Photographs of the NUS Bukit Timah Campus

   Cafeteria - The Summit

   Modern architecture with glass and metal patterns on the sides of the building.

   The NUS Faculty of Law

   (The Faculty of Law is part of the National University of Singapore (NUS), the oldest tertiary institution 

   in Singapore.)

   Old style architecture. 

   Institute of Policy Studies

   (Established in 1988 to promote a greater awareness of policy issues and good governance)

   Old architecture on the left, with red slanted roof and white walls. Modern architecture on the right, 

   with grey and greenish panels on the side of the building.

   CJ KOH Law Library

   (It was renamed as the CJ KOH Law Library on January 1, 2001. Mr CJ Koh had been a 

   philanthropist and a lawyer. Mr C J Koh donated more than 7 million, which includes a $5 million

   pledge for the Law Library building, $2 million to set up the C J Koh Professorship in Law (launched 

   in October 1996), and more.)

    Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

    (The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy was established in 2004)

   Old style architecture, arches and pillars, with the modern addition of glass panels in between. The 

   glass panels close off the interior of the building, allowing it to be air-conditioned.

   

Reflections

After touring the place, would you like to study in a place with similar environment as this campus? Why?

Yes. We feel that such environment, with all the greenery and old buildings will be conducive for our learning, and we are also able to learn and appreciate the historical value of the old buildings. The greenery makes studying there more pleasant and enriching, and even after visiting there for only a few hours, we are able to feel the peacefulness and tranquility in the campus. As such, we would like to study in a place with similar environment as that of the campus, rather than a school that is full of buildings, without any greenery or nature at all. 

Do you think that this campus should be conserved? Why?

We think that this campus should be conserved. The campus went through many changes throughout the years and it has a lot of historical value. The architecture of the older buildings is unique and uncommon in Singapore, where we have more modern buildings now. Hence, we feel that it is necessary to conserve this campus as it is a rare place that existed before world war 2. It is also a good place for Singaporeans to understand more about our past through the architecture.

What would you consider if you have to make a decision on whether to conserve or remove an old building?

- assessment of the history of the building (historical value of the building)

- check the structural stability of the building 

- whether the need for upgrading is urgent or necessary/ are the inconveniences brought by the old building too much for its users.

- if the uses/benefits of the new building is relatively greater than that of the old building and provide more for the people.