These two prominent landmarks in
Singapore date back to the early British Colonial days and have seen some of our turbulent past
(see Singapore History). Since Singapore gained her independence in 1965, they continued to be homes to important governmental offices. The first
National Day Parade was held in City Hall in 1966 and for many years after that.
In 2005, the Singapore government decided to turn the grand dames into a new national art gallery. In 2007, A
design competition was launched and that drew 111 entries from 29 countries. Five proposals were eventually shortlisted.
"The design scheme by Studio Milou Architecture elegantly integrates the two buildings at the roof level, with the use of a linear draped canopy, supported by tree like columns. This is done while still respecting the fabric of the existing monuments. The scheme also respects the existing entrances and introduces new ones to make the building porous at street level...."
I visited the buildings during
the National Art Gallery open house. As I walked into Singapore's past, the sense of nostalgia was quite inevitable. However, that was compensated by the anticipation of what is in store in a few years' time. Meanwhile, I can only imagine how the new National Art Gallery will look like.
Let's take a glimpse of the past and a peek into the future:
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The old Supreme Court building
along St Andrew's Road. [Pic] |
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The dome is made of copper and appearing green
due to oxidization. [Pic] |
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Main entrance -
The old Supreme Court building was
built between 1937 and 1939. [Pic] |
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Sculptures on the pediment representing
prosperity through law, peace and plenty (right) and
violence and deceit and two legislators (left). [Pic] |
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The old Supreme Court building was built on the site of
the former Grand Hotel de L'Europe. [Pic] |
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| A Corinthian column. [Pic] |
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Ornate facade of the
old Supreme Court building. [Pic] |
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| Inside the old Supreme Court building. [Pic] |
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| Holding prison cells within the old Supreme Court building. [Pic] |
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| Inside a prison cell. [Pic] |
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| A cup left on the bench in a prison cell. [Pic] |
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| Toilet within a prison cell. [Pic] |
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Toilet cisterns were installed outside the cells
to prevent suicidal attempts. [Pic] |
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Prisoners were led to the courtroom
via this long and dim walkway. [Pic] |
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| Trap door leading to dock in courtroom. [Pic] |
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| Inside the courtroom. [Pic] |
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| The circular law library in the old Supreme Court building. [Pic] |
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| Column and dome roof inside the law library. [Pic] |
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| Dome roof in the law library. [Pic] |
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A view of the courtroom as seen from
the Chief Justice's Chambers. [Pic] |
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The Chief Justice's desk in
the Chambers of the Chief Justice. [Pic] |
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| Attached washroom in the Chambers of the Chief Justice. [Pic] |
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| Steps in the old Supreme Court building. [Pic] |
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On this day, the foundation stone of the old Supreme
Court building was laid. A time capsule, slated to be opened
in year 3000, was placed beneath it. [Pic] |
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| Next to the old Supreme Court building is the City Hall. [Pic] |
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The old and the new: City Hall Building,
with Raffles City building in the background. [Pic] |
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| Majestic Corinthian columns at City Hall. [Pic] |
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City Hall was first known as Municipal Building.
It was renamed in 1951 when Singapore
was granted city status. [Pic] |
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| City Hall was built from 1926 to 1929. [Pic] |
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A good view of the Marina Bay Sands
across the Padang. [Pic] |
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Lion head door knocker on
the front door of City Hall. [Pic] |
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Message wall for visitors
during the open house. [Pic] |
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| Artist's impression of the new National Art Gallery. [Source] |
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| Sectional view of the supreme court exhibition spaces. [Source] |
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| Sectional View of The City Hall Exhibition Spaces. [Source] |
"Bring the past only if you are going to build from it."
~Doménico Cieri Estrada~
1 comment:
very nice walkthrough of the National Art Gallery, thanks for this post. :)
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