KTPH - Designed for sustainable development and community engagement

Hospitals are resource-intensive buildings that could generate copious amounts of waste and pollution. The management of Alexandra Health, which runs KTPH, therefore determined that the new hospital would be built on the principles of sustainable development to reduce the impact on the environment. KTPH would not only serve the needs of patients, it would incorporate eco-friendly features, encourage biodiversity and become a health hub for the community.

Community engagement was key from the start.  Community groups were invited to provide feedback and suggestions on design and planning. The vision is to ensure the hospital continues to be a place for community involvement and volunteerism ranging from health promoting activities to all aspects of environmental sustainability.  

Natural habitats for bio-diversity

The 550-bed general and acute care hospital exemplifies the balance that can be achieved between human activities and nature through forward planning in development. To counter the loss of biodiversity that typically occurs when land is cleared for construction, one-for-one replacement of flora and fauna species was carried out. The hospital’s gardens are designed to be natural habitats for species indigenous to Singapore and South-east Asia. For instance, plants that would naturally attract butterflies, dragonflies and birds have been carefully cultivated.  Instead of ubiquitous koi which are not native to the region, the ponds will be filled with fish such as gourami, barb, sultan fish, archer fish and chemperas, amongst others.

Natural Healing Environment

Patients, too, benefit from the healing environment. Lush greenery and soothing sounds of water provide a peaceful contrast to the clinical environs of the hospitals’ interior areas while offering shady respite from the tropical heat. Patients who visit the gardens also benefit therapeutically by exercising their mobility and motor skills and enhancing their cognitive ability and emotional status. Social interaction between patients, their relatives and friends, as well as staff also promote mental wellbeing.  

Urban Farming

The hospital also has a flourishing rooftop farm that helps to reduce heat and the impact of carbon dioxide while acting as a source of locally-grown produce. Run by volunteers, the farm employs sustainable agriculture practices such as composting and re-using of organic waste from the hospital’s kitchen and food outlets, crop rotation and the avoidance of pesticide use. Crops such as corn, spinach, lettuce and sweet potato, as well as durian, custard apple and papaya trees provide the community with a supplement to industrially grown food. Some of the produce is cooked by the hospital kitchen and served to inpatients, while the rest is distributed among the volunteers and hospital staff

Transformation of the Storm Pond

KTPH also adopted the neighbouring Yishun Pond in 2005. Working in tandem with National Parks Board (NParks), Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Public Utilities Board (PUB), the bare rainwater collection body will be transformed into an intergenerational garden surrounded by lush flora and teeming fauna. The areas around the pond will feature native woodlands, wetlands and marshlands, and a flower garden trail. A lakeside promenade will serve as a place for exercise and health promoting activities for patients and community at large. 

Refuse, Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

Greening KTPH extends beyond gardening and landscaping. Several features have been incorporated into the building to mitigate the hospital’s electricity consumption and reduce its energy burden. These include an enhanced daylight design, natural ventilation in the wards, fins to deflect heat from the sun and direct cool breezes into interior areas, and solar panels to harness the sun’s natural energy. With these initiatives, the hospital targets to reduce energy use by 30%.  The solar panels, equivalent to the size of an Olympic swimming pool, will provide most of the hot water requirements.  The hospital has been awarded the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Award for its energy-saving practices.

Ultimately, sustainability is about preserving the planet for future generations. KTPH has put in place measures to educate and encourage people to take action for the environment based on the 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse). These include placing recycling bins around the hospital, asking visitors and staff clean up after themselves in public areas such as toilets and the cafeteria and eliminating the distribution of plastic bags in the pharmacy. These sustainable development practices have made KTPH a showcase of sustainable development and health promotion in Singapore.

KTPH - Designed for sustainable development and community engagement

Hospitals are resource-intensive buildings that could generate copious amounts of waste and pollution. The management of Alexandra Health, which runs KTPH, therefore determined that the new hospital would be built on the principles of sustainable development to reduce the impact on the environment. KTPH would not only serve the needs of patients, it would incorporate eco-friendly features, encourage biodiversity and become a health hub for the community.

Community engagement was key from the start.  Community groups were invited to provide feedback and suggestions on design and planning. The vision is to ensure the hospital continues to be a place for community involvement and volunteerism ranging from health promoting activities to all aspects of environmental sustainability.  

