Singapore - Amara Sanctuary, Sentosa, the stylish new resort on Singapore‘s Sentosa Island has won the Urban Redevelopment Authority‘s (URA) Architectural Heritage Awards 2007.
The 121 room Amara Sanctuary Resort opened earlier this year on the island of Sentosa, Singapore and includes carefully restored historic buildings from Singapore‘s colonial past.
The resort‘s luxurious Verandah and Courtyard suites are located in an original two-storey barracks buildings built in the 1920s when Sentosa Island was a military stronghold and which were originally the living quarters of British soldiers before and after World War II.
In converting the original 12 unit two-storey barracks building to 20 hotel suites, Japanese architect Masaki Miyake used clean lines and an uncluttered design of neutral colours, carefully allowing guests to enjoy the existing greenery, natural ventilation and peaceful surroundings.
The original timber louver windows, doors and balustrades were reinstated, whilst the damaged terracotta roof tiles were replaced with those from demolished buildings of a similar age. Character features, ornate columns and original pieces were kept where possible – including the air raid shelters outside the block and original British Army sole cleaners which had been installed outside the barracks.
“Our aim with this property was to create a vernacular style that is quintessentially Singaporean, combining Singapore‘s architectural heritage, its tropical vegetation and its modern casual-chic style,” said Amara Group CEO Albert Teo. “This site, with its historic colonial architecture and its lush tropical gardens all within easy access of the city centre has given us a unique opportunity to create an authentic Singapore style resort. Winning the URA Architectural Awards is an honour and a great credit to our team who were responsible for creating the Amara Sanctuary Resort.”
Initiated in 1995 in an effort to recognise and encourage quality restoration of existing buildings in Singapore, the URA Architectural Heritage Awards credit owners, professionals and contractors who go beyond the basics in restoring listed buildings and monuments to their former glory.
Amara Sanctuary Sentosa was named as the winner of Category A: for national monuments and fully conserved buildings which are assessed on how far they adhere to quality restoration principles such as the “3R” principles and “Top-Down” approach as judged by the Assessment Committee comprising a URA Board Member, representatives from the NUS, Singapore Heritage Society, BCA, MICA, REDAS, SIA, IES and senior URA officers.
Source: www.etravelblackboardasia.com (5 Oktober 2007)
