Friday, July 13, 2012

BRING ME TO LIFE...

On the shores of the Singapore River, opposite Clarke Quay, there is a big building with multi-coloured windows. This is a home of Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. 

photo by Invitation To Inspiration

Invitation To Inspiration duo is fascinated how this classical Renaissance style building was brought to life again in such a simple and wonderful way by adding 911 brightly - coloured window shutters.

via



The Old Hill Street Police Station was built in Neo-Classical style which was still fashionable for public buildings in England in the 1930s. The building was designed by the Public Works Department when Frank Dorrington Ward was the Government Architect.

photo by Invitation To Inspiration

The six-storey building has a thoroughly Italianate air with its corbelled loggias and balconies, arcades, stuccoed, rusticated surfaces and central courtyards, one large and one small. Because of the building's height, the proportions of these internal spaces are somewhat overwhelming but, as a solution to the problems of the Singapore climate, this is a sensible idea.

photo by Invitation To Inspiration

The building was considered among the finest in the world. Modern for its time, it had electric lifts by 1933. Upon its completion in 1934, it was the largest pre-war government building in Singapore and regarded as a modern skyscraper. The building has a total of 911 windows with colourful shutters.

photo by Invitation To Inspiration
Municipal architects from 1860s to 1920s such as G.D. Coleman. J.F. Mc Nair, John Bennet and Frank  Dorrington Ward incorporated  popular elements from Renaissance period into their work.

photo by Invitation To Inspiration
The layout of configuring buildings in long thin blocks surrounding internal courtyards is typical of most classical palazzos in Italy. It is characterized by rooms built on  a single band facing outward onto the street and inwards to the courtyard. 

photo by Invitation To Inspiration

photo by Invitation To Inspiration

photo by Invitation To Inspiration


photo by Invitation To Inspiration

The main courtyard, the former police parade grounds, has been converted into an air-conditioned atrium, called The ARTrium for art  activities. The spacious ARTrium, with its vibrant colours and ample space, regularly features artistic performances and also houses art galleries. 

the main courtyard by Invitation To Inspiration

quote by Evanescence " Bring me to life "


photo by Invitation To Inspiration

Have a colourful day everyone!
Love, M & M



27 comments:

  1. Wow this is gorgeous! Wish my town had something like this xx

    www.satinandsouffles.com
    www.satinandsouffles.com

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  2. Oh its so beautiful!
    I love the shutters.

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  3. wow! fantastic!

    http://themadcreationist.blogspot.it/

    Kisses from Italy

    Giuseppe

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  4. Baš me se dojmila ova zgrada... predivna je :)

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    Replies
    1. da, predivna je...zao mi je jer nemam ni jednu nocnu sliku...( nekako su mi ispale mutne ), ali nocu je jos ljepsa...:-))
      xoxo

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  5. seems like u had lottas FUN<3
    have a nice weekend!:*

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  6. izgleda predobro, baš me zanima kako je živjeti okružen takvim prozorčićima i jesu li im i stanovnici jednako šaroliki. :D

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    Replies
    1. ahaha, sinagapur je multikulturalni grad...:-)) kakve su zgrade takvi su i stanovnici...jako saroliki :-))
      xoxo

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  7. so cool pics! i love those colors of the house <3

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  8. I find everything just simply vibrant and artistic.

    mind following each other, dear?
    http://reinhardtkenneth.blogspot.com

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  9. am following you now, stay in touch!x

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  10. Very interesting, I lived in Singapore (long time ago) and was often at Clarke quay and am ashamed to say never noticed these buildings, they wouldn't have been painted in the stunning technicolor then, I did adore the beautiful colonial architecture everywhere, cricket grounds, raffles hotel was like stepping back in time. There is also a huge amount of more modern marble fronted shopping malls, and the sharp contrast between the stunning older buildings and these modern ones, makes one appreciate the beauty in the past, which architecture serves to remind us..

    Thanks for great post. Hope you have a great weekend
    Xnicki

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  11. wow! this building is amazing....!

    xxx Ros.e.

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  12. Your blog is great:) keeep it up
    Now following you, hope you do the same!
    Www.bammbroadcast.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. this building is awesome:-)will have to visit Singapore one day:-) have a lovely weekend , too:-)

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  14. wow so incredible, it looks amazing! :D

    thanks for your comment, am following!

    http://wishuponasmile.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. amazing building and photos <3

    just came across your blog, loving it

    Brooke x

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  16. Thank you for following me, follow you back already :)

    Cheers,
    Karina Dinda R. ♥
    BLOG | TWITTER | SHOP

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  17. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do. Is this a new reno? I don't remember seeing this building last time I was there.

    xx Jenee C.
    http://camomeetscouture.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Actually, I wouldn't know...
      These photos were taken in Aug 2010! :-))
      xoxo

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  18. wow, these are so amazing. it's beautiful. :)

    kisses,
    jasmine
    AdamAlexMommy

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  19. Kako je ovo samo super!!!!
    Predovino.

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  20. Kako ja volim boje. Stalno bi gledala ove slike!

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