![\"482075949_1157064269543898_8055406508228698753_n.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/arch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2026\/04\/482075949_1157064269543898_8055406508228698753_n.jpg\" "\\"482075949_1157064269543898_8055406508228698753_n.jpg\\"")
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by\u00a0NUS News<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The event aimed to enhance practical skills and knowledge on conserving and managing twentieth-century buildings, growing professional networks, and encouraging partnerships amongst participants of different backgrounds and nationalities through experiential learning.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The Department of Architecture (DOA) hosted 18 representatives from the Southeast Asian region at the NUS-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Field School. Organised by DOA and supported by the ASEAN Cultural Fund and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the NUS-ASEAN Field School took place from 19 – 25 September. The event aimed to enhance practical skills and knowledge on conserving and managing twentieth-century buildings, growing professional networks, and encouraging partnerships amongst participants of different backgrounds and nationalities through experiential learning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n The representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam were treated to interactive site visits and informal site lectures on many of Singapore’s modern sites. Some of the places the group visited were the Gallop Extension at Botanic Gardens, St James Power Station and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. Dr Nikhil Joshi,\u00a0from DOA, was the Director of the Field School.\u00a0Sharing his thoughts about the event,\u00a0Dr Joshi commented on how he was struck by the general lack of appreciation and understanding of the twentieth-century buildings in the region.<\/p>\r\n “These buildings often define the national identity and aspirations of several nations in the region that gained independence from the colonial powers after WWII. However, they are either demolished or repurposed as if they are not of significant heritage value. Unfortunately, our recent past is at risk, and the participants, by the end of the field school, were exposed to different strategies and real examples and how to manage the future of their modern past in rapidly developing Southeast Asian urban settings,” he added, which emphasises the importance of programmes such as the Field School to continuously educate generations to come.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n Participants also attended a series of lectures by\u00a0known experts\u00a0to discuss topics,\u00a0including\u00a0policies\u00a0on\u00a0incentivising\u00a0architectural conservation and highlighting the push for sustainability in an age of\u00a0continuous disruptions due to climate change.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n
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Participants with the veteran architect Tay Kheng Soon at the Golden Mile Complex, who was one of the architects of this now conserved building.<\/p>\r\n