As you walk through EastLink I and II of the Canberra estate, you’ll be drawn to vibrant wall murals depicting Sembawang town at the void decks.
Since September 2024, Primary 3 students from Wellington Primary School, have transformed the once bare walls of the void decks into a colourful gallery with these murals which reflect the heritage of Sembawang town. From the historic Beaulieu House to the naval-themed playground at Sembawang Park, these murals aim to spark conversations amongst residents and build a sense of identity with their neighbourhood.
Behind this colourful initiative is HDB’s Lively Places Fund, which awards up to $20,000 to teams for placemaking projects that help to build more vibrant and cohesive communities. To date, 230 placemaking projects have been completed across Singapore, each adding a unique touch to different neighbourhoods.
What makes these wall murals truly special are the irregular geometric patterns woven throughout, representing the diversity of people living in HDB homes. Miss Parameshwari, the teacher spearheading this project, explains, “If we look at the patterns from different angles, they can give us a different and even beautiful perspective on things” – a poignant metaphor celebrating the community’s diversity.
The project has captured the diverse artwork from the students. Claryce Yong, one of the participants and a resident at Eastlink 1, says “I was happy to work with my classmates on the project and we enjoyed using many different colours!”
Designing the wall murals involved community-wide collaboration. Children attending preschools nearby contributed drawings, and residents added colours and patterns at a community event. Miss Parameshwari reflects, “It was heartwarming to see people of all ages adding their personal touch to the murals. The artwork became livelier and more vibrant with their input.”
When asked about her favourite design of the wall murals, she smiles and says, “I like all 11 designs. I hope that our project will pique residents’ interest and encourage them to participate in future iterations of the project, as well as other community activities.”
Looking ahead, the school plans to continue this initiative in the coming years, creating new wall mural designs to enhance HDB void decks, with support from the Lively Places Fund.
Interested in starting your own #HDBeautiful community project? Learn more about the Lively Places Fund and how you can get involved.
