This is a self-guided augmented reality tour of Singapore's adapting waterfront past, present, and future.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1. Download Adobe Aero. Sign in.
Step 2. Click on the map markers, hold the QR code, and click “Open Adobe Aero” to be redirected to the AR experience.
Step 3. Look in the direction of the present-day photo.
Step 4. Once uploaded, tap on screen to anchor the AR installation on ground.
Step 5. Enjoy and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Adapting Waterfronts is a self-guided augmented reality tour along Singapore’s historic downtown. The project invites the public to explore the past, present, and potential future transformations of the city’s waterfront as it adapts to climate change and rising sea levels by visualizing installations at 24 designated locations along the original shoreline heritage trail.
The project was developed by Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian, Assistant Professor of Architecture at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, in collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University. Phase I was developed in 2022 as part of a U.S. Scholar Fulbright; Phase II was completed in 2023 as part of a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. Supported by funds from the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Singapore, Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RCSA) Grant Program at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Additional support provided by the Collection of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board and the National Archives of Singapore.
Contributing Artists: Yip Yew Chong (Singapore), Nam Phuong Nguyen (Singapore), Mu-hammad Hadi Ikhsan (Singapore), Manaka Hataoka (Japan), Camille Thai (Vietnam), Hsiao Chien Ku (Taiwan).
Created by Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian
Website/logo by Abigail Chen
Site 1 - Shenton Way + Palmer Rd. (c. 1879): Photographer unknown, “Tajong Pagar Dock from Mount Palmer,” National Museum of Singapore Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 2 - Shenton Way + Parsi Rd. (1847): Charles Dyce, “The Town from Parsee Club-House.” In Sketches in the Straits: Nineteenth-century watercolours and manuscripts of Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Batavia by Charles Dyce, by Irene Lim. NUS Museums, National University of Singapore. Singapore, 2003.
Site 3 - Prince Edward Rd. + Anson Rd. (c. 1862-1864): John Thomson, “Mount Palmer,” Peter Lee Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 4 - Tanjong Pajar MRT + Cecil St. (c. 1900): Photographer unknown, “Beach at the foot of Mount Palmer,” National Museum of Singapore. In root.gov.sg listing 1412215.
Site 5 - Wallich St. + Maxwell Rd. (c. 1872): Bourne & Shepherd, “View from Mount Wallich,” National Museum of Singapore Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 6 - Telok Ayer Park + Telok Ayer St. (c. 1856): Percy Carpenter, “Singapore from Mount Wallich.” In Nineteenth Century Prints of Singapore, by Gretchen Liu. Tien Wah Press. Singapore, 1987.
Site 7 - Telok Ayer St. at Thian Hock Keng Temple (1842): Alfred TAgate (del.),JA Rolph (sculp.), “Chinese Temple, Singapore.” In Charles Wilkes, USN, Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the Years 1838-42, vol. v, Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard.
Site 8 - Amoy St. at Thian Hock Keng Mural (2017): Yew Chong Yip, “The Thian Hock Keng Mural.”
Site 9 - Telok Ayer Rd. + Boon Tat Rd. (1880s): G.R. Lambert & Co., “Looking southwards along Telok Ayer Street,” National Museum of Singapore Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 10 - Telok Yer Rd. + Cross St. (1842): Charles A. Dyce, "The Market House." In Singapore Through 19th Century Prints & Paintings, by Hong Suen Wong. National Museum of Singapore. Singapore, 2010.
Site 11 - Market St. + Cross St. (c. 1890): Photographer unknown, “Construction of the new Telok Ayer Market,” National Museum of Singapore Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 12 - Fullerton Rd. at Collyer Quay(1890s): G.R. Lambert & Co., “Collyer Quay and Johnston’s Pier,” National Museum of Singapore Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 13 - Boat Quay at Singapore River (c. 1875): Possibly August Sachtler, “Administrative Centre of 19th century Singapore,” Raffles Hotel Collection. In Singapore through 19th Century Photographs, by Jason Toh. Editions didier Millet. Singapore, 2009.
Site 14 - Merlion Park (1972): Photographer unknown, “Merlion,” National Archives of Singapore, PCD0458-0008.
Site 15 - Cavenagh Bridge + Singapore River (1880s): Photographer unknown, “View of Boat Quay from Cavenagh Bridge,” Collection of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board, 1994-04904.
Site 16 - St. Andrews Rd. at Coleman Rd. (c. 1845): Charles Ramsey Drinkwater Bethune, “View of the Entrance to the Singapore River from the Esplanade,” Views of the Eastern Archipelago. In Nineteenth Century Prints of Singapore, by Gretchen Liu. Tien Wah Press. Singapore, 1987.
Site 17 - St. Andrews Rd. at Stanford Rd. (1847): J.T. Thomson, "Singapore from Kampong Glam,” Courtesy of the Hall-Jones family, Hocken Collections, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. In Singapore Through 19th Century Prints & Paintings, by Hong Suen Wong. National Museum of Singapore. Singapore, 2010.
Site 18 - Beach Rd. at War Memorial Plaza (1804): Robert Elwes (del., lith.), Hullmandel & Walton (imp.), “Singapore,” Published in Robert Elwes, A Sketcher's Tour Around the World, London: Hurst and Blackett, 1854.
Site 19 - Beach Rd. at Jln Sultan (c. 1860): Eduard Hildebrant, “Singapore Harbour,” The National Museum. In Nineteenth Century Prints of Singapore, by Gretchen Liu. Tien Wah Press. Singapore, 1987.
Site 20 - Republic Ave. at Nicoll Highway (1993): Photographer unknown, “Land Reclamation in Tanjong Rhu,” National Archives of Singapore. Source: nas.gov.sg: https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/ photographs/record-details/10857cfa-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad.
Site 21 - Rocher River at Kallage Riverside Park (1866): Engraver unknown, “Rochor, Singapore,” Published in Fedor Jagor, Singapore, Ma/acca,Java: Reiseskizzen (Singapore, Malacca, Java: Travel Sketches), Berlin: Julius Springer. In Singapore Through 19th Century Prints & Paintings, by Hong Suen Wong. National Museum of Singapore. Singapore, 2010.
Site 22 - Rocher River at Bugis Meadow (1890s): Photographer unknown, “Kampong Bugis,”National Museum of Singapore. Source: roots.gov.sg: https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-Landing/listing/1071441
Site 23 - Rocher River near Crawford St. Bridge (1890s): Photographer unknown, “Kampong Bugis,”National Museum of Singapore. Source: roots.gov.sg: https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-Landing/listing/1166620
Site 24 - Rocher River at Victoria Bridge (1846): J.T. Thomson, “Kampong Rochor, Singapore,” Courtesy of the Hall-Jones family, Hocken Collections, University of Ota go, Dunedin, New Zealand. In Singapore Through 19th Century Prints & Paintings, by Hong Suen Wong. National Museum of Singapore. Singapore, 2010.
The historic shoreline data was traced from a map by John Turnbull Thomson 1846. Plan of Singapore Town and Adjoining Districts, Scale unclear. London: J. M. Richardson. In: “Historical Maps of Singapore, digitised by Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, made available by NUS Libraries.” https://libmaps.nus.edu.sg.
The content contained in “Adapting Waterfronts” are speculative fictions created by Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian and contributing artists. Their intended purpose is to inspire the imagination by considering different scenarios and strategies for sea-level rise adaptation. The images are artistic renderings and do not explicitly reflect the scientific findings or stance of any of the partner organizations. Site locations of present photographs are approximations of the location in the historic images.