Plants Meet Skyscrapers: Singapore’s Iconic Architectural Wonders

Forget the idea of a “concrete jungle.” In Singapore, we call it an “urban garden.” It’s a city where the line between the natural world and stunning architecture blurs, creating a landscape that soothes and inspires you all at once.

Right here, in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, you’ll find incredible buildings that make nature a core part of their design. You can stroll past skyscrapers draped in breathtaking vertical gardens or check into a hotel that welcomes you with its own lush, indoor forest. These are places designed to make you stop, breathe, and simply marvel.

These structures prove that you don’t have to choose between the thrill of the city and the calm of nature. For hardworking professionals like us, they offer a perfect, comfortable escape right where you’d least expect it. So, if you’re ready for a different kind of tour, let me guide you through the very best of Singapore’s green architecture. Prepare to be amazed!

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Pan Pacific Orchard
Image credit: WOHA

Pan Pacific Orchard

You can find the Pan Pacific Orchard right in the heart of Singapore’s famous Orchard Road. The renowned WOHA Architects designed this stunning building to look like a green oasis rising into the sky. The hotel opened at 10 Claymore Road and is the newest flagship for the Pan Pacific Hotels Group in Singapore.

This 23-story hotel has 347 rooms and mixes modern style with nature. It features four unique open-air terraces: Forest, Beach, Garden, and Cloud. These terraces honor Orchard Road’s past as a place full of fruit orchards and plantations.

When you arrive, the Forest Terrace greets you with a cascading waterfall and a lush, tropical feel. Head up to the fifth floor to find the Beach Terrace, which feels like an island getaway with its lagoon pool and palm trees. You can also relax in the peaceful Garden Terrace or host events at the Cloud Terrace on the 18th floor, which offers stunning city views.

The hotel rooms match the theme of their terrace. For example, rooms on the Beach Terrace use wood panels and sandy colors to create a beach vibe. The Garden Terrace rooms feature calming shades of green.

High up, the Cloud Terrace rooms have a light and airy feel, just like being in the clouds.

The hotel is also a fantastic spot for food lovers. You can find three different places to eat, like Mosella, which serves Mediterranean food with a Peruvian twist all day. Pan Pacific Orchard also plans to feature local Singaporean brands that showcase great craftsmanship and new ideas.

4.3 Over 1893 Reviews
Review from Google
We are a French couple travelling to Australia for a new adventure, and we decided to spend three days in Singapore as a stopover because visiting this incredible city had always been a dream of ours.

We are so happy we chose this hotel. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfect. The staff were incredibly kind, attentive and welcoming, the breakfast was absolutely delicious, and our room was simply stunning.

The hotel itself is beautiful and the whole experience exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect place to start our Australian adventure.

We truly loved our stay and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Singapore. We will definitely be back! ❤️
Review from Google
Amazing hotel and experience! The club lounge is definitely worth it. The hotel is beautiful and all the staff are amazing. Conveniently located next to lots of shops and restaurants and only a short taxi away to other attractions. Huge thank you to Carmen who made our stay even more memorable and enjoyable.
Review from Google
To be honest 5 star is certainly not enough for pan pacific orchard everything about our stay was outstanding. The service we received from start to the end was incredible. The hotel was just out off this world.... words can't describe the experience go and try it yourself you will not be disappointed ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨
Review from Google
Very nice hotel, perfect location, great staff and amazing breakfast. We will definitely come back!
Review from Google
My husband and I are very impressed by Raicy from the Club Lounge. She is naturally warm and has a high level of professional service. Our stay at the Pan Pacific Orchard has been greatly enhanced by her and the staff. Thank you very much.
Review from Google
I had lunch at the bar area. Ordered chicken rice. Poor quality as the chicken tasted a day old and the rice was not fragrant at all. Informed the staff who just smiled and didn’t say anything else.
Oasia Hotel Downtown Building 1
Image credit: iStock.com/Sergio Delle Vedove
Oasia Hotel Downtown Building 2
Image credit: iStock.com/Sergio Delle Vedove

Oasia Hotel Downtown

The architecture firm WOHA designed the 30-story Oasia Hotel Downtown to challenge the concrete look of Singapore’s business district. Its famous red aluminum mesh exterior acts as a giant trellis for 21 different species of climbing plants.

This “living tower” is so green that it has a Green Plot Ratio of 1,100%. This means it provides 11 times more greenery than the land it sits on, effectively giving back to nature. This groundbreaking design won it the “Best Tall Building Worldwide” award in 2018.

The architects focused on creating a sustainable ecosystem that attracts wildlife like birds, insects, and squirrels right into the city. Inside, the world-renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola handled the inviting furniture and interior design.

A key feature is the four large, open-air sky gardens located on levels 6, 12, 21, and 27. These gardens allow fresh air to flow through the hotel’s lobbies and public spaces, so there’s no need for enclosed, air-conditioned areas.

This design creates a thriving natural environment high above the ground. The lush plants and water features offer a refreshing and comfortable escape for anyone needing a break from the city’s buzz.

