Open Studio: Adaptive Reuse & Thoughtful Design in Singapore Architecture
The Lo & Behold Group has completed the restoration of the former Nan Chiau Secondary School hall at New Bahru, transforming the space into a venue for large-scale events and exhibitions. Singapore-based architectural firm Open Studio undertook the project, focusing on preserving the hall’s original modernist features while adapting it for contemporary use.
While a broader renovation of the former school site was previously handled by multidisciplinary studio Farm in collaboration with design studio Nice Projects, the hall had remained untouched until Open Studio’s involvement. Jax Tan and Lam Jun Nan, the founders of Open Studio, approached the restoration as a careful process of revealing the building’s inherent character. This involved removing additions made by previous tenants – partitions, fittings, and haphazardly installed services – to highlight the hall’s original design.
“Despite its age, the hall still had material charm, such as the deep-stained teak panelling and ecru mosaic floor, which the landlord admired and which we sought to preserve,” explained Lam. Rather than attempting to conceal signs of age or previous modifications, the architects deliberately left visible the “patchwork of repair on the floor and staple scars on the wood,” viewing these as integral to the hall’s history and collective memory.
Open Studio, founded in 2016 by Tan and Lam, both graduates of the National University of Singapore’s architecture program, has quickly turn into recognized for its diverse portfolio. Prior to establishing their practice, Lam worked at Aedas and Arcstudio + Urbanism, while Tan gained experience at Arcstudio and Park + Associates. Their projects range from residential interiors to retail spaces and restaurants, but a consistent thread throughout their work is a focus on creating spaces that are responsive to the needs and habits of their users.
Tan described this approach as rooted in “hospitality,” but not in the conventional sense of luxury or extravagance. Instead, she emphasized the importance of “considerate, personal touches that make a space feel intuitive and comfortable.” This attention to detail is evident in features like the custom cubbyholes in a JC Apartment kitchen and the thoughtfully designed shared vanity at Ally Maxwell, which includes dedicated compartments for various personal items.
Tan recently shared insights into her design philosophy following visits to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in Los Angeles and the home and studio of Mexican architect Luis Barragán in Mexico City. She expressed interest in projects that address broader urban challenges, citing the Tokyo Toilet project – an initiative by The Nippon Foundation to renovate public toilets in Shibuya, Tokyo – as an example of design with a meaningful social impact. “It was exactly the kind of initiative she would love to be part of – one that brings meaningful, positive change to a city,” according to reporting on her views.
The New Bahru project, developed by Lo & Behold Group, aims to create a lifestyle hub encompassing over 50 businesses at the former Nan Chiau High School site. The Lo & Behold Group, led by Wee Teng Wen, has a history of revitalizing Singaporean landmarks, and New Bahru follows in the spirit of growth and discovery established at the former Nan Chiau High School.