The Facade Atlas
Contribute

Wikipedia

Fullerton Building

Location
Singapore,Singapore
Design firm
Keys & Dowdeswell
Typology
Other
Years
1920–1928
Status
Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary
A monumental Neoclassical facade featuring a heavy rusticated base, giant-order Doric columns forming deep shaded loggias, and finished with a distinctive grey Shanghai plaster.
Documented intention
Designed to project the monumental administrative power,permanence, and commercial reliability of the British Empire's primary postal and communication hub in Southeast Asia.
Street relationship
The building commands a prominent corner site facing both the Singapore River and the marina, acting as a massive civic anchor that defines the edge of the historic financial district.
Climate relationship
The deep, recessed loggias created by the giant Doric columns act as highly effective shading devices, preventing direct solar heat gain on the interior window glazing while offering protection from heavy tropical rainfall.
Window pattern
Strictly ordered, repeating rectangular and arched window formats that align precisely with the bays of the Neoclassical order.
Glazing
Single glazing (originally), upgraded to high-performance acoustic and thermal glazing during the hotel conversion.
Depth
Deeply recessed loggias and balconies behind giant-order columns create strong shadows and high visual depth.
Rhythm
Strict, repetitive classical rhythm of columns and pilasters.
Shanghai Plaster
Shanghai Plaster — Entirety of the visible exterior walls,columns,and decorative moldings — Granite-like,textured,and tooled
Granite
Granite — Lower ground level/basement base course — Rough-hewn/Rusticated
Timber
Timber — Window openings across all floors — Painted or stained
Reinforced concrete frame
Reinforced concrete structural skeleton with brick infill walls, over which the decorative plaster finish is applied.
Shanghai Plaster Finish
An in-situ decorative render technique combining Portland cement,gypsum, and crushed stone (granite chips) that is troweled,cured, and then hand-tooled to mimic stone masonry joints.

Tags

Shanghai plaster render

Description

The Fullerton Building features a dramatic, monumental Neoclassical facade clad almost entirely in Shanghai plaster. The lower portion of the building presents a rusticated, solid podium base. Rising above this base is a double-storey giant order of classical Doric columns that forms a deep, shaded loggia. The facade is capped by a heavy classical cornice and an attic storey. Symmetrical in layout, the facade terminates at the waterfront with sweeping curves designed to address the historic harbor front.

Visual analysis

The building uses classical proportions to establish a sense of immense weight and stability. The texture of the Shanghai plaster successfully replicates the prestige of solid stone while allowing for intricate in-situ casting of classical ornaments.

Gallery

Sources

Back to projects