What’s the Score?
In Singapore, the intersection of heritage architecture and modern sport has produced a stunning new venue: New Bahru Hall. The local architecture firm Open Studio has transformed a 1960s school assembly hall into a contemporary pickleball facility. Commissioned by The Lo & Behold Group, the project reimagines the space as a “cultural facility” where sport, design, and history coexist, proving that pickleball courts can be aesthetically elevated.
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The renovation is defined by “restraint.” Architects Lam Jun Nan and Jax Tan opted to preserve the hall’s mid-century identity, retaining the deep-stained teak wall panelling and ecru mosaic flooring. Technical upgrades required for pickleball, such as acoustic dampening, were discreetly hidden behind existing finishes. To contrast with the vintage warm wood, the architects introduced galvanised stainless steel fixtures and a new waffle ceiling. This ceiling system houses custom square metal pendant lights designed to provide competition-level illumination while maintaining the hall’s modernist vibe.
The venue is designed for flexibility. While it functions as a high-end pickleball court, it is also intended to host live performances and community events. The architects intentionally left signs of wear, such as staple marks in the timber, to emphasise the building’s continuity. “The result is a court that feels contemporary yet grounded,” observers noted. It is part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment featuring retail and dining, integrating the sport directly into the lifestyle sector of the city.
The World Pickleball Verdict
New Bahru Hall represents the “gentrification” of pickleball in the best possible sense. The sport is moving from makeshift driveway courts and converted tennis lots into high-design, multi-functional urban spaces. This project validates pickleball’s appeal to a younger, style-conscious demographic. It treats the court not just as a playing surface, but as a social stage. As the sport grows in dense Asian cities like Singapore, this adaptive reuse model—converting underutilised heritage spaces into active community hubs—could become a blueprint for urban planners worldwide.
If you enjoyed this article, you can download the whole beautifully designed February World Pickleball Magazine here.