Singapore redefined the idea of environmentally sustainable open spaces in 2012 with the debut of its Supertree grove. Designed by Grant Associates, a British landscape architecture firm, the park features 18 spectacular man-made trees. Eleven trees include environmentally sustainable features like electricity-generating solar photovoltaic panels.
Singapore 'Supertrees' redefine city parks —
Singapore redefined the idea of environmentally sustainable open spaces in 2012 with the debut of its Supertree grove. Designed by Grant Associates, a British landscape architecture firm, the park features 18 spectacular man-made trees. Eleven trees include environmentally sustainable features like electricity-generating solar photovoltaic panels.
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The tallest of the Supertrees is 164 feet (50 meters) tall, about as high as Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa. Visitors can through the grove high above the ground via a skywalk that connects two of the trees. One tree includes a restaurant where visitors may enjoy views of the gardens on one side and Singapore's colorful skyline on the other.
Breathtaking skywalk —
The tallest of the Supertrees is 164 feet (50 meters) tall, about as high as Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa. Visitors can through the grove high above the ground via a skywalk that connects two of the trees. One tree includes a restaurant where visitors may enjoy views of the gardens on one side and Singapore's colorful skyline on the other.
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The garden embraces biodiversity by including more than 300 species of plants. Bromeliads, orchids, ferns and some tropical vines grow in vertical gardens on each tree. At least 20,000 plants have been grown in the vertical garden. Plants were chosen with seven considerations including their rarity and their need for soil.
Biodiversity —
The garden embraces biodiversity by including more than 300 species of plants. Bromeliads, orchids, ferns and some tropical vines grow in vertical gardens on each tree. At least 20,000 plants have been grown in the vertical garden. Plants were chosen with seven considerations including their rarity and their need for soil.
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Twelve of the Supertrees are "planted" in one grove while the other six are divided into groups of three in other sections of the gardens. The trees range from 82 feet (25 meters) to 164 feet (50 meters) tall. They're made up of four parts: a reinforced concrete core, a steel trunk, planting panels and a canopy shaped like an inverted umbrella.
Concrete and steel —
Twelve of the Supertrees are "planted" in one grove while the other six are divided into groups of three in other sections of the gardens. The trees range from 82 feet (25 meters) to 164 feet (50 meters) tall. They're made up of four parts: a reinforced concrete core, a steel trunk, planting panels and a canopy shaped like an inverted umbrella.
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The facility counted more than 5 million visitors in its first year, according to The Straits Times newspaper of Singapore. Construction reportedly cost $1 billion. It features two of the world's largest cooled conservatories: The Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, which use the trees for air exhaust. Horticulture waste is used to help power the conservatories.
Price tag: $1 billion —
The facility counted more than 5 million visitors in its first year, according to The Straits Times newspaper of Singapore. Construction reportedly cost $1 billion. It features two of the world's largest cooled conservatories: The Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, which use the trees for air exhaust. Horticulture waste is used to help power the conservatories.
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The canopies on the trees operate as temperature moderators, absorbing and dispersing heat. They also shelter visitors from the sizzling temperatures of Singapore's year-round summer-like climate.
How the trees work —
The canopies on the trees operate as temperature moderators, absorbing and dispersing heat. They also shelter visitors from the sizzling temperatures of Singapore's year-round summer-like climate.
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Dignitaries such as Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, center, have visited the tree grove. The plants growing on the trees are color coordinated. Some towers are immersed in browns, oranges, reds or yellows, while others favor cooler hues like pink or silver.
Color coordination —
Dignitaries such as Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, center, have visited the tree grove. The plants growing on the trees are color coordinated. Some towers are immersed in browns, oranges, reds or yellows, while others favor cooler hues like pink or silver.
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The facility often plays host to corporate events. Overall, the gardens were designed to function as an eco-tourist stop and horticultural oasis from the country's extremely dense urban environment.
Multi-functional oasis from citylife —
The facility often plays host to corporate events. Overall, the gardens were designed to function as an eco-tourist stop and horticultural oasis from the country's extremely dense urban environment.
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When night falls, the lights go up. The treetops are transformed into eye-catching beacons that shine across Singapore's landscape. Visitors are treated to two shows per night which synchronize the lights with custom composed music.
Night lights —
When night falls, the lights go up. The treetops are transformed into eye-catching beacons that shine across Singapore's landscape. Visitors are treated to two shows per night which synchronize the lights with custom composed music.
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