As part of an ongoing digital conservation effort, Vouse has partnered with the Ang Chin Moh Foundation for the digital preservation of Mount Vernon Complex, which was slated for redevelopment in 2019. Mount Vernon Complex sits atop what was once Singapore’s largest grave site. Spanning over 0.13 square kilometers, it contained various columbariums and funeral parlours. This project is the virtual documentation of the Bidadari Garden that was a landmark in Mount Vernon. Using a combination of digital modelling from construction drawings and UAV photogrammetry, the virtual environment is recreated with accurate dimensions and real-life textures.

The whole of Bidadari Garden, including the various monuments within it,is digitally preserved and arranged in a fully interactive and explorable PC app as well as VR app. Contact us for more information if you wish to experience the app.

Conservation Status

Located along Mount Vernon Road, the Bidadari Garden was developed by the National Heritage Board in 2004 to commemorate the history of the Bidadari Cemetery, one of the oldest cemeteries in Singapore. The cemetery was located along Upper Serangoon Road, near the Woodleigh MRT station.

During the early 19th century, the area around Bidadari was first acquired by Europeans who hoped to transform the area into plantations. The area known as Bidadari obtained its name from a grand residence of the same name. The word “Bidadari” is Malay for “fairy” or “angel” or “nymph”.

In 1903, the Municipal Commissioners acquired 26 hectares of land at Upper Serangoon Road to develop a cemetery catering specifically for Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics. Two years later, another plot of land nearby was purchased from Dato Mentri of Johore to establish an adjoining cemetery for the Muslims.

The Bidadari Christian and Muslim cemeteries were opened in 1908 and 1910 respectively. The cemetery expanded further to include a burial area for the Hindu community in 1925.

The Cemetery accepted its last burial in 1973. In 1996, the land was earmarked for urban developments and this garden space which is within the larger Bidadari estate, serves to remind visitors of a piece of Singapore history.

Architectural Details

Among the 147,000 buried were prominent personalities, philanthropists and community leaders such as Sir Song Ong Siang, Dr Lim Boon Keng, Haji Abdul Rahim Kajai, Dato Dr Charles Joseph Pemberton Paglar and Reverend Benjamin Keasberry. Civilian victims of the 1915 Mutiny of the Indian Army 5th Light Infantry, British Merchant Navy Seaman who died during WWII and victims of the 1954 Qantas BOAC Constellation airplane crash at Old Kallang Airport were also buried there.

Documentation Process

Using drone UAV photogrammetry, we mapped the textures of the various artefacts, such as the gravestones and the historic gate, to a digital model created with documented dimensions as well as measurements taken from the site. The virtual artefacts are then placed in a backdrop to simulate their proximity, size, context and relation to each other in the Bidadari Garden.

Video Reel