Singapore

Architecture
Collection
Capturing Singapore's architecture and urban
design stories for present and future generations
 Singapore Architecture Collection
Capturing Singapore’s architecture and urban design stories for
present and future generations

This booklet is published by the

Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Library Board.

2023

All rights reserved. This booklet, or parts thereof, may not

be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any
information storage and retrieval system now known or to be
invented, without written permission from the publisher.

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About the collection

The Singapore Architecture Collection reflects deeper efforts to document and preserve
archival materials about Singapore’s modern and contemporary architecture. The
collection showcases our architectural and urban design journey, as well as the innovative
works of pioneer and current architects and designers, that are integral to our national 1
heritage and identity.

The collection comprises architectural models, photographs, drawings, artefacts, oral

history recordings and more. These records not only tell the stories behind the design of
our landmarks and everyday places, they can also inspire present and future generations
in shaping Singapore’s built environment. The public can look forward to programmes and 1. Drawing of the National Museum of Singapore (2002-2006)
Donated by William Lim Associates and W Architects Pte Ltd,
outreach activities to learn and discover more about the collection and our Singapore courtesy of National Library, Singapore.
Story.
The drawing was done as part of the refurbishment and addition of a
contemporary wing to the National Museum, and the study into how
We invite more architects, planners, urban designers and those from the built the museum could be better connected to Bras Basah Park and Fort
environment industry to contribute their materials to enhance and enrich the collection. Canning Hill.1

4 5
Behind every design...

is a thought, an idea, a story

6 7
From ideation to implementation, our architects and
urban designers create many materials over time –
from sketches to architectural drawings, physical
models, photographs, and plans.

These valuable materials tell both the personal and

collective stories about our architects and urban
designers’ insights, inspiration, and journeys. Through
their stories, present and future generations can also
discover more about the history of the time when
their designs were created, the experience of the
communities in the buildings and spaces, and the
legacies that they leave behind. 1

1. Sketch of Henderson Waves, 2005

Courtesy of RSP Architects, Engineers and
Planners Pte Ltd.

2. Sketches of the Tokio Marine Centre, 2010

Courtesy of CSYA.

3. Sketch of concept ideas for the Republic

Polytechnic, 2002 2 3
Courtesy of Maki and Associates.

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“I see the collection as forming a part of a history of the
development of the profession - the milieu and challenges,
the art/cultural development of a country vis-à-vis its
architecture, a larger intellectual discourse on issues of
place, memory, and identity to support the discourses on
built heritage and the annotation of the state of the art of
the building industry2.”
Dr Wong Yunn Chii
Project Historian, Singapore Architecture Collection
Honorary Fellow, Department of Architecture
College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore

Capturing our architecture

and urban design journeys
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Building upon the rich architectural materials in the
National Library and National Archives of Singapore,
the Singapore Architecture Collection seeks to
document, preserve and make available a wider
repository of archival materials on Singapore’s growth
as a city, as well as our modern and contemporary
architecture. The collection will feature contributions
from architects, planners, urban designers and those
from the built environment industry.

1. Drawings of the National Museum of

Singapore (2002-2006)
Donated by William Lim Associates and
W Architects Pte Ltd, courtesy of National
Library, Singapore.

These drawings were done as part of the

refurbishment and addition of a contemporary
wing to the National Museum, envisioning the
museum as a passage through history starting
from the time one enters the original building,
going up the grand staircase and seeing the 1
iconic rotunda3.

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“Exhibitions that showcase materials from the collection
are potentially important exercises of critical reflection
in narrating the story of Singapore’s architecture. Not
only do they reveal the many threads underlying our
built environment, they affirm the idea of an authentic
Singaporean architecture that is borne of our own context
– one that is sincere and familiar to us4.”
Ronald C.T. Lim
Principal Architect, Ronald Lim Architect
Co-Chief Editor, Singapore Architect Magazine

Highlights of the collection

The items featured in the following pages are examples of items
donated to or being considered for the collection.

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A wide array of materials

From photographs, sketches, to architectural and urban design drawings, artefacts,

paraphernalia, oral history recordings, architectural models and more, each item can reveal
interesting insights and stories about Singapore’s architectural and urban design heritage.

1. Drawing of a house at Holland Road, 1998

Designed and donated by architect Chan Sau Yan 1
Sonny, courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority.

