Following a two-year delay caused by COVID-19, the proposed design of the spectacular new Science Centre Singapore was recently released, along with a revised 2027 opening date. Daniel Tan, senior director, exhibitions, for the Science Centre Board of the current Science Centre Singapore, answers Funworld’s questions about the new facility.
How did Science Centre Singapore contribute to the design of the new building?
The design was a response to our consultancy’s tender brief, which called for four imperatives: No. 1: seamless integration between nature and science by leveraging the garden and lakeside setting; No. 2: flexibility of transforming exhibition galleries for different uses; No. 3: sustainability, specifically conducive for low energy usage; No.4: facilitate community engagement through the space. Zaha Hadid Architects, in collaboration with Architects 61 Private Limited, submitted the best design, which reflected the boldness of scientific endeavor and future‑focused STEM aspirations that the Science Centre has always strived toward.
The new Centre will integrate with its surroundings, have outdoor science exhibits, and include lush landscaping.
How will the Science Centre utilize these exterior assets?
This aligns with the Centre’s mission to reach out to as many people as possible, including those who may not usually buy a ticket to visit. Located beside a garden by the lake, the new Science Centre will leverage its surroundings to offer a variety of outdoor spaces, programs, and activities.
How will the Centre embrace your community?
One of the ways this will be done is through dedicated space set aside for interest groups. For example, the Singapore Maker community can gather in the Makerspace, which will be open to public, to build and test prototypes. It will also encourage public involvement in meaningful citizen science programs, with the Science Centre serving as a bridge that will link researchers from institutes of higher learning and research institutes with the public. Critically, the new Science Centre also aims to showcase local innovations to the world and celebrate the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of Singaporeans.
What does Science Centre Singapore find exciting about the new design?
We are excited by how the building form interacts with nature in the proposed design. The design concept was inspired by the beautiful natural landscape of the Jurong Lake Gardens, together with the vision to design a science centre that looks to the future and is functional, while maximizing interaction with the garden and lake settings. The building has five interlocking rectangular blocks with large glass window openings to serve as ‘monocles,’ offering strategic views of the lake, capitalizing on its waterfront location.
What exhibition spaces can visitors look forward to and how will they be optimized within the new Centre?
The total indoor area for the Centre will be larger than the current Science Centre. Composed of five interlocking rectangular volumes, it will essentially be able to house large exhibition galleries with flexible configurations, in addition to interactive labs, event spaces, ancillary facilities for visitors, administrative offices, and service areas.
