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Photo: Finbarr Fallon
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have heard the buzz surrounding New Bahru, Singapore’s latest creative enclave nestled in River Valley. Given that a lifestyle cluster of this scale hasn’t emerged since Dempsey Village in the mid-noughties, it is little wonder that the development is attracting all the attention.
The school hall of the former Nan Chiau High School, with its rows of wooden chairs, was left intact. (Photo: New Bahru)
“The design speaks of its place,” she explains. “As the development is on the grounds of the former Nan Chiau High School, we wanted to pay homage to this piece of history. We looked at elements that spoke of yesteryear and toyed with the idea of going back to one’s roots, back to one’s alma mater. Hence, the name Alma House was born.”
This vision manifests in the thoughtful incorporation of old-school elements reimagined in modern materials. One of the most striking features is the use of louvres, inspired by the louvred glass windows common in school classrooms.
FARM’s Nina Arily led the design of Alma House. (Photo: FARM)
“We created a series of linear design languages (inspired by the louvres) that are omnipresent across the living room, the guestrooms, and even the branding,” says Arily. This motif not only pays tribute to the past but also serves functional purposes, such as enhancing natural light and ventilation in the rooms.
The lobby, referred to as the Living Lounge, exemplifies this blend of old and new. “A series of aluminium louvred sliding door panels adorn the frontage of the Living Lounge, where guests first arrive to check in,” Arily describes. This multifunctional space is designed for working, eating, and socialising, with a social bar that can transform the area into an event venue.
The developers have yet to anoint the school hall with a purpose, but its potential as an event space is undeniable. (Photo: New Bahru)
In the guestrooms, the linear language continues with timber louvres. “From the panelling on the walls to the customised furniture, and even as partitioning that separates the bedroom from the living/work area,” Arily notes, highlighting how these elements provide both aesthetic continuity and practical benefits.
Smells like community spirit
With digital nomadism practically mainstream and the lines between business and leisure travel blurred, Alma House is designed to be the ideal sheltering spot for global citizens when it welcomes its first guests on August 1, 2024. “Considerations were made for flexibility in how guests would use their spaces. We crafted zones for resting, living, working, and hosting,” says Arily.
An artist’s rendering of Alma House’s Living Lounge. Note the references to louvred windows in the design. (Photo: FARM)
The variety of room types — six in all, from cosy 194 sq ft deluxe rooms to spacious 592 sq ft family suites — accommodates everyone from solo travellers to family groups. The property is inclined towards those in it for the longer haul, with a minimum stay requirement of six nights. Studios and family suites are equipped with kitchenettes.
This 2BR suite features dedicated living, dining, and kitchen spaces. (Photo: FARM)
Being part of a development with a rich history and a vibrant community, Alma House encourages guests to explore and engage with the local culture. “Guests have plenty of options to connect, explore, and stay curious while they go about their day-to-day,” Arily notes. They don’t have to go very far — New Bahru is home to over 50 homegrown brands spanning dining, retail, wellness, enrichment, arts, and culture.
Built for longevity
As with most — if not all — building projects these days, sustainability was a key consideration in the design and construction process. “From the onset, we were conscious of sustainable ways to approach this project and were determined to reduce construction waste,” Arily explains.
Imperceptible to most guests is the fact that the rooms utilise materials salvaged from other projects, in an effort to reduce construction waste. (Photo: FARM)
The team utilised excess materials from other projects, such as main guest room doors and bathroom mirrors. Excess tiles were repurposed into a “crazy paving” pattern in the public washroom, a technique commonly found in outdoor gardens.
The transformation of the former Nan Chiau High School into Alma House was not without its challenges, the most significant of which was “finding a harmonious balance in contemporising past design elements” and “creating a fresh look while staying true to the authenticity of old charms”.
In the deluxe rooms, timber louvre screens separate the sleeping quarters from the rest of the living area. (Photo: FARM)
This challenge led to unexpected discoveries, such as during the demolition phase of the Living Lounge, where stripped columns revealed an astonishing texture that was intentionally left raw and untreated.
Ultimately, Alma House is a shining example of how historical reverence and modern design coexist harmoniously. “We were very fortunate to have worked with Alma House, who shared a collective vision with FARM, allowing us to relearn and push the boundaries between what was deemed ‘old-school’ into fresh, contemporary ways,” Arily reflects.
