While landmark buildings in town like the Esplanade and the ArtScience Museum stand out for their striking designs, there are also hidden gems in our neighbourhoods, like the “Rainbow Blocks” at Hougang Avenue 7, and the see-through lifts in Jurong East and Buffalo Road.
More recently, the HDB blocks at Teck Whye Avenue have been catching the internet’s attention, and for a very adorable reason.
A Xiaohongshu user recently shared a photo of a HDB block in the Choa Chu Kang neighbourhood featuring a mural of cartoon pandas and balloons on its exterior wall. Colourful paw prints and light-blue clouds, along with the cute pandas, made for a bright contrast against the white background.
The OP wrote: “This is such a cute HDB! Can they paint something this adorable on my block too? My mood is really lifted just by looking at it. I’ve only seen this in this neighbourhood.”
Netizens soon chimed in with similar thoughts, with many gushing over how the mural is simply “too cute”, and how creative the concept is.
One commenter also wrote: “HDB flats built in different eras are, for me, one of the most beautiful sights in Singapore.”
Turns out, although Teck Whye Estate is one of Singapore’s older estates and home to some of the earliest HDB blocks in the Choa Chu Kang area, the refreshed mural was only added recently.
In a post in October 2025, Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Dr Tan See Leng announced that Blocks 1 to 7 at Teck Whye Avenue would be getting a “brand new look”. Out of four proposed designs, “most colourful one, with rainbow hues and playful pandas” emerged top in a residents’ poll, resulting in the cheerful mural that was eventually chosen.
The mural had since got residents across Singapore wishing for similar artwork in their own neighbourhoods, with one even saying that just seeing the mural alone already lifted their spirits.
Those living in Teck Whye Estate have also been sharing photos of the blocks from different POVs, with a number confirming that being greeted by such lively art after a long day of work really does really brighten their day.
“Why doesn’t my area have something this cute?” lamented one netizen who lives in Bedok.
Looks like the viral post even made its way to the mastermind behind the mural, who dropped by the comments to pen: “The designer has arrived. I’m really glad you like it. Thanks to the painters for managing to bring the design to life exactly as it was in the draft.”
They also explained that the Teck Whye Estate blocks are quite special because the previous Mondrian-style art pattern had already won an award. So when it came to the repainting and refurbishment, “a more striking idea was needed”.
They also shared: “I hope that everyone who sees this HDB will be happy and joyful.”
How cute, right?