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 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 outreach activities to learn and discover more about the collection and our Singapore Story.

We invite more architects, planners, urban designers and those from the built environment industry to contribute their materials to enhance and enrich the collection.

Behind every design
is a thought,
an idea, a story

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.

Drawings of the National Museum of Singapore (2002-2006) donated by William Lim Associates and W Architects Pte Ltd. Courtesy of National Library, Singapore.

 Drawings of House at Holland Road (1998), donated by Chan Sau Yan Sonny. Courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority

Capturing our architectural & urban design journeys and stories

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 modern and contemporary architecture. The collection will feature contributions from architects, planners, urban designers and those from the built environment industry.

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.

The following are examples of items donated to and being considered for the Collection.

Document
	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.
	Sales brochure of the Golden Mile Complex Courtesy of Dr Wong Yunn Chii.

Architectural Drawing
	Ground floor plan of the National Theatre, 1960.   Donated by Alfred Wong Partnership. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
	Sections of Golden Mile Complex by Design Partnership (succeeded by DP Architects) 1975. Courtesy of DP Architects.
	South-west elevation of Jurong Town Hall, circa 1970. Donated by architect, Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat Courtesy of National Library, Singapore

Physical Model
	Model of Robertson Blue, Robertson Quay, 2006.   Donated by architect, Chan Sau Yan Sonny. Courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority.   .

Design Plan
	Section of the proposal for Kampong Bugis, developed by architect, Tay Kheng Soon, and the Singapore Institute of Architects team, 1989. Donated by architect, Tay Kheng Soon Courtesy of National Library, Singapore.
	Central Area Structure Plan, 1985, with urban design considerations shaping the City Centre. Courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority.

Drawing
	Drawing of Hyatt Kuantan Hotel, Malaysia, 1979. Donated by architect, Wee Chwee Heng. Courtesy of National Library, Singapore.
	Axonometry of courtyard spaces filled with activities along the Singapore River. Drawing by architect. Water colour rendering by artist Ong Kim Seng, 1982. Donated by William Lim Associates & W Architects. Courtesy of National Library, Singapore.

Photograph
	Photograph of Beverly Mai by Timothy Seow & Partners, c. 1974. Donated by architect, Goh Chong Chia Courtesy of National Library, Singapore.

Oral history recording and publication
	Examples of publications documenting architects’ works.

Digital Model
	Digital model of the Pinnacle@Duxton. Courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority.

A community collaboration

Everyone can
play their part

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.

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

Contribute to the collection

How you can support – donate, share, participate

Donate

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.

Materials donated to the collection will be carefully managed and curated. They will be preserved 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.

Share

You can use the collection materials to explore new research areas and create new content on Singapore’s architectural and urban design heritage. You are also invited to share more stories and insights about our local architects and designers and their journeys, along with their innovative designs and solutions.

Participate

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.

The Singapore Architecture Collection is managed by:

In partnership with:

The Singapore Architecture Collection forms part of a larger collaborative effort across the National Heritage Board and national museums to build up a design collection for the nation, which covers a range of design disciplines, from fashion to graphic design and architecture.

For queries or to donate to the collection, please write to enquiry@nlb.gov.sg.