Come
2023, a new resort experience will open to guests at Mandai, bringing them closer
to nature through a biophilic design that integrates the buildings with their natural
surroundings. The design of the new Mandai resort will be helmed by local
architectural firm, WOW Architects.
Speaking
on the appointment of WOW Architects, Mr Mike Barclay,
Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings (MPH) said, "WOW
Architects concept demonstrated the best design response to our brief, one that
will bring our guests closer to nature. We have brought together the strengths
of two homegrown brands, WOW Architects and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. We
are confident that they will be able to translate our vision into the design
and operations for our new resort. Through carefully crafted design features
and programmed activities, the Mandai resort experience will encourage guests
to be conscious of and care for the plants and animals in the surrounding
rainforest. This
is consistent with our core belief that we must all work together to protect
wildlife."
Design features for a
Conscious Stay
The
4.6-hectare site for the 338-room resort currently houses the Singapore Zoos back-of-house
facilities. The resort will be carefully integrated into the site, which will
be enriched through the planting of native tree species. Visitors will feel
immersed in the surrounding nature, which they will be encouraged to enjoy in a
non-intrusive manner.
"We are excited to be
part of a project that aims to be an exemplary showcase of sustainable
development practices", said Mr Wong Chiu Man, Managing Director, WOW
Architects. "Our building and its systems adopt a biophilic attitude, by
blending into nature and becoming part of it, while creating an engaging and
comfortable environment for the guests. The resort was designed with the native
flora and fauna as inspiration, and the architecture and interior design will
showcase the biodiversity of Mandai for guests to appreciate and learn from.
When completed, the building and the landscape will become a holistic,
immersive experience."
WOW Architects
concept is mindful of the existing vegetation and treelines as well as natural
topography. Wherever possible, the resort is elevated several metres above the
ground to allow native wildlife to move across the site. It is also designed to be unobtrusive,
sitting below the upper canopy layer of the surrounding trees. In addition to extensive
planting at the roof and façade of the resort buildings, more than half the
trees on the site will be retained, of which 40% are of conservation value. The
re-greening effort will enhance the sites biodiversity through thoughtful
planting strategies that will both promote native species on the site of the
resort and double the number of trees from today.
In line
with this theme of celebrating nature, the resorts standard and family rooms
will offer views into the rainforest. 24 elevated treehouses are being designed
in the shape of seed-pods and will be set amongst the trees surrounding the
resort.
Aiming
to be the first Super Low Energy (SLE) resort in Singapore, active steps will
be taken to adopt sustainable and environmentally-friendly best
practices. The design will incorporate a host of energy saving measures
including the use of natural ventilation, mixed mode air-conditioning and solar
panels. The treehouses will also feature passive displacement ventilation, a
solution that cools air using chilled water rather than traditional air
conditioning compressor units.
Guest education and
programming for a Conscious Stay
The resort will actively
engage guests to promote environmental awareness, sustainable best practices
and the conservation of biodiversity. For example, guests will be encouraged to
reduce energy and water consumption in their rooms, practice recycling, dispose
their food waste responsibly, and be respectful of the surrounding flora and
fauna.
At
the doorstep of the resort will be all the wildlife parks and nature-themed
indoor attractions where the guests will be able to enjoy a specially curated
programme of activities, including behind-the-scenes programmes, guided nature
walks and hand-on activities. These activities will promote a conscious way of
life, one that is more in harmony with the natural world.
Resort
Operations for a Conscious Stay
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree
Holdings said, "The future Mandai Wildlife District is designed to provide
unprecedented yet sensitive access to nature for people from all walks of life.
As like-minded partners, Banyan Tree is aligned with MPHs mission and focus in
wildlife conservation and education. Celebrating and championing 25 years of
sustainable development, Banyan Tree has pioneered the journey of stewardship
in its commitment towards the environment and communities through our philosophy
of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Steeped in our signature
Asian hospitality, we look forward to creating authentic accommodation
experiences, and operating in this unique eco-sensitive setting to highlight
and inspire active guest participations into resort sustainability efforts at
Mandai."
As
the lead design architect, WOW Architects will be working alongside a team of
specialist consultancies to ensure the sustainable design and development of
the resort. The consultancies involved are Atelier Ten (Environmental
Sustainability Design), Arup (Mechanical & Electrical), Bo Steiber
(Lighting), Ramboll Environ (Ecology), Ramboll Studio Drieseitl (Landscape
Architect), Warner Wong Design (Interior Design) and Web Structures (Structural
Engineers).
A
working group consisting of academics and professionals will also provide
guidance and expert inputs across a variety of functions that are relevant to
the resorts design and development including landscape, education, sustainability,
ecology, horticulture and acoustics.
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