Proposed concept design
Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) has commissioned DHI to provide environmental engineering services for the 10 hectare extension of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This prestigious project will provide for public education on tropical habitats and ecology, a living seed-bank of important Southeast Asian trees, the world’s first tropical swamp-forest collection, and the restoration of degraded wetlands at the site and its surrounds.
Balancing the design requirements for the protection of existing valued features with that for an exciting visitor experience is a key on-going challenge of the project. Similarly, the decommissioning of an existing road running through the site into a footpath and wildlife-link to the adjacent gardens aims set a benchmark in terms of urban retrofitting. DHI's in-house experience of working with such environmental constraints and opportunities ensures these challenges are being met from early on.
DHI is providing a broad environmental consulting package including services relating to biodiversity, water and soil quality, waste management, green design and the sustainable procurement of materials. This allows for a holistic environmental design that offers multi-functional benefits to end-users, the client, and the wider environment. Design work is presently on-going for this $25million project with construction targeted to commence towards the end of 2010.
The common birdwing (Troides helena) with a wingspan of 18cm is found on the project site. This species was once extinct in Singapore except for a small population at the Botanic Gardens. Its presence will be retained as a feature of interest.