In an ever-changing metropolitan like Singapore, Alma House’s vision of revitisalision rather than overhaul is a welcome change.
It is often easier to gain perspective with a clean slate, as is so frequently the case with Singapore’s ceaseless state of urbanisation. Historical buildings like the former National Library and National Theatre have been demolished to make way for newer, brighter and more modern iterations of themselves to serve the needs and desires of an increasingly modern population. Where it is deemed necessary, like with issues of structural integrity, the preservation of a heritage building cannot be expected to take precedence over the safety and usability of its construction. Albeit, this is not always the case, and more often than not developers seem to favour the creation of something entirely new rather than building and improving on the structures of what exists. In essence, ‘new’ is too often assumed to mean ‘better’ — a fallacy that does not bolster the case for heritage. It is exactly for this reason, that kudos must be extended to those who can find inspiration in the pre-existing — who recognize that to be old is not to be mistaken for a lack of value — that there are stories to be conveyed in our heritage.
Unveiled as the destination lodging in the creative cluster New Bahru by Lo & Behold at 46 & 58 Kim Yam Road, Alma House is one of the purveyors of preserving Singapore’s heritage buildings, particularly by breathing new life into the halls of the once-former Nan Chiau High School into new service-apartments. The school’s legacy is long and fraught, once housing volunteer soldiers during the Japanese Occupation before going on to educate girls in the 1950s and eventually boys as well from 1984. Eventually, however, declining enrollment meant a split between the primary and secondary levels and a relocation in 2000 that left the original Kim Yam Road campus vacant — until now.
The brainchild of boutique collective Project X, Alma House takes inspiration from those that came before — in other words its ‘alma mater’. Inspired by the bones of the school it is built on and from the Latin definition of the word “Alma” which means “nourishing”, this service apartment project aims to provide exactly the latter for all those who patronise its once-institutional walls. Seeking to offer a “home away from home“, the 83-room property is set to accommodate all kinds of travellers, whether that may be solo or group explorers, families, professionals or nomads who wish to visit Singapore for 6 nights or more. Particularly, nourishment at Alma House takes form in the ability to curate stay packages that are tailored to each traveller’s needs such as access to gym facilities, wellness packages, an assortment of food options including casual or fine dining and special perks and promotions at 35 of the city’s local brands across retail, enrichment and the arts.
(From top to bottom: Alma House Studio, Alma House One Bedroom Suite, Alma House Family Suite)
Located in the heart of River Valley, steps away from the Singapore River, the grounds of New Bahru offer patrons of Alma House a unique opportunity to acquaint themselves with Singapore’s colonial heritage and post-independence urbanisation that characterizes the location. A marriage that is also reflected in the rooms, apartments and lobby of Alma House. In partnership with Singapore-grown interior and architecture designers Castlery and FARM, the once-hallowed halls of Nan Chiau High have been reimagined into contemporary biophilic apartments, co-work and lounge spaces with light-wood grains, plush warm-toned upholstery and sleek stone fixtures. Room options cater to a wide spectrum of spacial needs for guests starting from a cosy 18sqm in the Deluxe Room to a generous 55sqm in the Alma Family Suite. Particular emphasis has also been placed on the designs of its lobby which was envisioned to be an “extended living room” aiming to inspire guests to connect and mingle with one another while also providing a malleable space for collaboration. The House also provides patrons with an opportunity to wind down with a drink at its Honesty Bar.
For the traveller looking to immerse themself in the heart of Singapore’s creative and vibrant locale, Alma House is now open for reservations at almahouse.sg.
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