How A Former Hospital Became One Of Singapore's Coolest Spots | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts

• KADA: A revitalized historic building in Singapore, formerly a mission hospital, now a multi-purpose space for entrepreneurs, artists, and wellness practitioners.
• Preservation and Revitalization: The core philosophy of transforming old buildings by respecting their original structure ("bones") and injecting new life.
• Community and Collaboration: KADA fosters a space for like-minded individuals to share ideas, collaborate, and create a vibrant atmosphere.
• Alternative Wellness: Offering unique approaches to recovery and well-being beyond conventional methods.
• Heritage Modernization: Reimagining traditional crafts and products with contemporary techniques and aesthetics.
• Experiential Spaces: Creating environments that offer unique and memorable experiences for visitors.

KADA: A Revitalized Historic Space in Singapore

This video explores KADA, Singapore's oldest functioning electric lift, and the broader revitalization project of a 103-year-old former mission hospital located near the Maxwell Food Centre. The building, despite its historical significance, was largely unnoticed until "Shuh," the landlord and a passionate advocate for preserving old buildings, fell in love with its aura and began the process of injecting new life into it. The overarching theme is the transformation of an old space into a dynamic hub for creative individuals and unique experiences.

Lynn's Art Club: Unleashing Creativity

One of the key tenants at KADA is Lynn, an artist, educator, and self-proclaimed rule-breaker. She has transformed a corner of the old hospital rooftop into a vibrant space for her art club, which welcomes people of all ages.

• Philosophy: Lynn's art club operates on a "no rules" principle, encouraging participants to "show up, make art, make a mess." The emphasis is on liberation through breaking personal rules and stepping into discomfort, leading to surprising results.
• Liberating Mess: The act of making a mess is presented as a liberating experience, allowing individuals to feel free and let their creativity run wild.
• Overcoming Self-Doubt: Lynn addresses the common Singaporean sentiment of "I can't make art" or "I can't draw," emphasizing that art requires simply picking up a brush and painting, without the fear of judgment.
• Experiential Outcome: Participants often leave feeling recharged and inspired, likening the experience to a spa.
• Creativity Defined: For Lynn, creativity is about exploring, experimenting, and embracing the journey, even if the outcome isn't a "perfect" representation.

Zee's Recovery Studio: Alternative Healing

Tucked away in KADA is a recovery studio run by Zee, an ice-bath enthusiast and technopreneur. This space offers alternative methods for healing and recovery, catering to athletes, fitness buffs, and individuals with sore muscles.

• Ice Baths: The studio features ice baths, with a beginner's version set at 10ºC. The longer one stays in the cold water, the more the muscle fibers benefit from reduced inflammation. The experience is described as intense but akin to a "freaking cold spa."
• Ultrasonic Bubble Bath: For those who find the ice baths too challenging, Zee offers a warm ultrasonic bubble bath (around 40ºC). The primary benefit comes from the ultrasonic speed bubbles stimulating blood circulation, rather than just the heat.
• Personal Motivation: Zee developed this recovery studio based on his own experiences with injuries, particularly spasms from multiple slipped discs caused by "bad technique in movement." He acknowledges sustaining multiple injuries himself.
• Focus on Understanding: Zee emphasizes that the studio aims to help people understand and explore alternative recovery methods, rather than claiming to eliminate pain entirely. He personally utilizes all the treatments offered.

The Teahouse: Modernizing Heritage

A Singaporean teahouse within KADA showcases the modernization of traditional heritage. The co-founder, Ethan, aims to give tea a contemporary edge while respecting its roots.

• Ingenious Use of Post-boxes: The teahouse ingeniously utilizes original post-boxes, potentially as old as the hospital, as part of its aesthetic and functionality.
• Freshness and Sourcing: The teahouse prioritizes freshness, using handpicked fruits and carefully sourced teas.
• Tea Reimagined: A signature offering is the double-roasted Tie Guan Yin, prepared like an espresso. This "tea espresso" provides a constant caffeine boost without the crash or jitters associated with coffee, and is gentle on the stomach.
• Authenticity and Craft: Ethan's non-negotiable principle is authenticity, focusing on natural ingredients and stripping back to the essence of the craft.
• Premium Ingredients: The milk used in their drinks is infused with real Madagascar vanilla pods, with the vanilla beans being "more expensive than gold" per gram.
• Caffeine Power: The Tie Guan Yin espresso has approximately 1.8 times the caffeine level of an Americano.
• Developing Toppings: The teahouse refuses to add conventional pearls due to their chemical composition, opting instead to develop their own toppings that align with their motto of authenticity.
• Challenging Coffee Culture: The teahouse boldly asserts "Tea greater than coffee," establishing its presence in a market often dominated by coffee shops.

Alberto's Rooftop Bakery and Restaurant: A Culinary Oasis

Alberto, a globetrotter and creator from Greece, has transformed the barren rooftop of KADA into a unique bakery and restaurant.

• Grandma's Sourdough: Alberto bakes sourdough bread using his grandmother's 14-year-old starter, which was hand-carried from Greece. The bread is characterized by its softness and internal bubbles.
• Rooftop Concept: The idea of opening a bakery on a rooftop was initially met with skepticism, as bakeries are typically located at street level. However, Alberto aimed to maintain a "hidden" and "unexpected" vibe.
• Historical Rooftop: The rooftop was historically used by nurses to bring children for fresh air and exercise during the hospital days.
• Relaxing Ambiance: The space is designed to be chill and relaxing, with hanging plants creating an atmosphere reminiscent of being in a friend's house abroad.
• Dual Functionality: By day, it operates as a bakery. By night, it transforms into a reservation-only omakase restaurant serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
• Intimate Dining Experience: The omakase restaurant offers an enclosed, private concept where guests interact with the chefs and do not have printed menus. The focus is on intimate moments and fostering connections through food.

Conclusion: The Spirit of KADA

KADA is presented not just as a building, but as a "patchwork of stories, risk takers and makers." The collective effort of these individuals transforms an old space into something that feels alive, surprising, and magical, embodying a spirit of collaboration and creative revitalization.