Founders' Memorial

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Take a Virtual Tour

Images in the virtual tour are artist impressions.

The Founders’ Memorial will be an integrated gallery and garden experience at Bay East Garden.

The Memorial will commemorate how independent Singapore came to be and inspire Singaporeans to build our nation’s future together. 

Designed to Inspire

The design of the Founders' Memorial depicts a path, which represents a journey that traces the legacy of Singapore’s founding leaders.

Besides its symbolism, the architecture also aims to be a living memorial, owned by every generation of Singaporeans. It will have spaces that celebrate milestones of our nation such as exhibition galleries, and a viewing gallery that honours our past as well as offers a vision of our future. The Memorial is slated to open in 2028.

SOM - Founders' Memorial

FM Central View

View of the Memorial when arriving by vehicle

Arrival Plaza

Arrival Plaza

Night time amphitheatre

Night time view of the Amphitheatre

Viewing Gallery

Viewing Gallery

Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre

FM Lobby

Lobby leading to the Exhibition Gallery

These are artist impressions. The names of locations are tentative and subject to change.

Memorial in a Garden

FM garden

Forecourt

These are artist impressions. The names of locations are tentative and subject to change.

FM garden

Playground

These are artist impressions. The names of locations are tentative and subject to change.

Tree planting trail

Tree Planting Trail

These are artist impressions. The names of locations are tentative and subject to change.

Reflection Pool

Biophilic Lake

These are artist impressions. The names of locations are tentative and subject to change.

Bay East Garden sits on reclaimed land along the Marina Reservoir and overlooks the city skyline, speaking powerfully to how our founding leaders overcame land and water constraints to build one of the most liveable cities in the world through their boldness and vision for Singapore, and how we can continue to turn challenges into opportunities.

The ‘Garden City’ and ‘Water’ story is weaved into the Bay East Masterplan. The Garden charts the evolution of Singapore from a Garden City to a City in Nature through the years, underscoring the greening of Singapore that improved our quality of life and our commitment to nature conservation. Water bodies flowing through the Garden and connecting to the Marina Reservoir create waterways that strengthen the ecosystem and enhance biodiversity.

How it all Began

A founders’ memorial need not be a grand structure, but it must stand for our ideals, our values, our hopes and aspirations.
It must belong to all Singaporeans and mean something significant to us all. It should be a place where we and future generations can remember a key period in our history, reflect on the ideals of our founding fathers, and pledge to continue the work of nation building.

Parliamentary Statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 13 Apr 2015

Shaped by Singaporeans

2015 - 2017: Our vision for the Memorial

2018: A site for the Memorial

2019: 50,000 votes to choose favourite memorial design

2020 - 2021: A visitor's experience at the Memorial

2022-2023: Refining our narrative at the Memorial

Shaped by Singaporeans

2015 - 2017: Our vision for the Memorial

From 2015 to 2017, over 32,000 Singaporeans were engaged. A clear vision for the Founders’ Memorial emerged from the engagements: to be a landmark for all Singaporeans and one that commemorates the values upon which Singapore was built.

Shaped by Singaporeans

2018: A site for the Memorial

After considering different locations, Bay East Garden was selected as the site for the Memorial. Its proximity to water, greenery, and the ever-changing city skyline symbolises Singapore's ability to overcome challenges and stand tall.

Shaped by Singaporeans

2019: 50,000 votes to choose favourite memorial design

In 2019, Singaporeans were invited to vote for their favourite architectural design for the Memorial among the shortlisted designs from the international design competition, and to give their views. More than 50,000 votes were cast and the jury took these into consideration when selecting the proposal by Kengo Kuma & Associates and K2LD Architects.

Shaped by Singaporeans

2020 - 2021: A visitor's experience at the Memorial

In 2020 and 2021, the Memorial continued to engage its future audiences to shape the visitor experience. Over 200 Singaporeans expressed what the indoor and outdoor spaces should look and feel like, helping the Memorial realise its vision as a place for all.

Semangat yang Baru

2022-2023: Refining our narrative at the Memorial

In 2022 and 2023, the Memorial continued to engage with Singaporeans to shape the content and narrative of the Memorial, through the Share Your Story, Shape Our Memorial campaign calling for artefacts and stories from the public, as well as the Memorial's pilot exhibition Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit.