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Singapore
ARCHITECTURE First Issue - January 2011
There’s a story behind every building You’ll quickly notice the countless number of high-rise buildings in close proximity in the Central Business District, but that hasn’t stopped Singapore from building some of the finest architectural masterpieces. Look out for the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands – both designed by renowned architects. Other highlights include the heritage buildings and conservation shophouses, so unravel the story behind each building for a peek into Singapore’s past.
Old Supreme Court pg.10
CONTENTS 2
Raffles Hotel
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CHJIMES
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Armenian Church
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St. Andrew Cathedreal
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MICA Building
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Old Supreme Court Building
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Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
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Dalhousie Obelisk
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Merlion
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Singapore Flyer
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Esplanade
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Marina Bay Sands
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Fullerton Hotel
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Resort World Sentosa
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Useful Links
Raffles Hotel
The most famous hotel in Singapore, Raffles Hotel well-nigh sums up Singapore’s vital colonial history. Named after Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, designed by R. A. J. Bidwell of Swan and MacLaren, the hotel opened on 1 December 1887 with 10 rooms spread across two wings. With its garden setting and classical architecture, the hotel has since morphed into an icon where famous names in literature.
CHIJMES
CHIJMES stands for the Holy Infant Jesus Convent, a Neo-Classical style building. This place is rough version of London’s Covent Garden, with green grass, marble waterfall, and spatial page gives this landmark charm, old world magic. Designed by George Coleman (who also designed Old Parliament House), CHIJMES began as the House Caldwell - dwelling house clerks Senior Judge. Then, place the house where the nuns and the Mother Superior before expanding into two more buildings - Orphanage and a Gothic-style chapel with beautiful stained glass windows. Look for Gate of Hope are still standing in Victoria Street, where babies are born in a tiger that used to be abandoned. Currently home to a slew of boutiques, restaurants, and bars, CHIJMES is one of the the most famous lifestyle in Singapore, and is the perfect chill-out destination for ample drinks and entertaining live music. 4
Armenian Church
Built in 1835, the Armenian Church in Hill Street is the oldest Christian church in Singapore. Designed by Irish architect George Coleman, the church is regarded as Coleman’s masterpiece and is dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator, Armenian monk first.
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St. Andrew Cathedral
Located in the Civic District, St Andrew’s Cathedral is the largest and the first Anglican Church in Singapore. Designed by Colonel Ronald McPherson in NeoGothic style in 1857 after the first building was damage by two lightning strikes. Defined as a national monument in 1973, you will stand in awe at its majestic facade, with extended pinnacles and a glossy white exterior.
MICA
building
The Neo-Classical style building, with all of its 911 windows painted in various colours like green, red, yellow and, blue, sure catched your eye as you explore the traces of the Civic District trail. Its vibrant exterior and redecorated internal space makes it ideal for large-scale exhibitions and performances venue. Built in 1934 as the Old Hill Street Police Station, the police station was the largest government building then. It was designated as a national monument and given a new lease of life in 1998, and now become the houses of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), which moved from PSA Building in 2000.
Old Supreme Court Building The former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005. This building was the last Classical architecture building to be built on the former British colony. Built in front of the historical Padang grounds between 1937 and 1939, it was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward of the Public Works Department, and was his last and most significant work. The building is planned to become an arts and cultural centre in future, with plans to refurbish the building. Before the courthouse was constructed in the 1930s, it was where many colonial-built houses were built. One of them is Grand Hotel de l’Europe. It was built in 1900, the only other hotel in Singapore that could be comparable with the landmark Raffles Hotel. The Grand Hotel boasted a lounge, reading room, a bar, shops and a roof garden, a novelty at that time. In 1932, the hotel’s business declined and filed for bankruptcy. The foundation stone of the Old Supreme Court Building, then the biggest foundation stone in the whole of Malaya, was laid by the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Whitelegge Thomas, on 1 April 1937. Buried beneath the stone, is a time capsule containing six Singaporean newspapers dated 31 March 1937, and a handful of coins of the Straits Settlements. The capsule is due to be retrieved only in the year 3000.
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Victoria Theatre Concert Hall
Located in front of Asian Civilisation Museum, Victorial Theatre was one of the oldest colonial building built in 1862 as the Town Hall. It was a typical British neo-classical architecture which was popular in the 19th century. The Theatre was connected to the nearby Concert Hall (built in 1905) by a clock tower.
Dalhousie Obelisk Located in Singapore’s Civic District and was built to commemorate the second visit of the Marquis of Dalhousie in February 1850. Governor-General of India 1848-1856, Marquis of Dalhousie, accompanied by his wife, in order to consider ways to reduce administrative expenditure. Obelisk memorial was built also serves as a reminder to all traders benefit from free trade.
An important architectural element designed by John Turnbull Thomson when he was a Government Surveyor, it is believed that the design is modeled after “Cleopatra’s Needle” on the Thames Embankment in London.
Merlion
Merlion is an imaginary creature with a lion’s head and body of fish, used as the mascot of Singapore designed by Fraser Brunner. Its name combines “mer” meaning sea and “lion”. Fish body comes from the ancient name of Singapore back when it was fishing village - Temasek - which means “sea town” in Javanese. Lion head is the original name of Singapore which means “lion city” or “city of lions”.
