The new Garden Pod, an eco-friendly accommodation option made from repurposed shipping containers, has opened in the centre of Singapore’s famed Gardens by the Bay.
Wake to the surrounds of one of Singapore’s most famous green spaces at the Gardens by the Bay.
The new Garden Pod is located inside the gardens with four duplex suites made from repurposed shipping containers.
The project is the work of the Shipping Container Hotels company, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, and is Singapore’s first moveable and sustainable hotel. The Garden Pod was designed by LAUD Architects.
Director at LAUD Architects, Matthew Yeo, said, “LAUD Architects designed Garden Pod as a sculptural form to complement the plant displays and add a new dimension to the landscape. The distinctive pinwheel layout of the hotel allows bedrooms to enjoy elevated views of the surrounding gardens through the wide expanse of glass. Nature is welcomed into the indoor spaces on the lower floor through large panels of sliding glass doors and generous semi-sheltered outdoor decks for guests’ activities.”
Founder of Shipping Container Hotel Founder Seah Liang Chiang said, “Our objective is to re-purpose shipping containers, trains, etc into sustainable hotels and co-living spaces in unique locations in Singapore and abroad. We are proud to collaborate with Gardens by the Bay to showcase our high-end pop-up hotel.”
Design notes
Each of the four suites, spanning 70sqm, features a spiral staircase that connects two floors. From the patio, guests can take in views of the Singapore skyline, including downtown Marina Bay, and the foliage of the Gardens by the Bay, including Podocarpus, Junipers, silver Bismarckia palms and bamboos. From the Pod, it’s approximately an eight-minute walk to the renowned Supertrees.
Each suite features a room fragrance from Maison de L’Asie, a niche Singaporean fragrance house.
Sustainability
- The upper level of each of the four duplex suites is constructed from 40-foot repurposed shipping containers
- Photovoltaic panels installed on the rooftop harvest clean solar energy to contribute up to 80 per cent of its energy needs
- Drinking glasses and terrarium displays are made from repurposed glassware by the Singaporean artisans of homegrown company Soda Lemon
- The soil in the terrarium displays is produced using upcycled horticulture and landscaping waste by homegrown company Soil Social
- Drink coasters are made from recycled plastic by The Plastic Project Singapore.
Rooms start from SG$450 (about AUD$476)