Singapore – a tiny but prosperous island nation- has been likened to a 1:1 scale model for ideal architecture and urban design. One of the densest places on earth, the island nation is filled with incredible works by famous architects from around the world and talented local designers, and has become renowned for the foresight of its urban planners and the many iconic and high-quality architectural designs across the vibrant metropolis. Known as the “city in a garden”, and filled with fantastic architecture, Singapore is the ultimate fantasy of any architectural tourist.
Buildings have been listed grouped by neighbourhood below, and mapped above. On the map, awesome buildings are shown in red and cool buildings are indicated in orange.
Marina Bay & CBD
Marina South Pier by Surbana
Marina Bay Cruise Centre by Bermello, Ajamil and Partners
Marina Barrage by Architects Team 3
The massive green roof of this utility building has become a successful and wildly popular public space, popular with kite flyers and for it’s stunning panoramic skyline views.
Marina Bay Sands by Moshe Safdie
Marina Bay Financial Centre by Kohn Pederson Fox
Helix Bridge by Cox Architecture
Gardens by the Bay by Wilkinson Eyre
The Future of Us Pavilion by SUTD Advanced Architecture Laboratory
Image by Jonathan Choe
The Sail @ Marina Bay by NBBJ
Image by Someformofhuman
One Shenton Way by Ott & Associates
Image by Someformofhuman
V on Shenton by UNStudio
Image by UNStudio
Asia Square by Denton Corker Marshall
Tokio Marine Centre by Chan Sau Yan Associates
Republic Plaza by Kisho Kurokawa
Image by Robert J Steiner
OCBC Centre by I.M. Pei
One Raffles Place (UOB Plaza) by Kenzo Tange & Addition by Paul Tange
Pickering Operations Complex by Kenzo Tange
One George Street by SOM
One Raffles Quay by Kohn Pederson Fox
Caltex House by Murphy/Jahn
CapitaGreen by Toyo Ito
Oasia Downtown by WOHA Architects
Tanjong Pagar Centre by SOM
Ocean Financial Centre by Cesar Pelli
The sheltered plaza at the base of the tower contains the largest green wall in the world, featuring a map of Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the world.
The Clift by DP Architects and Superpotato
Marina One by Ingenhoven
Image by Jonathan Choe
Historic District & Marina
New Supreme Court by Norman Foster
The stunning central atrium and a pie-slice of the ‘UFO’ with a great view towards Boat Quay is open to the public on weekdays during office hours (dress code enforced).
National Gallery by Studio Millou
Image by Jonathan Choe
Raffles City by I.M. Pei
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall Renovation by W Architects
South Beach by Norman Foster
Capitol Singapore by Richard Meier
Esplanade Theatres by the Bay by Michael Wilford
Millenia Tower by Philip Johnson
Centennial Tower by Philip Johnson
Singapore Flyer by Kisho Kurokawa
Ritz-Carlton Hotel by Kevin Roche
Millenia Walk by Philip Johnson
Benjamin Sheares Bridge by CPG Consultants
A taxi ride or walk over this iconic elevated bridge provides one of the best views of the Singapore skyline. Photo by Erwin Soo
Chinatown & Clarke Quay
PARKROYAL at Pickering by WOHA Architects
State Courts Towers by Serie & Multiply
Pinnacle@Duxton by ARC Studio
The expansive top-level skygarden is publicly accessible for S$5, a great deal for one of the best skyline views in Singapore.
Singapore City Gallery (URA Centre) by Kenzo Tange
The city models are a must see for any tourist or local!
WOHA Office at 29 HongKong Street by WOHA Architects
48 North Canal Road by WOHA Architects
Clarke Quay Redevelopment by Will Alsop
Wat Ananda Metyarama Temple by Czarl Architects
Bras Basah, Bugis & Little India
Lasalle College of the Arts by RSP Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
National Design Centre by SCDA
Bras Basah MRT Station by WOHA Architects
Best to visit on a sunny day when rippling light animates the entire station.
Singapore National Museum by W Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
Wilkie Edge by WOHA Architects
Bugis+ (formerly known as Iluma) by WOHA Architects
National Library by Ken Yeang
Sky gardens on the upper levels are open to public.
Image by Jonathan Danker
Mint Museum of Toys by SCDA Architects
Gateway Towers by I.M. Pei
Space Asia Hub by WOHA Architects
Indian Heritage Centre by Robert Greg Shand
The Concourse by Paul Rudolph
School of the Arts by WOHA Architects
Singapore Management University Campus by KNTA
Dhoby Ghaut Green by SCDA
Image by Molly Dasca
NOMU by WOHA Architects
Visioncrest Residences by Arquitectonica
Belle Vue Residences by Toyo Ito
Golden Mile Complex by DP Architects
Image by Sengkang
DUO by Ole Scheeren
Orchard & Dhoby Ghaut
Design Orchard by WOHA Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
Orchard Central by DP Architects
Take the exterior escalators through the double-layer facade to the spectacular rooftop with great views of the skyline and Orchard Road.
313@Somerset by Aedas
Orchard Gateway by Paul Tange
The linkbridge at level 3 provides dramatic views of Orchard Road, and the design library inside is well worth checking out!
