Behind Closed Doors:
Singapore Public Housing Tour

About The Tour

Step inside a local home and discover a lesser-seen side of Singapore’s public housing. Walk through Lavender and Jalan Besar to uncover the stories behind one-room rental flats and the people who call them home.

Meet longtime resident Uncle Chow and visit his character-filled one-room rental flat, featured in local newspapers. Hear his story and discover how he has made this small space his own.

Trace Singapore’s journey from crowded shophouses to public housing estates. Explore the corridors, shared spaces and design details that shape daily life, and hear residents’ stories of the changing neighbourhood.

Along the way, savour traditional cakes and pastries from a neighbourhood bakery with more than 60 years of history.

What To Expect

• Journey through Lavender to uncover traces of Singapore's municipal past. Find out how road names and bridges reveal stories of the our early governance.
• Listen to the human stories that are often misunderstood, offering a deeper insight into the daily life of the neighbourhood. Hear first hand from residents, how the area transforms after dark. From the world of informal horse betting to mahjong dens.
• Enjoy some Heritage Cakes at a beloved old school bakery with over 60 years of history.
• Observe the subtle design features of one room rental estates. From the way corridors flow to how shared spaces are managed, you will gain insights into the design process and understand the reasoning behind them
• Meet a long time resident and hear how his journey from contractor to craftsman led him to create one of the most distinctive and character filled homes in the neighbourhood.