[9] These include Odette, a restaurant that has been rated as being one of the best in Asia – in addition to having three Michelin stars, as well as the National Kitchen by Violet Oon.

[13] The then-Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) proceeded to implement a process designed to enable stakeholders and interested parties to contribute their expertise and their views to the project.

A steering committee, initially chaired by Dr. Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MICA, oversaw the art gallery's implementation plan.

Members of the jury consisted of a panel of eminent local and international professionals headed by Tommy Koh, Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large and chairman of the National Heritage Board, and included officials from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet in France and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

[19] The three firms – Studio Milou Architecture from France, Ho + Hou Architects from Taiwan, and Chan Sau Yan Associates from Singapore – each received $150,000.

The jury made their decision after appraising models and digital mock-ups, as well as engaging the five finalists in a presentation and question-and-answer session.

[21][22] An exhibition of the five finalists' proposals was held at City Hall in October 2007, and the public was invited to give feedback on the designs, programmes and events.

[24] Studio Milou Architecture's design consisted of a linear draped canopy supported by tree-like columns to link the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall at the roof level.

The design incorporated an extended staircase linking the basement to the upper levels, making use of solar energy to provide electricity.

[5][6][26] The museum is composed of a combination of the Former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, both of which are national monuments and have played significant roles in Singapore's history.

Through link bridges and a new basement level, the design for the National Gallery integrates the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings, combining both old and new architecture.

The general layout of the building exemplifies British colonial architecture, comprising four blocks of offices and courtrooms surrounding a central rotunda with a dome that was originally used to house a circular law library.

[29] The Corinthian and Ionic columns, sculptures and relief panels were the works of Italian artist, Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli.

The building's interior is modestly proportioned, but its front façade is distinguished by 18 three-storey-high Corinthian columns facing the Padang.

Through its collection, the Gallery will present the development of Singaporean and regional cultures – telling the story of their social, economic and political histories.

The gallery has approximately 6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft) of spaces to host international travelling exhibitions.

They are trained in public speaking and have extensive knowledge of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, and the architecture and history of the Gallery buildings.

The centre will provide an artistic environment that stimulates imagination, encourages active play and supports independent learning.

Children and younger students will experience and interact with original artworks that are specially created to develop observation skills and tactile exploration.