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 1. Drawing of Hyatt Kuantan Hotel,
Malaysia, 1979
Donated by architect Wee Chwee Heng, courtesy of
National Library, Singapore.

Designed by architect Chan Sau Yan Sonny, the

hotel captured the laid-back atmosphere of the
colonial black and white house and the kampung
environment in a new form5.

2. Photograph of Beverly Mai

Donated by architect Dr Goh Chong Chia, courtesy of
National Library, Singapore.

Singapore’s first condominium built in 1974 was

designed by architect Timothy Seow (1938-2019),
1 2 who designed some of the earliest high-rise
condominiums in the 1970s6.

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1. Model of of Assyafaah Mosque, 2004
Designed and donated by architect Tan Kok
Hiang, courtesy of Urban Redevelopment
Authority.

The design of the mosque adapted traditional

elements to create a contemporary version of the
arch, minaret and the arabesque.

2. Digital model of the Pinnacle@Duxton

This is from the digital model of the city,
developed by URA to study the city and urban
design work, courtesy of Urban Redevelopment
Authority (URA).

Completed in 2009, the Pinnacle@Duxton

is the first 50-storey public housing
development in Singapore. Its bold design
by ARC Studio Architecture + Urbanism, in
collaboration with RSP Architects Planners &
Engineers, was selected from an international 1 2
design competition7.

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Understanding the design of our landmarks

Architectural drawings of key buildings in Singapore enable architects, designers and

the community to better understand the detailed designs behind many of our landmarks,
both past and present. These are also useful in supporting restoration efforts for
conserved buildings.

National Theatre

Designed by architect Alfred Wong and opened in

1963, it was Singapore’s first National Theatre. Some
of its key features include its five-point façade
that represented the five stars of the Singapore
flag and its large, cantilevered steel roof over the 1

open-air auditorium. It had a stage with a revolving

1. National Theatre, c. 1968-1970
platform and ample spaces for dressing rooms and John C. Young Collection, National Archives of Singapore.
storage space. While it was demolished in 1986, the
building’s history and stories can still be told through 2. Ground floor plan of the
National Theatre, 1960
drawings, photographs, oral history recordings and Donated by Alfred Wong Partnership, 2
other materials8. courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

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Golden Mile Complex

It was one of the first large mixed-use developments,

where people can live, work, and play in the same
complex. The 16-storey block reflected the bold
vision for high-rise living during Singapore’s nation
building days. It was designed by architects Gan Eng
Oon, William Lim and Tay Kheng Soon from Design
Partnership (succeeded by DP Architects). The
building was gazetted for conservation in 20219.

1. Zoning diagram on the original drawings by Design

Partnership shows the mixed uses more clearly.
Image: Studio Lapis.

2. Golden Mile Complex

Image: Finbarr Fallon.

3. Sections of Golden Mile Complex by Design

Partnership (succeeded by DP Architects), 1975 2 3
courtesy of DP Architects.

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Jurong Town Hall

Completed in 1974, Jurong Town Hall served as

the headquarters of the Jurong Town Corporation
(currently known as JTC Corporation) formed in 1968
to spearhead industrial growth. Over the years, it has
become a symbol reflecting the bold imagination,
inventiveness and the resilient spirit of our early nation
building efforts. The cantilevered upper storeys give
the building the appearance of a ship’s hull and its tall
clock tower serves as the ‘mast’. It was designated as
a monument in 201510 and was beautifully restored by
architect Tan Kok Hiang in 2017. 1

3
1. and 2. Exterior and interior of Jurong Town Hall

3. South-west elevation of Jurong Town Hall, circa

1970
Designed and donated by Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat, 2
courtesy of National Library, Singapore.

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Learning about impactful strategies and ideas

Plans and drawings reveal strategies that have shaped our cityscape and ideas that have
captured our imagination.

