The Old Supreme Court Building

View of the Old Supreme Court Building from the Padang-Source www.asiaexplores.com

The Old Supreme Court Building is one of the most handsome buildings in Singapore. It is located along Saint Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957, just beside the equally historic City Hall building.

Front façade of the Old Supreme Court Building with its grand staircase and elegant corinthian colonnade of composite columns- Source www.asiaexplores.com

The Old Supreme Court Building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005. The building was the last Classical architecture building to be built on the former British colony. Built in front of the historical Padang grounds between 1937 and 1939, it was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward of the Public Works Department, and was his last and most significant work. The building is planned to become an arts and cultural centre in future, with plans to refurbish the building.

Close-up of the pediment with the tympanum sculpture, and the dome-Source www.asiaexplores.com

Explanation of the figures on the tympanum.

Architecture and design

The Old Singapore Supreme Court building was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward of the Public Works Department, and was his last and most significant piece of work. It was constructed by United Engineers. The former courthouse features Corinthian columns, classical design, and spacious interiors with murals by the Italian artists. The four-storey steel structure was erected by United Engineers. The building consists of four blocks surrounding a central courtyard which houses the circular law library with its significant dome and Travertine columns supporting two balconies on two levels. Behind the main dome, there is a smaller dome. The pediment sculpture (an allegory of Justice) and the Corinthian columns which characterised the Supreme Court are works by Italian sculptor Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli.[1] Nolli also carried works for the general building, pre-cast works, imitation stone, sculptures, artistic decorations, special plastering and bush-hammered facing works.

Dome of the old Supreme Court Building at night - Source Wikipedia