Singapore’s former Supreme Court building is now the Supreme Court Wing of National Gallery Singapore at 1 St Andrew’s Road. For a first architecture visit, start with the exterior facing the Padang and use the Gallery’s map to find the Former Supreme Court Foyer on Level 1.
The Gallery lists the back-of-house tour of restricted court spaces as unavailable until further notice. If you want to see the old court architecture, plan around areas open on your visit day and ask at the Gallery about the Historical Lobby on Level 3. The courtroom tour, foyer and historical lobby are three separate things to check.
- Building — Supreme Court Wing, National Gallery Singapore.
- First stop inside — Former Supreme Court Foyer, Level 1.
- Historical Lobby — Shown on Level 3 of the Gallery map. Confirm access onsite.
- Back-of-house tour — Listed as unavailable until further notice.
On this page
Recognise the two wings from the Padang
The museum brings together the former Supreme Court and the former City Hall. From the Padang side, use the dome to recognise the Supreme Court wing. Compare the two buildings from the pavement first. You can then look for the same wing names on the indoor floor plan.
When sharing a meeting point, give both the level and the wing. The City Hall Foyer and the Former Supreme Court Foyer are separately labelled on the Gallery map. A message that says only ‘the old court’ leaves room for someone to wait at a different entrance or by a nearby court building.
Find the Level 1 foyer and the Level 3 lobby
The Gallery’s map marks the Former Supreme Court Foyer at Level 1. Inside, ask at concierge which public route is available that day if you want to continue to the Former Supreme Court Historical Lobby, marked on Level 3. The same map indicates there is no Level 2 in this wing. Use the posted signs and lift information rather than counting floors from the stairs.
The floor plan identifies rooms even when their entry is limited by exhibition changes or closures. Save the latest map and ask about the exact room you want. The foyer is the simplest first landmark. You can decide on the next stop once you know what is open.
What the back-of-house tour is for
The Gallery’s Former Supreme Court: Unseen, Unheard tour is described as a guided visit into restricted spaces. Its published itinerary includes routes once used by prisoners and guards, the prisoner’s dock and a former public viewing area. Check the live tour page before planning a trip around those stops.
The tour page’s current status is the one to follow. If it shows the tour as unavailable, you can still use the architecture visit to compare the exterior, the foyer and any other spaces the Gallery confirms are open. If you are particularly interested in the museum’s public tours, check the current guided tour schedule separately.
What the architecture can tell you
Look for the contrast between the public face of the building and the way movement would have been organised inside it. The front elevation presents a formal arrival. Courtrooms historically brought together people who had very different roles and did not necessarily enter by the same route.
For a student visit, ask one person to sketch the relationship between the Padang, the entrance and the dome. Another can record what the Gallery’s map labels as a foyer, chamber or lobby. Compare the sketch with the map afterwards. This gives students a concrete way to separate what they observed from what they learned from signage.
Choose a visit around the time you have
For a brief stop, begin outside and go to the foyer if open. For a longer visit, choose an art gallery or public architecture display after checking admission and access. The building and the art programme each have enough detail for a visit of their own.
The present-day Gallery contains two historic wings joined by contemporary circulation routes. When using a lift or crossing a link bridge, check the destination level and wing on the map. A clear meeting point on Level 1 is especially useful for groups that plan to split up.
Frequently asked questions
Is the former Supreme Court now an art museum?
It is one of the two historic buildings that form National Gallery Singapore.
Can I book Unseen, Unheard now?
The official tour page lists it as unavailable until further notice. Check that page for a reopening or booking update.
Are all historical rooms included in ordinary admission?
Confirm the access rules for each room with the Gallery. Restricted areas on the back-of-house tour have separate access arrangements.