Imagining Singapore River

as a cultural destination, 1982

The 1982 Bu Ye Tian (不夜天) proposal for the

Singapore River to be a cultural destination
contributed to raising awareness and interest
on the significance of the river and conservation
efforts. The proposal recommended to retain
two rows of 110 shophouses for restaurants,
food stalls, traditional craft trades and clan
associations. An internal arcade could link up a
series of open courtyards and a three-storey tea
house, with a stage for traditional Chinese operas.
1. Axonometry of courtyard spaces filled with
Local artist Ong Kim Seng was engaged to depict activities along the Singapore River
the rich and vivid scenes of Bu Ye Tian for the Drawing by architect Mok Wei Wei. Watercolour
for the presentation of the proposal, based on rendering by artist Ong Kim Seng, 1982.
Donated by William Lim Associates and
architectural drawings by architect Mok Wei Wei W Architects Pte Ltd, courtesy of 1
when working at William Lim Associates11. National Library, Singapore.

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Shaping the City Centre, Central Area
Structure Plan, 1985

The Central Area Structure Plan developed

in 1985 contributed to creating a distinctive
identity and skyline for the Golden Shoe area
and other parts of the City Centre. The plan
covered details such as determining the height
of podiums along Shenton Way, Robinson 2

Road and Cecil Street, creating pleasant

pedestrian walkways and identifying the entry Early ideas on vertical green buildings, 1989
points into the buildings to complement the
planned locations of future MRT Stations. Tay Kheng Soon’s 1989 Kampong Bugis Guide Plan was ground-
The plan also advocated the retention of key breaking for many of its environmentally conscious tropical
historic areas such as Chinatown, Little India architecture features that were novel back then but have been
and Kampong Gelam and the various green well adopted today. For example, extensive vegetation was
spaces in the city12. proposed on the vertical surfaces of buildings, with vertical
shading and naturally ventilated breezeways to reduce the use of
air-conditioning. Vertical green buildings became more prevalent
from the 1990s onwards.

1 The guide plan was developed as part of URA’s Master Plan

Review. The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) was
commissioned to develop master plans for selected areas around 2. Section of the proposal for Kampong Bugis,
Singapore. Led by Tay, the SIA team included Lai Chee Kien, Rob developed by architect Tay Kheng Soon, and
1. Central Area Structure Plan, 1985, with urban the Singapore Institute of Architects team, 1989.
design considerations shaping the City Centre, Hearne, Chua Beng Huat, Bob Powell, Patrick Chia, Winston Yeh Donated by Tay Kheng Soon, courtesy of National
courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority. and Chung Meng Ker13. Library, Singapore.

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Getting to know more about our architects and our past Ho Kwong Yew

Ho Kwong Yew (1903-1942) was one of the leading

Beyond understanding our building designs, archival documents can tell us more about our Asian architects in 1930s who designed numerous
architects and designers and our evolving lifestyles and aspirations. modernist buildings.

One of his more well-known works was a luxury

mansion that used to be located where the current
Haw Par Villa is today. It was built in 1937 for a Chinese
businessman, Aw Boon Haw (founder of the Tiger
Balm brand), but was demolished after the Japanese
Occupation.

Some of the buildings Ho designed have been

1 conserved, such as the main house of the modern
bungalow at 25 Grange Road14, known as the
‘Wellington House’, and an iconic corner shophouse at
79 Circular Road15.

1. Board of Architects annual renewal certificate

of the first local-born registered architect in
Singapore, Ho Kwong Yew, 1938
Donated by Kelvin Ang Kah Eng,
courtesy of National Library, Singapore.

2 2. Photograph of Ho Kwong Yew,

courtesy of Dr Wong Yunn Chii.

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Lee Kip Lin

32 Binjai Park was designed by architect Lee Kip Lin

(1925 – 2011), who was an educator, mentor, and a
strong advocate for conservation in Singapore. His
home is one of the few remaining houses in Singapore
that remains largely unaltered in its original condition.
According to Associate Professor Tse Swee Ling from
the National University of Singapore, Lee’s home
reflects his design philosophy, which was simple and
down-to-earth16. His son, Lee Peng Hui, shared that his
father had designed the family home for the tropical
climate with maximum ventilation, a high ceiling and
continuous spaces17.

1. Lee Kip Lin with his architecture

students at his home in the 1970s,
courtesy of Mrs Lee Li-Ming.

2. Northeast elevation drawing of

32 Binjai Park, 1973
courtesy of National Library, Singapore, 1 2
Lee Kip Lin Collection.

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 1 2 3 4

Property sales material

Completed in 1976, the Pearl Bank Apartments was

the tallest apartment block in Southeast Asia then. It
was designed by architect Tan Cheng Siong, reflecting
early high-density living in the city. 1. Pearl Bank Apartments (1976-2019).

