Trinity Theological College Chapel by Jeremy San — Large Scale Print
Inauguration: 1970
Architect: Chan Kui Chuan
The Trinity Theological College Chapel is an excellent example of later modern tropical church design that evolved from the 1950s. The building is replete with layers of religious symbolism. Occupying a wooded, undulating site on Mount Sophia, the chapel is a simple rectangular pavilion capped by a sculptural roof form, derived from the Chinese character 人 (“human”) — chosen as an appropriate representation of the chapel’s role as an interdenominational gathering space. The two strokes of the character are literally translated into a series of roof beams that sweeps upwards and culminates in a dramatic linear skylight. The building enclosure dematerialises through the use of full-height timber screens that allow the surrounding greenery to flow in. Other than optimising cross ventilation and natural daylight, this was meant to invite reflection on the worldly suffering outside the House of God.
However, the strongest statement yet lies in the seemingly modest brick enclosure walls—these were constructed of handmade bricks salvaged from a 1840s bungalow demolished to make way for the chapel.
Laid without any lap joints, the rough texture and uneven tonality of the brickwork contrast well against the machined appearance of the timber slats, mosaic floor, and crisp concrete beams. Yet they resonate with the site history. The Chapel was gazetted for conservation in 2011, and will see a new lease of life as part of the upcoming Sophia Hills development.
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Approximate Size: Large scale print 1 m x 3 m. Framed.
This is the original print that was exhibited at “Moderns in Our Midst: A Photographic Tribute to Singapore’s Modern Architectural Heritage” in 2015.
UV Printing on 3 mm white DIBOND with 10 mm square aluminium channel on 4 sides. Print does not feature the artist's signature. No other framing options available. No certificate of authenticity provided.
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A portion proceeds from Jeremy San's work will go to Singapore Heritage Society and Jeremy San's estate.
About Jeremy San
The late Jeremy San Tzer Ning was an accomplished architectural photographer based in Singapore, who documented local as well as regional architectural works in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China. Schooled in RMIT, Melbourne, Australia as an interior designer, his graduation thesis was an ambitious photo-documentation project of modern heritage buildings, which also spawned his photography career.
Upon graduation, Jeremy practised as an interior designer in the architecture office KNTA, and also collaborated with experimental design studios HAM Architects, LingHao Architects and AT Lab on various competition and proposals. His design training and practice experience gave him an empathetic eye as a photographer capturing architecture – whether historic, newly completed, or even under construction – as well as urban landscapes. He has been engaged by leading design firms including Alsop, Foster + Partners, Atelier Liu Yu Yang, K2LD, Formwerkz, KUU, Farm Works, UOL, DPA and ipli. His works are widely published, including in journals such as ish, Cubes, and SA. He was also commissioned by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to work on the Singapore 1:1 exhibitions (2005, 2007), and has collaborated with Studio Lapis on conservation documentation projects such as Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. In 2012, he was awarded the Discernment Prize for the ICON de Martell Cordon Bleu photography awards.