4.4 Over 3224 Reviews
Review from Google
Very helpful and friendly staff! We travelled with our young baby and they accommodated perfectly for us. Beautiful hotel in a great location
Review from Google
We had a great stay. The location is central to everything and MRT station just across the road.
When we arrived our room had been decorated to help us celebrate our wedding anniversary.
All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Especially Marc at the concierge, we had an early checkout and even made us a coffee whilst we waited for our driver. A lovely touch.
Thanks Oasis for having us.
Review from Google
Heel fijn hotel op goede locatie. Service is super. Marc van het hotel heeft ons fantastisch geholpen.
Review from Google
Nice staff, good location...concierge Marc very friendly always helping 👍
Review from Google
Had a very pleasant stay at this hotel. The rooms were clean and well maintained. The staff there were also very friendly and helpful during my stay. Would definitely stay here again!
Review from Google
Very clean, staff is helpful, great facilities. Will definitely visit again.
PARKROYAL Pickering Green Building
Image Credit: iStock.com/ronniechua

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering

Between the blocks of guest rooms, spacious curvy sky gardens are draped in tropical plants and supported by frangipani and palm trees, cantilevered at every fourth level.

The grounds of the venue are green, and so are the flourishes within. The trees and gardens of the hotel blend in with those from the adjacent park.

The WOHA-designed hotel contains 15,000 square meters of sustainable sky gardens, waterfalls, and planter walls that provide a breathable environment for hotel guests.

The 637-room hotel won the “2013 Best of Year Award for Hotel Common Space”.

With the verdant greenery and fluid lines, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering stands apart among low historic shophouses in Chinatown with its ‘hotel-in-garden’ design.

Inside, you’ll find green walls plated by waterfalls for relaxation or outdoor dining onsite near these eco-conscious designers’ masterpieces.

Sky gardens are also environmentally friendly, using solar cells, motion sensors, rainwater harvesting, and reclaimed water to function.

The design for this hotel was intended to have an E-shaped plan, with all guest rooms facing northward towards the park or sky gardens while also providing views of these spaces from each room.

Services were placed on the southern side so guests could easily access them when they enter/exit the external connecting corridors.

4.6 Over 5669 Reviews
Review from Google
Крутой отель и атмосферный отель по адекватной по сингапурским меркам цене. Расположение отличное вблизи от китайского квартала.
Review from Google
The location is good and everything is great,

Even the Eco Hotel is good and I like that they don't provide water,

but I can't stand the lack of a bidet....
Review from Google
Um dos hoteis mais bonitos de singapura. Bem situado. Para visitar as principais atracções a pé.
Review from Google
Perfect. Fantastic, but above all, the staff and the aesthetics are incredible. Breakfast has a huge variety of food. Perfect for families.
Review from Google
Lovely place with fantastic service. Highly-rated hotel. Nicely decorated and beautiful.
Review from Google
Its a luxurious 5 star hotel, private accessible pool gym and seating area, also restaurant.
Jewel Changi Airport Green Building
Image Credit: iStock.com/FotoGraphik

Jewel Changi Airport

The complex was designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie of the famous Safdie Architects company, with Peter Walker and Partners as the landscape architects. 

Built over the former open-air car park in front of Changi Airport Terminal 1. The Jewel development added 70% more space to Terminal 1’s arrival hall and baggage claim areas. It increased the handling capacity from 21 to 24 million passengers a year.

Jewel comprises gardens, attractions, a hotel, 300 retail stores, eating establishments, and early baggage check-in aviation services.

Located at the heart of the mall, the indoor garden Shiseido Forest Valley has a spectacular indoor waterfall (HSBC Rain Vortex) and lush green space with an exquisite floral layout.

The eye-catching waterfall feature, which holds the world’s tallest indoor waterfall title, is 40 meters high and collects rainwater for reuse.

The mall features over 2,000 trees and palms with 100,000 shrubs lining its tiered gardens, encouraging you to take time out from your shopping trip to enjoy this lush environment.

Singapore Changi Jewel Guided Walking Tour

Experience Jewel and explore architectural marvels, a lush indoor forest with over 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, alongside exclusive shopping and dining. Enjoy stunning views and Canopy Park access, enriching your visit to this must-see Singapore destination.

We earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. See our policy for more details.

4.8 Over 99062 Reviews
Review from Google
a place where you can go around and spend the whole day while wait for the next flight
or even when you have nothing to do on town after checkout 🫢
Review from Google
Huge airport, very clean, easy to find everything, everyone is very kind and friendly 😀, highly recommend the free tour xx
Review from Google
The food was delicious, and the shopping was fantastic!
Review from Google
One of the best international airport
Review from Google
The world's most amazing airport. Without a doubt.
Review from Google
Some restaurants closed kitchen before stated time on 'ggl map'.. so be there earlier if your plan is to try the food.
Marina One Green Building
Image Credit: iStock.com/ai_yoshi

Marina One

Named one of Asia’s most innovative buildings for its creativity in blending commercial space with residential living quarters seamlessly without any distractions or obstructions, while being sustainable.

