PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

Wisma Serai 1 Engku Aman Turn 402001 Website: www.pa.gov.sg

EMBARGOED UNTIL SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 2018, AFTER 12.00PM

6 April 2018

INAUGURAL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE HUB, WISMA GEYLANG SERAI, CELEBRATES NEAR COMPLETION WITH TOPPING OUT CEREMONY

Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS), Singapore’s first social and cultural heritage hub which brings together various Malay-Muslim Organisations, government and community agencies under one roof to offer residents greater convenience and more integrated programmes that address their needs, will celebrate its near completion with a Topping Out Ceremony on Sunday, 8 April 2018, at 9.00am.

2 At the ceremony, about 1,000 residents, community leaders and partners will witness the symbolic placement of 100 wooden valence boards. They will be joined by Dr Mohamad , Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and Mayor for South East District, and Associate Professor Fatimah Abdul Lateef, Grassroots Adviser to Geylang Serai Grassroots Organisations (GROs). They will also officially unveil the new WGS logo that was chosen from more than 5,700 votes garnered online at the WGS Facebook and public engagement activities with residents that ran from 17 March to 1 April 2018.

3 The WGS, which sits on a 0.67ha land, about the size of a football field, has attained the highest award, the BCA Green Mark Award (Platinum) on 20 March 2017. One of WGS’s strong sustainable features includes the incorporation and reuse of the architectural features from the former Malay Village. The integrated building will house the Geylang Serai Community Club (CC), South East Community Development Council, arts facilities, Geylang Serai 1

Malay Heritage Gallery, Senior Care Centre, Child Care Centre, Family Service Centre, F&B and retail outlets.

4 The co-location of various agencies under one roof will allow opportunities for more creative cross-programming and collaborations that will maximise benefits to residents and address their needs better. Residents will get a sneak peek of such programmes and activities and the various services and facilities they can look forward to at the Topping Out Ceremony. One such initiative is the enhanced Marine Parade Cluster Heritage Trail Mobile Application that the Geylang Serai and Kembangan-Chai Chee GROs are working with co-located partners on. With the augmented reality mobile app, a first-of-its-kind in Geylang Serai, students from Marine Parade Cluster schools will discover the history, interesting landmarks and artefacts of Geylang Serai through a series of interactive quizzes and tasks.

5 In developing quality spaces within WGS, the Marine Parade Leadership Foundation, Marine Parade Cluster and the Singapore University of Technology and Design will embark on a newly ground-up place making initiative called “POPUP-Hood @ WGS” at the community engagement platforms such as ‘Community heat mapping’, ‘Share your Stories’ and ‘Art-making workshop’. These engagements will allow youths, residents and various community partners and stakeholders to generate creative ideas and solutions to enhance the public spaces in WGS as well as around the Geylang Serai neighbourhood.

6 Residents can also look forward to new healthy cooking classes and health talks at the new state-of-the-art Culinary Studio and Dining and small group reading and learning workshops for children and parents at the Reading Room. More Community & Enrichment Programmes such as Industry Guru series, and Yoga & Zumba workouts will also be organised to meet the needs of residents.

7 Your journalist, camera crew and photographer are cordially invited to attend the WGS Topping Out celebrations on Sunday, 8 April 2018, at 9.00am. The programme and location map are attached at Annexes A and B, respectively. Please RSVP to the contact persons below by Saturday, 7 April 2018, 12.00pm. Interview can be arranged upon requests. 2

8 The following additional information are enclosed:

 Fact Sheet on Wisma Geylang Serai – Annex C  Write-up of Wisma Geylang Serai Logo – Annex D

Contact persons: Erwin Yuhanis Yunahar Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing Wisma Geylang Serai HP: 9159 9429 Email: [email protected]

Adlina Jaffar (Ms) Head, (Corporate Communications) DID: 634 05430 HP: 9823 3825 Email: [email protected]

About People’s Association

The People’s Association (PA) is a statutory board established on 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social cohesion, and to act as a bridge between the Government and the people. We offer a wide range of community programmes and volunteering opportunities for Singaporeans from all walks of life. Our network includes more than 1,800 grassroots organisations (GROs), over 100 Community Clubs, five Community Development Councils, National Community Leadership Institute and Water-Venture. More information at www.pa.gov.sg.

