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Built with Intention

Led by SCDA, the new facelift of the Singapore Art Museum embodies the firm’s creative philosophy and its commitment to sustainable design By Hong Xinying

“Every architect wants to do a museum,” quips Soo K. Chan, founding principal of SCDA Architects. Indeed, the $90 million makeovers of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) marks another milestone for the celebrated firm.

Slated to finish by 2023, the project marks the museum’s first major renovation since its opening in 1996. Formerly the St Joseph’s Institution, the school was built in 1867 and converted to house the art museum, after being gazetted as a national monument. The SAM at 8Q, an annex building at Queen Street, became part of the museum premises in 2008.

“It’s a very important commission for us; we understand very well that something institutional-like that needs to be handled with great sensitivity,” says Chan. “We’ve been very careful to consider its status as a monument. Whatever additions we had, we decided that they should be fairly understated and respect the primacy of the old building.”

For this project, the design concept is both elegant and effective—it adds two floating glass boxes to create new galleries and event spaces, while restoring original architectural elements. The main entrance has been relocated to pedestrianise the front lawn and a new link bridge will also connect the main building to SAM at 8Q.