During the building’s renovation, Lim and his team at PAC focused on preserving its heritage character while adapting its functionality to suit a wellness-led serviced residence. The red-brick elevations, French windows, breeze blocks, and structural framework of the building were retained.
“Beyond the facade, we made a conscious decision to preserve the original flooring materials that carry the memory of the building. The mosaic tiles and terrazzo floors in the internal and external corridors, along with the marble flooring in the lobby, were carefully maintained and restored, grounding the new functions of the property in its historic fabric,” said Lim.
The Initial Sama’s interiors blend warm neutrals, earthy clay, and deep tropical greens with natural wood, rattan, and stone to achieve a “retro-modern tropical design”. Cloistered courtyards complement the central courtyard, seamlessly merging greenery with the existing spaces.
Sustainable thinking does not just apply to the building but also to the landscaping. “Mindful of existing tree roots, we wove footpaths sensitively around tree protection zones, using loose stepping stones when it came near existing roots. The yoga deck was raised on what had once been an open lawn, minimising disturbances to existing tree roots and ecosystems,” said Grant Associates’ senior associate, Agnes Soh, speaking about the design of the Wellness and Healing Garden adjacent to the pool.
She emphasised: “For this project, our ethos was about respecting nature and celebrating what came before us. Longevity and sustainability meant working with what was already there, rather than against it.”
At the poolside, Lim pointed out a tall, striking sculpture created by Grant Associates for last year’s Singapore Garden Festival and later “adopted” by the property. Crafted from a fallen tree, it not only enlivens the public space but also serves as a symbol of optimism, opportunity, and renewal — much like The Initial Sama.
Source: CNA
