Innovation! Giving new life to heritage.
 





At Memories at Old Ford Factory (Memories), the act of endowing our resources with new capacity is a very real practice. Drawing from lessons of perseverance and innovation for survival, highlighted by the stories in its permanent exhibition, Memories created innovative projects that re-looked and re-packaged natural and intellectual resources to create greater value to the gallery. Two of the projects: (1) Savings From Rainy Days – Rainwater Harvesting System and (2) Syonan Race - 44 boxes in 60 minutes, were awarded Bronze and Silver awards, respectively, at the annual Innovation Fiesta organized by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), when the National Archives of Singapore represented the National Heritage Board (NHB) at the fiesta for the third consecutive year.

 



What the projects were about:

(1) Savings from rainy days – Rainwater Harvesting System

Located at Upper Bukit Timah, within the central catchment area of Singapore, Memories experiences relatively higher than average monthly rainfall. However, the large amount of rainwater usually flows back to the drainage system un-utilised.


To take advantage of the favourable geographical location and the untapped potential of utilising rainwater to maintain the green landscapes at Memories, NAS has devised a method of recovering rainwater by making use of the dome-shaped roof structure of the original factory building. We strategically placed collection points of a rainwater harvesting system at spots where the dome roofs converge to harvest and recover rainwater.




 

With the successful integration of the rainwater harvesting system to the back of the monument factory building, NAS is able to collect 9,000 litres of rainwater with one full hour of rainfall starting from , which is sufficient to water a quarter of the green landscape at Memories over a period of five days. With this promising start, NAS is able to enjoy some cost reductions in the maintenance of the green landscapes at Memories, and will be increasing the capacity of the system to recover up to 30,000 litres eventually of rainwater come end of November. At the new capacity, NAS would be able to meet more than half of our needs to water the plants using portable water. Eventually, the rainwater collected will still go back to our public resources.

Self-sufficiency” in terms of water needs for gardening purposes at Memories, is important to NAS as it serves as a realistic illustration of the importance of innovation and the benefits it can reap. Just as importantly, the rainwater harvesting system also draws a historical link between the integral role that water played in 1942, in influencing the British defence forces to surrender, to Singapore’s current quest to secure a steady source of clean drinking water. This acts as a reminder to Singaporeans of the significance of water and water conservation.

 

 

(2) 44 boxes in 60 minutes – Syonan Race






  

Sitting on the driveway in front of the art deco façade of Memories, the whopping 11 metres by 4 metres frame of NAS’ latest innovation - Syonan Race – is more than an eye-catching piece of artwork. Inspired by previous successes in engaging our visitors through fun games and puzzles, NAS selected the simple yet evergreen game of Snakes and Ladders and injected it with a dose of local context. Using 44 boxes to represent 44 months of the Japanese Occupation, each illustrates a piece of story and event that associated with the lives of people in Singapore (renamed Syonan-to then) during the Occupation.

Drawing from rich sources of archival records, scenes and events such as ‘Sook Ching’, ‘Black Marketing’ and Food Rationing’ are depicted throughout the gigantic board of the game, making it a concise pictorial storybook of the Japanese Occupation for younger visitors. Throw in the dice and specially prepared game cards and it immediately transforms into a life-size board game that lets its players race atop its vivid artwork to the finish line.

 

Think history is boring? Think again. With exciting ideas and innovative approaches, history and heritage can be re-packaged in engaging forms that not only connect but also make the learning process fun and unforgettable. Experience a learning process that is enjoyable and enriching. Come on down to Memories at Old Ford Factory to join the Race, or book a guided tour* of the gallery.

* Advanced booking is required. Booking of ‘Syonan Race’ is optional and by request. For booking enquiries, please email eileen_ng@nhb.gov.sg or call 6332 7978