Singapore -- the home of Esplanade "the durian" Theatre, ArtScience "the banana" Museum and other iconic structures -- continues to reinvent itself with new marvels of modern construction.
Coinciding with the city state's jubilee anniversary are five stunning new public developments.
Each is redefining the Singapore's fabric with fancy facades, crazy curves, and decadently restored historic structures.
South Beach
After nearly decade of planning (due to project delays resulting from the 2007-8 financial crisis), the highly anticipated South Beach complex is nearing completion.
With a prime location occupying an entire city block next to Raffles Hotel, the development features a number of repurposed historic structures, along with office towers by renowned British architect Norman Foster, and a hotel designed by Philippe Starck.
The highlight is a beautiful wave-like canopy forming a large sheltered outdoor mall, which will no doubt become one of the coolest new spots in the city to shop, eat, and hang out.
The complex is opening gradually, with the office tower completed and designer hotel slated to open in April 2016.
Indian Heritage Centre
This brand new gallery literally shimmers like a jewel in Singapore's vibrant "Little India" district.
Its colorful facade is inspired by Indian "baori" (step wells). Activity pulses along the newly pedestrianized street out front.
The sleek Indian Heritage Centre is enough to delight any modern architecture fan, but it also features traditional elements such as a 16-feet-high (five meters) entrance door, hand carved by Indian craftsmen especially for the new building.
Dark, dramatic exhibition spaces feature priceless artifacts of Singapore's Indian heritage alongside interactive and multimedia displays.
After each level of galleries, a moment of visual ecstasy is provided through a trip down a flight of "baori" stairs, hanging on the outside of the buildings in a glass enclosure with stunningly colorful graphics and a panoramic view of the Singapore skyline and cityscape of Little India.
People don't often think of visiting a university campus, unless they're a freshman going for a campus tour.
The brand new SUTD campus is different.
It's funky, fresh buildings epitomize the high-tech architecture of Singapore.
And nestled among the cutting-edge buildings are four priceless Qing and Ming dynasty structures more than 400 years old, which were shipped over from China by film star Jackie Chan as a gift to the new university.
(CNN)
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