Shophouse B.A.R. (Books, Artefacts, Reflections) is a permanent cultural installation housed within Temasek Shophouse along Orchard Road, offering a nostalgic yet thoughtful reimagining of the traditional provision shop. Curated by Our Grandfather Story, the space brings together local books, short films, artefacts and interactive elements that explore Singapore’s collective memory, identity and aspirations. Designed as a quiet pause along the pedestrian walkway, it invites visitors to slow down and reconnect with familiar stories, objects and shared experiences.
Inside, visitors can browse a carefully curated library of Singapore-focused publications and visual works, discover miniature worlds tucked inside biscuit tins that reflect national dreams, and encounter everyday items that once shaped daily life. A recording booth allows guests to leave messages for Singapore, adding their own voices to the evolving narrative. Every shelf and corner is intentionally composed to feel instantly familiar, yet layered with meaning — proving that the simplest objects can carry deep emotional resonance when viewed through a shared cultural lens.
As part of the wider Temasek Shophouse social impact hub, Shophouse B.A.R. sits alongside community-driven concepts such as Foreword Coffee and Peranakan café-bakery Bibik Violet, reinforcing the precinct’s focus on purpose-led engagement. Conceived, designed and built by Our Grandfather Story in collaboration with Temasek Shophouse, the installation blends physical and digital storytelling into a “phygital” experience. Timed to mark Singapore’s SG60 milestone, it stands as both a reflection of the past and an invitation to imagine what comes next.












