SMU's campus in Bras Basah is now being redeveloped and expanded to ease a space crunch. The first phase of the $20 million, two-year redevelopment work, which started in August last year, has been completed. Altogether, the new facilities will boost seating capacity by over 500, to meet greater demand for study spaces. Students will also have an expanded three-storey fitness centre that can accommodate 180 users. Under the second phase of the redevelopment, a 280-seater, open- air amphitheatre will be ready by the first quarter of next year. Located on the lawn between the National Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum, it will be used for open-air performances.

Besides new teaching spaces that can cater to about 430 students, a co-curricular activity centre with a glass facade will also be created as a common space for students. SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer said: "I'm very pleased that we have managed to develop and execute a very creative and innovative plan to optimise our space within the many urban constraints that we face."