Nov 09, 2007

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay project
on track with groundbreaking ceremony

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore's project to build three major waterfront gardens, broke ground today, as the development made progress to create the world's premier public gardens in the tropics. The 54 hectare (ha) Gardens at Marina South is scheduled to be the first of the three Gardens to be completed in end-2010. Gardens by the Bay will eventually total 101 ha, and comprise three themed gardens at Marina South, Marina East and Marina Centre.

Singapore's Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, was joined by Minister of State, Ms Grace Fu, Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, senior members of the National Parks Board (NParks), other government officials and industry leaders today as he officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony. Mr Mah planted a Golden Rain Tree (scientific name: Samanea saman) to commemorate the groundbreaking of the Gardens. Originally native to South America and the West Indies, the Golden Rain Tree has been widely planted throughout the Tropics as a shade tree, including in Singapore, where such yellow variants were first deployed as a valued cultivar^[1]. This tree will be re-planted along the avenue framing the new 1km-long boulevard bordering the East side of the Gardens at Marina South.

Phase 1 of Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay will provide Singaporeans a new dimension of city living experience right in the heart of Singapore's New Downtown District.  Setting a new standard in the way gardens are developed and managed, it will become Singapore's premier outdoor recreation space at Marina Bay - a national icon and a source of pride for Singaporeans.

In line with the completion of the Marina Bay Integrated Resort and other developments at Marina Bay, NParks has targeted for the first phase of the Gardens at Marina South to be completed by end-2010

The Gardens at Marina South is designed by UK-based firm Grant Associates. Among the attractions will be displays telling the story of "Plant Use by Man", focusing on economically important plants in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  Active spaces for vibrant programming will be incorporated ans will wnable the Gardens to host a suite of international and national events. Some key features of the Marina South Gardens include:

• The Cooled Conservatory Complex
• SuperTrees
• Horticultural Show Gardens
• Plant Edutainment Gardens
• Flower Market
• Main Events Space

(See accompanying factsheet for details)

Aware of global isues pertaining to climate change, NParks is also exploring sustainable energy and water technologies for the Gardens. This includes the research done on energy modelling and latest cooling technologies for the Cool Conservatory Complex at Marina South. The commissioned study has shown that by applying a combination of the latest cooling technologies, the energy consumption for the Conservatory will be lower than that of a comparable commercial building in Singapore of similar size.

Details of the developments at Marina East and Marina Centre will be announced at a later stage.

For more information, please visit www.gardensbythebay.org.sg

^[1] A cultivar is a cultivated plant that has been selected and given a unique name because it has characteristics that distinguish it from otherwise similar plants of the same species.

Factsheet on Gardens at Marina South

Occupying 54 hectares (ha), the Gardens at Marina South will be the first of the three gardens of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay to be implemented.  It is targeted to be completed in end 2010.  Designed by UK-based design firm Grant Associates, this lively and vibrant garden will showcase the best of tropical horticulture and garden artistry, with a mass display of tropical flowers and coloured foliage and more.

Key features of Gardens at Marina South:

1. Cool Conservatories
   The Cool Conservatories will be an architectural icon, a horticulture attraction and a showcase of sustainable energy technology.
   It will provide an all-weather "edutainment" space within the Gardens.  Comprising a "Cool Moist" Conservatory (0.9 ha) and a "Cool Dry" Conservatory (1.4 ha), it will display plants and flowers from the Tropical Montane and Mediterranean environments.
   To ascertain the environmentally sensitive energy requirements of the Conservatories, the National Parks Board commissioned an energy modelling study.  The commissioned study has shown that by applying a combination of the latest cooling technologies, the energy consumption for the Conservatories will be lower than that of a comparable commercial building in Singapore of similar size.
2. SuperTrees
   Designed as tree-like structures between 25 metres and 50 metres in height (9 to 16 storeys), the SuperTrees are uniquely designed vertical gardens, with emphasis placed on creating a "wow" factor through the vertical display of tropical flowering climbers, epiphytes and ferns. At night, these canopies will come alive with lighting and projected media.
   Given our equatorial climate, the grove of SuperTrees will help to ameliorate discomfort by providing shade and shelter with the canopy.
   The SuperTrees will also be embedded with sustainable energy and water technologies that are integral to the cooling of the Cool Conservatories.
3. Horticultural Show Gardens
   Comprising 2.6 ha,these gardens will showcase the best of tropical horticulture and garden artistry. Together with another 10 ha of mass flowering and coloured foliage landscape, they will form a spectacle of colour and texture. The show gardens will be made up of :
   Lion Grove. This will consist of a cluster of SuperTrees. See above on description of the SuperTrees.
   The Orchidetum. A luxurious showcase garden featuring orchids.
   Pride of Singapore. A cluster of beautiful gardens and flower displays representing the very best of Singapore horticulture.
   Global Garden Display. A mix of permanent and temporary themed gardens in and around the entrance plaza to the main buildings, representing global awareness of horticulture and plant conservation.
4. Plant Edutainment Gardens
   These gardens (2.5 ha) will focus on the theme of "Plant Use by Man". They will provide an interactive display of the "economic plants" that have contributed to the development of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
5. Flower Market
   The 2.8 ha Flower Market will eventually be the main entry precinct into the Gardens. It will comprise an indoor events space, retail and various food & beverage outlets.
6. Main Events Space
   This will be a 2 ha event lawn with a stage. It will have capacity for hosting up to 7,000 people during international and national events.