FARM and Nice Projects turn modernist school into lifestyle hub

A school building in Singapore, built in 1969 with a "modern tropical" concept, has been transformed into New Bahru, a shopping and dining complex designed by local firms FARM and Nice Projects.

The Concept and Design
FARM’s design office converted the 20,156-square-meter building into a space housing restaurants, shops, wellness and lifestyle culture spaces, as well as serviced apartments. After the school relocated, the building was initially used for offices and F&B outlets before undergoing the latest transformation.

Design Director Nan Chyuan Tiah of FARM explained:

"The project is based in an existing 1969 school building with modern tropical architectural features, located in Singapore’s most vibrant district – River Valley."

By 2013, the old school building was renovated and temporarily adapted for commercial use, such as offices and F&B outlets, to meet the market's needs at the time.

Architectural Approach
FARM retained the original modernist architectural elements of the building, making only minimal alterations to its exterior.

"Actually, the building was mostly preserved, and both the owners and us fell in love with all the imperfections of the building," Tiah said.
"We saw a lot of charm and potential in them, thus our approach was rather minimalistic to emphasize the existing features and the spaces."

Their goal was to ensure the space was not overdesigned, balancing reconstruction with leaving room for creativity and imagination.

Key Modifications
The most significant structural change involved reorganizing the interior courtyard by demolishing part of the existing car parking structure.

"We also removed a portion of the car park and created a new lawn as the central focal point, utilizing the existing rain trees to define this new court," Tiah explained.
"It involved extensive demolition and excavation work, as well as adjustments to the traffic management plan. It was a massive challenge but necessary to create a new focal point for both the development and the community."

Exterior Enhancements
While the exterior retained its original form, FARM painted it pink and added steel and aluminum features to enhance its appearance.

"We wanted to give the building a modern and chic look while maintaining its weathered character," Tiah shared.
"We used a lot of metal, including aluminum and steel, together with the building’s weathered concrete, to create a striking contrast."

The design also integrated New Bahru’s branding with warm colors to liven up the structure and give it a distinct personality.

Interior Design Collaboration
The design studio Nice Projects, serving as the creative consultant for New Bahru, collaborated with the tenants and enlisted various designers selected by The Lo & Behold Group to create unique interior spaces.

"This was to support local entrepreneurs and creatives, providing visitors with a different and unique experience than what is typically offered by chain stores," interior designer Sacha Leong of Nice Projects told Dezeen.

Tenants were allowed to design their spaces as long as they adhered to the tenure lines and safety measures.

"This whole development was envisioned as a wellness center," Leong explained. "We made sure that all aspects, including saunas, treatment rooms, and wellness spaces, were designed thoughtfully."

Key Spaces Include:

Fine Dining Restaurant: A tea lounge called Somma Jane Jacobs.
Creative Workspaces: Collaborative offices designed with coral tones to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Boutique Retail Areas: Unique stores offering curated experiences.
Collaborative Partnerships
Nice Projects also collaborated with the Portland-based studio OMFGCO to design signage and create a unified branding approach. The design team wanted the space to retain its natural, dynamic look while introducing contemporary applications.

Additionally, the project worked closely with WOHA and other design studios selected by the Ministry of Design to craft a space that feels vibrant, welcoming, and seamlessly integrated into the surrounding community. The combination of coral tones, aluminum details, and weathered concrete helped establish a distinctive aesthetic that balances modern chic with timeless appeal.