Jurong Lake Gardens, the new national garden in Singapore heartlands, is a 90-hectare compound comprising of three different sections—Lakeside Garden, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, as well as Garden Promenade.

The redevelopment concept for Lakeside Garden revolves around the themes of nature, play and the community. With an expansive water frontage, Lakeside Garden capitalises on its waterfront location and creates amenities and spaces for all to interact, explore and learn about their environment.

Rasau Walk is a 300-metre scenic boardwalk elevated above a restored freshwater swamp forest that contains some 50 different plant species, bringing visitors up close to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Clusia Cove is designed as a children’s water play area consisting of a tidal pool and a sand-based ripple pool. These pools mimic the natural water movement, allowing children to play and learn at the same time. The PAssion WaVe building caters to various water sports, such as kayaking and dragon boating. The building was designed with a generous landscaped roof deck for spectators to view races during competitions and large unobstructed floor spaces that allow air to flow naturally from the lake to the garden during daytime, helping to create natural wind. The louvered screens at the viewing deck also aid to deflect direct sunlight and provide shade, which in turn reduces the surrounding temperature.

Innovative Features

Located in a low lying area, Lakeside Garden used to experience waterlogging caused by high groundwater level. As part of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) programme, design features like vegetated swales and gravel swales were introduced for drainage improvements. The previous 12,000m concrete drain was demolished and replaced with a new 8,500m concrete drain and 4,750m swales and streams.

Awards

National Parks Board Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) Award 2021

Urban Land Institute (ULI) Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence 2021