Lee Kong Chian Medicine in Singapore by LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Lee Kong Chian Medicine in Singapore by LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

September 16th, 2018 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Built in 1924, the existing building had revolved around medical-related usage, first serving as a hostel for medical students and subsequently nurses’ quarters after World War II. This legacy is allowed to persist through its transformation into the new medical school.

LKE SOM is an adaptive reuse of an old colonial nurse quarter into an administrative student and staff amenity building that captures the spirit of colonial architecture and classical composition, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Architects: LOOK Architects Pte Ltd
Project: Lee Kong Chian Medicine
Location: Singapore

The existing mature raintree is retained to mark the secondary entrance to the school, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Analysis of the project brief rationalised the accommodation of administration office spaces within the historic building, while flexible collaborative spaces necessitating large-span column-free layouts are displaced into a new annexe. Addition of the new annexe (comprising 3 storeys and a basement lecture theatre) is in meticulous alignment, establishing a new spatial parti as a compact insertion into the courtyard space of the C-shaped historic building. Clad in full height curtain walls of highly reflective double glazing, the annexe detracts from its own presence and instead dissolves into layers of reflections, mirroring the facades of the existing building. Without mimicking the archaic Palladian architectural style, a lively dialogue is formed between new and old, crafting a harmonious symphony across the space-time continuum.

The building encloses a courtyard where we introduced a new annex building which houses a new resource center, seminar rooms, and a lecture theatre for the medical students, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

The interior is simply refurbished to retain its original spatial quality and rhythm, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Low-emissivity double glazing enveloping the annexe ensures thermal comfort. Careful detailing adapted the curtain wall system to the tropical climate, incorporating elements such as drip plates at the top of the glazed façade to prevent streaking marks after torrential rain. Precise engineering for inconspicuous structural reinforcement to the historic building enabled a new double-volume interior lobby space to be carved out – partial demolition of the existing second storey slab was a delicate operation that left no tell-tale trace of this major modification. A lofty, welcoming entrance adjoining the drop-off was created, and anchors an axial connection to the new annexe.

The existing large arch windows allow natural light into the interior and animate the space with shade and shadow during the day, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

A glass volume inserted into the lobby creates a double volume entry space at the main entrance to the conserved building, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

The synergy sparked by re-synchronising spaces to new use bears an irrepressible vigour. The atmospheric character of the historic building and sheer transparency of the annexe offer varying experiences gravitating from a sense of contemplativeness to exciting liberation.

The internal offices have generous timber arch windows which were restored based on a careful study of the original timber joinery. To support air-conditioning, a secondary glass window was added over the existing louvers, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: LKE SOM is an adaptive reuse of an old colonial nurse quarter into an administrative student and staff amenity building that captures the spirit of colonial architecture and classical composition, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: The existing mature raintree is retained to mark the secondary entrance to the school, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: The building encloses a courtyard where we introduced a new annex building which houses a new resource center, seminar rooms, and a lecture theatre for the medical students, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: The interior is simply refurbished to retain its original spatial quality and rhythm, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: The existing large arch windows allow natural light into the interior and animate the space with shade and shadow during the day, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: A glass volume inserted into the lobby creates a double volume entry space at the main entrance to the conserved building, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

: The internal offices have generous timber arch windows which were restored based on a careful study of the original timber joinery. To support air-conditioning, a secondary glass window was added over the existing louvers, Image Courtesy © LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Contact LOOK Architects Pte Ltd

Tags: Singapore

Categories: Building, Building Campus, Campus, Educational Center, Educational Institute, Hostel, Medical Center

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