Spotlight On: Gardens by the Bay

Location: Marina Bay, Singapore / Project by: Grant Associates

The project brief set three challenges: to create a worldclass tropical garden that would become a global attraction, to deliver a garden that would become a favourite destination for Singaporeans, and to showcase the world of plants to its visitors.

The Gardens by the Bay’s design provides waterside walkways, themed gardens, play areas and a major outdoor performance space, all within a garden setting. The centrepieces of the gardens are two cooled conservatories; a flower dome containing a collection of plants from mediterranean regions, and a unique ‘Cloud Forest’ displaying tropical plants from montane regions.

Another singular aspect are the 18 ‘Supertrees’, ranging between 25 and 50 metres in height, which offer spectacular vertical gardens while also performing significant environmental functions.

Grant Associates led and co‐ordinated the design team for the whole project from competition to completion. The Gardens by the Bay showcase the work of landscape architects at an international level, and demonstrate the importance of well-planned and designed open space within the fabric of dense urban developments.