Conceived in 2006, The Peranakan Museum in Singapore is a unique cultural institution that showcases the rich and vibrant heritage of the Peranakan community, which is made up of descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Malay Archipelago starting in the 15th century. The museum's collection includes a wide range of Peranakan artifacts, including furniture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and costumes.
The museum opened on April 25, 2008 and underwent a recent renovation between April 1st, 2019 and February 19, 2022.
The museum is housed in a colonial building that was originally built in 1912 as the Tao Nan School, one of Singapore's earliest Chinese schools. The building was declared a national monument on February 27, 1998.
Designed by the Municipal Engineer's Office of Singapore, the building has an eclectic classical style with Corinthian fluted pilastres on its front facade and large verandas for Singapore's tropical climate.
Peranakan museum - facade
The three-storey high building features a square central atrium with a skylight. The classrooms could be accessed via symmetrical staircases on both sides of the atrium.
Peranakan museum - atrium
Peranakan museum - atrium
Peranakan museum - atrium lookup
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