Supertrees are uniquely designed vertical gardens rising to over160 feet
in height, with emphasis placed on the vertical display of tropical flowering climbers, epiphytes and ferns. They are made of concrete and steel with designs to accept living skin. Developed for the Gardens by the Bay project in Singapore, they are projected to cost over $800 million dollars. The Gardens by the Bay project will set new standards for using sustainable and renewable energy in a ground up systems approach. Part of of a massive ecological project the size of 177 football fields the project will also incorporate environmentally friendly technology, such as the ability to harvest and reuse water and solar panels.
Singapore has a population of 4.6 million people and a land area of about 3.5 times the size of Washington DC. Gardens by the Bay comprises three gardens around the Marina Channel in the southern part of Singapore. The Gardens will be built on land that was reclaimed from the sea some 30 years ago. The new downtown Marina City is being developed around Marina South. In January 2006, an international master plan design competition for the Gardens was launched. Some 70 teams comprising 170 firms, from over 24 countries, including 35 from Singapore , participated in the competition. An 11-member Jury comprising local and international experts shortlisted eight teams and two winners were announced in September 2006; namely Grant Associates for Bay South and Gustafson Porter for Bay East, both from the United Kingdom. Bay Central will be developed later.
Gardens by the Bay Singapore
Utilizing the latest in biomass renewable energy technology the Gardens by the Bay in the downtown Marina City will actually be producing enough energy to reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint. After close to two years of construction, the Flower Dome was fitted with the last panel of glass by Minister for National Development Mr Mah Bow Tan, marking the completion of its façade. Exterior works for its sister structure, the Cloud Forest which will replicate the cool-moist climate of the Tropical Montane region, will be completed later this year. The conservatories will be an amalgamation of architectural, environmental engineering, and horticultural excellence in the heart of Singapore’s new downtown, Marina Bay. Designed with the environment in mind, they will apply cutting-edge technologies that provide energy-efficient solutions in cooling.
A Green Career Path Taken