Natural habitats for bio-diversity

The 550-bed general and acute care hospital exemplifies the balance that can be achieved between human activities and nature through forward planning in development. To counter the loss of biodiversity that typically occurs when land is cleared for construction, one-for-one replacement of flora and fauna species was carried out. The hospital’s gardens are designed to be natural habitats for species indigenous to Singapore and South-east Asia. For instance, plants that would naturally attract butterflies, dragonflies and birds have been carefully cultivated.  Instead of ubiquitous koi which are not native to the region, the ponds will be filled with fish such as gourami, barb, sultan fish, archer fish and chemperas, amongst others.

Natural Healing Environment

Patients, too, benefit from the healing environment. Lush greenery and soothing sounds of water provide a peaceful contrast to the clinical environs of the hospitals’ interior areas while offering shady respite from the tropical heat. Patients who visit the gardens also benefit therapeutically by exercising their mobility and motor skills and enhancing their cognitive ability and emotional status. Social interaction between patients, their relatives and friends, as well as staff also promote mental wellbeing.  

Urban Farming

The hospital also has a flourishing rooftop farm that helps to reduce heat and the impact of carbon dioxide while acting as a source of locally-grown produce. Run by volunteers, the farm employs sustainable agriculture practices such as composting and re-using of organic waste from the hospital’s kitchen and food outlets, crop rotation and the avoidance of pesticide use. Crops such as corn, spinach, lettuce and sweet potato, as well as durian, custard apple and papaya trees provide the community with a supplement to industrially grown food. Some of the produce is cooked by the hospital kitchen and served to inpatients, while the rest is distributed among the volunteers and hospital staff

Transformation of the Storm Pond

KTPH also adopted the neighbouring Yishun Pond in 2005. Working in tandem with National Parks Board (NParks), Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Public Utilities Board (PUB), the bare rainwater collection body will be transformed into an intergenerational garden surrounded by lush flora and teeming fauna. The areas around the pond will feature native woodlands, wetlands and marshlands, and a flower garden trail. A lakeside promenade will serve as a place for exercise and health promoting activities for patients and community at large. 

Refuse, Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

Greening KTPH extends beyond gardening and landscaping. Several features have been incorporated into the building to mitigate the hospital’s electricity consumption and reduce its energy burden. These include an enhanced daylight design, natural ventilation in the wards, fins to deflect heat from the sun and direct cool breezes into interior areas, and solar panels to harness the sun’s natural energy. With these initiatives, the hospital targets to reduce energy use by 30%.  The solar panels, equivalent to the size of an Olympic swimming pool, will provide most of the hot water requirements.  The hospital has been awarded the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Award for its energy-saving practices.

Ultimately, sustainability is about preserving the planet for future generations. KTPH has put in place measures to educate and encourage people to take action for the environment based on the 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse). These include placing recycling bins around the hospital, asking visitors and staff clean up after themselves in public areas such as toilets and the cafeteria and eliminating the distribution of plastic bags in the pharmacy. These sustainable development practices have made KTPH a showcase of sustainable development and health promotion in Singapore.

SINGAPORE 1960

National Museum of Singapore
Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement

“Through hard work, faith and a little good fortune, may 1960 bring more happiness to more of us.” – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in his first New Year Day speech to the nation.

Politics and the struggle for one’s independence have always been the defining corner-stone of the post-WWII chapter in the Singapore Story. Hope and optimism were brimming in the air in 1960. Calls for a better and brighter future were projected onto the people by the new government while the print media trumpeted the ideas of independence through a merger with Malaya.

In celebration of 50 years of self-government, Singapore 1960 brings visitors a vibrant and colourful ‘live’ show set interjected with noteworthy and quirky news articles throughout the year. Over 300 artefacts presented through art installations rekindle familiarity with life in the 1960, featuring a 100 year -old Strohmenger grand piano, sexy sarong kebayas, the Aw Boon Haw jade collection, and hundreds of popular vinyl records and publications set against eclectic Haw Par Villa and neon-lit ‘Worlds’ amusement parks.

