OCBC Centre

Location: Singapore City, Singapore

Designed to be a symbol of strength and permanence, the main building’s structure consists of two semi-circular reinforced concrete cores as well as three lateral girders which helped speed construction and impart great strength.

As part of the project Master Plan, the architects strongly advocated that OCBC’s substantial holdings of adjoining shophouses be restored rather than demolished. Now renovated, these historic structures ground the Centre in its unique location and culture.

Shop houses are two- or three-story row buildings, typically with commercial space on the ground floor and residences above. Singapore demolished many shop houses as part of its modernization in the 1960s and ’70s. Those adjoining OCBC had been allowed to deteriorate and were slated for demolition.

In Affiliation with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners