Shelter is very important for any person whether living in his own country or anywhere in the world. Every one may not get the housing of his choice but needs to adjust according to the money he can afford. Housing in Singsapore is no different from the other parts of the world. Singaporeans live in Shophouses , Townhouses, Bungalows, Condominiums,Housing Development Board (HDB) Public Housing Flats, and Apartments.
The vast majority (more than 80%) of Singaporeans live in public housing. These homes are located in housing estates, where most are developed neighbourhoods with schools, supermarkets, clinics, food centres and recreational facilities. Popular neighborhood estates include names like Ang Mo Kio Town, Toa Payoh, Clementi, Yishun, Bishan, Hougang, Simei, Woodlands, Punggol, Bukit Batok,Tampines and others to the name. In short, they are called HDB.
There are three-room, four-room, five-room and executive flats. A three-room flat has two bedrooms , which is about 1,000 sq ft. A four-room flat has three bedrooms which is about 1,200 sq ft of space. A five-room flat is about 1,400 sq ft. An Executive mansionette has three and they are relatively larger than any other HDB units- some even have double storey, with the rooms on the second level. The rest of the population live in private housing, such as apartments, condominiums and landed properties.
Types of Housing in Singapore:
• Shophouses
• Townhouses
• Bungalows
• Condominiums
• Housing Development Board (HDB) Public Housing Flats
• Apartments
Shophouses
Shophouses are the pre-industrial form of urban units characterised by 19th and early 20th century Southeast Asian towns, cities and commercial centres. Shophouses are one of the most significant building types in Singapore’s architectural heritage, reflecting much of the island’s history and development. Shophouses are mainly narrow, small-scaled terrace structures that were built to accommodate both work and dwelling back in the early 19th century. Constructed between 1840 and 1960, they consist of two or three storey buildings typically built on contiguous blocks with individual unit sharing party walls. It is common to find businesses established on the first and second levels of a shophouse while the top floors provide cosy residential living. Shophouses incorporate many elements designed to minimise the discomfort of the tropical climate. These include; Internal walls which allow light and natural ventilation into the interior without the full heat of the sun.
High ceilings for good air circulation.
Overlapping roof tiles that cools the heated roof and reduces radiation.
A view of the first generation of shophouses built between 1840 and 1900.
First Generation Shophouse
Built between 1840 to 1900. Mainly Tuscan and Doric adoptions. Ornamentation is minimal. Most of the shophouses have two windows on the upper story.
780 North Bridge Road
7 to 13 Erskine Road.
1st Transitional Shophouse Style
Built in the early 1900’s.
Use of modified Corinthian or Composite Order is common here. Most of the shophouses have two windows on the upper story.
695 to 709 North Bridge Road
118, Telok Ayer Street
120, Telok Ayer Street
122, Telok Ayer Street
171, Telok Ayer Street
173, Telok Ayer Street
Late Shophouse Style
Built between 1900 to 1940. Best known for the use of spectacular ornamentation. Most of the houses have three windows on the upper story. You can get maximum ventilation when all windows are open. You can also admire the multi-coloured ceramic tiles, and features like string courses, pendants, dentils, bouquets, festoons, plaques, name and year plates and arabesques. You can also find artistically combined Malay timber fretwork fascia boards and balustrades, glazes ceramic blocks and Chinese panel frescos. Indeed shophouses built during this time reflect the sophistication of the builders.
44 Kandahar Street
21 Bukit Pasoh Road
37 Kerbau Road
Art Deco Style
Built between 1930 to 1960. Inspired by classical motifs such as column orders, arches, keystones, pediments with geometric designs.
18 Kandahar Street
37 Ann Siang Road
22 to 34 Bukit Pasoh Road
3 to 33 Kerbau Road
48 Serangoon Road
To maintain its original architecture and tradition, many of these shophouses have been restored to its traditional concept, detailing its curves and colour. Expatriates and even the locals are becoming increasingly interested in shophouses as a form of accommodation, business and even leisure. Marrying the old and the new, conventional shophouses are transformed into funky nightclubs and social joints. Enter a new world where technology and cultural heritage come together to create a whole new energy. Visit Somerset or Mohd Sultan areas in Singapore for a sneak preview of what’s becoming a popular sight and sound of the island.
