Our West Coast SG

04/07/2021

Launch of Our West Coast SG exhibition in conjunction with the launch of Merdeka Generation, National Day & Singapore Bicentennial, August 2018

04/07/2021

Launch of Our West Coast SG exhibition in conjunction with the launch of Merdeka Generation, National Day & Singapore Bicentennial, August 2018

15/12/2020

Dear friends, we are proud to present Our West Coast Heritage, a publication that represents the culmination of our project which started in 2017 and allowed us to hear the many stories of our beloved West Coast from former and current residents alike. We hope you have been well in this trying time, and we wish this little book can serve as a little bright repository of the memories we cherish and continue to hold dear about the spaces we call home.

“Our West Coast Heritage” project started in 2017 when we embarked on a research and engagement programme to investigate the history and heritage of West Coast. We hope this publication will give the readers a brief yet comprehensive look at Pasir Panjang’s, West Coast's, and Clementi’s laye...

29/08/2018

https://www.oursgheritage.sg/what-is-the-heritage-plan-for-singapore/

25/08/2018

Pasir Panjang Power Station was Singapore’s second power station, built in 1953 to meet the country’s growing electricity demand. But it is now an empty shell that barely hints to its significance in the building of our nation. ‘A’ Power Station was decommissioned in mid- 1980s and has since been left vacant, its future uncertain having not been conferred conserved status although it is still marked as ‘utility’ under the URA Masterplan and plans have been announced to rejuvenate the district.

On Wednesday, ‘A’ Power Station was injected with life once more as The Local People, in collaboration with the Singapore Land Authority, held an art market there. Flea markets, food vendors, art exhibitions and music performances turned the disused place into an exciting space for the art-loving community.

The uncertain futures of our modern buildings (Pearl Bank Apartments, Golden Mile Complex and People’s Park Complex) have gotten many people talking about the condition of our urban landscape. Such is the state of a built environment that is constantly being updated: buildings are being razed to the ground at an alarming rate, only to be replaced by newer editions that ‘better reflect’ the aspirations of our society. Despite being icons and game-changers in their time, even these three modernist buildings might not be spared.

The circumstances of Pasir Panjang Power Station are very different and it is unfair to compare it to the three buildings. But the art market by The Local People and Singapore Land Authority is an example of how buildings can be seen, not as inanimate objects, but as very much part of the life within, or rather as part of a much bigger life that is our heritage and our identity. We see and acknowledge the architectural and socio-historical value of old buildings as well as their potential to bring our new communities together. The wonderful minds behind the event presented us a perspective to look at how elements in our built environment can be appropriated to meet the lifestyles and aspirations of an ever-changing society, ensuring their existence in continuity.

09/08/2018

We spent the last few months working towards graduation and we're glad to announce that we've successfully graduated!

The project has been a big part of our final year at NUS Architecture. It started off as a project to map the physical and cultural landscape of West Coast and after a year, we discovered quite a bit about it from our research as well as the people we've met on the ground.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has taken the time to talk to us and shared with us your West Coast stories whether online or in person. It is only with your contributions that this project has been able to begin to take shape.

Our time as undergraduates has come to an end but the stories that make up the heritage of West Coast continue on. As such, we are continuing our research into the history and heritage of West Coast and are working on a few exciting projects which we are eager to share with everybody. So stay tuned to !

25/03/2018

A huge thank you to everyone who came down for our heritage pop-up booth yesterday at Ayer Rajah Food Centre! Thank you for making this event a success, despite the sweltering heat and the sudden torrential rain!

We have officially come to the end of our heritage events which could never have been done without the support of all the current and former residents of West Coast. We have gained a substantial amount of information especially from the kampong folks which will be periodically released on our page. Do continue sharing your stories and photos with us by using the hashtag.

Stay tuned to this page for more updates!

24/03/2018

Our Heritage Pop-Up booth at Ayer Rajah Food Centre is up and running till 3pm today. Do drop by if you happen to be in the area! Share your stories and/or old photos of West Coast to receive complimentary drink vouchers. We have also compiled multiple photo albums from former residents of West Coast so feel free to browse through them.

If you have difficulty finding us, we are located next to the entrance of NTUC FairPrice!

23/03/2018

Jong races used to be a popular activity in the Southern Islands, and soon was popularized all over Singapore. The photo shown here was at one of the Jong races at West Coast Park. Competitors would row sampans and small boats out to sea, armed with their colourful craft. It was also said that West Coast used to be able to win the competitions hands down!

Do you remember such Jong races? Share your own stories and photos with the hashtag!

Don't forget to come down to our heritage pop-up booth tomorrow, 10am to 3pm, at Ayer Rajah Food Centre!

Photo Credits: Sofea

22/03/2018

Did you know about the Singapore International Kite Festival? It was the Olympics of the kite-flying world! The festival brought together kite-flying professionals from around the world to be judged and was held right here in West Coast Park! From kites smaller than your palm to gigantic junk-shaped ones, kites of all shapes and sizes were flown here from 1982 to 1984. The event was later held at Marina South in 1986 before being discontinued.

But today, West Coast Park is still a popular site for kite flying. The sight of colourful kites filling up the sky is truly one to behold. Share with us about your own kite-flying experiences at our booth at Ayer Rajah Food Centre happening this Saturday from 10am-3pm!


Source: National Archives of Singapore