River House Timber Architectural Restoration

This Southern, Chinese-style mansion, built in the 1880’s, features a roof supported on timber beams and is the oldest building on Clarke Quay. The timber beams were infested with termites and slated for complete replacement by first removing the entire roof structure.

The TYFO^® Fibrwrap^® Composite System was proposed and chosen to strengthen the timber beams as it was both cost effective and did not require removal of the historic tiled roof, saving valuable project time. The extent of damage in each beam was first investigated, followed by fumigation and preparation of the timber surface before wrapping. The timber beams were wrapped all around with the high strength TYFO^® Fibrwrap^® Composite System. Special epoxy was injected into the voids to fill up the hollows caused by termites. After the epoxy had cured, the timber beams were painted to match the original finish.

Once a residence and godown for gambier, biscuits and other commodities, it is now a popular, upscale restaurant — IndoChine’s Forbidden City located on beautiful Clarke Quay.