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Sentosa’s rich historical landscape and nature heritage are carefully protected as we join hands with our Green Partners to promote sustainable developments on the island.
As a testimony to our efforts to preserve the rich island history, Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa was awarded the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Architectural Heritage Awards 2007.
Here are some projects which have embraced the green movement: |
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| Tourism Academy |
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 The history of the Tourism Academy at Sentosa, a building under preservation, was brought alive by installing signage and graphics to bring out the rich history of the island. This initiative provides students at the Academy a sense of belonging and personalization and will serve as a tool to train students in their guiding skills, when historical tours are conducted. A walking map is also being produced for visitors to trace the historical roots of our island heritage at the Academy.
Sentosa's attempts at preserving its historical heritage are made with the social conscious objective of giving the island an emotional anchor to those who had lived on the island, whose fathers or grandfathers had served so valiantly as soldiers in WW2. These attempts are a start to preserving memories for our future generations and to give Sentosa a "soul" as the island marches towards the 21st century model of fun and recreation. |
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| Amara Sanctuary Resort |
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 Winner of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s 2007 Architectural Awards. The stylish new resort includes carefully restored historic buildings from Singapore’s colonial past. The resort’s luxurious Verandah and Courtyard suites are located in an original two-storey barracks buildings built in the 1920s when Sentosa Island was a military stronghold and which were originally the living quarters of British soldiers before and after World War II. The original timber louver windows, doors and balustrades were reinstated, whilst the damaged terracotta roof tiles were replaced with those from demolished buildings of a similar age. Guests can relish in the existing greenery, natural ventilation and peaceful surroundings. |
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| Rasa Sentosa Resort |
 Architectural plans for the driveway to the resort were carefully designed around its signature Angsana tree, which may be over a hundred years old. It is believed to have been planted before the colonial days. It is a champion heritage Angsana tree or the largest of its kind in Singapore – the girth of the tree is 10.2m and it stands at a height of 27.0m. The Resort recently spent more than $3,000 to install a lightning arrestor to protect the tree. A special timber platform has also been constructed for guests and visitors to take a rest by the tree or snap photos with it. |
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| Siloso Beach Resort |
 The Siloso Beach Resort, too, has sensitively interwoven its structures around the gentle slopes and green terrain. The resort was built around its signature trees. It has also launched measures to increase energy efficiency by replacing its original heating units with a dual-function system that serves as an aircon cooling unit, as well. |
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| The Sentosa Resort & Spa |
 The 215-room resort features elegant low-rise colonial buildings, immaculately manicured grounds and architecture with open design that connects one with nature. Decades-old native trees and palms have been conserved and are included as part of the overall design of the resort. Built on a heritage site at a cost of S$10.5 million, its award-winning Spa Botanica is Singapore’s first garden destination spa. It won the 11th URA Architectural Heritage Awards – National Monuments and Fully Conserved Building 2005. At the resort, product purchases are made through local suppliers where the resort focuses as much as possible on bringing in home-grown branded products. Vegetables are obtained from the local Hydroponics (water) and Aeroponics (air) farms, which are healthier and not grown using chemicals. It also serves tropical fruits at all times. The property recycles glass and plastic bottles, papers, newspapers, metal cans and old linen. Energy-saving bulbs and key entry systems which control electricity/power are also utilized daily. |
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| Other Conservation Projects |
| Fort Serapong Archaelogoical Research Project |
| Overview |
| A team of archaeologists led by Mr Lim Chen Sian from the National University of Singapore was formed, and archival research commenced in April 2006 with on site investigative works starting on 16th May 2006 |
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| Preliminary Findings |
 Archival research have yielded significant aerial photographs from the post war period showing remaining installations and gun positions; documents detailing military regiment on the island; and maps. Several of the aerial photographs depict the various stages of decommissioning of the forts on Blakang Mati, while plans reveal architectural developments of the early 20th century. Plans relevant to the project have since been ordered for reproduction from the Public Records Office (based in London) and National Archives of Singapore.
Site clearance work has since revealed several impressive architectural features and structures. Both 6 inch gun positions have been cleared and much of their ancillary and supporting structures exposed. A concrete bunker identified as a position finding cell has been located and cleared between the two gun emplacements. An ancillary structure consisting of three rooms and an attached toilet was found buried beneath rubble and earth west of the no.2 gun. Further west and up the hill, the battery command post has been identified and uncovered. The ammunition magazine of gun no.2 has yet to be found, and it is suspected that it was destroyed in an explosion leaving behind a crater in the side of Serapong hill. The ramp providing access to no.2 gun and a suspected observation post over looking the eastern approach to Keppel Harbor have also been uncovered.
 As test excavations are limited to two test pits, few movable artifacts have been recovered. Artifacts found include small finds from test pit SER 001 of porcelain and marine shell. The excavated infantry position downhill yielded a single corroded coin suspected to be of Victorian vintage. Other artifacts from surface finds include, 1950s contemporary beverage cans, bits of metal, possibly mountings and bolts from the gun emplacements, shells, and glass. A single 6-inch armor piercing artillery shell was uncovered at Spur Battery gun emplacement no.2 (upper gun). The unexploded ordinance was reported to the island's rangers who in turn called in the police for verification and activation of the military's explosive ordinance disposal unit. The 6-inch artillery shell was probably ammunition for the no.2 gun (6 inch MKXXIV).
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| Fort Siloso |
 Fort Siloso is a coastal artillery battery and one of twelve which made up ‘Fortress Singapore’ at the start of World War Two. Although remains of other batteries can be found on Singapore, Fort Siloso is the sole restored battery. More than 245 photographs, documents and film clips are on display. You can even explore old tunnels and view 17th century guns and cannons. |
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