Olson Building, also known as Block 11A or 29 Mount Sophia, is a historic building that was on the campus of the

Methodist Girls' School Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...

on Mount Sophia in Singapore. It has since been repurposed as a condominium clubhouse.

Description

The two-storey building features a high-pitched roof. According to the

Urban Redevelopment Authority The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a Statutory boards of the Singapore Government, statutory board under the Ministry of National Development (Singapore), Ministry of National De ...

, it "resembles the former ACS Building by Frank Brewer, with its orderly window openings and clay-tiled canopies at the 1st storey that are well-suited to the tropical climate." The canopies are supported by masonry corbels, which were "carved in an elegant geometric design." It also features lattices made of moulded concrete and louvred vents made of concrete, thus allowing for cross-ventilation.

History

The building, which was designed by prominent architect Frank Wilmin Brewer to house six classrooms, was completed in 1928. This made it the oldest remaining building on the campus. The building was named after Mary E. Olson, who twice served as the principal of the Methodist Girls' School. Classes for students in Primary 4 and Primary 5 were held at the building. There was a "polished smooth" concrete slope next to the building that students would slide down on. In addition to classrooms, the building also housed a laboratory and an office. The school moved a newer premises on Blackmore Drive in 1992, leaving the campus buildings, including the Olson Building, vacant. In June 2007, the buildings within the Methodist Girls' School campus, including the Olson Building, underwent a $2.5 million renovation, after which the campus was converted into an "arts enclave". However, in 2011, the tenants of the enclave were asked to vacate the premises as the old campus was to be demolished to make way for redevelopment, with the Olson Building being the only campus building to have been gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. A spokesperson from the authority stated that the building was "to be retained and integrated with new developments in the future." The building was gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 2012. The authority stated that it was the only building to be gazetted as it was architecturally significant, with several "unique" features such as its cross-ventilation. Unsuccessful attempts were made by former students to persuade the authority to gazette the other buildings on the campus, which were later demolished. It was then restored, with its paintwork, a later addition, being removed. The restoration of the Olson Building, the

Trinity Theological College Chapel Trinity Theological College Chapel is a building and former chapel in Mount Sophia, Mount Sophia, Singapore. Completed in 1969, it served as the chapel for the Trinity Theological College, Singapore, Trinity Theological College, which moved elsewhe ...

and the Former Nan Hwa Girls' School Building won a special mention at the 2018 Urban Redevelopment Authority Architectural Heritage Awards. The building was integrated into the Sophia Hills condominium complex as a clubhouse, while the Former Nan Hwa Girls' School Building was converted into a pre-school.

References

{{coord, 1.30079, 103.84736, format=dms, type:landmark_region:SG, display=title 1928 establishments in Singapore Buildings and structures in Singapore