2. Price list of the Pearl Bank Apartments,

Futura, designed by architect Timothy Seow (1938- courtesy of Dr Wong Yunn Chii.
2019), was one of the first few condominiums in
3. and 4. Illustrations of the building and interior in
Singapore. Illustrations in its sale brochure reflected the Futura sales brochure,
the early aspirations of high-rise luxury living18. courtesy of Dr Wong Yunn Chii.

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“A building is not only made of forms, materials and spaces
but also conversations, stories and ideas about people,
society, culture and the city at large. The Singapore
Architecture Collection can hopefully bring them to
surface so that buildings all around our city can become
legible and even engaging to the public19.”
Justin Zhuang
Co-Author, Everyday Modernism: Architecture and Society in Singapore

Reflections from the

industry and community
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Interview
One of his first discoveries began with a call from
a former colleague and architect who was spring
cleaning materials for an office move. Upon arrival, he
was greeted by a line of black garbage bags along the
corridor.

“I opened these bags, and lo and behold, there

were tonnes and tonnes of pamphlets. That got me
excited!” he recalls of the visit during the mid-2000s.

The “garbage” included over 600 property brochures

dating as far back as the 1960s, with those of Golden
Mile Complex, Lucky Plaza, as well as Colombo Court
and Pearl Bank Apartments. It was there and then
that the architecture historian realised that he had
Saving architectural treasures stumbled upon treasures and proceeded to lug them
home for safe storage.
A key historian supporting the collection
efforts, Dr Wong Yunn Chii shares four reasons This was the first of several “rescue” calls Dr Wong has
why the collection is important. responded to over the last two decades, allowing him
to amass hundreds of artefacts related to Singapore
Writer Justin Zhuang architecture. Besides sales brochures, he received
building models, drawings, architecture books and

Dr Wong Yunn Chii

even professional tools such as airbushes that have
long become obsolete.

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The idea to start collecting architectural artefacts 01 Hotbed of cultural history 02 Insight into architect’s imagination
then came to Dr Wong when he was teaching at the
National University of Singapore. To commemorate “Generally, architects see these drawings and While colourful marketing ephemera may be the most
the 40th anniversary of its School of Architecture in documents they create as part of their bread-and- captivating items in his collection, what interests Dr
1998, he co-curated an exhibition of the department’s butter work. They create them because the clients Wong more are the drawings by architects.
history with his then colleague, Dr Lai Chee Kien. require them to be produced. As a historian, they
hold many things to me,” he says. “I’ve always had These include initial sketches and conceptual
They interviewed the alumni about their school an interest in all things old because they reveal drawings that architects produce when developing
experiences and tracked down their works, including interesting facets of our past.” a design and presenting ideas to clients, as well as
theses and portfolios. After the project, Dr Wong, submission drawings that are sent to the regulatory
better known as “YC”, became the go-to-guy for Consider the illustration in the sales brochure for authorities to approve the final building design.
architects who wanted to give away their old stuff Futura, one of Singapore’s first condominiums,
from their offices. which showcased its apartments with illustrations of “A drawing by an architect or an urban designer is
interiors furnished with space-age furniture, campy very honoured in the architectural and urban design
art and inhabited by owners dressed in bell bottoms tradition because it is seen as a trace of the mind,”
and suits with huge collars. It captured the lifestyle he explains. Through such in-progress drawings and
and tastes during the 1970s when the property was iterations, we get to understand how the final designs
first launched, says Dr Wong. of buildings we experience today were initially
conceptualised. We get to also infer and appreciate
“It’s not just a drawing. It’s a translation of popular the different perspectives, scenarios and contexts the
imagination and desires,” he adds. “These brochures architect considered in his designs before finalising
are a hotbed of visual materials for cultural historians, them.
and anyone interested to know our past.”

Illustration from the Futura sales brochure,

Sales brochures from Dr Wong’s collection reflecting luxury high-rise living
Image: Dr Wong Yunn Chii. Image: Dr Wong Yunn Chii.

