A&A or Reconstruction of a landed house?

“Is what I want to do considered Additions & Alterations (A&A) or Reconstruction? And does it matter?”

We tell you the difference in this article.

Additions & Alterations (A&A) works involve minor works to an existing landed house while reconstruction is defined as a proposal to replace a substantial part of the house by construction exceeding more than 50% in any of the following factors:

Gross floor area – The amount of new gross floor area added compared to the existing gross floor area.
External walls – The removal and replacement of existing external walls with new walls or the construction of new walls.
Structural elements e.g. columns, beams, slabs – The removal and replacement of existing columns/beams/floor slabs or the construction of new columns/beams/floor slabs.

In addition, the following works are deemed as reconstruction regardless of whether the works exceed 50% of the existing building.

Increase in storey height – Changes/ replacement of the entire roof involving an additional storey. However, if the changes/replacement of the roof does not involve an additional storey, it can qualify as an Additions & Alterations (A&A).
Change in housing form – Works which result in a change to the landed dwelling housing form, for example, from semi-detached house to detached house.

Are you looking at the possibility of reconstructing or redeveloping your landed house instead? Read more to make a decision.

You may read more by referring to URA’s prevailing guidelines about redeveloping houses.

Does the term matter? Sometimes it does. Text or Write in to us today to book an appointment.

SWING ARCHITECTS is an architectural design & consultancy firm based in Singapore, specializing in boutique Architectural & Interior design.

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