Page 9 - Darren Soh's Interview with Kanto_Neat

Along with blocks 81 and 83, these three blocks contained the very first public housing flats ever sold
to the public. Until 1964, the HDB only built rental flats. But because then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
wanted Singaporeans to have a greater sense of ownership, the HDB launched the “Home Ownership
for the People Scheme” on February 12, 1964, with these three blocks. Because the three blocks stood
on a hill and were 16 stories tall, one of the blocks (block 81) was later often used as a showcase to
visiting foreign dignitaries, so much so that it became known as the “VIP Block.” I have now made it a
habit to rephotograph block 82 every time I have a new camera or a new iPhone. It is as much ritual as
a practice to make images of increasingly better image quality as digital imaging technology advances.

82 Commonwealth Close

In relation to this, any demolished Singaporean landmark you wish could be brought back and
photographed? Why this particular structure?

Absolutely. The National Theatre, designed by Alfred Wong and built in 1963, was demolished in 1986 when
they were tunneling under it for the Central Expressway. According to the authorities, the cantilevered
roof was found to be unsound, and because the theatre also lacked airconditioning and was falling into
disuse, the government decided to demolish it. I was ten when it was bulldozed and too young to have
thought of photographing it. If there ever were one singular built cultural symbol of Singapore, it would
have been the National Theatre. I think Singapore is still scarred by its untimely demise, even today.