New Supreme Court

“The building offers a modern re-interpretation of their colonial vernacular to convey an image of dignity, transparency and openness.”

- Mr Robert Macfarlane

The new Supreme Court building is situated directly behind the former Supreme Court. And one cannot help but draw comparison between the two. Although vastly different as each exudes a major shift in time, these two buildings are intrinsically linked. By placing them within such near proximity suggests the ties and shadows both will cast upon each other. Not in a negative way but as a constant reminder of each other’s presence. As well as the surroundings of urban and modern representations of Singapore.

Build upon the vision of establishing a world-class Judiciary for Singapore, the New Supreme Court building boasts state of the art technology to facilitate court processes. With courtroom hearings throughout the different levels.

Norman Foster designed the building alongside local architects CPG Corporation. The site was formerly that of the Colombo Court. It covers an area of 72,000 Square metres. And the building was officially opened by our President S.R Nathan on the 7^th January 2005. It costs $208 million to build.

A modern re-interpretation of the Dome can be seen here as a large UFO-like dish/disc. Which also houses The Court of Appeal, the highest order in the court. No doubt a symbolic move as the disc is at the apex of the building. And the use of glazed stone, a laminate of glass and stone for the building lets light through in the daytime, another symbol of openness and justice.

The new complex as a total area of 72,000 square metres. The design of the current Supreme Court building mirrors the Supreme Court's organizational structure. The courtrooms where the High Court hearings take place are contained in the lower levels of the building, from levels two through six. The Court of Appeal, the highest appellate court in the land, is symbolically raised to the apex of the building and houses at the centre of the disc. And various other hearings filter downwards in accordance to importance.