Singapore Architecture Collection’s Inaugural Showcase To Feature Two New And Free Exhibitions

Discover how Singapore’s post-war architecture reflected the evolution of the nation’s built environment, society and identity at the two new exhibitions.

Singapore Architecture Collection’s Inaugural Showcase To Feature Two Exhibitions

The “To Draw an Idea: Retracing the Designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects” and “Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s – 2000s” exhibitions present the most comprehensive collection of Singapore’s architectural materials to-date. They showcase Singapore’s rich architecture heritage for present and future generation to discover Singapore Stories. The exhibitions demystify the work of architects in Singapore and unpack their roles as designers and professionals, including how they work within government regulations. 

To Draw an Idea: Retracing the Designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects

Venue: The URA Centre ground floor atrium
Date: now to 8 Jun 2024 
Time: 9am to 5pm, Daily (closed on Sun)
Fee: Free Admission | Register here

Jointly organised by the National Library Board (NLB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in partnership with local architecture firm W Architects, the exhibition “To Draw an Idea: Retracing the Designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects” features features 19 projects from the architecture firm between the 1980s and 2010s through more than 500 archival materials and artefacts that the company donated to the collection.

"To Draw an Idea” presents insights into how visionary and innovative designs were inspired by the times and in turn, shaped Singapore’s urban development, distinctive cityscape and unique identity. 

On display include architectural drawings and artefacts from the refurbishment of the National Museum of Singapore, to residential projects like Paterson Edge which introduced compact city living and early adaptive reuse proposals for heritage areas such as the Singapore River. They reflect the evolution of the firm’s work across four decades and demonstrate how global architectural influences, local developments, building regulations and changing aspirations amongst the population have influenced the firm’s design processes and creative visions over the years. 

Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s– 2000s

Photo Credits: National Library Board

Venue: National Library Building’s lobby
Date: now to 9 Jun 2024 
Time: 10am to 9pm, Daily
Fee: Free Admission

NLB’s “Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s– 2000s” satellite exhibition held at the National Library Building celebrates Singapore’s architectural legacy and allows Singaporeans to check out architecture stories across multiple locations nationwide.

The “Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s–2000s” satellite exhibition shares design insights and stories behind some of Singapore’s unique and innovative landmarks and buildings built from the 1960s to 2000s, such as the Golden Mile Complex, Pearl Bank Apartments and the National Theatre. Through books, building plans, photographs, videos and other materials on display, the public can learn more about the Singapore’s architecture story and journey, and the many bold ideas and visions in building design that have captured hearts and minds across time.

[Roving Showcase] Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s– 2000s

There will be a roving showcase featuring similar content will tour the Bishan Public Library, Jurong Regional Library and Tampines Regional Library, from now to 9 June 2024.  

• now to 31 Jan 2024: Bishan Public Library Level 1 Atrium
• 1 Feb to 31 Mar 2024: Jurong Regional Library Level 1
• 1 Apr to 9 Jun 2024 : Tampines Regional Library Level 2

Programme Highlights

As part of the “To Draw an Idea” exhibition, visitors can also look forward to regular guided tours of the exhibition, talks by subject experts and children’s workshops at the URA Centre and National Library Building.  

Programmes are available from now to June 2024. Admission is free and members of the public and professionals can register here. 

Curator’s Tours

Meeting Point: Lobby, The URA Centre (Maxwell Road entrance)
Date: 19 Jan, 23 Feb, 22 Mar, 19 Apr & 24 May 2024
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Fee: Free | Pre-register here 

Limited to 20 participants per session; In English

Public Tours

Meeting Point: Lobby, The URA Centre (Maxwell Road entrance)
Date & Time: 

Conducted in English (2pm to 3pm)

