Architect Soo K. Chan, recipient of Singapore’s inaugural President’s Design Award, and his firm, SCDA Architects, have recently completed renovations on Singapore’s National Design Centre, a showcase of innovation and encouragement in the possibilities of design. Centrally located in the arts, cultural, learning and entertainment district in the Bras Basah-Bugis area, the National Design Centre will be a nexus for all things design, serving as a lecture hall, space for public exhibitions, and think tank for Singapore’s growing design culture. As Singapore’s primary hub for design, the National Design Centre serves to foster a strong design culture in Singapore and deepen the appreciation of good design through community engagement activities and design showcases.

Located at 111 Middle Road (the former Saint Anthony’s Convent premises), Chan, one of Singapore’s most acclaimed architects, designed the Centre through the creative restoration and adaptive re-use of existing buildings which have been gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The buildings were originally constructed as convent schools and a chapel, which now functions as the Centre’s lecture theatre. ArchDaily