'Supertrees' for Singapore Garden Project

Landscape architecture consultancy Grant Associates has won an international design competition to plan Marina South Gardens, Singapore's largest garden project.

The $610 million scheme is part of the Singapore National Parks Board's Gardens by the Bay project, with Marina South Gardens occupying a 54-hectare area.

Marina South Gardens, which is inspired by the shape of an orchid, features a group of cooled conservatories that show off tropical, Mediterranean and temperate species of plants and flowers. The project also contain a series of 'supertrees', which are vertical gardens ranging in height from 25 to 50 meters.

These structures power the cooled conservatories while serving as energy centres that house solar hot water heaters, solar panels, venting ducts, and rainwater harvesting systems. When not in use by visitors, the conservatories can play host to events and exhibitions.

The Marina's themes of 'Plants and Planet' and 'Plants and People' round out the exhibit, providing visitors with a context for the sprawling garden centre, which is expected to be completed by 2011.

For more information go to www.grant-associates.uk.com