A public piano initiative at Temasek Shophouse is helping to strengthen community bonds and promote the idea of sustainability.  

The sound of piano music wafts through the lobby, with tunes as eclectic as jazz, classical to contemporary pop. The live entertainment is spontaneous and sporadic, but lends a lively vibe to the Temasek Shophouse.

Beyond the melodies, it has also brought together strangers, said Mr Lee Yan Chang, co-founder of Play It Forward, a Singapore-based public piano initiative. 

Sharing how he witnessed an impromptu jamming session between an elderly Singaporean woman and a young male Indonesian tourist, he said: “This is just one of many examples that show how, when it comes to music, there are no strangers."

The Power of Music

Supported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Play It Forward works with local artists, designers and creative talents to refurbish old pianos and transform them into playable art installations.

To date, the group has refurbished over 20 pianos and placed them in various public spaces, including the Aliwal Arts Centre, The Arts House and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

After serving their stints as public performance instruments for four months, the pianos are then donated to local charities, schools or other beneficiaries.

“Music has always been a catalyst for strengthening communities and forging new bonds. We’re glad that we are able to breathe new life into old pianos and make them accessible to the public,” said Mr Lee.

Temasek Shophouse: A Platform of Possibilities

It was this idea of sustainability and community building that first caught the attention of the Temasek Shophouse team.

In late 2018, it approached the Play It Forward team with the idea of placing a public piano on the ground level of Temasek Shophouse. The building next to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station is billed as a social impact hub that aims to reshape the economy and society through sustainability and innovation.

The union proved harmonious, since both initiatives share the same goals.

For Mr Soh, the biggest draw of the partnership was that the piano was factored into the overall building design and not as an afterthought.

“As a social impact hub, they already had the piano in mind when they designed this space and they wanted to make sure that the refurbished piano blended in with the larger framework of sustainability,” he said.

A Fairytale Revealed

Built in the late 1960s, it was refurbished in 2017 by Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) students for Archifest 2017. The annual festival celebrates architecture and the built environment in Singapore.

Aptly named “A Fairytale Revealed”, the piano features a transparent fall board with floral motifs that complement the building’s indoor vertical garden.

Aesthetics aside, Mr Lee believes the piano also echoes and promotes the mission of Temasek Shophouse.

First, it serves as a crowd magnet and helps draw business to Foreword Coffee, a cafe at the lobby that is run by people with special needs.

Next, the piano encourages social bonding and cohesion through the ad hoc performances.

As a product of upcycling, it also benefits the environment and boosts sustainability.

“Everything in this space is about sustainability and making a difference in this world so the piano definitely fits in with the larger narrative of things,” said Mr Lee.

Looking Ahead

While it was unveiled only early this year, the piano has already touched the lives of many – from staff who work at Temasek Shophouse to the public who pop by for a visit.

For starters, it is a platform for kids to discover their passion for music.

Mr Lee shared that many parents have personally thanked his team for placing the piano in the atrium, as it has alerted them to their children’s interest in learning to play.

“The parents can see for themselves how the kids react to the piano so this is a good gauge. They can feel and know for sure if the kid is genuinely interested,” he said.

The piano also serves as an outlet of expression for working adults, who have rekindled their love for music by tickling the ivories during their lunch or tea breaks.

“As you grow older, you have more important priorities but you don’t have to stop enjoying music,” said Mr Lee. “This piano allows you to make music a part of your life even if you don’t make it as a full-time artist or have too much time to pursue a musical instrument.”

One such individual is 29-year old artist, Ms Denise Chng, who plays the piano at the lobby once a month when she is in the vicinity. “It is rare to find places like Temasek Shophouse where there is a common lobby with a café which is mindfully tranquil and calming to the soul,” she said.