevitable that he chose architecture. Lee Soon is the principal designer of Architects 61, which is credited for the design of Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton.
“The approach adopted for both the Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton was to ‘design with the times, for the times’. In other words, the intent was to reflect, in architectural form and language, the technology and materials of the appropriate era. Whilst the historical material, every cornice detail, every panel of shanghai plaster was faithfully restored to its original condition; new interventions such as the conservatory at the Presidential Suite and the porte cochere were done in contemporary style such that the new and old are in a harmonious tension.”
“Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton are contrasting buildings in that Fullerton Hotel is a restoration and an adaptively re-use of the General Post Office in the neo-classical style to its present-day internationally
recognized heritage hotel. On the other hand, One Fullerton is a recreational and dining life-style building and as such, it is designed to be more playful, open and easily identifiable. Its wave-like roof form contrasts to the more rigid structure of the Hotel.”
Lobby, The Fullerton Hotel
Naturally there were some challenges to the transformation of the Fullerton Building to the Fullerton Hotel. Lee Soon recounts, “One of which is the peculiar fact that the historical building was designed from the outside, hence the internal floor levels bear no relationship to the window heights. There were floors where the window sills were 1.8m above the floor. We had to ‘raise’ the floors with lightweight concrete slabs to rationalize the levels as best we could. Even so, for some rooms, there are windows at the feet which do offer
interesting ‘street’ views. Similarly, there are fifth floor balconies that offer only sky views! This adds to the charm and uniqueness of the hotel.”
Lee Soon says, “I believe that “old” does not equate to “beyond economic viability”. If there is a will, coupled with a positive mindset and ideas to rejuvenate, old buildings may be restored and adaptively re-used to the enjoyment and benefit of all.”
Conceived as a Bayfront landmark, One Fullerton’s wavy roofs are inspired by the strong context. The elliptical drum with a view tunnel recalls images of vessels moored in the sea. “The glass and steel edifice with a willowy roof profile, juxtaposed against the majestic colonnade of the Fullerton Hotel, accentuates the poetic tension and brings out the lively contrast and diversity of the cityscape.”
Bird's Eye View of One Fullerton
One Fullerton (Arcade of The Fullerton Hotel), Singapore, 2001
Tay Lee Soon counts it a great honour to work with his team: Ms Helen Chen, Mr Asnee Tasnaruangrong, Ms Evelyn Houng, Ms Siti Suriah, Ms Un Wai Kay and Mr Wu Zhiwei on the Fullerton Hotel and One Fullerton project.
“Meeting clients and discussing and brain storming with young architects with aspirations and motivating them towards greater design is a constant challenge and helps me stay creative and connected.”
The Merlion by One Fullerton
Advice for emerging architects:
“Don’t be an architect if you are unable to put your heart and soul in your work. One must have the passion for it.”
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