National Archives of Singapore (NAS) was a primary school from 1892 to 1993, gazetted for conservation on 21 November 1993 and started to house archives in 1997. NAS has been undergoing significant changes, but planning and execution works were carried out beforehand to ensure that the ‘3R’ Principle: the maximum retention, sensitive restoration and careful repair of the key architectural elements, are carefully coordinated. Facilities such as lift, ramps, and disabled toilets were introduced to ensure that the conservation building is compliant to the Universal Design guide set out by the Building and Construction Authority, and the retrofitted modern facilities are tucked away inconspicuously in the conservation building.
RECORD-INSPIRED DESIGN
The design of the façade took inspiration from the restoration and reinstatement of the conservation block as well as the importance of the priceless records stored in the repository. The choice of colour considered the muted tonality of the conserved block while tastefully giving a hue of contemporary. The folded aluminium bronze panels represent the layers of history stored inside, which are also a key architectural feature across various key public spaces to express the layers of intimacy between the past and the contemporary.
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PROJECT DATA
Project Name:The National Archives of Singapore (NAS)
Location: 1 Canning Rise: (near Fort Canning)
Date of Completion: 29 March 2019
Site Area: 6131 square metres
Gross Floor Area: 8,214 square metres
Building Height: 4 storeys
Client: National Library Board
Architecture Firm: RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd
Interior Design Firm: RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd
Civil & Structural Engineer: RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Squire Mech Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: WT Partnership (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Green Building Consultant:RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd
Main Contractor & Interior Fit-Out Contractor: Sunray Woodcraft Construction Pte Ltd
Images: National Archives of Singapore