• Wed: 10, 17, 24 & 31 Jan 2024
• Sat: 6, 13, 20 & 27 Jan 2024
• Wed: 21 & 28 Feb 2024
• Sat: 3 & 24 Feb 2024
• Wed: 6, 13, 20 & 27 Mar 2024
• Sat: 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Mar 2024
• Wed: 3, 17 & 24 Apr 2024
• Sat: 6, 13, 20 & 27 Apr 2024
• Wed: 8, 15 & 29 May 2024
• Sat: 4, 11, 18 & 25 May 2024

Conducted in Mandarin (3pm to 4pm)

• Sat: 6, 13, 20 & 27 Jan 2024
• Sat: 3 & 24 Feb 2024
• Sat: 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Mar 2024
• Sat: 6, 13, 20 & 27 Apr 2024
• Sat: 4, 11, 18 & 25 May 2024

Fee: Free | Pre-register here

Limited to 20 participants per session; In English and Mandarin, led by docents.

Children’s Workshop: Streets in the Air – People's Park Complex

Venue: Imagination Room, Level 5, National Library Building
Date & Time: 16 Mar 2024 (2 sessions)

• Session 1: 9am to 10.30am
• Session 2: 11am to 12.30pm 

A fun hands-on craft workshop where children (recommended for ages 7 to 13) can learn to build a paper model of an iconic building in Singapore, and develop critical thinking about the architecture and buildings around them.

Singapore Architectural Development Through the Lens of Darren Soh

Venue: Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building
Date: 12 Jan 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm 

Photographer Darren Soh will be speaking on his experience and challenges photographing modern structures in Singapore that range from the 1930s structures by Ho Kwong Yew to modern icons like Pearl Bank and Golden Mile Complex. He will also share his works on documenting the modern architecture of the Housing and Development Board’s projects ranging from those built in the 1960s to the later ones in the 1980s.

Curators’ Talk: To Draw An Idea: Retracing the designs of William Lim Associates – W Architects

Venue, Date & Time:

• 18 Jan 2024 (2pm to 4pm): URA Centre Function Hall, level 5 and via Zoom
• 23 Mar 2024 (11am to 12.30pm): Possibility Room and Imagination Room, Level 5, National Library Building

Architect Mok Wei Wei and architect-curator Ronald Lim will provide insights into the exhibition’s curatorial narrative, presenting the historical context to the featured projects under the themes of Refract, Respond and Reflect.

Architecture Stuff & More Stuff

Venue: URA Centre Function Hall, level 5 and via ZOOM
Date: 23 Feb 2024
Time: 2pm to 4pm 

A spirited sharing by Dr Wong Yunn Chii on architectural objects from his personal collection, followed by a candid discussion with Kelley Cheng to bring to light the importance of the Singapore Architecture Collection and the need to appreciate Singapore’s architectural lineage/heritage through documentation and collection.

UNIT: A Glimpse into Singapore’s 1970s – ’80s Private Apartments

Venue: Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building
Date: 1 Mar 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm 

Samantha Chia and Finbarr Fallon, the authors of UNIT will be talking about the ideas behind the book, the significance of Singapore’s post-independence residential architecture and the process of selfpublishing the book, which has had two sold-out print runs. The duo will also touch on their next work documenting the built environment in Singapore.

Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s – 2000s

Venue: Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building
Date: 9 May 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm 

Join the curators of Dare to Design: Singapore Architecture 1960s–2000s, Hannah Yeo (Curator, Exhibitions, NLB) and Alex Foo (Manager, Partnership Management, NLB), as they shed light on the buildings selected for the exhibition and interesting stories about their design. Participants will also have a chance to see up close materials from the National Library and National Archives of Singapore used in the satellite exhibition.

The Singapore Green Building Journey

Venue: Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building
Date: 16 May 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm 

This talk by Professor Lam Khee Poh (NUS) explores Singapore's Green Building journey since 2005, including research and development work that led to the launch of the inaugural Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Certification scheme. The National Library Building will be used as a case study to illustrate conceptual and practical implementation of the key features of a Green Building. The sharing also takes a concise look at the evolution of Singapore's Green Building Masterplan and its contribution to the Singapore Green Plan 2023.