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In The Spotlight
Conserving the Eco-Friendly Heritage of NUS Baba House
From 20 to 23 September, the NUS Baba House hosted Let’s Mix It!, a lime workshop for students taking the Advanced Architectural Studies module within the NUS Department of Architecture.
The workshop, which provided both historical context and hands-on sessions, was conducted primarily by Dr Nikhil Joshi from the NUS Department of Architecture with input from Mr Mark Lay of the NGO George Town Heritage Action and Mr Kee Eng Kwi of Ki Hon Construction. The workshop also featured a guest lecture by Mr Geoffrey Steward, Principal of the International Fine Art Conservation Studios.
Lime is a product that has been critical to building and construction for centuries. It gives a smooth finish and makes an ideal wall plaster as it is porous, resistant to rot and even has anti-bacterial properties. For these reasons, lime plaster featured heavily in period dwellings across Singapore.
Opening the workshop with an introduction to the lime cycle, Dr. Joshi showed each stage in the process of preparing the limewash and lime mortar from limestone; a process that students spent four days learning. From slaking quicklime, mixing lime putty with sand and water to produce lime plaster, to plastering the wall and applying the limewash, these were scenes that were repeated many times as the students participated in preparing mixes that would be observed and eventually used at NUS Baba House for restoration work.
While the workshop was a unique opportunity for the Architecture students, it was also a key part of the restoration, maintenance and research work that takes place at Baba House. The NUS Baba House has intricate architectural features and authentic interior spaces that are rare sights anywhere else on the island. In fact, the combined expertise of Dr. Joshi, Mr Lay and Mr Kee were able to reveal new insights into the construction of the house, and uncovered earlier restoration methods used in the maintenance of the living museum.
18 November 2025
16 May 2025
NUS Baba House to undergo two years of conservation works
Enthusiasts can look forward to a slate of programmes ahead of and during the temporary closure.
6 October 2023
NUS Museum receives largest-ever donation of Straits Chinese artefacts
"Collected by Mrs Alice Tan over a 30-year period, the donated artefacts will contribute to a deeper study of the impact of Straits Chinese culture in Singapore and the region, and provide broadened avenues for interdisciplinary collaborations."
15 August 2023
From personal photo collection to exhibition: NUS Museum's latest showcase features visual narratives by 9 members of the NUS community
Titled Photography Journal Open Call (PJOC), the exhibition presents an eclectic collection of photographic works by nine NUS students, alumni artists and academic staff.
12 April 2021
Nurturing a creative campus through public art advocacy
The Public Art Initiative was launched to underscore NUS’ commitment to deepening the role of public art in holistic, interdisciplinary and broad-based education.
8 October 2019
October at the NUS Museum: between war and the artist, art and the tropics
This October, NUS Museum unveils two new exhibitions surveying the art historical in the region from distinct positions.
31 May 2019
New exhibition from Gilles Massot to be unveiled at NUS Museum
“…you have to lose your way to find yourself in the right place” presents the works of Singapore-based French artist, Gilles Massot. Featuring a selection of photographs, videos, sketches and writings from his extensive corpus of works.
14 February 2019
Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking
Following eleven years of giving glimpses of a Peranakan family’s domestic life in the early 20th century, NUS Baba House presents the exhibition Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking.
22 March 2018
NUS' cultural icon refreshed for a new generation
The University Cultural Centre's first major renovation improves the high standard of guest comfort, efficiency and production possibilities.
3 February 2017
Exhibition: From the Ashes: Reviving Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
NUS Museum presents ongoing attempts to revive the technology of making ash-glazed ceramics in Myanmar.
23 November 2016
Exhibition: Between the brush lines of Lim Tze Peng
Solo exhibition at NUS Museum considers 70-year oeuvre of Singapore's oldest living artist.
1 November 2016
Book Launch: NUS Baba House launches inaugural guidebook
From architecture to social history, book reveals the myriad facets of Singapore's only restored Straits Chinese family home.
21 October 2016
Exhibition: Looking within - What makes an exhibition?
NUS Museum presents exhibition introspecting into curatorial impulses and the exhibitionary medium.
1 July 2016
Exhibition: "Who wants to remember a war?"
NUS Museum draws on war posters, woodcuts and drawings to explore contemporary narratives of the Vietnam War.
10 May 2016
Award: NUS Museum wins inaugural award for innovative museological practice
International Committee of University Museums and Collections recognises efforts to facilitate conversation between audiences and exhibitions.
14 April 2016
Exhibition: Figuring Ng Eng Teng
NUS Museum reveals unstudied elements and works from the late Cultural Medallion recipient’s practice.
