Two of Singapore's most significant historic structures, the old Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, are joined with a sensitively designed, light and airy roof canopy -- supported by tree-like sculptural columns -- to create the new Singapore National Gallery.<br />
Singapore National Gallery —
Two of Singapore's most significant historic structures, the old Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, are joined with a sensitively designed, light and airy roof canopy -- supported by tree-like sculptural columns -- to create the new Singapore National Gallery.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
The naturally lit atriums and corridors at the National Gallery provide new ways to experience the historic elements of the galleries. These include the Supreme Court dome, which was previously never visible to the public. <br />
Newly illuminated spaces —
The naturally lit atriums and corridors at the National Gallery provide new ways to experience the historic elements of the galleries. These include the Supreme Court dome, which was previously never visible to the public.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
When the National Gallery opens in November, art will be displayed in sleek minimalist galleries and historic spaces retaining original furniture and decor from the old buildings.<br />
Historic hybrid —
When the National Gallery opens in November, art will be displayed in sleek minimalist galleries and historic spaces retaining original furniture and decor from the old buildings.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
The Indian Heritage Centre glows like an urban lantern at night. Vibrant images feature on its colorful facade.<br />
Urban lantern —
The Indian Heritage Centre glows like an urban lantern at night. Vibrant images feature on its colorful facade.
Robert Greg Shand/CNN
The Indian Heritage Centre sits within the charismatic, bustling streets of Little India. It features a shimmering, reflective facade during the day. <br />
Indian Heritage Centre —
The Indian Heritage Centre sits within the charismatic, bustling streets of Little India. It features a shimmering, reflective facade during the day.
Robert Greg Shand/CNN
The galleries at the Indian Heritage Centre were created by exhibition designer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gsmprjct.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">gsmprjct</a>°, also the brainchild behind exhibitions at the established National Museum and Asian Civilizations Museum. The displays offer a dramatic and often interactive window into Singapore's rich Indian heritage.<br />
Glorious galleries —
The galleries at the Indian Heritage Centre were created by exhibition designer gsmprjct°, also the brainchild behind exhibitions at the established National Museum and Asian Civilizations Museum. The displays offer a dramatic and often interactive window into Singapore's rich Indian heritage.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
A key feature of The Capitol is a public plaza along North Bridge Road, framed by exclusive condominiums, shops and restaurants. There's also a dramatic circular covered event space, the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre, a playful water fountain and gardens designed by the landscapers responsible for the city's stunning Gardens by the Bay. <br />
Capitol Singapore —
A key feature of The Capitol is a public plaza along North Bridge Road, framed by exclusive condominiums, shops and restaurants. There's also a dramatic circular covered event space, the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre, a playful water fountain and gardens designed by the landscapers responsible for the city's stunning Gardens by the Bay.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
The historic Capitol Theatre has been decadently restored as the focal point of the Capitol complex. The cinema theater has been revamped with a moving floor that allows both cinematic and theatrical performances.
History reinvented —
The historic Capitol Theatre has been decadently restored as the focal point of the Capitol complex. The cinema theater has been revamped with a moving floor that allows both cinematic and theatrical performances.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
South Beach's curvilinear sheltered roof tempers Singapore's climate to provide shady and sheltered public spaces and encourage tropical breezes -- a novel (and welcome) alternative to the city's typical and ubiquitous air-conditioned shopping malls. <br />
South Beach —
South Beach's curvilinear sheltered roof tempers Singapore's climate to provide shady and sheltered public spaces and encourage tropical breezes -- a novel (and welcome) alternative to the city's typical and ubiquitous air-conditioned shopping malls.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
The site of Singapore's first compulsory national military service enlistment in 1967 has been transformed into a swanky retail, dining and event space. Three 1930s Art Deco military structures and a 1950s clubhouse have been incorporated into the complex.<br />
History meets modernity —
The site of Singapore's first compulsory national military service enlistment in 1967 has been transformed into a swanky retail, dining and event space. Three 1930s Art Deco military structures and a 1950s clubhouse have been incorporated into the complex.
Charmaine Seah/CNN
Funky, fresh buildings epitomize the Singapore University of Technology and Design, a new university founded in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. <br />
Singapore University of Technology and Design —
Funky, fresh buildings epitomize the Singapore University of Technology and Design, a new university founded in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
Scattered among the modern buildings at the SUTD campus are four ancient structures, including two houses, a pavilion and an opera stage, which were shipped over from China as a gift from film star Jackie Chan. Each has been painstakingly restored by a team of craftsmen.
The Jackie Chan touch —
Scattered among the modern buildings at the SUTD campus are four ancient structures, including two houses, a pavilion and an opera stage, which were shipped over from China as a gift from film star Jackie Chan. Each has been painstakingly restored by a team of craftsmen.
Jonathan Choe/CNN
5 spectacular new structures in Singapore

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This article was originally published in August 2015.

