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Garden City

Singapore architecture

Singapore is a rare example of a city-state, serving as a country, a capital, and a city all at once within its compact 730 square kilometers. It is famous for its strict laws and incredible cleanliness, as well as its 'City in a Garden' initiative that has integrated nature into every skyscraper and street.

  • 12Landmarks
  • 1862Oldest · Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
  • 280 mTallest · CapitaSpring
  • 10Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoChangi Airport (SIN)

    Changi Airport is home to the Jewel, a massive multi-use complex that features the world's tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a four-story forest. It has been voted the world's best airport numerous times, offering travelers rooftop pools, butterfly gardens, and free cinema screenings 24 hours a day.

  • CurrencySingapore Dollar ($)
  • LanguageMultilingual

    English is the primary language for business and education, serving as the common bridge between the city's diverse ethnic groups. You will frequently hear 'Singlish,' a unique and efficient blend of English, Malay, and various Chinese dialects.

  • Getting aroundMRT

    The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is the backbone of Singapore and is famous for its extreme cleanliness and efficiency. Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited on all transit lines and result in heavy fines. Public buses complement the rail network with an easy 'Tap In, Tap Out' payment system using any credit card.

12 landmarks in Singapore

  1. Marina Bay Sands
    Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Marina Bay Sands

    10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956

    This iconic resort consists of three 55-story towers connected by a 340-meter-long skyway called the Sands SkyPark. The SkyPark features the world's longest elevated swimming pool for guests to enjoy. Its design was inspired by decks of cards and is a feat of structural engineering due to the significant cantilever of the northern end. This landmark has become the primary defining feature of the Singapore skyline since its opening. It serves as a massive integrated resort containing a hotel, casino, and luxury shopping mall.

    Built
    2010
    Architect
    Moshe Safdie
    Style
    Modernist / Deconstructivist
    Height
    194 m (636 ft)
    Stories
    55
    Today
    Integrated Resort
  2. ArtScience Museum
    Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    ArtScience Museum

    6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974

    Often referred to as 'The Welcoming Hand of Singapore,' the building features ten 'fingers' anchored by a round central base. The tips of these fingers admit natural light to illuminate the galleries within. The dish-like roof effectively collects rainwater, which is channeled into a 35-meter water drop through the center of the building. This recycled water is then utilized in the museum's internal pond and irrigation systems. It stands as a premier venue for major international exhibitions that blend art, science, and technology.

    Built
    2011
    Architect
    Moshe Safdie
    Style
    Contemporary / Biomimetic
    Height
    60 m (197 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Museum
  3. The Interlace
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Interlace

    180 Depot Road, Singapore 109684

    This project is a vertical village of 31 apartment blocks, each six stories tall and 70 meters long. The blocks are stacked in hexagonal arrangements to create an interconnected network of living spaces. This design breaks away from the typical isolated skyscraper model by emphasizing horizontal connectivity. It creates a vast network of shared private and public roof gardens and courtyards at various levels. The arrangement allows for maximized airflow and light while fostering a sense of community among residents.

    Built
    2013
    Architect
    Ole Scheeren
    Style
    Deconstructivist
    Height
    88 m (289 ft)
    Stories
    24
    Today
    Residential
  4. Jewel Changi Airport
    Photo: LN9267, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Jewel Changi Airport

    78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666

    This nature-themed entertainment and retail complex is linked directly to the terminals of Changi Airport. Its centerpiece is the Rain Vortex, which holds the record as the world's tallest indoor waterfall. The waterfall is surrounded by a lush, terraced forest setting known as the Shiseido Forest Valley. The building's toroidal glass-and-steel facade allows for a column-free interior space with stunning natural light. It has transformed the airport experience into a major destination for both travelers and local residents.

    Built
    2019
    Architect
    Moshe Safdie
    Style
    Neo-Futurism
    Height
    37 m (121 ft)
    Stories
    10
    Today
    Mixed-use / Airport Hub
  5. Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
    Photo: TTangMonuments, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall

    11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558

    This performing arts center serves as a prime example of Neoclassical architecture within the city. Originally built as a Town Hall, it features a prominent clock tower that connects the theatre and the concert hall. It underwent a massive restoration in 2014 to modernize the interiors while carefully preserving the historic facade. The venue remains the home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and hosts numerous cultural events. It stands as one of Singapore's most important heritage buildings located in the heart of the Civic District.

