Old-school design inspiration: Creativity and respect for heritage rule at New Bahru

IT may be called New Bahru, but Singapore’s hottest new lifestyle destination is housed in what some may think are uncool spaces – an old school building and a former factory.

That 46 and 58 Kim Yam Road could become an interesting, design-centric creative cluster is not just because the one-time Nan Chiau High School’s original Brutalist architecture, with its distinctive breeze blocks, was retained. It also comes from inspiration being drawn from the former function of the site.

That spirit of curiosity and discovery encouraged in children? It is what drives visitors today, as they wander through New Bahru’s corridors and explore the different brands – all local – which were exhorted to be creative in their store design and experience.