Welcome To House No ‘Satu’ - Located at the entrance of Chek Jawa in Ubin Island, one can spot this beautiful and unique pre-war house. House No 1, as it is called, had also been called the English Bungalow or Cottage.
It is a delightful place located under tall pine trees, with its own jetty & it has a great view of Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island) and mainland Singapore. The official address for this place is No 1, Pulau Ubin.
Built in the English Lytyenseque or Tudor style with adaptations to the tropical climate of Singapore, it looks similar to the cottages built in tea plantations of Cameron Highlands during the British colonial era. It is probably Singapore's only remaining authentic Tudor-style house with a fireplace. Constructed in an architecturally distinctive post and beam fashion with stucco-finished walls and gables framed by timbers treated with black creosote, the two-storey building also have a lovely airy verandah facing the sea.
According to one story, it was built in the 1930s by the then Chief Surveyor, Langdon Williams, as a holiday retreat. Other said that it was originally meant to be the vacation home for the resident British medical officer. It is said the home was later taken over by a rubber company and the local rubber estate manager stayed in it.
The URA granted the bungalow conservation status on 1st December 2003. Replacements for the damaged roof, wall and floor tiles were carefully sourced and the massive timber beams were treated to prevent termite infestation. It’s fireplace was boarded up to protect the colony of rare bats (Pouched tomb bats) that have make it their home.
The water tower near House No. 1 was also left undemolished as another rare species of bats (Malayan false vampire bats) have settled there. The jetty was also rebuilt and provides a great view of Pulau Sekudu. By 2006, it’s restoration work was completed. Since 2007, it has served as the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre.
Check out the Satu House the next time you visit Pulau Ubin.
