The Medicine+Science Library at the National University of Singapore

The National University of Singapore’s Medicine+Science Library officially opened in August 2023 as a newly redeveloped academic hub shaped around community needs, flexible learning, and sustainability. The Platinum Green Mark-certified building blends history, art, and science, housing some of the oldest Medicine and Science university collections in Singapore while also boasting the latest technology-enabled learning facilities.

The building’s architecture incorporates scientific motifs, such the DNA double helix-inspired central staircase, while also incorporating sustainable design elements such as the Cascade, a multi-purpose stepped area located on the top floor, which features a spectacular skylight that takes advantage of Singapore’s abundant tropical sunlight to reduce the need for artificial lighting.  

Plans for a combined Medical and Science library were drawn up in 2018 as part of a broader campus transformation effort. The former Faculty of Dentistry building was identified as the location for a new combined Medical and Science library, which would serve as a multifunctional academic hub for the eastern end of NUS’ Kent Ridge Campus. Consolidating the Medical and Science libraries here would better support interdisciplinary, operational efficiency, and ever-evolving needs of staff and students.

The merger unified collections spanning dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, the life and physical sciences, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and applied probability, materials science, and physics. The Medicine+Science Library now serves the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, and the Faculty of Science.

Suffice it to say that transforming the aging Faculty of Dentistry building into a modern, fit-for-purpose library facility required a major overhaul! However, this presented us with the opportunity to incorporate modern design elements, flexible functionality, as well as sustainable building practices.

Former consultation and dental rooms were converted into shared, function-driven spaces. The original drab grey interiors were refreshed with a clear colour scheme: vibrant flooring for collaboration, neutral tones for teaching and learning, and calm palettes for  the silent study areas on Levels 2 and 3.

Multi-purpose rooms and spaces were designed with flexibility in mind, with movable furniture and whiteboards allowing quick reconfiguration for different pedagogical and study needs. Movable wall panels enabled us to host a wider range of activities such as seminars, classes, or group study, adapting to a wider variety of user needs without needing extra rooms or facilities.

Designating different functional zones within the library allowed us to cater to a wider range of learning preferences and practices. Quiet zones with study booths managed by a central reservation system (Chope@NUS) serve users who require privacy or minimal noise, while window counter seating supports users who prefer natural views and daylight. Discussion rooms equipped with screens provide privacy and insulation for group or project discussions. The main atrium on level 1 features a high ceiling and large energy-saving fans to circulate air and minimise air-conditioning usage. Its central location also makes it a versatile venue for public programmes and campus events. A mural wall depicting the history and milestones of the Medicine and Science faculties reinforces the library’s role as a space that communicates institutional identity and heritage.

Beyond spatial zoning, the redesign also prioritises digital engagement and discovery. To create more space for discovery and digital engagement, the main collection was moved to the second floor. This reallocation freed up space at the ground level for our technology-driven learning zone, Tech Central, featuring immersive laboratory spaces and interactive areas designed to bring users into closer contact with emerging research practices.

One of our core beliefs is that the library is a key focal point for our campus community. To that end, we actively foster a vibrant community, elevating student experiences through placemaking initiatives which activate and re-imagine library spaces as sites for active experiential learning. 

We also seek out collaborations with strategic partners in the university to bring the community together through programmes that encourage out-of-classroom learning and strengthens the awareness and utilisation of our library collections, services and facilities.

Sustainability was an integral consideration in the project from the outset. Through infrastructure reuse and carbon‑conscious planning, much of the existing building structure was retained, significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to demolishing and constructing a new building.

The facility incorporates environmental measures aimed at reducing heat and energy consumption, including solar panels and the use of natural ventilation with giant fans instead of air-conditioning during off-peak hours. Greenery, skylights, and windows create an interior that maximises daylight and support user well-being. 

Looking back on the evolution of the Medicine+Science Library, the many careful choices shaped by community needs and everyday practicalities have transformed the library into a place that feels genuinely supportive of learning and connection. Seeing how students and staff enjoy the library is a satisfying daily affirmation of the intentions that guided its redesign.