Pasir Panjang ‘B’ Power Station once powered our newly-industrialised economy at the cusp of a new era – Singapore’s Independence – generating electricity vital not only to the livelihoods of our forefathers, but also in positioning us strategically within the global economy during our nation’s formative years. Long past its prime and decommissioned, the good bones it was nevertheless endowed with is testament to the melting pot of genders and races who had worked unitedly then to bring the power station to fruition, each of whom shared the common desire for its expeditious and successful completion to support their nation’s intensive industrial drive.

 

In deference to its significant heritage, the project seeks to repurpose and return to the public what would otherwise become another privately-reused, profit-oriented and exclusive shell that would lack an embodiment of continuity in its intangible historical legacy – the collective ‘made by Singaporeans, for Singaporeans’ spirit pivotal to its success as Singapore’s early economic catalyst. How can its spaces and adjacencies thus be re-energised to celebrate the fruits of its labour better, and in doing so inspire us to cherish the diversity of people, cultures and ways of life we now enjoy as a result of its heyday?

 

Fronting a refreshed public waterfront as well as strategically synergised with its older power station ‘A’ sibling, the rejuvenated power station is envisioned to support bustling social spaces enlivened by a variety of multi-use programmes. Poised to be the new home for and helmed by the recently evicted The SubStation, Pasir Panjang ‘B’ Power Station will also provide a safe scaffold for the community to participate freely in open cultural dialogues in the furthering of public discourse through the Arts, celebrating – as an important cultural resource – the strengths in our rich diversity and varied ways of life.