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Annex A

WGS TOPPING OUT CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 2018, FROM 9.00AM TO 12.00PM, At Open Field next to Wisma Geylang Serai (along Engku Aman Road)

Time Programme 9.00am Arrival of invited guests and residents Arrival of Media 9.45am Arrival of Host Advisers:

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mayor, South East District Adviser to East Coast GRC GROs

Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef Adviser to Marine Parade GRC GROs

Arrival of Special Guests:

Mr Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Deputy Chairman, People’s Association

Mr Adviser to Marine Parade GRC GROs

9.55am Speech by AP Fatimah Lateef

10.10am Speech by Dr Maliki Osman

10.20am [Photo Opportunity]: Unveiling of WGS Logo by Dr Maliki & AP Fatimah

[Photo Opportunity]: Topping Out Ceremony

11.00am Heritage Augmented Reality Trail Flag-off by Dr Maliki and AP Fatimah

Tour of WGS

11.30am Media doorstop interview

11.45am AP Fatimah to present: - Certificate of Participation & Gift hamper to Jamiyah Children Home

12.00pm - Advisers to take their leave

- Movie Screening – “Bujang Lapok”

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Annex B

WGS TOPPING OUT CELEBRATIONS SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 2018, FROM 9.00AM TO 12.00PM, At Open Field next to Wisma Geylang Serai (along Engku Aman Road)

LOCATION MAP

Event site

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ANNEX C

FACT SHEET OF WISMA GEYLANG SERAI

Owner People's Association Location 1 Engku Aman Turn, Singapore 408528 Land Area 6,719.40 sqm (about the size of 1 Football field) Gross Floor Area 14,476.57 sqm Total Built-up Area 29,875.28 sqm (SGFA) Nature of C&CI (Civic & Community Institution) - Development Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) is envisioned to be the community-social, civic and cultural heart of the Geylang Serai precinct. The civic centre is a culturally distinctive and inclusive multi-agency development that aims to celebrate the heritage of Geylang Serai and all other local communities, encouraging social interaction and community bonding among all ages and races.

Expected T.O.P 2Q 2018 Estimated Opening 2Q 2018 to Public Total number of 76 carpark lots plus 2 handicapped lots & 1 family lot parking lots Design Concept Project Vision and Design Concept

Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) is envisioned to be the community-social, civic and cultural heart of the Geylang Serai precinct. The proposed development is a culturally distinctive and inclusive multi-agency development that aims to celebrate the heritage of Geylang Serai and all other local communities, encouraging social interaction and community bonding among all ages and races. will house the Geylang Serai Community Club, the South East Community Development Council, a Malay Heritage Gallery, arts and social/community-related facilities. Within WGS, there will be public spaces, plaza and a comprehensive pedestrian network that will enhance accessibility and connectivity to other developments in the precinct, bringing the wide range of facilities and services in WGS to the community. This development is a collaborative effort of the People’s Association, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Health, National Arts Council, National Heritage Board and Ministry of National Development.

The winning architectural design of WGS from the design competition struck a balance in featuring both contemporary and traditional elements. The design’s use of the double- pitched roof is clearly influenced by traditional Malay houses 6

and complements well with the adjacent Geylang Serai Market. At the same time, the design demonstrates a contemporary feel in its spatial planning, drawing inspiration from the “serai” plant to “ketupat” and “serambi” (means verandah in Malay language) on stilts. It weaves and integrates multi-functional spaces and facilities into a cohesive overall design. This winning design will help to both amplify the distinctive identity of Geylang Serai and strengthen its urban character with its seamless integration of spaces between the pedestrian mall and ground level of the WGS civic centre.

Additional BCA Award and Green Mark Features Information WGS has attained the highest award, the BCA Green Mark Award (PLATINUM) based on the Green Mark for Non- Residential New Buildings Version 4.1 on 20 March 2017.

The prominent green features of WGS includes its strong emphasis on the passive design approach to achieve a high ratio of natural ventilation for the circulation spaces and with its key feature of the naturally ventilated Secondary Street together with the public plaza, it allows WGS to have a welcoming venue for community and festive activities. One of WGS’ sustainable design features also include the incorporation and reuse of former Malay Village’s architectural elements in some of architectural/interior design within WGS’ building.

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ANNEX D

NEW WISMA GEYLANG SERAI LOGO

Architecture The pentagon-shaped ‘window’ was derived from the architecture of Wisma Geylang Serai that utilise the distinct part of the pitched roof of traditional Malay house. The shape also signifies Wisma Geylang Serai as a roof or shelter that house different agencies within its space and act as a bridge for cultural exchanges. The pentagon also serves as a ‘window’ or holding shape where different images can be incorporated inside making the formation a dynamic identity.

The Rose Floral & vegetal motifs are pertinent in Malay culture as they symbolise growth and prosperity. The rose often used as a symbol for love or affection thus it is used to illustrate the relentless love for culture & heritage and perseverance to pass down traditions to the next generations. Simplified version of rose is embedded inside the pentagon holding shape further strengthens Wisma Geylang Serai’s stance as the place where culture and heritage flourish.

Colours The full colour version of the identity is developed to demonstrate its potential. A 3-colour combination were chosen to show the vibrancy of Malay culture & heritage. Copper / bronze is used as the primary colour as copper / bronze material was traditionally used in everyday household items in a Malay house. The colour also symbolises Wisma Geylang Serai as the epicentre that house different activities promoting Malay arts & culture. Yellow is a royal colour that often associated with Sultans, adding a touch of royalty to the logo. Turquoise green is used to portray the plant serai / lemongrass that once was indigenous to the area as well as symbolises the dynamic and growth of the surrounding community.

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