Student Voices
Conserving the Eco-Friendly Heritage of NUS Baba House
From 20 to 23 September, the NUS Baba House hosted Let’s Mix It!, a lime workshop for students taking the Advanced Architectural Studies module within the NUS Department of Architecture.
The workshop, which provided both historical context and hands-on sessions, was conducted primarily by Dr Nikhil Joshi from the NUS Department of Architecture with input from Mr Mark Lay of the NGO George Town Heritage Action and Mr Kee Eng Kwi of Ki Hon Construction. The workshop also featured a guest lecture by Mr Geoffrey Steward, Principal of the International Fine Art Conservation Studios.
Lime is a product that has been critical to building and construction for centuries. It gives a smooth finish and makes an ideal wall plaster as it is porous, resistant to rot and even has anti-bacterial properties. For these reasons, lime plaster featured heavily in period dwellings across Singapore.
Opening the workshop with an introduction to the lime cycle, Dr. Joshi showed each stage in the process of preparing the limewash and lime mortar from limestone; a process that students spent four days learning. From slaking quicklime, mixing lime putty with sand and water to produce lime plaster, to plastering the wall and applying the limewash, these were scenes that were repeated many times as the students participated in preparing mixes that would be observed and eventually used at NUS Baba House for restoration work.
While the workshop was a unique opportunity for the Architecture students, it was also a key part of the restoration, maintenance and research work that takes place at Baba House. The NUS Baba House has intricate architectural features and authentic interior spaces that are rare sights anywhere else on the island. In fact, the combined expertise of Dr. Joshi, Mr Lay and Mr Kee were able to reveal new insights into the construction of the house, and uncovered earlier restoration methods used in the maintenance of the living museum.
News
18 November 2025
16 May 2025
NUS Baba House to undergo two years of conservation works
Enthusiasts can look forward to a slate of programmes ahead of and during the temporary closure.
6 October 2023
NUS Museum receives largest-ever donation of Straits Chinese artefacts
"Collected by Mrs Alice Tan over a 30-year period, the donated artefacts will contribute to a deeper study of the impact of Straits Chinese culture in Singapore and the region, and provide broadened avenues for interdisciplinary collaborations."
15 August 2023
From personal photo collection to exhibition: NUS Museum's latest showcase features visual narratives by 9 members of the NUS community
Titled Photography Journal Open Call (PJOC), the exhibition presents an eclectic collection of photographic works by nine NUS students, alumni artists and academic staff.
12 April 2021
Nurturing a creative campus through public art advocacy
The Public Art Initiative was launched to underscore NUS’ commitment to deepening the role of public art in holistic, interdisciplinary and broad-based education.
8 October 2019
October at the NUS Museum: between war and the artist, art and the tropics
This October, NUS Museum unveils two new exhibitions surveying the art historical in the region from distinct positions.
31 May 2019
New exhibition from Gilles Massot to be unveiled at NUS Museum
“…you have to lose your way to find yourself in the right place” presents the works of Singapore-based French artist, Gilles Massot. Featuring a selection of photographs, videos, sketches and writings from his extensive corpus of works.
14 February 2019
Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking
Following eleven years of giving glimpses of a Peranakan family’s domestic life in the early 20th century, NUS Baba House presents the exhibition Glossaries of the Straits Chinese Homemaking.
22 March 2018
NUS' cultural icon refreshed for a new generation
The University Cultural Centre's first major renovation improves the high standard of guest comfort, efficiency and production possibilities.
3 February 2017
Exhibition: From the Ashes: Reviving Myanmar Celadon Ceramics
NUS Museum presents ongoing attempts to revive the technology of making ash-glazed ceramics in Myanmar.
23 November 2016
Exhibition: Between the brush lines of Lim Tze Peng
Solo exhibition at NUS Museum considers 70-year oeuvre of Singapore's oldest living artist.
1 November 2016
Book Launch: NUS Baba House launches inaugural guidebook
From architecture to social history, book reveals the myriad facets of Singapore's only restored Straits Chinese family home.
21 October 2016
Exhibition: Looking within - What makes an exhibition?
NUS Museum presents exhibition introspecting into curatorial impulses and the exhibitionary medium.
1 July 2016
Exhibition: "Who wants to remember a war?"
NUS Museum draws on war posters, woodcuts and drawings to explore contemporary narratives of the Vietnam War.
10 May 2016
Award: NUS Museum wins inaugural award for innovative museological practice
International Committee of University Museums and Collections recognises efforts to facilitate conversation between audiences and exhibitions.
14 April 2016
Exhibition: Figuring Ng Eng Teng
NUS Museum reveals unstudied elements and works from the late Cultural Medallion recipient’s practice.
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