When the newly inaugurated restoration of the Sri Mariamman Temple took place on February 12, 2023, as part of the grand consecration ceremony of the temple, more than 20,000 devotees attended the early morning event on South Bridge Road, with some queues since dawn.

The year-long $3.5 million restoration, carried out by a team of Caide Architects and local preservationist Maek Consulting in collaboration with the temple’s administrator, the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB), began in 2021 and involved high-tech techniques using drone technology.

The jury’s recognition called it “a true labor of love” combining scientific research with traditional craftsmanship.

Sri Mariamman Temple was designed according to ancient South Indian temple architecture, featuring an imposing tower or gopuram with ornate and colorful figurines depicting mythological characters and deities.

Founded in 1827, it is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Goddess Mariamman, believed to be the incarnation of the Hindu mother of creation.

The grand reveal of the bodyguard has been planned to coincide with the grand consecration ceremony Maha Kumbhabishegam in February 2023. According to Hindu principles, temples need to be consecrated every 12 years to re-energize the structure and also improve important aspects of the structure. The design is prone to failure.

Apart from the gopuram, there are other domes called vimanams that house different deities of the Hindu pantheon.

To ensure strict adherence to ancient Hindu scriptures governing temple design, HEB consulted Dr Dakshinamoorthy Sthapati, a traditional temple architect or ‘sthapati’ from Chennai. In 2022, 12 temples flew here with Indian temple artisans.

He found that the temple had gone through several major reconstructions since 1862, when the first wooden structure was later transformed into a concrete building.

While some early sections were built using granite stones and bricks, reinforced concrete was used in later sections. For example, gopurams and vimanams belong to different periods and were built using various materials.

The restoration required an in-depth study of the materials used and the work done over time and the use of appropriate restoration methods.

Being one of the Hindu temples where most religious events are held throughout the year, the wear and tear was a lot. Dr Dakshinamoorthy stated that dust and pigeon droppings also have a negative impact.

“Sri Mariamman Temple has unique features that represent Singapore’s multicultural past,” says architect and sculptor Dr Dakshinamoorthy.

“Examples of these are the trefoil arches in the temple hall and the circular windows at the entrance, which are rare in Indian temple design. We needed to ensure that these unique features were carefully preserved. Since the Hindu temple in Singapore is a monument of architecture, it was also necessary to ensure that the paintings, frescoes and sculptural figures retained their original colors and forms.

“But the main concern at the time was to complete the restoration and resolve any difficulties on the site approximately 12 months before the consecration ceremony.”

This is where Mr. Wong Chung Wan, director of Maek Consulting, and his team stepped in.

They collaborated with HEB and the temple’s management to create a roadmap for restoration.

His team provided technical support for a detailed diagnostic investigation into the condition of the paints on the gopurams and vimanams and the cause of paint deterioration. This involved removing parts of the paint layers for microscopic examination.

Paint samples revealed that a unique orange layer was consistently found throughout the temple. This layer was later identified as minium, a lead-based pigment that was reportedly one of the pigments used in the construction of Angkor Wat, the 12th-century temple complex in Cambodia.

The team then removed the deteriorated paint and treated the surfaces to absorb the new paint, as well as developing an in-place protocol to inspect and ensure the quality of the work at different stages of the process.

“To get to know the temple better, extensive background research was carried out, including the history of the paints used and the construction of the temple through archival research,” says Mr Wong.

The priority was the gopuram as the paint was chipping, cracks and plaster were falling off due to corrosion. “To determine the extent of the damage, we used drone photography to create a 3D image through photogrammetry of each figurine in the gopuram,” says Mr Wong.

Photogrammetry is the science of extracting 3D information from photographs. The process involves taking multiple photographs of a structure and turning them into a digital twin for more accurate examination and analysis.

HEB and the temple committee are grateful that the efforts were rewarded with a Special Mention.

“From Dr Dakshinamoorthy to Maek Consulting and the team of talented sculptors and artisans we sourced from India, everyone has worked meticulously to restore the temple beautifully,” says Mr TG Gritharan, vice-chairman of the temple.

“During the conservation period, we continued to provide religious services and organize holiday celebrations, albeit on a smaller scale. Devotees and volunteers have witnessed the progress of the restoration every step of the way.”

Malabar Mosque expansion project strikes delicate balance

Malabar Mosque (Special Mention)

Malabar Mosque is one of the mosques in Singapore run by the Malabar Muslim community whose ancestors came from Kerala, India.

Malabar Muslims are Malayalees, a South Indian ethno-linguistic group who live on the Malabar coast of Kerala and were one of the first groups to embrace Islam in India. Unlike the rest of the subcontinent, where Islam gradually took root, the Malabar coast received Islam directly from Arabia via maritime trade routes.

Located at the intersection of Jalan Sultan and Victoria Street, the 60-year-old mosque was first designed by North Indian immigrant AH Siddique and opened in 1963 by then-president Yusof Ishak.

The mosque underwent a renovation that was completed in 1995, during which precious blue and white lapis lazuli tiles were added to its distinctive façade.

The Special Mention-winning three-year conservation began in August 2020 and was managed by a team from local practice Liu & Wo Architects.

The renovation works included expanding the area by 592 m2 by building a three-storey additional building and restoring some parts of the old mosque. This resulted in increased prayer space, additional classrooms, and improved accessibility with elevators, ramps, and stairs.

The mosque’s owners requested an annex to house a heritage gallery, as well as more space for prayers and public programmes.

The firm also adopted a detailed conceptual approach guided by the URA’s conservation guidelines, resulting in a design that respects the historical and cultural significance of the site.

“The project not only ensures the continuity of the mosque as a place of worship and gathering, but also inspires the Malabari Muslim community to become dedicated guardians, developing a greater sense of pride and collective identity,” the jury citation said.

Ms Wo Mei Lan, architect and co-founder of Liu & Wo Architects, is a senior lecturer in the Department of Architecture at the School of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore. He led a team that sought expert advice from Imran Tajudeen. .

Dr Imran helped the team understand the history and history of the Malabaris in Singapore and guided the design approach, taking into account the site’s history as an ancient burial ground and its importance to the community.

“We wanted to ensure a respectful and conscious approach to design,” says Ms. Wo.

Haji Osman Abdullah, former chairman of Malabar Mosque, praised the heritage gallery and said that the gallery has received positive feedback from both the society and tourists.

“The gallery is a platform to showcase and preserve the traditions and history of the Malabar Mosque and the Malabari community,” said Mr. Osman, who is also an advisor to the mosque’s management committee.

Haji Muhammad Khairul Jameel Yahya, senior executive chairman of Malabar Mosque, welcomed the Special Mention and stated that it was recognition of the collective efforts of the community.

“This award represents the close collaboration, dedication and commitment of not only the Malabar Mosque congregation, but also the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, its subsidiary Warees Investment, stakeholders and professionals.”