NUS Architectural Conservation

04/09/2026

https://www.tabla.com.sg/community/people/look-nus-arclab-dr-nikhil-joshi

NUS College of Design and Engineering NUS Department of Architecture

A conserved shophouse located on 141 Neil Road now houses National University of Singapore’s (NUS) ArCLab – a living laboratory for architectural conservation.

12/08/2026

We are delighted to mark an important milestone for the NUS–Architectural Conservation Laboratory (NUS-ArCLab) with the groundbreaking ceremony for its conservation works.

Housed within a historic conserved house, NUS-ArCLab was established in 2022 as a living laboratory for advancing research, education, and practice in architectural conservation. The forthcoming works will carefully conserve the building while integrating sustainable technologies and climate-responsive interventions, demonstrating how heritage buildings can be sensitively adapted for a low-carbon future.

This milestone brings us closer to our vision of NUS-ArCLab as a platform where traditional materials and craftsmanship, contemporary conservation science, and environmental sustainability come together.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, collaborators, supporters, and colleagues who have contributed their expertise and commitment to this journey.

As the conservation works begin, we look forward to seeing NUS-ArCLab enter its next chapter, as a place for experimentation, learning, skills development, and collaboration in shaping a more sustainable future for our built heritage.

NUS College of Design and Engineering NUS Department of Architecture Urban Redevelopment Authority Foo Cexiang National Heritage Board

13/07/2026

Congratulations to the latest graduates of the Master of Arts in Architectural Conservation (MAArC) programme at the National University of Singapore.

Over the course of their studies, our graduates have explored heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, heritage management, and sustainable approaches to caring for the built environment. Through studio projects, fieldwork, internships, and international study visits, they have developed the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex challenges facing cultural heritage today.

We are proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in Singapore and around the world as the next generation of conservation professionals.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓


NUS Department of Architecture
NUS College of Design and Engineering

07/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a fascinating talk by Francesco Canali on the care and conservation of historic buildings.

Drawing on his experience at the iconic Duomo di Milano, Francesco shared valuable insights into the traditions of stewardship, maintenance, and conservation that connect heritage practices across cultures.

We are grateful to Francesco for his inspiring presentation and to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Embassy of Italy in Singapore for their support in making this event possible.

NUS College of Design and Engineering
NUS Department of Architecture



Duomo di Milano - Milan Cathedral




Urban Redevelopment Authority
Ambasciata d’Italia a Singapore
National University of Singapore

06/07/2026

Happening today at 6 pm at The URA Centre at 45 Maxwell Rd.

How do different cultures care for historic buildings, and what can we learn from their shared traditions?

Join us for a talk by Francesco Canali, Director of the Construction Sites of the Duomo di Milano, one of Europe’s most iconic cathedrals. Drawing on his experience overseeing the cathedral’s ongoing conservation and restoration, Francesco will explore the long-standing traditions of caring for historic buildings and reflect on the common approaches to stewardship, maintenance, and conservation that unite them.

This talk offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from one of the professionals responsible for safeguarding the Duomo of Milan while considering broader questions of heritage conservation and management. Admission is free, and pre-registration is required.

📅 6 July 2026
🕒 6:00pm–7:30pm
📍 The White Room, URA Centre
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/556yGA6o8abTbBD6A

Duomo di Milano - Milan Cathedral -ArCLab Kelvin Ang NUS Department of Architecture NUS College of Design and Engineering Urban Redevelopment Authority Ambasciata d’Italia a Singapore National Heritage Board National University of Singapore

01/07/2026

From lectures to site visits and hands-on workshops, our CHF–NUS Summer School participants had an incredible journey into the fascinating world of stained-glass conservation!

Throughout the programme, participants explored the principles of stained-glass repair while learning from experts and experiencing traditional techniques firsthand.

A huge thank you to Father Prabhu and the wonderful docents at Novena Church for their warm hospitality and for generously sharing their knowledge and stories.

We are especially grateful to Helen Bower, who travelled all the way from York, UK, and to Ben and the team at Genesis Stained Glass Studio for an unforgettable workshop. Working with glass and lead using traditional methods gave participants a real appreciation of the skill, patience, and craftsmanship behind every stained-glass window.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to the docents at St Andrew's Cathedral for welcoming us, sharing the cathedral's rich heritage, and treating us to the memorable experience of bell-ringing!

Experiences like these remind us that heritage is best understood not only through books and lectures, but by learning from the passionate people who preserve and keep these traditions alive. Thank you to everyone who made this programme such a meaningful and inspiring experience!


Genesis Stained Glass Pte Ltd.
NUS Department of Architecture

01/07/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome officers from the Singapore Prison Service to NUS-ArCLab to explore how heritage craft skills can create meaningful opportunities for young offenders.

Through training in traditional conservation crafts, we hope to support personal growth, build confidence, and provide pathways for reintegration into society. Heritage is ultimately about people, and we look forward to exploring how these skills can help make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the wider community.





Kelvin Ang
Urban Redevelopment Authority
Singapore Prison Service
NUS Department of Architecture
NUS College of Design and Engineering
National University of Singapore

30/06/2026

We were pleased to welcome the team from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to NUS-ArCLab today to discuss a potential pilot project to transform one of their historic properties into an energy-efficient building.

This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity for ArCLab to share our knowledge and experience in sustainable retrofitting and heritage conservation, helping to demonstrate how historic buildings can contribute to a more sustainable future while retaining their cultural significance.

NUS Department of Architecture NUS College of Design and Engineering National University of Singapore

26/06/2026

We are delighted to launch the “Introduction to Heritage Skills and Technology for Conservation,” a two-week summer school jointly organised by NUS-ArCLab and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF).

From 25 Jun - 7 Jul 2026, the programme brings together 24 participants from 10 Commonwealth nations for lectures, hands-on workshops, and site visits focused on stained glass, timber, and lime conservation.

The inauguration was attended by distinguished guests, Ms Lucy Hughes, acting High Commissioner of the British High Commission; Ms Syuhada binte Adnan, Counsellor of the High Commission of Malaysia; Mr Keith Conway, Charge d'Affaires of the New Zealand High Commission; Mr Ashwani Kumar, First Secretary & Head of Chancery of the High Commission of India; Mr Foo Cexiang, Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC; alongside CHF Chairperson, Ar Francis Maude.

Directed by Dr Nikhil Joshi, Principal Investigator of NUS-ArCLab, the programme marks the first collaboration between NUS-ArCLab and CHF in Singapore, strengthening heritage conservation skills, international exchange, and the sustainable stewardship of cultural heritage.


National University of Singapore NUS Department of Architecture NUS College of Design and Engineering

National Heritage Board Urban Redevelopment Authority Foo Cexiang

09/05/2026