The Facade Atlas
Contribute

Terence Ong

Cathay Building

Location
Singapore,Singapore
Design firm
Frank W. Brewer
Typology
Cinema / apartments / offices
Years
1937–1939
Status
Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary
An iconic stepped Art Deco stepped facade finished in classic Shanghai plaster, now structurally supported and integrated into a modern glass curtain wall atrium.
Documented intention
Frank Brewer designed the facade to convey a sense of modern progress,height,and luxury, characteristic of the 1930s cinema-going experience. The vertical emphasis was designed to accentuate the building's unprecedented height in Singapore at the time. In the 2000s redevelopment, the intention was to respect the heritage by conserving the original street frontage while introducing a highly transparent backdrop to showcase the historic monument.
Street relationship
Situated on a highly visible corner, the facade acts as a major urban focal point visible from Dhoby Ghaut and Orchard Road, framing the street corner with its stepped silhouette.
Climate relationship
The original design used recessed windows and deep vertical piers to provide self-shading against the tropical Singapore sun. The modern glass atrium behind utilizes high-performance glass to minimize solar heat gain in the newly enclosed high-volume space.
Window pattern
Symmetrical vertical strips aligned between the stepped concrete piers of the Art Deco tower.
Glazing
Double-glazed units in the modern atrium; single glazing in restored historical steel windows.
Depth
Deeply articulated with prominent vertical fins,stepped massing,and recessed window bays.
Rhythm
Symmetrical, rhythmic vertical bays stepping upward towards a central vertical axis.
Shanghai Plaster
Shanghai Plaster — Entire conserved historic facade surface — Granular,textured cement and stone-chip plaster
Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced Concrete — Primary structure of the conserved facade and modern backing frame — Smooth or concealed
Glass
Glass — New atrium enclosure wrapping behind the conserved facade — Transparent,low-emissivity
Steel
Steel — Atrium support structure and window mullions — Powder-coated or painted
Conserved Historic Screen Wall
The original reinforced concrete and brick front facade was structurally underpinned,retained, and tied back to a new internal steel framework during the construction of the new mall.
Structural Glass Curtain Wall
Suspended steel-and-glass curtain wall system forming the high-volume atrium behind the historic screen.

Tags

Conserved In-situ Masonry Screen

Description

The conserved facade features a dramatic vertical stepped profile typical of the Art Deco movement. A strong central vertical tower-like pier anchors the composition, flanked by symmetrical wings that step down in height. The surface is detailed with prominent horizontal bands and vertical fluted pilasters. It is clad in an off-white Shanghai plaster, which was restored to match its historical texture. This historic masonry mass now stands in front of a grand, curved glass and steel atrium designed by DP Architects, creating a stark but harmonious juxtaposition of solid stone-like plaster and transparent glazing.

Visual analysis

Visually, the historic facade functions like an architectural sculpture or mask. It retains its monumental visual weight, but its structural independence is revealed by the glass envelope wrapping around and behind its edges, highlighting the void between old and new.

Gallery

Sources

Back to projects