Singapore Flyer The Singapore Flyer is currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Described by its operators as an observation wheel, it reaches 42 stories high, with a total height of 165m, and is 5m taller than the Star of Nanchang and 30m taller than the London Eye. Located in Singapore, on the southeast tip of the Marina Centre reclaimed land, it comprises a 150m diameter wheel, built over a three-story terminal building which houses shops, bars and restaurants, and offers broad views of the city centre and beyond to about 45km.
Esplanade Singapore’s famous skyline has taken on various changes over the decades, but none has been as dramatic or controversial as the emergence of the Esplanade complex, which officially opened in 2002. The idea for an integrated arts centre in Singapore was proposed way back in the 1970s, but the project’s radical architecture was only unveiled in 1994, with work beginning in 1996. Currently, the S $ 600 million dollar project now occupies six hectares of waterfront land along the Marina Bay to the east of Padang, and offers a concert hall, theater, recitals and studio theater, a spacious gallery space and an auditorium. The Esplanade Mall that around it includes also the library@esplanade on the third floor, making Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, a gigantic cultural landmark. With such unique architecture, discussion is still rife with regard to the two spiked ‘shells’ of the Esplanade building that you can see from afar. Said to have an appearance similar the eye of a fly or a giant durian (a popular local fruit), you’ll just have to make a visit down to The Esplanade and decide for yourself.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands® is a magnificent destination for entertainment, business and shopping, delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This landmark building is situated in the heart of Singapore’s central business district. With a luxury hotel, state-of-the art convention and exhibition facilities, theatres, and some of the best shopping and dining in the region, this is the place to go for world-class entertainment. In Marina Bay Sands Hotel, you’ll enter a world of luxury and exclusivity. Be greeted by personalized and intuitive service that seeks to make your stay a truly unforgettable experience. Luxury fashion fans will have more to cheer about. With a wide array of high-end boutiques alongside niche designer labels at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, featuring top international brands such as Louis Vuitton located in a “floating” crystal pavilion; shoppers will surely be spoilt for choice. The resort’s two state-of-the-art theatres will offer you an impressive variety of handpicked international and local performances all the way from Broadway to Bollywood. Don’t miss the museum where blockbuster artworks from the world over will be displayed. The museum’s lotus-inspired design lends a powerful presence to the waterfront area. The Marina Bay Sands integrated resort is going to be a city within a city, offering a vibrant collage of entertainment and lifestyle choices. This impressive wonder will truly inspire the cosmopolitan landscape of Singapore.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore originally built in 1928, designed by the Shanghai-based firm of Keys & Dowdeswell, this historic landmark enjoys a strategic location at the mouth of the bustling Singapore River. This grand hotel represents the height of Palladian architecture, which can be seen from its monumental porte-cocheres and distinguished Doric columns. Fullerton Hotel Singapore ranked as one of the world’s top hotels in the Conde Nast Traveler 2010 “Gold List�.
Resort World
Sentosa
Sentosa Resorts World™ is the first integrated resort on Sentosa island, bringing with it the highly anticipated new attractions and exciting such as Universal Studios Singapore® and Voyage de la Vie™, FestiveWalk™, and have not opened the Sea Life Park™. Ride The Movies® at exclusive places are found only in the first movie in the theme park in Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore®. Showing 24 movie-themed rides and attractions, 18 of which unique to Singapore, sensation seekers and families will be the first experience new rides and shows based on blockbuster hits. Feast your senses on the world entertainment, shopping experiences and signature culinary adventure in FestiveWalk™, and take pleasure in the comfort and luxury of world-
non-stop
class resort hotel unique. The Resorts World Casino luxury, with a blend of elegant interiors, captivating entertainment, sumptuous dining options and warm hospitality, giving you the chance to play in style. This strip is throbbing 24/7 sets the stage for some of the world’s most spectacular shows and entertainment. free public places are available, including the Lake of Dreams™, a unique musical extravaganza. And brace yourself for the Voyage de la Vie ™, a circus spectacular original stone which consists of world-famous circus star. With more in store, your adventure in Resorts World Sentosa is only limited by your imagination. World-class integrated resort is an ideal resort destination where everyone can come together to move the experience and lasting memories. Come discover one million now really useful, all in one world.
Useful Links The following links and numbers may be useful should you need guidance around the island or emergency help: www.streetdirectory.com
Most useful for addresses and phone numbers of your intended locations, and even provides several route options to your destination.
www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Singapore Has an extensive list of all the embassies in Singapore.
http://trust.yoursingapore.com
Has a comprehensive list of licensed travel agents in Singapore.
http://guides-online.yoursingapore.com
Useful list of tour guides in Singapore searchable by languages spoken and area of expertise.
http://www.onemap.sg
Find where you want to go and how to get there.
https://app.stb.gov.sg/asp/int/int.asp
Singapore Tourism Board Offices Worldwide.
http://digitallibrary.yoursingapore.com/stb/public/portal/index.jsp The Digital Library.
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