Marina One’s unique architectural louvers, inspired by Asian rice terraces in a valley, allow greater air circulation and improved microclimate thanks to the ‘City in a Garden’ concept.

The characteristic louvers and extensive greenery improve the microclimate and enhance biodiversity. In contrast, the organic form of the building cluster with its iconic louvers contributes to this.

The award-winning Marina One is a Certified LEED Platinum and BCA Greenmark development designed by Ingenhoven Architects. They collaborate with Gustafson Porter + Bowman and ICN Design International as landscape architects.

The complex has two 750-foot-tall office towers and two 475-foot residential buildings connected on lower levels by an open podium. It embraces spacious gardens with tropical plants worldwide. 

The garden includes over 350 varieties of trees and plants, with 700 trees planted in a landscaped area of 37,000 square meters.

4.1 Over 31 Reviews
Review from Google
This place is honestly kind of dead whenever I’m here... Not a lot of people around and some parts can feel pretty quiet compared to other malls in Singapore.

That said, the architecture is really nice. The greenery, open-air design and the way the buildings curve around the central garden make it a really pleasant place to walk around.

I probably wouldn’t come here specifically for shopping, but it’s nice to explore if you’re already in the area and want somewhere quieter with interesting architecture.
Review from Google
Wow lots of good food here. Shiok.
Review from Google
Marina One is truly one of the best spots in Singapore, offering a stunning blend of modern architecture and lush greenery right in the heart of the city. The iconic “Green Heart” creates a peaceful oasis surrounded by towering buildings, making it a perfect escape from the busy urban pace. With a great selection of dining options, cozy cafés, and a relaxing atmosphere, it’s ideal for both casual meetups and family outings. Whether you’re there to unwind, take photos, or enjoy good food, Marina One delivers a unique and refreshing experience every time. 🌿✨
Review from Google
Lovely place to visit the greens! I loved spending time here by myself exploring
Review from Google
Marina One is truly one of the best spots in Singapore, offering a stunning blend of modern architecture and lush greenery right in the heart of the city. The iconic “Green Heart” creates a peaceful oasis surrounded by towering buildings, making it a perfect escape from the busy urban pace. With a great selection of dining options, cozy cafés, and a relaxing atmosphere, it’s ideal for both casual meetups and family outings. Whether you’re there to unwind, take photos, or enjoy good food, Marina One delivers a unique and refreshing experience every time. 🌿✨
Review from Google
Wow, it's so exciting to see a building that's already in the environmental and mixed-use phase—apartment, office, restaurant, hub, and modern forest. Honestly, it's a new experience. It's truly utopian. It feels like architecture used to only talk about buildings, and now it's creating its own forest. 🥰

Will be back!
Kampung Admiralty by WOHA

Kampung Admiralty

Have you ever seen a whole village stacked up to the sky? Let me tell you about Kampung Admiralty, a special place in Singapore that does just that. “Kampung” is the Malay word for “village,” and this building evokes the friendly, community feeling of old days.

I think of it as a “Vertical Village.” Instead of spreading out, it’s built upwards to save space, which is very smart in a busy city like Singapore. Imagine a yummy club sandwich; that’s how this building is layered.

At the bottom, you’ll find the Community Plaza. It’s like a public living room where you can shop, eat at the food court, or just hang out with friends, rain or shine, because a layer above provides shelter.

In the middle is a Medical Centre. This makes it super easy for people living here to see a doctor without having to travel far. The space is designed with big windows and a courtyard, letting in lots of natural light to help everyone feel calm and connected to the world outside.

On the very top, you’ll discover a beautiful Community Park. This rooftop garden is a peaceful village green where you can exercise, chat with neighbors, or even grow plants in the community farm. This is also where you’ll find apartments designed for seniors. The building cleverly includes a childcare center and senior activity spots side-by-side, bringing kids and older adults together to eat, play, and enjoy life.

Before it was built, this spot was just an empty lot. Now, it’s a thriving home with over 700 trees and gardens that even water themselves! This smart system saves over a million gallons of tap water every year.

Kampung Admiralty is more than just a building; it’s a wonderful idea for the future, showing how we can create a caring community where people of all ages can live happily together.

4.3 Over 917 Reviews
Review from Google
Great place. Foul smell. Do they ever bothered to clean the pond? It smells like my grandma’s feet
Review from Google
Had dessert with my extended family. Have both hot and cold.
Review from Google
Very airy. Cool though not air-coned.
Review from Google
Variety foods , pleasant environment to dine.
Review from Google
Had a not so nice to experience with curry puff here at one of the stores. (Banana fries were fine however). The curry puff were spoilt, with all the thread formation clearly visible as i checked since the taste was awful. Worst is I showed the thread formation to the auntie, yet issue wasnt acknowledged and items were not taken away from shelf.. Hope this is a one off incident.
Review from Google
Bought hot Honey Lemon Tea O at the Malay drink stall and the cashier charge me $2.30 when the drink list stated $1.80. I ask the cashier why $2.30 and she say that both hot and cold drink the same price. I told her to inform the management to change if its is same. The glass handle so sticky. Been here few time and notice that the staff attitude very rude Especially the Malay drink stall.

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