Singapore Science Centre

 

Singapore’s new Science Centre is designed to offer distinctive spaces that combine innovative design with functional versatility, serving as a premier destination for STEM education and hands-on learning experiences for all Singaporeans. The project was conceived with the BCA Green Mark Platinum certification for ultra‑low energy consumption as its guiding design objective.

 

Overall aerial view of the new science center

 

The new Science Centre will uphold the institution’s mission, established in 1977, of inspiring curiosity and a spirit of innovation in generations of young learners. It plans to leverage its expanded facilities and premises to broaden its outreach programs, enabling Singaporeans of all ages to engage with and appreciate the vital role of science and technology in everyday life.

 

Outdoor Activity Plaza of the New Science Center

 

The design of the new science center draws inspiration from the natural landscape of Jurong Lake Gardens in Singapore, aiming to maximize opportunities for visitors to engage with the surrounding gardens and lake while looking ahead to the future. Comprising five interlocking rectangular volumes, the center houses a variety of exhibition halls, interactive laboratories, and event spaces, in addition to visitor amenities, administrative offices, an archives room, and service areas.

 

The landscape plaza connects the new science center building, the lake, and the secondary forest.

 

The five volumes of the new Science Center are all fitted with large‑scale windows, serving as “monoculars” that frame sweeping views of the lake. Each volume is oriented uniquely to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. From the nearby subway station to the pagoda within the Chinese‑style garden, the design articulates a sequence of courtyards and garden spaces that seem to float above the surrounding parkland. Together with a diverse array of indoor, outdoor, and rooftop learning areas, the new Science Center will become an inspiring destination for science and nature, while also offering numerous opportunities for community engagement.

 

A series of courtyards and gardens at the new science center guide visitors from the nearby MRT station to the pagoda within Jurong Lake Gardens.

 

The new science center features a children’s exhibit hall that is more than twice the size of the existing one, along with a dedicated outdoor interactive water play area, a secondary forest exploration trail, and a sensory path on the rooftop garden.

 

Gallery science exhibition scene

 

The new Science Center has also opened a state-of-the-art observatory, offering a window into the universe for a new generation of budding astronomers. In addition, a cutting-edge digital fabrication lab will serve as an incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs, while a makerspace provides a creative haven where young inventors can freely unleash their imaginations. A newly designed outdoor activity plaza will become the centerpiece of the Science Center, hosting STEM programs and community events.

 

Night view of the New Science Center Observatory

 

Under Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, the new science center incorporates sustainable design principles and energy‑performance strategies to reduce net carbon emissions. The building’s outdoor spaces are designed to provide protection from both direct sunlight and prevailing winds.

 

A waterside perspective at dusk