Image by Jonathan Choe
Ion Orchard by Benoy
Observation deck at the top level provides one of the most stunning views over the city, the central viewpoint providing panoramic vistas from 218m above ground across almost the entire island on a clear day. This observatory is now open to the public free of charge from 10am-8pm, and is accessible from level 4 of the Ion Orchard Shopping Centre. Image by Someformofhuman
Moulmein Rise by WOHA Architects
Newton Suites by WOHA Architects
Oasia Hotel Novena by DP Architects
The Tomlinson by IM Pei
BLVD by SCDA
Wheelock Place by Kisho Kurokawa
Le Nouvel Ardmore by Jean Nouvel
Image by Jonathan Choe
Nouvel 18 by Jean Nouvel
Image by Jonathan Choe
Ardmore Residence by UNStudio
Eden Singapore by Thomas Heatherwick
Image by Jonathan Choe
Orchard Scotts Hotel & Residences by Arquitectonica
Camden Medical Centre by Richard Meier
The Colonade by Paul Rudolph
The Oliv by W Architects
The Scotts Tower by UNStudio
Sentosa & Harbourfront
Sentosa Boardwalk by Aedas
Keppel Bridge + Yaht Club by DCA
Capella Singapore by Norman Foster
Nice walking paths along villas, incredible hillside multi-level pool, and skyline views from hotel corridors.
Resorts World Sentosa by Michael Graves
Photo by William Cho
Vivocity by Toyo Ito
Tons to explore on the incredible rooftop
Reflections at Keppel Bay by Daniel Libeskind
Henderson Waves by IJP
Alexandra Arch by LOOK Architects
Hort Park by MKPL Architects
Forest Walk by LOOK Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
The Interlace by OMA
Image by Jonathan Choe
Enabling Village by WOHA Architects
Image by WOHA Architects
Commonwealth & Holland
d’Leedon by Zaha Hadid
Nanyang Primary School by Studio505
Image by Jonathan Choe
one-north Masterplan by Zaha Hadid
The Star Vista by Aedas
Fusionopolis by Kisho Kurokawa
MediaCorp Broadcast Centre by Fumihiko Maki
Sandcrawler Building (Lucasfilm) by Aedas
Check out the courtyard, complete with a sculpture of Yoda sitting within a beautiful reflection pool.
Solaris by Ken Yeang
Skyville @ Dawson by WOHA Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
Dover MRT Station by RSP
Ayer Rajah Telecommunications Tower
Image by Calvin Teo
NUS SDE4 by Serie & Multiply
Image by Jonathan Choe
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum by W Architects
Image by Teo Zi Tong
Yale-NUS College by Cesar Pelli
Kallang
Stadium MRT Station by WOHA Architects
Singapore Indoor Stadium by Kenzo Tange
Singapore Sports Hub by DP Architects
Punggol & the Northeast
Punggol Oasis Terraces by Serie & Multiply
Image by Jonathan Choe
Punggol Waterway Terraces by Group 8 Associated Architects
Image by Darren Soh
Lorong Halus Bridge & Wetland Park by CPG Consultants
Image by Erwin Soo
Punggol Waterway by Surbana
Punggol Promenade by LOOK Architects
Image by Frank Pinckers
Jurong & the West
NTU School of Art, Design, and Media by CPG Consultants
Image by Kelly Savin
Crescent & Pioneer Hall at NTU by Toyo Ito
Image by Jonathan Choe
Learning Hub at NTU by Thomas Heatherwick
Image by Jonathan Choe
NTU Sports Hall by Toyo Ito
Image by Jonathan Choe
Cleantech One by Surbana
Image by Jonathan Choe
Church of St Mary of the Angels by WOHA Architects
Recommend attending mass. Make sure to enter the cross shaped tower and the columbarium below.
Mahabodhi Monastery by Multiply
SPCA by Richard Ho Architects
Changi & the East
Khong Guan Biscuit Factory by Meta Architecture & Lua Architects Associates
Image by Darren Soh
Temasek Polytechnic by James Stirling
Changi MRT Station by SOM
Changi Airport Terminal 3 by SOM
Kinetic Rain Sculpture at Changi Airport Terminal 1 by Art+Com
Jewel Changi Airport by Moshe Safdie
Image by Jonathan Choe
Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel by WOHA Architects
Image by Katmorro
Expo MRT Station by Foster + Partners
Singapore University of Technology and Design Campus by UNStudio
the North
Kampung Admiralty by WOHA Architects
Image by WOHA Architects
Sky Habitat by Moshe Safdie
Bishan Park by Atelier Dreiseitl
Bishan Library by LOOK Architects
Assyafaah Mosque by Forum Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital by CPG Consultants
Republic Polytechnic by Fumihiko Maki
This list was featured (in part) on ArchDaily. Information updated as of January 2020.
All images shown are property of their respective architects / photographers unless otherwise stated.
The picture of SMU City Campus you have shown is by KNTA Architects (masterplan by Edward Cullinan/ KNTA Architects). Cox only did the Admin Tower.
Hi Jonathan,
I am not sure Ion is by Aedas. i thought it is by Benoy?
There are some which merit a mention on the list- among them Subordinate Courts by Kumpulan Arkitek, Tourism Court by Alfred Wong Peddle Thorp, Jurong Town Hall by Team 3, Mount u/c Elizabeth Novena Hospital by HOK, u/c Jurong Hospital by HOK.
Incidentally, I believe Singapore Polytechnics is by Alfred Wong Partnership.
Thanks for the heads-up guys, appreciated (& changed) ;P
This is a wonderful post! is really informative for me. I liked it very much.
Chicago Moving Company
Fantastic collection!
Great post