The building consists of two major block structures. The top, raised white block sits perpendicularly on top of a red brick counterpart, resting on six white pillars to complete an impressive, looming entrance.
Its linear geometrical style, lack of decorations and muted industrial colours are characteristic of Corporate Modernism architecture, which emphasises functionality and practicality.
A variety of institutions have occupied the building. Its first occupant — the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board (SFPPB), implemented the first Five-Year Family Planning Programme in 1966. The policy reflects efforts to control Singapore’s booming population in the 1960s.
Over the next two decades, the site continued to host the offices of the SFPPB. Older generations may remember campaign slogans by the Board, like ‘Stop at Two’ and ‘The More You Have, the Less They Get’.
In 1985, the SFPPB was closed down, and its functions was absorbed into the Ministry of Health. Since then, the building continued to be used by other organisations. The Home Nursing Foundation (HNF), which had moved into the building in 1980, continued to occupy part of the building until 2003.
The next occupants arrived in 1990 — the Hospice Care Association (HCA). Since then, the site has been shared by many organisations which took up temporary occupancy there: The Epilepsy Support & Development Centre, the World Health Organisation, the Singapore National Stroke Association and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
As of 2018, the building has been tendered for future development by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which may be developed into a confinement centre.
Buildings and sites featured on Roots.SG are part of our efforts to raise awareness of our heritage; a listing on Roots.SG does not imply any form of preservation or conservation status, unless it is mentioned in the article. The information in this article is valid as of August 2019 and is not intended to be an exhaustive history of the site/building.
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