20 Nov 2024: The Nara Document at 30 Symposium "Perspectives on Replication and Reconstruction in Architecture Conservation"

Let's celebrate 30 years of 'The Nara Document of Authenticity' together!

Join us at the National Archives Singapore (Oldham Theatre) for a special event celebrating "The Nara Document of Authenticity (1994)" turning 30! This in-person symposium will feature speakers from Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, highlighting the importance of this influential document in the field of architectural conservation. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate with fellow enthusiasts!

Speakers include: 
  • Assoc. Prof. Yeo Kang Shua and Asst. Prof. Jeffrey Chan (Singapore)
  •  Prof. Lee Chien-lang (Taiwan)
  • Dr. Lee Prosser, Historic Royal Palaces, United Kingdom
  • Prof. Gerard Lico, University of the Philippines College of Architecture
  • and our discussant, Mr. Kelvin Ang, Singapore

The Nara Document has been instrumental in addressing the need for a broader understanding of cultural diversity and heritage. It expanded the 1964 Charter of Venice concept of respecting original material, thereby emphasising the retention of material fabric in its original state. The Nara Document’s “authenticity judgements … may include form and design, materials and substance, use and function, traditions and techniques, location and setting, and spirit and feeling, and other internal and external factors. The use of these sources permits [the] elaboration of the specific artistic, historic, social, and scientific dimensions of the cultural heritage being examined.”

Thirty years have passed since 1994. The world’s resources are getting scarce. With the challenges of the loss of certain materials (e.g. large-size timber), changes to use and function, declining craftsmanship, as well as changes to the setting, do we prioritise form and design and allow materials to be changed in an attempt to retain the spirit and feeling? Or are these futile efforts? How do we view authenticity?

Register for the event here! 

31 Oct 2024: Response to NHB's Public Consultation on Legislative Proposals Relating To Archaeology

ICOMOS Singapore has responded with a 3-page feedback to the National Heritage Board (NHB)’s Public Consultation on Legislative Proposals Relating To Archaeology.

From 1 to 31 October 2024, NHB sought views on several legislative proposals relating to archaeology. The consultation proposed changes that  
(a) addresses the ownership of archaeological finds;
(b) requires the compulsory reporting of archaeological finds; and
(c) regulates archaeological activities.
More information could be found on Reach's website. (link)

Our responses to the consultation are appended in the following pdf.

22 Apr 2024: Tour Jogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java, with Dr Farish Noor

ICOMOS Singapore and Nurhikmah Travel & Tours are organising a 6-day-5-night tour to Jogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java, Indonesia. Led by Dr Farish Noor, this tour will take place from 7 September to 12 September 2024.

We will visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks (2023), Prambanan Temple Compounds (1991) and Borobudur Temple Compounds (1991). We will also visit the palace of Surakarta, where tour participants can learn about the heritage, culture and history of Surakarta, and the role of traditional kingdoms in the Indonesia of today . A meeting with ICOMOS Indonesia is being arranged and we hope to hear about their work and ongoing conservation endeavours.

This tour will be open to everyone, including non-members of ICOMOS Singapore. The detailed itinerary and prices are listed in the attached brochure.

Image: Borobudur Temple (Gilbert Sopakuwa, CC-BY-ND)
yogyakarta_tour_brochure_sept2024.pdf
File Size: 1359 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

16 Oct 2021: ICOMOS Singapore Public Talk by Jaclyn Chua & Vanessa Kirana

Restoration & Retrofitting of Industrial Heritage in Singapore: St James Power Station

Saturday 16 October 2021, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
Admission to the lecture is free online with Facebook Live
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LAUNCH 20 Sep 2021: Conservation Technical Handbook: A Guide for Best Practices - Vol 8: Managing Change

Published by URA and produced by ICOMOS Singapore, the final volume of the Conservation Technical Handbook e-book series is now available for download!
VIEW E-BOOK DETAILS

18 Apr 2021: International Day for Monuments and Sites 2021: Talk by Ian Tan

Structure, Sanitation, and Social Engineering: Iron Markets in Hong Kong and Singapore During the Late 19th Century

Sunday, 18 April 2021, 10.00 - 11.00am
Admission to the lecture is free online with Facebook Live

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New Publication: Saving History to Build a Nation. ICOMOS-National Museum of Singapore World Heritage Day Symposium.

The UNESCO General Conference of November 1983 adopted the resolution commending all Member States to declare 18th April of each year as ‘International Monuments and Sites Day’. 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of both Singapore and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). In celebration of this dual golden anniversary, ICOMOS Singapore joins the National Museum of Singapore, and the National Heritage Board in celebrating World Heritage Day with a symposium on heritage in Singapore. Themed and titled ‘Heritage in Singapore: Saving History to Build a Nation’, the conference brought together Singapore’s leading practitioners in the heritage scene, drawing from both ICOMOS members and colleagues from the National Heritage Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. We are pleased to present the symposium papers in this volume.
​VIEW SYMPOSIUM MONOGRAPH

​24 Oct 2020: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2020 Special Online Public Lecture by Ms. Swati Chandgadkar

The Paintwork Narrative in the Conservation of Stained Glass: Two Case Studies in Singapore and Mumbai

LAUNCH October 2020: Conservation Technical Handbook: A Guide for Best Practices - Vol 6: Interior Elements, Vol 7: Paints and Coatings

Published by URA and produced by ICOMOS Singapore, the latest of the Conservation Technical Handbook e-book series is now available for download!
VIEW E-BOOK DETAILS