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03 Build our knowledge on design solutions For instance, Dr Wong has several sketch books 04 Saving heirlooms for future generations can pass on. Later generations may view the materials
of early local architects studying how buildings and observe that a particular period of work may be
Architectural archival materials can also offer insight interacted with light. The drawings suggest to him As a historian supporting the Singapore Architecture more primitive, but nonetheless It reinforces the idea
into how architects navigated challenges such as site that many in the profession were very interested in Collection efforts, Dr Wong hopes to raise awareness that we are continuously progressing and improving,”
constraints, technical issues, client demands, and the the quality of building surfaces, probably because of the architectural and urban design profession’s Dr Wong says, as he points to the surviving
building policies of the day. there was a limited palette of materials to work with craft and techniques, and ultimately inspire current architectural drawings of cattle sheds as one of the
in the past. and future practitioners to continue improving the few signs of this city’s rural past.
“We have words to describe, but we don’t have things quality of our physical environments and on people’s
to see. Seeing the architectural drawings and other “From these drawings, you sense a delight with lives. His own private collection of architectural “If we do not have any photographs or drawings
visual materials not only fill in our knowledge gaps imagining how buildings might look like in light, archival materials are also being considered for of such buildings, you can’t even begin to visualise.
but enable us to infer for ourselves what was it that appreciating its materiality, texture and the fine contribution to the Singapore Architecture Collection. The collection is intended to raise awareness of how
the architects were thinking of and interested in as details,” he says. Such is the level of detail and study things have changed and why they have changed,”
they drew and described things,” he says. that is required of the craft, and therein lies a treasure “For me, collecting and preserving architectural he adds.
trove of insights for future architects and designers. archival materials is like saving an heirloom that you

44 45
Interview

Image: RT+Q Architects. Shorefront, a low-rise residential development in

Penang, Malaysia, 2016.
Image: Albert Lim, RT+Q Architects.

Unearthing old records, opening up Since it was founded in 2003, RT+Q has
new possibilities conscientiously archived the processes of designing
its projects. From having each completed project
professionally photographed to carefully storing
With the Singapore Architecture Collection sketches of early ideas, design development
set up, architects Rene Tan and Quek Tse

Rene Tan
drawings, and even physical models of buildings.
Kwang, founders of RT+Q Architects, reflect
on the benefits of a rich archive, and how it With the firm’s 20th anniversary approaching,
has enabled a journey of self-discovery of the they embarked on producing their first ever
monograph, reviewing over 170 built projects from
firm’s strong design philosophies, opening

Quek Tse Kwang

their archives to finally make a selection of 29 projects
new possibilities. that best illustrates the firm’s journey over the last
two decades.
Writer Justin Zhuang

46 47
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery Keeping options open

While sieving through the materials amassed from Besides rediscovering the RT+Q’s residential projects,
years in the practice, they started to notice recurring the team also unearthed many of their past unbuilt
themes and ideas. For example, what stood out proposals.
in many of the firm’s residential projects involved
experimenting with building forms to create “I have an album of unbuilt works on my phone that
original, functional designs that adapted modernist contains a lot of alternative ideas we have forgotten
architecture concepts for the tropical environment. about. It’s like rummaging through a singer’s albums
or a composer’s manuscripts and realising there are
“The detailed records of our projects enabled us many unknown things that are more interesting,”
to observe a pattern of what worked well, which shares Tan.
then formed the foundations of our firm’s design
philosophies. It reinforces what we stand for and Out of the several design options the firm develops
what we can continue to build upon for the future. for every project, only one is selected by the client to
We realise through the years that while ideas evolve, be built. While drawings of alternative ideas are filed
instincts don’t,” says Tan. away, Tan believes that they are equally valuable.

“We are often more focused on the finished product.

But we forget about learning from the process,
where new inspiration for future designs could spark
new ideas or enable us to reflect on what worked
Key RT+Q staffs involved in maintaining the firm’s rich archives,
and what didn’t. This is the true value of a well-kept
standing from left to right: archive!” he adds.
Liane Ee, Koh Sock Mui, Nazirah bte Adam
seated from left to right:
Quek Tse Kwang, Rene Tan, Jonathan Quek. Hand drawn perspective for a house at Holland.
Image: RT+Q Architects. Image: RT+Q Architects.