Ramayana Revisited: A Tale of Love and Adventure

Peranakan Museum

Explore the universal and timeless popularity of the Ramayana epic as the exhibition takes you through the Ramayana story, based on the theme of Ramcharitamanas, a 17th century text from India. Consisting original artefacts from the Asian Civilisations Museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition is divided into seven sections. These explore the seven chapters of the epic through shadow puppets, paintings on paper and cloth, and photographs of ancient monuments.

ART GARDEN: CHILDREN'S SEASON AT SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM

Singapore Art Museum (8Q)

The Singapore Art Museum will host its inaugural Children’s Season in May. Young people will be introduced to contemporary art in an interactive, supportive and fun family environment. The entire SAM at 8 Queen Street building will be transformed into magical art gardens showcasing artist projects and artworks inspired by nature. Selected for their imagination and interactivity, these displays will be accompanied with captions to engage young visitors with the art works. Activity sheets inspired by the art works will enhance the children’s learning experience. Young visitors can also participate in a series of artists’ workshops and enjoy short film screenings.

Usual exhibition admission charges apply. Free admission for children aged 6 and below. Each child must be accompanied by an adult holding a valid exhibition admission ticket.

LIFE OF IMITATION: MING WONG

Singapore Art Museum

In Life of Imitation, Ming Wong revisits the context of the Golden Age of Singapore cinema in the 1950s and 60s, an era of nation-building struggle and rapid modernisation.

Inspired by the rich legacy, he re-reads ‘national cinema’ constructed through language, role-playing and identity, by re-interpreting films that are familiar to audiences spanning 2 generations, and engage with performative notions of miscasting and parroting.

The first video features a compendium of works by P. Ramlee, the wunderkind of Malay cinema. The second highlights the Hollywood melodrama ‘Imitation of Life’ (1959) by Douglas Sirk about a black mother and her ‘white’ daughter. The third is Wong Kar Wai’s ‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000) with actress Maggie Cheung rehearsing for a confrontation with her spouse about his infidelity.

Through these video interventions, the viewer is presented with questions related to roots, hybridity, and the politics of becoming. The exhibition also unveils cinema posters by Singapore’s last surviving billboard painter; rare screen memorabilia of a private collector; and documentaries by film-maker Sherman Ong. The Singapore Art Museum restages this award-winning exhibition with a new design and additional exhibits.

The first presentation of this exhibition was at the Singapore Pavilion, 53rd Venice Biennale 2009 where it was awarded the Special Jury Mention by the Biennale.  Ming Wong, Life of Imitation is curated by Guest Curator, Tang Fu Kuen.

REALISM IN ASIAN ART

Singapore Art Museum

Jointly organised by The National Art Gallery, Singapore and the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Realism in Asian Art explores the impact of Realism in the development of 20th-century Asian art.

Unlike the way the Realist movement evolved in 19th century Europe, Realism in Asia applied the same concepts to a different context - expressing Asia’s grapple with modernity, independence and nationhood. The powerful images produced during this period often inspired and incited action, and were even at times, suppressed and banned. Through the display of a select group of paintings from ten Asian countries, Realism in Asian Art examines how this important art movement touched Asia, weaving together a fascinating tale of heroism, valour and hope, in a time of turmoil that plagued Asia during the 20th century.
This exhibition is a special research exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, held on the premises of the Singapore Art Museum.

REDISCOVERING YEH CHI WEI

Singapore Art Museum

Rediscovering Yeh Chi Wei tells the life and works of one of Singapore’s early artists, Yeh Chi Wei. Known for his highly distinctive oil paintings, Yeh drew inspiration from a wide range of cultural sources, such as Han Dynasty carvings and Javanese batik. The results are innovative works that powerfully weave together Asian and Western art aesthetics, cultural sources and travel inspirations.

A well-respected art educator and an influential leader in Singapore’s early art scene, Yeh frequently led the Ten-Men Art Group on painting expeditions to various locations.  His belief in striving for improvement and innovation, while maintaining a strong Southeast Asian identity encouraged other artists to emulate this enduring spirit. Organised by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, this exhibition will showcase Yeh’s illustrious artistic career, his contributions to Singapore, and examine how he continually celebrated the beauty of Southeast Asia through his art.

This exhibition is a special research exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, held on the premises of the Singapore Art Museum.