    Built
    1862
    Architect
    John Bennett
    Style
    Neoclassical / Victorian
    Height
    54 m (177 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Concert Hall / Theatre
  6. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering
    Photo: Erwin Soo from Singapore, Singapore, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering

    3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289

    This unique 'hotel-in-a-garden' features massive sky gardens draped in tropical plants and frangipani. The contoured podium is inspired by terraced paddy fields and is constructed from pre-cast concrete. It is a landmark of sustainable urban design, utilizing solar power and extensive rain harvesting systems. The building effectively doubles the green potential of its site through its vertical greenery. It has received international acclaim for showing how nature can be integrated into high-density urban environments.

    Built
    2013
    Architect
    WOHA Architects
    Style
    Sustainable / Tropical Urbanism
    Height
    89 m (292 ft)
    Stories
    16
    Today
    Hotel

  7. The Hive (Learning Hub North)

    52 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639816

    This university building at NTU was specifically designed without traditional, long corridors to facilitate interaction. It consists of 12 multi-storey towers surrounding a central, naturally ventilated atrium. The concrete exterior features unique hand-drawn wet-clay textures that give the building an organic feel. All of the rounded rooms are intended to encourage collaborative, non-hierarchical learning between students and faculty. It represents a shift away from traditional classroom architecture toward a more fluid educational environment.

    Built
    2015
    Architect
    Thomas Heatherwick
    Style
    Organic / Brutalist Influence
    Height
    35 m (115 ft)
    Stories
    8
    Today
    Educational Hub
  8. Pinnacle@Duxton
    Photo: Someformofhuman., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Pinnacle@Duxton

    1 Cantonment Road, Singapore 080001

    This complex consists of the world's tallest public residential buildings. Seven 50-story towers are linked by two of the world's longest continuous sky gardens on the 26th and 50th floors. It represents a revolution in public housing by blending high-density living with lush public green space. Residents and visitors can access the sky bridges to enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbor. The project has won numerous awards for its innovative approach to urban social housing.

    Built
    2009
    Architect
    ARC Studio Architecture
    Style
    Modernist
    Height
    156 m (512 ft)
    Stories
    50
    Today
    Residential
  9. Old Hill Street Police Station
    Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Old Hill Street Police Station

    140 Hill Street, Singapore 179369

    This building is famous for its 927 windows which are painted in the vibrant colors of the rainbow. Built in the Neo-Classical style with thick masonry walls, it was the largest government building in Singapore when completed. It originally served as a police station and barracks for officers and their families. Today, it houses the Ministry of Communications and Information and various art galleries. Its colorful facade makes it one of the most photographed heritage buildings in the country.

    Built
    1934
    Architect
    F. Dorrington Ward
    Style
    Neo-Classical
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    6
    Today
    Government Office
  10. CapitaSpring
    Photo: Koronowo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    CapitaSpring

    88 Market Street, Singapore 048948

    This 280-meter tall skyscraper features a 'Green Oasis,' which is a four-story botanical garden carved into the facade. The aluminum fins of the exterior appear to 'unzip' to reveal the lush tropical plants growing within. It functions as a public park in the sky, offering a respite for office workers and the general public. The building integrates office spaces, residential units, and a hawker center into one vertical community. It is a leading example of biophilic design that prioritizes human well-being through contact with nature.

    Built
    2021
    Architect
    BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)
    Style
    High-Tech / Biophilic
    Height
    280 m (919 ft)
    Stories
    51
    Today
    Office / Residential / Garden

  11. Apple Marina Bay Sands

    2 Bayfront Avenue, B2-06, Singapore 018972

    This is the first Apple Store in the world to sit directly on the water as a floating structure. The fully self-supporting all-glass dome consists of 114 individual pieces of glass. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it features an oculus at the apex that allows natural light to flood the space. The interior is shaded by custom sunshade rings and features a ring of trees to provide a garden-like atmosphere. It also includes the company's first underwater boardroom for private meetings and events.

    Built
    2020
    Architect
    Foster + Partners
    Style
    Neo-Futurism / High-Tech
    Height
    17 m (56 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Retail / Corporate Boardroom

  12. Apple Ang Mo Kio Campus

    12 Ang Mo Kio Street 64, Singapore 569088

    This facility serves as Apple's massive regional operations and engineering hub in Singapore. Recently expanded in 2024, the campus integrates two major buildings into a high-tech corporate center. The expansion features a striking new hardware and software testing facility to support regional development. It is a global leader in sustainability, running on 100% renewable energy and achieving LEED Platinum certification. The design focuses on providing a collaborative environment for thousands of employees in the heart of the district.

    Built
    2024
    Architect
    Foster + Partners (Expansion)
    Style
    Modern / Sustainable Tech
    Height
    28 m (92 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Regional Headquarters / Research & Development

More cities in Asia

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