48 49
Embracing technology for new options Contributing to a greater cause

A look through RT+Q’s archives almost feels like a blast Tan hopes that the collection can help people
from the past, showing how the practice of architecture appreciate more deeply the philosophies, values and
has changed over the last two decades. The firm’s early thinking of the architectural practice in Singapore
projects were often designed with freehand sketches of and allow more to understand their contributions in
spaces as this was how Tan shared his thoughts and ideas shaping Singapore’s distinctive skyline and the places
with his team. that we live, work, and play in.

This analogue way of working gave way to the use of RT+Q’s monograph, “Rethinking the Tropical House:
more digital tools across the industry in the mid-2000s. 20 Years of RT+Q Architects” features 29 of the
While Tan still enjoys the manual drawing process, which firm’s projects and how its counter-intuitive design
he likens to an exploratory process, digital technologies approach of “putting the right thing in the wrong
on balance have made RT+Q more productive and opened place” has made it one of Singapore’s most innovative
up new possibilities. For instance, digital building models residential designers.
created for 3D-printing can be easily converted into
virtual reality experiences for clients and visitors too. The firm is contributing some of the materials
unearthed for the book and other items from their
“It may be very difficult for everyone to come to the archives to the Singapore Architecture Collection.
office to see something we’ve built. Ideally, we could
have digital models with a QR code for anyone to see it,”
says Tan. “Such digital models can be part of our archives
too. The exciting thing about digital models is that these
can help us further appreciate the more intricate design
details of a building that you may not be able to see and
experience even in an actual building.” Tan showing some of the sketches he has kept from his own House of terracing courtyard.
personal sketchbook. Image: Masano Kawana, RT+Q Architects.

50 51
Interview

Appreciating Singapore’s architecture How did you get started on photographing

through new lens Singapore’s architecture?

Darren: I started off photographing weddings, events,

Architectural photographer, Darren Soh, and portraits but it was only in 2006 that I began
shares his love and passion for photographing photographing buildings after I bought a large format
Singapore’s architecture, reinforcing the camera to experiment with.
importance of the collection in helping us to
appreciate the many interesting buildings and My interest in the craft gained further momentum
after magazines such as Wallpaper* and Monocle
housing blocks that make up our cityscape
commissioned me to shoot Singapore’s architecture
and home. in those earlier years. In the beginning, I focused on
making the buildings look attractive but over time,
Writer Justin Zhuang
I got more curious about the intricate details and

Darren Soh
stories behind the buildings that I photograph and
started researching more on my own accord.

52 53
 In the last decade, you have photographed many
public housing blocks and shared these on
your social media channels regularly. Why have you
done so?

Darren: We have one of the best public housing

programmes in the world and yet we do not have
many visuals to show this. One of the first public
housing blocks I photographed was Block 82
Commonwealth Close. Coincidentally, this was the
area where I grew up in and was where the first flats
were sold to the public in 1964.

If you observe closely, our housing blocks feature

a wide variety of designs stretching back from the
1980s when the Housing & Development Board (HDB)
consciously created differentiated designs to embrace
and accentuate the elements and character of our
local neighbourhoods.

It’s amazing how housing architecture can also foster

a greater sense of home and rootedness.

82 Commonwealth Close. Image: CY Kong.

Image: Darren Soh.

54 55
Beyond the iconic buildings, you also shoot lesser- the HDB, is reflected as a structural design that also What are some buildings that you regret not
known ones. supports elements such as the car ramps. photographing?

Darren: A lot of my personal work focuses on This architectural style was called structural Darren: The National Theatre, but I was too young.
buildings that are not iconic but are equally expressionism, which was popular in other countries It was demolished in 1986 when I was in Secondary
important. It’s something I find worth doing because then and can be found in buildings such as Lloyd’s School. Many Singaporeans from that generation,
our built environment is made up of many interesting bank in London and the Centre Pompidou Museum including myself, would have stood in front of its half-
buildings that have stories to tell. in Paris. moon fountain and had a photograph taken.

An example is the New Bridge Centre, a commercial Another building is the former pagoda columbarium
complex conceived in the 1970s and built in the 1980s. in Mount Vernon. The design by the Public Works
It was HDB’s first attempt to do something inspired by Department combines a modernist structure with
the surrounding area of Chinatown. an ethnic Chinese roof. It’s an interesting choice
for a Chinese columbarium and an example of how
It was deliberately designed to look like a huge government agencies then were into this very literal
shophouse, with two double height pitched roofs and way of using architecture to reflect specific identities.
one taller than the other. Its roof even uses similar
terracotta material. When it was first completed, the
unusual design caught the attention of many and was
even featured in the newspapers.

