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Int. Architecture
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE | Singapore, Republic of Singapore | 2015

NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE | Singapore, Republic of Singapore | 2015

Architects: studioMilou
Associate Architects: CPG Consultants Pte. Ltd.
Client: National Gallery Singapore 
Contractor: Takenaka Corporation 
Photographers: Fernando Javier Urquijo


The National Gallery Singapore transforms two of Singapore’s most significant monuments, the former Supreme Court and City Hall, into Southeast Asia’s largest modern arts institution.

In 2007, the architects won the international architectural competition to design the gallery by transforming these monuments with a surface of over 64,000 square meters and a project cost of 530 million SGD.

The client brief was to unite and transform the monuments into a world class gallery with respect for their heritage and minimal interventions. The design responds by creating a spectacular filigree metal and glass roofing structure draping over the monuments, supported by steel tree-like structures, unifying the monuments with a simple rooftop line, and maintaining architectural integrity.

The buildings from below are unified with a sweeping concourse basement running the lengths of the buildings, accessible from each side of the gallery by four monumental staircases.

The simple geometry resolves the complexity of the two buildings and changes the point of view and experience of a visitor in the building, where in fact the buildings remain the same.

The signature design elements allow the design to develop around the existing buildings, and give a legible understanding to visitors of how the design is layered upon the monuments with minimal intervention, creating exhibition and other spaces for sharing and nurturing Singaporean and Southeast Asia visual arts.

Located in the heart of the country’s civic district, the gallery’s landscaped rooftops spaces linked to restaurants, cafes, exhibition and events spaces are open to sky and offer spectacular views of its surroundings and CBD skyline.

The design privileges elegance, consistency and cohesion where the interiors share a limited colour and material palette, creating a sense of calm and unity reinforced by the prevalent use of natural light and windows offering views of the cityscape. 

Behind the visually simple architecture and interiors lies a technically complex reality where no efforts were spared in providing modern day, efficient infrastructures required.

These interventions, though less obvious to the eye but no less critical included: structural works to increase loading capacities, integration of climate control, fire safety, acoustics, gallery lighting, solar panels, etc. into the roofs, ceilings, walls and floors such as that the visitors could focus on the architecture and artwork with minimal technical distractions.


NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

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