The National Design Centre's vision is to become a world-class Design Centre and key Design Resource Hub that facilitates capability building, collaborations and marketing of designers and businesses. ​ ​

Centrally located in Bras Basah.Bugis, Singapore’s arts, heritage and design precinct, it is also home to the DesignSingapore Council, the national agency for design.​ ​

The repurposed, award-winning conserved building is as much an emblem for outstanding Singaporean design and architecture, as it is a thriving venue for visitors to attend design-focused showcases and programmes. NDC adds to the pulse of the city’s district of arts, culture, design, heritage, learning and entertainment.

History

The building was previously home to the St Anthony’s Convent (1879-1994), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (1995-2004) and Chinese Opera Institute (1995-2009). In 2011, a multi-disciplinary team led by SCDA Architects was appointed to develop and implement a design proposal for NDC.

New building

Today, NDC’s development comprises the restoration and adaptive reuse of the existing buildings at 111 Middle Road. It consists of three pre-war art deco blocks and one post-war modern block which have been gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Precautionary Measures when visiting NDC

Pre-visit:

• Wear your mask. Children 12 years and below who find it hard to wear masks, or persons with health conditions causing medical difficulties when masks are worn, may wear face shields instead.

• Keep your group size to no more than 5 people.

• Checking in via TraceTogether is compulsory and visitors are reminded to bring their tokens or keep their apps running throughout their visit.

Upon arrival:

• Check-in to the National Design Centre must be done using TraceTogether, either via the app or the token. This also applies to any other specific units that you visit within the building.

• Have your temperature taken at the self-help stations. If you have a temperature above 38°C, you will be screened again. Should this persist, you will not be able to enter the building.

• Please be informed that real-time building occupancy will be monitored to ensure that NDC is operating within permissible capacity.

Before leaving:

• Check out using TraceTogether.