This is a city where buildings are either being constructed or renovated every other block, so it’s not a surprise that we’ve become obsessed with architecture and interior design.

Proof: As soon as the annual Archifest started selling tickets to this year’s Architours, architect-led tours of 23 new spaces in the city, most tickets were sold out in a snap. Coconuts Singapore picks five of the most interesting ones, which you can also visit on your own.

1. National Gallery Singapore

ARCHITECT: studioMilou architecture in collaboration with CPG Consultants
TOUR DATE: Sep 26, 9am-1:30pm
TICKETS: $42 & $50 (SOLD OUT)
Built to the tune of $532 million, this long-awaited addition to Singapore’s portfolio of preserved, conserved and repurposed buildings has held a few sneak previews since last year, we know, but this two-hour Architour could be the most complete yet: not only will it be led by studioMilou architecture (who designed the space) and CPG Consulants (who specialise in building conservation and preservation), it is being held two months before the Nov 24 grand opening, so we reckon most of the gallery’s 8,000 artworks are already hanging on the walls. There are two old buildings within National Gallery Singapore — the former Supreme Court and City Hall.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THIS TOUR: National Gallery Singapore’s website and they promise to post information about where to buy entry tickets very soon, ahead of the Nov 24 official opening.

2. Niven Road Studio

ARCHITECT: WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design
WHEN: Sep 26, 9am-1:30pm
TICKETS: $42 & $50 (SOLD OUT)
From the outside, it looks like a regular shophouse. Enter through the fully preserved facade, however, and you’ll see that the space has been stripped down to its original brick walls. Behind the original two-storey structure, a three-level extension, plus an attic, has been erected. There are no plans to rent out the private space, but owners WOW Architects are willing to work with people and organisations with interesting products and messages.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THIS TOUR: Keep an eye out for talks and events that will surely be hosted at this wonderful space.

3. Indian Heritage Centre

ARCHITECT: Robert Greg Shand Architects
TOUR DATE: Sep 27, 9am-1:30pm
TICKETS: $42 & $50 (SOLD OUT)
Standing on a plot of virgin land — it’s the first-ever building erected on this space in recorded Singapore history — newly opened Indian Heritage Center is inspired by the baoli, an Indian stepped well that is a traditional meeting place for communities. The steps and plinth of the building are designed as street furniture for public to congregate along the pedestrian mall, and the interwoven steel structure of the curtain wall façade echoes the staircases behind, creating a unique motif of the baoli. During the day, the building’s glazed façade reflects the adjacent colourful conservation shophouses. At night when the streetscape colours are muted, the building comes to life with light and revealing the rich colours of the mural wall, thus creating a glowing lantern for Little India.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THIS TOUR: The museum has free guided tours twice on weekdays and once on weekends. Free entrance for citizens and permanent residents. For everyone elese, $2-$4. Visit indianheritage.org.sg for more details

4. NTU Learning Hub

ARCHITECT: CPG Consultants
TOUR DATE: Sep 26, 1pm-6pm
TICKETS: $42 & $50 (SOLD OUT)
Mimicking the domed shape of beehives, this eight-storey building houses 56 circular rooms without corners, fronts or backs, and meant to break the master-servant dynamic in traditional classrooms. These rooms cluster around a central atrium (see main photo above) with generous corridor doubling as informal study areas, encouraging interaction and collaboration. To rationalise the organic form of the building, modular construction is redefined. The use of pigmented concrete in structure is a first in Singapore.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THIS TOUR: Nanyang Technological University is a great distance from the city but perserverance has its rewards. NTU’s website has instructions on how to reach the campus.

5. Michael’s Residences

ARCHITECT: ONG&ONG Pte Ltd
TOUR DATE: Sep 27, 9am-1:30pm
TICKETS: $42 & $50 (SOLD OUT)
This unique residential development, comprising of a mixture of 30 semi-detached and 10 bungalow homes, is located in the Chestnut area of Upper Bukit Timah. Although the target group naturally differs between the two types of landed housing, a common architectural language was adopted for both, to maintain consistency in the development’s contemporary architectonic look. This is evident in the choice of material, such as fare-faced, or exposed concrete. Another special feature of Michaels’ Residences is its boundary-less concept. The additions of terraces, balconies or planter boxes to each bedroom helps to create an open and lofty atmosphere within the house. Furthermore, the absence of gates between neighbouring houses unifies the individual gardens into a continuous green space to be shared.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THIS TOUR: You can visit the sales gallery, here is the location.

Architours 2015 is part of Archifest, which runs from Sep 26-Oct 10 at 79 & 81 Neil Road and other locations. For more details, go to their Facebook page.