Another unusual building is AMK AutoPoint, a five-

storey industrial building in Ang Mo Kio Industrial
Park. It was built in the 1990s to relocate ground-level
auto workshops in Sin Ming. Its design by CESMA
International, then a company wholly owned by AMK AutoPoint. New Bridge Centre.
Image: Darren Soh. Image: Darren Soh.

56 57
 How has photographing architecture in Singapore What are you looking forward to seeing in the
helped you to better appreciate the city? Singapore Architecture Collection?

Darren: It has helped me understand our buildings Darren: Beyond architects and designers, I hope the
even more, in finding out why things are the way they collection can help spotlight engineers, builders and
are. For instance, Bishan Central has all these buildings others who help to realise and build our architecture.
with squares and triangles designed on them as it
was a way for the architect to create a distinct estate By sharing collection materials and about Singapore’s
using shapes and forms. So, there is a reason behind architecture through curated exhibitions, talks and
every design. photo walks, people can also learn more about how
our buildings came about.
There are many other mysteries behind our building
designs that I would like to uncover. For example, in We all have short memories; this is why we need
Redhill Close, there is a multistorey carpark with a a collection like this to remind us of how valuable
spiral staircase next to it that looks like a turret and Singapore’s architecture is to us.
even has a pointed conical roof. I’m curious why it
was designed this way!

I’m also very interested in understanding the origins

of how our architects and designers got started.
Through my work, I’ve learnt how some well-known
local architects today once worked in the HDB. It’s
interesting to find out where architects started and
how their practice has evolved.

Multistorey carpark at 88 Redhill Close showing the spiral staircase with a conical roof.
Image: Darren Soh.

58 59
Contribute to the collection

Showcase of architecture-related archival items from Dr Wong Yunn Chii’s private collection in 2022.

Building the Singapore Architecture Collection is a collective and continuous effort. We call on
the industry, academia, and community to play your part to contribute valuable materials to the
collection, initiate new research, educate and inspire everyone about our city, curate and create
content insights, experiences, and stories about our buildings and places.

60 61
Share

You can use the collection materials to explore new research areas and create new Access the collection on the National Library Board’s OneSearch:
content on Singapore’s architectural and urban design heritage. You are also invited to search.nlb.gov.sg/onesearch

share more stories and insights about our local architects and designers and their journeys, For queries about the collection or to donate to the collection, please write to:
along with their innovative designs and solutions. [email protected]

Participate
The Singapore Architecture Collection is managed by:
We welcome you to support and join the outreach programmes to inspire a greater
appreciation and understanding of the collection. You can support to curate, present and
share more about the collection materials in exhibitions and publications, together with
various outreach programmes.

Donate In partnership with:

We invite architects, planners, urban designers, those from the built industry and
individuals with architecture-related materials to donate their archival materials to the
collection, which will bear legacies for present and future generations to discover and
learn more about our Singapore Stories.
The Singapore Architecture Collection forms part of a larger collaborative effort to build up a design
collection for the nation, which covers a range of design disciplines, from fashion to graphic design
Materials donated to the collection will be carefully managed and curated. They will be and architecture.
conserved and protected against material deterioration with proper environmental care
and handling. While donations will be digitised in due time, priority will be given to fragile,
at-risk materials.

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Singapore Architecture Collection - Advisory and Technical Panels Secretariat Team

