TV viewers may have been distracted by the beauty of the colonial-era bungalow from which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day message this year.

And no wonder, as the Prime Minister's newly restored official residence, Sri Temasek, was one of seven winners of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Architectural Heritage Awards this year.

Other winners include a shophouse in Cairnhill Road and The Screening Room, a film and food haven in Ann Siang Road.

Introduced in 1995, the annual awards honour well-restored monuments and conservation buildings in Singapore. They were presented yesterday by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.

A total of 84 projects have received the awards since its launch.

The awards come under two categories. Category A is for national monuments and fully conserved buildings. Projects are assessed on how far they adhere to restoration principles.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times Life!