Part 1: Research + data collection
The research gathered about Waterloo Centre comes from personal observations, real life interviews, online surveys, and online research.
S U R V E Y
128 of different age groups were shown photos of Waterloo Centre and other amenities in the vicinity. The coloured bars represent how many people recognise each place. Among 9 different places in the same area, Waterloo Centre is the most unknown (alongside Objectifs).
WHAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE THOUGHT WATERLOO CENTRE IS
I WORKED HERE FOR 2 MONTHS
The arrangement of shops here are very random. On the same level, there is a private investigation office, a yoga studio, and a store selling automotive parts.
INTERVIEW WITH LILING FROM WHENIWASFOUR
Password: wheniwasfree
Interesting features include wide stairwells, floral motif floor titles, traditional shop gate grills, curvy void deck dividers.
It’s so quiet that there are more pigeons than people here.
background
Waterloo Centre is situated in the heart of the local art scene and surrounded by multi-religious places of worship.
Majority of the shops sell automotive spare parts, mostly operated and run by the elderly. On the first floor, some food and drink stalls are run by families. On the second floor, theres a trinket shop, a private investigation service and a yoga studio. On other floors, there are art galleries and shops dedicated to sports wear, vintage bicycles and other trinkets. The open plaza on the first floor, called Artsplace, is often utilised for art events and installations.
The residential areas begin on the fifth floor, where it is also a public space with exercise corners and playgrounds.
history
Established in 1978, Waterloo Centre is among the few 1/2 residential + 1/2 commercial spaces in the city area, built around the same time as Golden Mile Complex, People’s Park Complex, and Bras Basah Complex.
Located along Waterloo Street, it was named after the British’s victory in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, making it one of the oldest roads in Singapore.
Location
Art district – Objectifs, National Design Centre, NAFA, DECK, Singapore Calligraphy Centre, Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore, The Theatre Practice (formerly YMS Art Centre), Dance Ensemble Singapore. and Singapore Art Museum.
Religious diversity – Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple, Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Maghain Aboth Synagogue (built in the 70s and 80s).
art projects that have taken place there
2017 -“Proposals for Waterloo” exhibition co-organised by Noise Singapore, National Arts Council and OH! Open House. 12 artists set up art installations on the spatial structures of Waterloo Centre.
sources
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/young-artists-breathe-new-life-into-waterloo-centre-s–dead-spac-7571138
- https://mothership.sg/2016/10/why-is-singapores-waterloo-street-also-known-as-si-beh-lor/
- http://www.tnp.sg/news/old-school-singapore-playgrounds-make-comeback-waterloo-centre
- https://remembersingapore.org/2017/11/25/waterloo-street-places-of-worship/
- https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/somethings-abuzz-waterloo-street-burgeoning-indie-arts-scene
- https://www.noisesingapore.com/Happenings/2017/1/19/Noise-Art-Mentorship-Showcase-Proposals-for-Waterloo?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
- http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/arts-centre-tenants-uneasy-over-end-of-lease
- http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/tye-soon-to-sell-waterloo-centre-units-to-valuemax-properties-for-s11m