• Clement Lim, Director, Architecture and Urban Design Excellence, URA

The Advisory Panel charts the overall strategic direction on the collection focus and priorities. This panel is supported
• Lynn Wei, Executive Planner, Architecture and Urban Design Excellence, URA
by a Technical Panel which determines the collection approach.
• Gladys Low, Assistant Director, Singapore and Southeast Asia, National Library Board
Advisory Panel
Special thanks to the panel members, secretariat team and the following others for their valuable contributions in
supporting the work of the Singapore Architecture Collection:
• Fun Siew Leng, Chief Urban Designer, URA (Chairperson)
• Heng Chye Kiang, Deputy Dean, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore • Hwang Yu-Ning, Chief Executive Officer, National Parks Board
• Catherine Lau, Deputy Chief Executive, National Library Board • Fong Hoo Cheong, Founder and Principal Architect, HCF and Associates
• Mok Wei Wei, Managing Director, W Architects • Dr Ho Puay-Peng, Professor, Department of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering,
• Professor Tai Lee Siang, Head of Pillar, Architecture and Sustainable Design, National University of Singapore
Singapore University of Technology and Design • Liang Lit How, former Executive Director, Singapore Institute of Architects
• Melvin Tan, President, Singapore Institute of Architects • Tan Huism, former Senior Director, Archives and Library Group, National Library Board
• Yeo Kirk Siang, Senior Director (Heritage Policy), National Heritage Board • Erwin Viray, Professor and Sustainability Initiatives Lead, Architecture and Sustainable Design,
Singapore University of Technology and Design.
Technical Panel

• Yap Lay Bee, Group Director, Architecture and Urban Design, URA (Convener)
• Dr Chang Jiat Hwee, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture & Asia Research Institute,
National University of Singapore
• Ho Weng Hin, Founding Partner, Studio Lapis
• Mok Wei Wei, Managing Director, W Architects
• Darren Soh, Architecture Photographer
• Dr Wong Yunn Chii, Honorary Fellow, Department of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering,
National University of Singapore
• Raymond Woo, Principal Architect, Raymond Woo & Associates Architects
• Dr Yeo Kang Shua, Associate Professor & Associate Head of Pillar (Research/Practice/Industry),
Architecture & Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design

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References 15
Alyssa Woo, “Heritage buildings: Circular Road’s stand-out tower”, Asiaone, accessed 16 October 2023. https://www.asiaone.com/heritage-buildings-
circular-roads-stand-out-tower
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Justin Zhuang, To draw an idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, URA and NLB, in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023,
185. 16
Lim Tin Seng and Lee Peng Hui, “32 Binjai Park: The modernist home of an architect”, Biblioasia, National Library Board, accessed 16 October 2023. https://
biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-19/issue-2/jul-sep-2023/lee-kip-lin-binjai-park-house/
2
Wong Yunn Chii, “Building an architecture collection for Singapore”, To draw an idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, Urban
Redevelopment Authority and National Library Board, in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023, 8. 17
Lee Peng Hui, “The House that Kip built for himself”, Docomomo, accessed 16 October 2023. https://www.docomomo.sg/modernist-100/lee-kip-lin-house

3
Justin Zhuang, To draw an idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Library Board, 18
Wong Yunn Chii, “Futura”, About Singapore 1:1 – City, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2005, 114.
in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023, 187.
Justin Zhuang, “Drawing out architecture”, To draw an idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, Urban Redevelopment Authority
19

4
Ronald Lim, “Mining an archive for architecture’s story”, To draw an idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, Urban and National Library Board, in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023, 16.
Redevelopment Authority and National Library Board, in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023, 14

5
Tan Kar Lin and Ho Weng Hin, Green Ink on an envelope, the architectural practice of Chan Sau Yan Sonny, CSYA Pte Ltd, 2012, 36.

6
Seek Ngee Huat, Sing Tien Foo and Yu Shi Ming, Singapore’s real estate: 50 Years of transformation, Singapore: World Scientific, 2016, 60.

7
“About the Pinnacle@Duxton”, Housing & Development Board, accessed 16 October 2023. http://www.pinnacleduxton.com.sg/About.html

8
Ho Weng Hin, “National Theatre”, Docomomo, accessed 16 October 2023. https://www.docomomo.sg/modernist-100/national-theatre

9
Wong Yunn Chii, “Golden Mile Complex”, About Singapore 1:1 – City, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2005, 162.

10
Jennifer Eveland, “Heroic and powerful”, Skyline, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2018, 42.

11
Justin Zhuang, To draw an Idea: retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects, Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Library Board,
in partnership with W Architects Pte Ltd, 2023, 33 and 35.

12
“Planning for a better city: a challenge for URA”, Skyline, Urban Redevelopment Authority, 1984, 6 and 7.

13
Kampong Bugis Development Guide Plan, Singapore Institute of Architects (Draft), 1990.

“Grange Road No. 25”, My Conservation Portal, Urban Redevelopment Authority, accessed 16 October 2023. https://www.ura.gov.sg/conservation-portal/
14

explore/history?bldgid=25grrd

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