CNN  — 

Singapore – the home of Esplanade “the durian” Theatre, ArtScience “the banana” Museum and other iconic structures – continues to reinvent itself with new marvels of modern construction.

Coinciding with the city state’s jubilee anniversary in 2015 are five stunning new public developments.

Each is redefining the fabric of Singapore with fancy facades, crazy curves, and decadently restored historic structures. Here’s what you’ll want to check out when you go to Singapore:

1. South Beach

After nearly decade of planning (due to project delays resulting from the 2007-8 financial crisis), the highly anticipated South Beach complex is nearing completion.

With a prime location occupying an entire city block next to Raffles Hotel, the development features a number of repurposed historic structures, along with office towers by renowned British architect Norman Foster, and a hotel designed by Philippe Starck.

The highlight is a beautiful wave-like canopy forming a large sheltered outdoor mall, which will no doubt become one of the coolest new spots in the city to shop, eat, and hang out. The complex is opening gradually, with the office tower completed and designer hotel slated to open in April 2016.

South Beach, Beach Road, Singapore; complex opening in stages.

2. Indian Heritage Centre

This brand new gallery literally shimmers like a jewel in Singapore’s vibrant “Little India” district.

Its colorful facade is inspired by Indian “baori” (step wells). Activity pulses along the newly pedestrianized street out front.

The sleek Indian Heritage Centre is enough to delight any modern architecture fan, but it also features traditional elements such as a 16-feet-high (five meters) entrance door, hand carved by Indian craftsmen especially for the new building. Dark, dramatic exhibition spaces feature priceless artifacts of Singapore’s Indian heritage alongside interactive and multimedia displays.

After each level of galleries, a moment of visual ecstasy is provided through a trip down a flight of “baori” stairs, hanging on the outside of the buildings in a glass enclosure with stunningly colorful graphics and a panoramic view of the Singapore skyline and cityscape of Little India.

3. Singapore University of Technology & Design

The high-tech SUTD campus buildings were jointly designed by avant-garde Dutch architects UNStudio and homegrown firm DP Architects.
The high-tech SUTD campus buildings were jointly designed by avant-garde Dutch architects UNStudio and homegrown firm DP Architects.
Jonathan Choe/CNN

People don’t often think of visiting a university campus, unless they’re a freshman going for a campus tour.

The new SUTD campus is different. It’s funky, fresh buildings epitomize the high-tech architecture of Singapore. And nestled among the cutting-edge buildings are four priceless Qing and Ming dynasty structures more than 400 years old, which were shipped over from China by film star Jackie Chan as a gift to the new university.

Singapore University of Technology & Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore; campus open to public.

Go exploring in Singapore’s secret, verdant backyard

Although this spectacular new art gallery doesn’t open until November, it’s possible to get a sneak glimpse at the immaculately restored museum (sans art) on one of the “naked museum” tours if you’re lucky.

After opening, the gallery’s first traveling exhibition will be a collaboration with the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky and Marc Chagall.

Designed by French architects Studio Milou with local partner CPG Consultants, the new National Gallery Singapore integrates the historic Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, with the creation of a new glass and steel roof. It’s a fusion the architects describe as a “very nonviolent way of joining the two without changing the existing buildings.” The gallery opened in November 2015.

5. Capitol Singapore

Fancy catching a play but bored with all the typical venues? The recently completed Capitol Singapore breathes new life into the historic Capitol Theatre, one of Southeast Asia’s first cinemas, which was built in the 1930s. All jazzed up, it now incorporates stylish new shopping and dining venues in the heart of the city.

Capitol Singapore, 11 Stamford Road, Singapore; +65 6499 5599

Jonathan Choe is an architectural designer, blogger, artist, urbanist and high-rise gardener in paradise (AKA Singapore).