The power station's building was designed by Alexander Gordon and Preece, together with Cardew & Rider, being based on Edwardian architecture, which was quite popular during the reign of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and was notable for being less ornate, being composed of big spaces and the offer of much natural lighting and the use of lighter shades of colours because there was less concern about soot and thick dust with the introduction of electricity (instead of relying on fire from candles and oil-lamps, amongst others, for lighting). It was regarded that Edwardian architecture was generally perfect for public buildings and the same architectural style was also applied for the Central Fire Station, located in Singapore's town-centre, in 1909.