If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

That's something usually ignored by town councils in the name of upgrading.

It was reported in The Straits Times today (Sept. 17, 2014) that Bishan's town council had planned to repaint the iconic red-brick facade of some housing blocks, such as those in Bishan streets 22 and 24, with funky colour combinations such as grey, silver, golden yellow, pink and purple.

Naturally, some folks were not pleased.

Step forward 27-year-old Charlene Koh. With the help of her brother, she went knocking on doors and got some 600 residents to sign a petition against the original colour blocking paint job suggested by the town council.

A designer by trade, she met her MP Josephine Teo and later came up with three new terracotta-themed colour schemes. One of her options was put to a vote in March, alongside the town council's orignal options.

No surprises. Her option emerged tops.

The Straits Times also asked architectural and urban historian Lai Chee Kien, who said:

It's a Singaporean attitude. Every few years, we have an upgrading programme and some choose to paint over our bricked flats. Other countries allow their brick buildings to age.

The moral of the story? Anyone can make positive changes. Just stand forward and be heard.

Someone give Charlene a medal.

Top photo from here.

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