

SCDA architects restores singapore national design centre

photo by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects

soo k. chan of SCDA architects has completed the renovation of singapore’s ‘national design centre’, centrally located within the city-state’s cultural district. the facility serves as a space for public exhibitions, and a think tank for the region’s growing design community, encouraging innovation and collaboration among artists, businesses and the public.

positioned within a former convent, the project sensitively restores the original building through the insertion of four cantilevering and overlapping boxes that form interconnected volumes for both public and private use. opening internally, the programmatic composition draws guests inside the structure activating a central courtyard bathed in natural light.



the facility serves as a space for public exhibitions, and a think tank for the region’s growing design community

photo by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects

‘our concept was to create big public spaces – the internal courtyard and an external courtyard. the indoor court we enclosed with a sculptural skylight. that was the beginning of it – two communal spaces that all the other spaces would focus upon. once this principle was established, we needed to be very clear about what we added. this is a conservation building,’ explained soo k. chan of SCDA architects.



the scheme encourages innovation and collaboration among artists, businesses and the public

photo courtesy of SCDA architects

the ‘national design centre’ is functioning as a hub for singapore design week (SDW) in march 2014. open to the artistic community, businesses, students and the general public, SDW brings together a collection of local and international activities in singapore, raising awareness and understanding of good design.



the multi-purpose courtyard can be used for a range of events or seminars

(left) photo by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects

(right) image courtesy of SCDA architects



boxes of varying proportions have been inserted within the existing structure

(left) photo by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects

(right) image courtesy of SCDA architects



the spacious internal courtyard

photo by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects



the lecture theater is housed within the former chapel

image courtesy of SCDA architects



the ‘national design centre’ is functioning as a hub for singapore design week (SDW) during march 2014

photos by aaron pocock / courtesy of SCDA architects