My Sketch at Objectifs

The yellow building at 155 Middle Road is a historic Gothic-style structure in Singapore that has evolved from a religious and educational institute into a prominent contemporary arts space. It is now occupied by Objectifs. Originally known as the Christian Institute, it was built between 1870 and 1875 by Charles Phillips, a British army officer, to serve as a Christian social centre.

Time Line from NLB:
1870s–1890s (The Christian Institute): The building was initially used for recreational activities and worship for young men. In 1891, it became the home of the Tamil Girls' School, which later evolved into the Methodist Girls' School.

1894–1930 (Middle Road Church): On 25 January 1894, it was inaugurated as the Malay Church, the first Straits Chinese (Peranakan) Methodist Church in Singapore. It was later known as the Middle Road Church.

1930 (Relocation): The congregation outgrew the space and moved to a new site at Kampong Kapor, becoming the Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

WWII and Post-War (Diverse Commercial Uses): During the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), the building served as a Chinese restaurant named May Blossom Restaurant. Following the war, it was used as a motor workshop (Sin Sin Motor Co.) and later a budget hotel called Continental Hotel.

1990s–2014 (Sculpture Square): In 1993, the building was allocated under the National Arts Council's Arts Housing Scheme. From 1999 to 2014, it operated as Sculpture Square, Singapore's first dedicated venue for three-dimensional art.

2015–Present (Objectifs): It is currently the home of Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, a non-profit visual arts centre.