‘Wisma Geylang Serai’ - Winning Name for New Civic Centre

Channel NewsAsia, 4 Apr 2012

Wisma Geylang Serai has emerged as the winning name for the new civic centre in Geylang Serai.

The name was finalised by a panel chaired by former Member of Parliament Yatiman Yusof, after taking into consideration the vision and intended uses for the centre, as well as the results of the online public voting in February 2012 from a shortlist of 10 names nominated by the public.

The proposed civic centre was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August 2011.

The 10,000-square-metre centre is expected to house a Malay Heritage Gallery, the Geylang Serai Community Club, Southeast Community Development Centre, as well as some arts groups. It will be completed by 2016.

The panel felt that "Wisma" reflects the distinctive cultural identity of Geylang Serai, and is also forward-looking and cosmopolitan.

Mr Yatiman said: "The panel had considered the fact that 'Wisma' had been used as the working name for the civic centre. However, we decided that this should not prejudice our choice, as the final chosen name should be based on what best represents the civic centre as a distinctive and progressive cultural and community hub in Geylang Serai.

"This process has also unveiled the deep interest that the Malay community has in the cultural identity of the civic centre. I hope that the Malay culture and heritage will be expressed through the architecture and streetscape of the Geylang Serai precinct when it is fully developed."

Dr Maliki Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development, who oversees efforts for the civic centre, has accepted the panel's decision.

He said: "We are delighted that the name has been finalised after a rigorous public engagement process over the past few months. I would like to thank Pak Yatiman, his panel, and members of the public for taking the time and effort to be involved in this iconic project for Geylang Serai and for Singapore."

* Geylang Serai's new civic centre unveiled

Winning design mixes features inspired by Malay houses with contemporary aspects

By Grace Chua, The Sunday Times, 14 Jul 2013

Geylang Serai's new civic centre will mix traditional and contemporary elements.

As well as pitched roofs and stilt-like features inspired by Malay houses, there will be a pedestrian mall integrated into its ground level.

The winning design for Wisma Geylang Serai, by Design-Environment Group Architects, was unveiled at an award ceremony yesterday following a competition held earlier this year. It was picked from 56 entries, of which five were shortlisted for the final round, said Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence.

Dr Maliki said the building will "help to amplify the distinctive identity of Geylang Serai and strengthen its urban character".

Construction will begin next year and is expected to be completed in 2017.

The guest of honour at the ceremony, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim, recalled living in Geylang Serai briefly as a child, and being delighted when it flooded because he could go out and play.

But the area has been improved and transformed, and he said: "I am confident in time to come, this will become a vibrant area for all Singaporeans to come together."

The five-storey, 10,000 sq m Wisma Geylang Serai will be built on a site roughly the size of two football fields between Geylang Serai Road and Engku Aman Road, which used to house the former Malay Village, a heritage attraction shut in 2011.

It will house a community club, the Malay Heritage Gallery, the South East Community Development Council office and other arts and community facilities. A pedestrian walkway will be lined with shops and cafes.

Dr Maliki chaired a group comprising community and business leaders, architects and government agency representatives to work out what the public wanted.

Feedback called for an inclusive design that represents Malay heritage and a range of arts, sports, music and lifestyle activities.

An exhibition next to Paya Lebar MRT station will show all 56 entries until Aug 7.

Teacher Samsiah Rasam, 45, has remained involved in Geylang Serai grassroots groups despite moving to Sengkang.

She said: "The design is very unique and reflects Malay culture. It's a very welcoming structure."