How can a nation without natural resources think differently in order to survive and thrive? The Unnatural History Museum of Singapore is an exhibition that celebrates our nation’s unconventional history, one that’s uniquely shaped by design.
Transforming the atrium of the National Design Centre into a museum of the unexpected, the exhibition invites visitors to explore some of the nation’s most curious creations. The collection features hybrid flora and robotic fauna, unusual habitats, reimagined landscapes and beyond.
Each exhibit is reimagined and reframed as a historical artefact, designed to offer fresh perspectives and spark conversation. Among them: a six-metre “fossil” of the Merlion, animal droids in diorama sets and taxidermy-style displays, new materials showcased in a geological setting, alternative foods presented in specimen dishes, landscape paintings with a man-made twist and more.
More than feats of individual ingenuity, the showcase is a testament to the creativity that has driven Singapore’s progress over the decades. It encourages visitors to reflect on the role design has played in our nation-building journey and imagine how it might continue to guide our collective future.
The Unnatural History Museum is curated by Kinetic Singapore and commissioned by DesignSingapore Council for Singapore Design Week 2025.
Venue: National Design Centre
111 Middle Road, Atrium, Level 1, S188969
When: 11 Sep - 26 Oct 2025, 9am - 9pm
By: National Design Centre (NDC)
