A Building You Can Judge By Its Cover: The National Library’s New Chapter Began In 2005
Sleek, sustainable, and stacked with books, the National Library Building at 100 Victoria Street officially opened its doors to the public today 20 years ago (22 Jul 2005), redefining what a library could be in the heart of modern Singapore.
Spanning a jaw-dropping 58,800 sqm, this iconic space is a bookworm’s paradise and doubles as an arts venue. Here’s how it all came together.
From humble beginnings
The story of Singapore’s National Library begins all the way back to 1823, when Sir Stamford Raffles suggested setting up a public library. It was later renamed Hullett Memorial Library in 1923 and shared a home with Raffles Institution, right where Raffles City now stands.
By 1960, it had settled into a red-bricked building on Stamford Road, officially opened by then-President Yusof Ishak. It stood for decades – millennials probably remember it as a quiet spot for last minute studying before exams.
The red-bricked entrance to the old National Library still remains at Singapore Management University's campus. | IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Goodbye Stamford Road, hello Victoria Street
In 2000, then-Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan announced that the Stamford Road building would be demolished to make way for the Fort Canning tunnel and Singapore Management University’s new campus.
Petitions flew, debates happened, but ultimately, the Preservation of Monuments Board decided the building didn’t quite make the cut in terms of historical or architectural significance. And so, in July 2004, it was time to say goodbye to the Stamford Road library.
By the time the new $203m building was completed in 2005, it stood at 103m tall, and five times the size of the old library.
The Children's Biodiversity Library at B1. | IMAGE: NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD
The Drama Centre. | IMAGE: ARTS HOUSE LIMITED
A library with seriously cool features
Down at basement 1, you’ll find the Central Public Library. It recently reopened in Jan 2024 celebrating all things Singapore – culture, literature, and heritage – through interactive installations and innovative tech. There’s a marine-themed Children’s Biodiversity Library (built in collaboration with SEA Aquarium).
You’ll also find the Drama Centre from levels 2 to 6 – complete with a 615-seat theatre, a 120-seater black box, and multipurpose rooms that make it a hub for arts and performances.
And it’s not just what’s inside that’s impressive – the entire building was designed with sustainability in mind. The library consists of two linked blocks with a central atrium that encourages natural air flow, reducing the need for air-conditioning. It’s even angled away from the afternoon sun, with sunshades and light-reflecting shelves that pull in natural daylight while keeping heat and glare at bay. There are motion, rain and light sensors that help regulate water and energy use, plus an air-conditioning system that adjusts CO₂ levels.
And for those who miss the old library, there’s a sweet tribute: the Bamboo Garden at Basement 1 features actual red bricks salvaged from the Stamford Road building. Sculptures of people reading (created by local artist Chong Fah Cheong) add to the nostalgic vibes.
VIP guests and green awards
Since its grand opening (officially celebrated on 12 Nov 2005 by then-President S R Nathan), the National Library Building has seen big-name guests like Queen Elizabeth II, Laura Bush, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan.
The building also received the Green Mark Platinum Award from the Building and Construction Authority in 2005, and later bagged the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Award in 2007.
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