Types of Housing in Singapore
Condominiums
Condominiums are mainly mid to high-rise buildings that are more luxurious with their full facilities (covered parking, 24-hr security, clubhouse facilities; e.g. swimming pools, tennis/squash court, gym, etc.). Its stylish exterior and attractive facilities make it a popular choice for expatriates. From cozy studio units (1-bedroom or 500sq feet) to spacious penthouses (8000 sq feet), condominium living caters to all and is fast becoming a favourite form of accommodation even among locals While newer, more modern condo’s may cost more and are generally easier to maintain, older condo’s (above 7 yrs old) tend to be bigger in size with larger pools and gardens. If you enjoy your space, older units will suit you well. Click for directory listings of all Condominiums in Singapore complete with TOP date, number of room etc.
Housing Development Board (HDB) Public Housing Flats
Residential property in Singapore can be broadly classified into private and public housing. The vast majority (80%) of Singaporeans live in public housing estates while the rest reside in private estates. This little island of roughly four million people requires land to cater to all aspects of a developed society; industrial, leisure, military, air and sea port and infrastructure. Let’s not forgot housing to fit both Singaporeans and foreigners.
Housing Development Board (HDB) Public Housing Flats
The Housing Development Board is the organisation that plans and develops affordable and comfortable residential estates. These flats cater to people from all walks of life and earning power. Costing between $110,000 to $550,000, these units are the most common form of accommodation for locals in Singapore.
Bungalows
Most bungalows (especially the larger ones) in Singapore were built before World War II and are a significant part of Singapore’s heritage. Bungalows are defined as independent dwelling units which can be one, two or three storey’s high. They tend to be located in serene wooded environments away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Expect to pay a higher price for the privacy and luxury that a bungalow will offer. Space is valued and scarce in Singapore thus private housing estates on average cost between S$800,000 to more than S$3 million.
A bungalow in Singapore
The different types of bungalows in Singapore;
Early Bungalow (1860’s)
Simple but elegant style of early British architecture but adapted to suit the local climate.
Victorian Bungalow (1870 to 1890s) Characterised by the heavy decorative ornamentation on the façade.
Black & White Bungalow (1900 to 1920’s)
These 'black-and-white' houses, named after their colour scheme of white walls and black wood exteriors are Tudor in style and are remnants of Singapore’s colonial era. These houses varying in size from single-storey to double-storey buildings, often come with a generous plot of grassy land perfect for kids and pets, and are very popular with the expatriate community.
Art deco Bungalow (1920’s to 1930’s)
Early Modern Bungalow (1950 to 1960’s)
Townhouses in Singapore
For those who prefer more privacy, townhouses’ are an ideal form of living in Singapore. They either form entire estates, or are part of a larger condominium establishment. Combined with facilities such as swimming pools, gyms and other recreational facilities, these landed terrace houses provide occupants with convenience and spacious living. All of the townhouses were built in the early nineties and have been conserved and upgraded in 1992. They are also known as colonial houses or black & white houses. Each of the townhouses are 2 storey with living, dining and kitchen on the first floor and bedrooms on the second level. There is either a balcony or open terrace in most units. Many also use this as a homes office on the first level and as residential on the second level. Chancery Grove townhouses is located along Chancery Lane off Thomson Road. Amenities are aplenty along Thomson Road. You can find shops, eating houses, restaurants and shopping malls within 5 minutes walk away. Excellent schools such as Raffles Girls' Secondary School, Anglo-Chinese School and the Singapore Chinese Girls' School are within close proximity too. Nearby prestigious club like The Pines Club and the American Club are just a few minutes away.
Entertainment, shopping, dining and Orchard Road are just 5 minutes drive away. Chancery Grove is a short walk to Novena Square shopping mall, United Square and Novena MRT Station which is two stops away from Orchard MRT.