Gardens By The Bay: The garden life

LAETITIA WONG Today Online 31 May 14;

“From the first moment we embarked on this project, we made sure the plants have always been our top priority, every step of the way. You can build a building, but if the building isn’t designed specifically for the plants, it won’t work,” he continued, adding that while they wanted “an icon, their functions had to suit the plants”.

Yes, it’s all about the plants. The Gardens is even attempting to reduce the carbon footprint with the number of plants planted. One such example would be its collaboration with national water agency PUB after its lake system, roughly the size of 192 Olympic swimming pools, ran low during the dry months.

Said Kwek: “We agreed that PUB would bring in water from its channels into our gardens during the dry months and in return, we would grow beneficial aquatic plants such as the water hyacinth and the Nile papyrus within our lake system, which help cleanse the waters and serve as a natural filtration system.”

Its wildlife surveys showed that the diversity of plants at GBTB has also allowed fauna to flourish, from kingfishers to a school of otters. “We even had a pair of ducks that birthed 13 ducklings here!” said Kwek.

If there’s one concern, it’s in the area of education, said Kwek. “The younger generation was brought up in a very different environment clouded by technology and they are unable to appreciate nature (but) I can understand that most teens would rather stay at home and watch TV than visit places like the Gardens.”

Nevertheless, GBTB is organising a slew of events and activities for families and the youth next month. It is also collaborating with the Ministry of Education for the Singapore Youth Festival in July.

Future plans will involve, you guessed it, more gardens. Funds permitting, Kwek said Phase Two will entail projects in Bay East and Bay Central, right in front of the F1 Pit. “They are two other gardens that are also part of Gardens By The Bay, which most people don’t even know about.”

For Kwek, GBTB isn’t just about being an attraction that looks good. “A great landscape would be one that is conducive for people to visit,” he said. “Not only is a shelter or a canopy important to shield visitors from the heat, but the choice of plants that is used is very important.

“Personally, I like to add a little surprise to the landscape with plants like the agaves at the Flower Dome. I bet you didn’t know that they are used to make tequila. That’s what I’m talking about — interesting plants that make people sit up and go ‘Oh, really?’ (That’s) what determines the success of a landscape.”

Gardens By The Bay is hosting a series of fun-filled education activities and tours until June 30. For more details, visit http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg