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Singapore Art Museum’s buildings were once home to Catholic boys' schools – St. Joseph’s Institution on Bras Basah Road and Catholic High School on Queen Street.

Transforming SAM for the future

SAM’s two museum sites – the former St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) building on Bras Basah Road and former Catholic High School building on Queen Street – were closed in 2019 for redevelopment works. 

This major undertaking includes the preservation of the buildings’ heritage architecture, blending the old and the new. When SAM re-opens, visitors can look forward to an iconic space to experience and engage with art.  

Learn more about the former SJI building, a gazetted National Monument, below.

building details

THE CENTRAL BUILDING

The galleries in the Central Building were formed by knocking down walls that made up former classrooms.

The Glass Hall

The Glass Hall was originally a gymnasium and opened on three sides.

THE CHAPEL

Once the chapel of the school, this decommissioned chapel is now an art exhibition space.

QUEEN STREET & WATERLOO STREET WINGS

This building, originally known as Anderson Building, was named after Sir John Anderson, Governor of the Straits Settlements (1904 – 1911).

QUEEN STREET WING

The Queen Street Wing was constructed at the site of the Brothers’ Quarters.

THE COURTYARDS

These were originally the school quadrangles.