PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore

Garden-in-a-Hotel

(Photo Credits: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore was envisioned as a tropical “Garden-in-a-Hotel”, integrating biophilic design, liveability and ecologically responsible design into the hospitality environment.

At the heart of the hotel is a multi-storey green atrium, where more than 40 species of trees and around 25 species of shrubs and groundcovers create the experience of a tropical forest indoors. Natural light from the expansive atrium skylight supports the greenery and enhances the sense of being within an outdoor garden, while tiered planters allow vegetation to flow throughout the space.

The atrium landscape uses three-dimensional planting to recreate different layers of a tropical forest. Groundcovers, shrubs, trees and trailing plants are combined to create depth, while differences in foliage shape, texture and shades of green provide naturalistic variation throughout the landscape.

Creating this environment indoors required careful consideration of the conditions available to plants. Light, temperature, indoor climate and soil depth were taken into account during species selection. Trees and shrubs were selected for their ability to adapt to the indoor environment and were acclimatised prior to planting to improve their establishment within the hotel.

(Photo Credits: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)

Introducing mature trees into an indoor environment presented both logistical and structural considerations. Some trees weighed up to approximately 400 kg, requiring specialised equipment and careful coordination to bring them into the atrium during the hotel's renovation.

The weight of the trees, planting media and associated landscape elements also had to be considered against the loading capacity of the existing planters and slabs. Lightweight materials were used where appropriate, while soil depths were varied according to planting requirements. Deeper soil profiles were provided where trees were located, with shallower depths used for shrubs and groundcovers.

Maintenance activities are scheduled during periods of lower hotel traffic to minimise disturbance to guests. The indoor environment also calls for different maintenance practices from those typically used outdoors.

During the renovation period, for example, foliage required frequent cleaning due to construction dust. The project also provided opportunities to observe how different species responded to indoor conditions. These observations have helped identify species that perform better indoors and can inform the planting palettes of future projects.

Urban Farm at Level 4

(Photo Credits: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)

Complementing the atrium greenery is a 150 sqm Urban Farm located beside the hotel's Level 4 restaurant. The garden contains more than 60 varieties of herbs, edible flowers, vegetables and fruit, with produce harvested for use across the hotel's restaurants, bar and spa.

The farm allows guests to encounter edible plants as part of their hospitality experience while supporting the hotel's farm-to-table approach. Produce grown on-site can be used fresh in dishes, garnishes, beverages and other offerings, strengthening the connection between the landscape and the hotel's F&B operations.

The Urban Farm also contributes to biodiversity within the surrounding urban environment. As fruiting plants such as golden papayas, red guavas and passionfruit became established, birds and pollinators were observed using the garden.

Organic materials generated by the plants, together with coffee grounds from the hotel, are composted and returned to the soil to nourish subsequent plant growth. Close collaboration between the farm and the hotel's culinary team also helps ensure that the garden remains productive and responsive to the ingredients required by the hotel's F&B operations.

Building owner: Pan Pacific Hotels Group, UOL Group Limited and Singapore Land Group Limited

Renovation contractor: Tg Décor & Cheng Meng Furniture Co.

Building architect: Donovan Soon, FDAT Architects LLP

Landscape Architects: Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

Landscape contractor for L4 Urban Farm: Edible Garden City