9 Oct 2020: Proposed conservation of Golden Mile Complex – Joint statement by the Singapore Heritage Society, ICOMOS Singapore, and the DoCoMoMo Singapore Working Group [PDF]

The Singapore Heritage Society, ICOMOS Singapore and the DoCoMoMo Singapore Working Group wholeheartedly welcome the proposal from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to gazette Golden Mile Complex for conservation.
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24 Oct 2020: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2020 Special Online Public Lecture by Ms. Swati Chandgadkar

The Paintwork Narrative in the Conservation of Stained Glass: Two Case Studies in Singapore and Mumbai

Saturday, 24 October 2020, 3.00 - 4.30pm
Free Admission, Registration Required
VIEW EVENT DETAILS
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

20 Oct 2019: Bicentenary Panel Discussion

Remembering Our Pasts? For What?

Sunday, 20 October 2019, 3.30pm
Auditorium (Level 10)
10 Square @ Orchard Central
​Free Admission
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LAUNCH July 2019: Conservation Technical Handbook: A Guide for Best Practices - Vol 4: Structure, Vol 5: Doors and Windows

Published by URA and produced by ICOMOS Singapore, the latest of the Conservation Technical Handbook e-book series is now available for download!
VIEW E-BOOK DETAILS

11 Aug 2018: ICOMOS Singapore Public Talk

Nature, Culture and Cultural Landscapes? Towards a Reconceptualization of Urban Heritage

Saturday, 11 August 2018, 10.30am - 12nn
Seminar Room @ National Museum of Singapore
​Free Admission
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World Heritage News Feed

LINK TO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE NEWS
LINK TO ICOMOS INTERNATIONAL HOMEPAGE

21 Oct 2017: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2017 Special Guest Lecture by Prof. Leonard Y. Andaya

History and Sites of the Malay World

Saturday, 21st October 2017, 4.30 - 6pm
Ngee Ann Auditorium @ Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
Free Admission
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23 Oct 2016: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2016 Special Guest Lecture by Dr. Jack Tsen-Ta Lee

Singapore as a Citizen in the Global Heritage Milieu
Sunday, 23rd October 2016, 3 - 4.30pm
Auditorium, 10 Square @ Orchard Central
Free Admission
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2 Sep 2016: Proposed Demolition and
Reconstruction of Part of Ellison Building – Statement by ICOMOS Singapore [PDF]

We refer to the authorities’ announcement to demolish and reconstruct three units (nos. 235, 237, and 239) of Ellison Building at the junction of Selegie and Bukit Timah Roads to make way for the construction of the proposed underground North-South Corridor.

Ellison Building was built in 1924. The building consists of 16 adjoining shophouse units. The three affected units completes the Bukit Timah end of its two distinctive curved street corner façades, each crowned by a cupola.

In 2008, Ellison Building was gazetted as a conservation building by URA as part of the Mount Sophia Conservation Area. This fact is proudly highlighted on the URA’s website.

It is regrettable that despite the building’s conserved status, the authorities have nonetheless decided to proceed with demolishing and rebuilding the three shophouses.

ICOMOS Singapore is deeply disturbed by the authorities’ disregard for the heritage value of this building and the lack of transparency behind this decision which is problematic and regressive on the following fronts. ...
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19 Jun 2018: Study Space XI Seminar

ICOMOS Singapore is hosting Study Space XI organised by the Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth of the Georgia State University (GSU) College of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Maintaining Identities: Balancing Urban Development and Heritage Protection

Tuesday, 19 June 2018, 9.30am
Ngee Ann Auditorium @ Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
​Free Admission
VIEW EVENT DETAILS

11 Oct 2015: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2015 Special Guest Lecture by Dr. Nigel Taylor

The Singapore Botanic Gardens & the World Heritage Site Journey

Sunday, 11th Oct 2015, 2.30pm
Function Hall, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Free Admission
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18 Apr 2015: ICOMOS-NMS World Heritage Day Symposium: “Heritage in Singapore – Saving History to Build a Nation”

In November 1983, the UNESCO General Conference adopted a resolution commending all Member States to declare the 18th April of each year as ‘International Monuments and Sites Day’. This year marks the 50th anniversary of both Singapore and the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). In celebration of this dual golden anniversary, ICOMOS Singapore joins the National Heritage Board in celebrating World Heritage Day with a symposium on various aspects of Singapore’s heritage and activities to safeguard this precious heritage. The symposium will be held at the National Museum of Singapore (NMS).
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VIEW SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACTS

12 Jul 2014: ICOMOS Singapore AGM 2014 Public Lecture by Guest Speaker Dr. Ichita Shimoda

Heritage Preservation of World Monuments and Archaeological Sites: Two Case Studies from Angkor and Borobudur 
Saturday, 12th July 2014, 4 - 6pm
National Museum of Singapore Seminar room
Free Admission
BOA-SIA CPD Points: Pending
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14 May 2014: Formation of ICOMOS Singapore

On 14th May 2014, a National Committee for Singapore was officially sanctioned by the ICOMOS Executive Committee. In the spirit of ICOMOS and other international heritage bodies, ICOMOS Singapore seeks to establish the National Committee as a separate stand-alone non-governmental organization. ICOMOS Singapore welcomes all existing members of ICOMOS residing within and without Singapore, as well as other heritage professionals from the private industry and government service.

VIEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

VIEW ICOMOS SINGAPORE RULES

Nov 2013: Singapore Botanic Gardens Unesco World Heritage Site Nomination Research Report 


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