The PUBLIC HOUSING Journey

Bringing you through the past, present and future of Singapore's public housing

The Housing & Development Board is the public housing authority in Singapore. It has been instrumental in transforming the landscape of Singapore from slums into a world class city in less than 5 decades. This learning journey offers participants the opportunity to understand how HDB, through its planning of new towns, creates environmentally friendly and sustainable homes for Singaporeans.

Experience first-hand the life of HDB residents and their living environment with a walk through the community mall that of an HDB housing precinct that links residences to social and recreational facilities, inter-precinct open spaces, commercial plaza, providing a barrier-free connectivity throughout the development. Visit a family living in Tivela precinct to savour the flavour of heartland living.

The WASTE & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Journey

A Tour to Singapore's Ecological Offshore Landfill

Semakau Landfill showcases Singapore National Environment Agency's (NEA) success in managing an effective landfill while retaining Singapore's natural heritage. The Semakau Landfill, which is an offshore landfill created from sea space, highlights Singapore's efforts in solid waste management and environmental preservation. Despite receiving 2,000 tonnes -of incineration ash and non-incinerable waste per day, Semakau Landfill is still a major sanctuary of many marine ecosystems, co-existing with mangrove, grassland and shoreline habitats. It is open to the public for recreational activities such as sport fishing, bird watching, stargazing and inter-tidal walks.

Participants will learn about solid waste management in Singapore and the operation of Semakau Landfill. This will be followed by a bus tour of Semakau Landfill to view its operation as well as the scenic and idyllic surroundings.

The URBAN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Journey

Conservation in Singapore

Pulau Ubin, or Granite Island, is situated off the northeastern corner of Singapore. The island provides a much-needed escapade from the hustle and bustle of city life in Singapore. Its natural and rustic charm draws about 300,000 visitors each year. The idyllic setting is ideal for outdoor activities like nature appreciation, cycling, hiking, camping and fishing.

Chek Jawa Wetlands is located at the eastern end of Pulau Ubin. Covering approximately 100 hectares in area, it comprises of several habitats - sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest. Slated for land reclamation since 1992, the immensely rich biodiversity of Chek Jawa was discovered only in December 2000. As public attention was drawn to its fate, thousands of Singaporeans flocked to visit this wetland treasure before it was destroyed. A flurry of appeals from nature lovers and the general public led Government to review its reclamation plans. The views of scientific experts were sought and various alternatives and the trade-offs required were carefully considered. In Jan 2002, the Government announced that the land reclamation works would not proceed for as long as the land is not required for development. Ironically, with the landmark decision to safeguard Chek Jawa, throngs of visitors flocked there to enjoy her natural heritage. Trampling across the wetland, they were unaware of the damage inflicted and Chek Jawa was literally being "loved to death". The National Parks Board (NParks) was hence tasked to set up a system to manage the large number of visitors and to facilitate guided tours so that the negative impact on the habitats and marine life would be minimized. In July 2007, new amenities including a visitor centre, boardwalks, shelters and a viewing tower, were launched to facilitate nature appreciation and interpretation. The boardwalks enable about 50,000 visitors a year to enjoy Chek Jawa, while minimizing impact on the fragile ecology and biodiversity.

On a few days each month, the tides are low enough for guided tours on the sand flats of Chek Jawa. You will be able to see the amazing marine life up close. Don't miss this rare opportunity to savour the beauty of Chek Jawa yourselves. You will need to rise early as time and tide waits for no man!

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Danger

Singapore Philatelic Museum

There are no two tigers that have the same striped pattern on their bodies. Discover where this animal stands in the Chinese zodiac and unravel your fortune in the Year of the Tiger. Check out tiger zodiac stamps from all over the world, and find out other facts about this large cat that once roamed Singapore's forests. Gain an insight into the tiger's dwindling population, and learn about what you can do to save these magnificent creatures from extinction.

February 15: The Day to Remember

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Commemorating the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, this exhibition features stamps, letters, postcards, propaganda flyers and other philatelic materials from the museum's and private collector Professor Cheah Jin Seng's collections. Relive the painful memories of life during the Japanese Occupation juxtaposed with the ideology and propaganda campaigns of the Japanese told through this collection.