The building cuts a distinctive figure with its clean lines and fluid curves, with all-white panels and tall glass windows rising to the sky.

It consists of two 16-storey blocks linked by “sky bridges” on every level. There are two main libraries here: the Central Public Library (where books can be borrowed) is at Basement 1, while the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library (where items are purely for reference & research within the library) occupies Levels 7-13.

There is also the National Arts Council’s Drama Centre on Levels 3 to 5, the National Library Board’s corporate headquarters is located at Level 14 and a function area called The Pod on Level 16.

The building, designed by T.R. Hamzah and Yeang, has a host of environmentally friendly features. Oriented away from the East-West direction, it keeps cool with sunshades, external louvres and a roof canopy.

Natural ventilation zones such as garden terraces and the ground-floor open-air plaza invite the breeze in.

Inside the building, the energy-saving features are impressive: Escalators are activated by motion sensors, and blinds on West-facing windows come down automatically in the afternoons to shield against the setting sun.

For all its green features, the National Library Building was conferred the platinum Green Mark Award in 2005. This is the highest badge of honour for environmentally-friendly buildings from Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority.