Cool Architecture in Singapore

Cool Architecture in Singapore

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

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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

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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

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Oasia Downtown by WOHA Architects

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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

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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).

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Interlace by OMA
Image by Jonathan Choe

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Enabling Village by WOHA Architects
Image by WOHA Architects

Commonwealth & Holland

d’Leedon by Zaha Hadid

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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

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Skyville @ Dawson by WOHA Architects
Image by Jonathan Choe

Dover MRT Station by RSP

Ayer Rajah Telecommunications Tower
Image by Calvin Teo

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NUS SDE4 by Serie & Multiply
Image by Jonathan Choe

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Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum by W Architects
Image by Teo Zi Tong

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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

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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

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Learning Hub at NTU by Thomas Heatherwick 
Image by Jonathan Choe

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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.

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Mahabodhi Monastery by Multiply

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SPCA by Richard Ho Architects

Changi & the East

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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

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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

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Kampung Admiralty by WOHA Architects
Image by WOHA Architects

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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.