Building Dreams - In Search of Singapore Architecture, is a six-episode series about Singaporean architecture, commissioned by Arts Central in 2002 and produced by Xtreme Productions. The first episode, directed by Tan Pin Pin, called Dawn of a New Era, focuses on the birth of the architectural profession, as well as key colonial and nationalist buildings and the architects behind them. Pin Pin also directed Episode 6. Each episode is 24 minutes long

The film includes rare archival footage and photographs of landmarks such as the Singapore Conference Hall, the National Theatre, and the construction of the Supreme Court. The filmmakers were also granted unique access to See Guan Chiang House, designed by one of Singapore’s first licensed architects, Ho Kwong Yew, at a time when reinforced concrete was revolutionary.

Featured Interviews:

• Jon Lim – on pioneer architect Ho Kwong Yew (licensed 1927) and Ng Keng Siang, architect of Nanyang University and the AIA Building.

• Alfred Wong – on the National Theatre and the break from colonial architectural tradition, leading to the formation of the Malayan Society of Architects, predecessor to the Singapore Institute of Architects.

• Lim Chong Keat – on the founding of Singapore’s first architecture school at Singapore Polytechnic and the design of the Singapore Conference Hall.

• Ho Kok Hoe – son of architect Ho Kwong Yew.

Building Dreams was first telecast in 2002. The series is available for viewing at the National University of Singapore Library and the National Library (Lee Kong Chian Reference Library).