LOCATION
Singapore
COMPLETE
2021
AWARDS
Merit : Singapore Landscape Architecture Awards (SLAA), 2022
YUNNAN GARDEN REJUVENATION
The Yunnan Garden Rejuvenation project is a unique opportunity to create a series of inter- connected and inter-dependent gardens that showcase the heritage, botany, biodiversity, and community inherently unique to Nanyang Technological University. The landscape design sensitively and creatively integrated built forms such as boardwalks, pavilions, amenity spaces and a biodiverse habitat of wetlands and native landscape that co-exist in a dynamic and evolving equilibrium.
The Yunnan Garden can be subdivided into three zones:- The Chinese Heritage Centre Plaza, Yunnan Garden and Nanyang Lake. Even though these gardens are adjacent to each other, they were originally conceived separately and did not have a strong relationship with one another. The landscape design purposely reconfigured the existing infrastructure that separated these gardens and connected them to one another, while also strengthening the distinctiveness and purpose of each of these gardens.
The project adopted a water sensitive approach for the landscape design. Through the implementation of ABC Waters Design (Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme), a deep valley with a high water table was converted into a functional sedimentation basin and living stream of wetland filled with rich biodiversity. Rain gardens were used as a medium to treat the rainwater runoff from the pedestrian promenade, and a cleaning biotope was introduced to cleanse the water from the Nanyang Lake, prior to releasing the water back to the main stormwater drainage system. The existing profile of Nanyang Lake was retained.
An experiential trail and boardwalks were introduced, interweaving through the lush natural landscape. At strategic scenic points, pavilions and breakout decks were introduced as observation / interpretation points. The Yunnan Garden Precinct has transformed the NTU Campus, by creating a focal point that reinforces its identity as a eco-friendly green campus.
