Singapore’s National Gallery will open to the public at the end of this year with a new S$532m (US$379.6m, €344m, £243.7m) development housing the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art inside two of the country’s most historical buildings.

Designed by Studio Milou Singapore, in partnership with CPG Consultants, National Gallery Singapore is housed within two heritage buildings in the city’s Civic District. Taking up the former City Hall and Supreme Court, the 64,000sq m (689,000sq ft) development is the largest individual arts institution in Singapore. Studio Milou’s design maintains the original architecture of the heritage buildings, built in the 1950s and 1930s respectively. The practice's design integrates the two interior areas with a reimagination of the entire space.

“New walkways supported by white tree-like branches will transform the way visitors move through the galleries, introducing contemporary structures without detracting from the fabric of the original architecture,” said a statement from Studio Milou.

“The rooftop of the former Supreme Court building will also now be accessible, revealing a view across the original rotunda domes. Outside, a canopy of 15,000 golden aluminum panels gently floats between the two neoclassical structures, joining the buildings and providing a dappled sunlit central courtyard.”

CPG’s role has been to provide expert advice on conservation and preservation of buildings, which to date, the firm has done on more than 20 such heritage projects in Singapore. Takenaka-Singapore Piling Joint Venture is the main construction contractor for the project, with groundbreaking having started in January 2011 and work due to be completed in November of this year.

The gallery will be home to Singapore’s national collection, which comprises more than 8,000 works. The new institution will focus on displaying, promoting and researching the works in its collection and relating them to wider Asian and international contexts, and creating a cultural dialogue between Singapore and the rest of the world. Under Singaporean curator Dr Eugene Tan, National Gallery Singapore has scheduled a number of innovative programmes and international exhibitions for its first year of operation.

“By presenting co-curated international art exhibitions, the gallery will not only be able to portray the development of art around the region but also show Southeast Asian art in a global context,” said Dr Tan. “Through our exhibitions, collaborative research and education, the museum will continually spark thoughtful and meaningful conversations about art from the region and the world.”