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 1861 Reviews
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Nice hotel, nice rooms, steep price, the Pacific Club Lounge offers snacks at 3 and 6 pm, these were not special, unfortunately I got a stomach ache (severe) after breakfast
Staff was friendly
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Avoid booking here if you rely on your credit limit for travel.

During my stay, a front-desk system glitch placed a duplicate pre-authorisation hold on my credit card, freezing my entire full-stay amount twice. This completely maxed out my credit limit and ruined the rest of my travel itinerary.

The front desk and backend finance teams completely failed at service recovery. Because their computer screens didn't show the other "ghost hold", they refused to take initiative or help. They had the payment receipts with the exact merchant codes needed to write a standard manual release letter to my bank, but lacked the training or care to do so. Instead, they left me stranded.

My funds were held hostage for a full 31 days until the bank's system finally timed out. The property is visually nice, but their luxury service completely breaks down if a technical error occurs. They will leave you stranded rather than fixing their own mistake.
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Good hotel, nice accommodations. Friendly Customer Service.
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The rooms was very well kept beddings towels toiletries was sufficient and luxurious. Staff was very friendly. Michelle at reception was exceptional, catering to my needs of adding a third person to our room. Helping us change our room. Our initial room had great shower with great pressure but when we moved to a different floor, the shower plumbing was irregular and we had to reach out to the management several times. Breakfast at Mosella was extensive with two soups every day that I look forward to. The staff was very friendly and work really hard to accommodate the guest. Chef Bol was so accommodating sharing his recipe of sauces and Malaysian dishes. He shared information and ingredients of different dishes with so much enthusiasm and passion. So our breakfast was greatly enriched with nutrition and interaction.
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Very friendly, helpful and nice service exspecially Ms. Carmen (Guest Experience Manager) who handle and solve our room problem very quickly.
Another Mr. Fahmi who as serve at the main lobby entrance outdoor bar is really very nice person, a special glass 'Malaysia flavor coffee ice' from him for us, it's really made my day.
Will come here to have holiday again soon.
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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 3155 Reviews
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We had a wonderful stay at Oasia Hotel Downtown. The facilities are excellent, especially the beautiful Club infinity swimming pool, which was a real highlight, and the wellness activities, which were fantastic and made the stay feel genuinely restorative.

The personnel were exceptionally friendly, kind, and attentive. A special thank-you to Lucas. who was incredibly helpful both before our arrival and throughout our stay. His thoughtful recommendations and warm support made a real difference to our experience.

One area for improvement would be the food: both the breakfast and the complimentary food and drinks offered for Club Room guests could benefit from higher quality. As these are an important part of the Club Lounge experience, enhancing them would make an otherwise excellent stay even better.

Overall, a highly enjoyable hotel with above all outstanding service.
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I had an incredibly pleasant stay at Oasia Hotel. The staff service across the board was fantastic, but I want to give a special shoutout to the concierge team, Syahid and Lucas. Their helpfulness and attention to detail really stood out. Highly recommended!
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Excellent location, very close to the metro. Lucas and Said provided a great welcome, and were extremely kind upon arrival and departure.
Highly recommended.
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Would have given the hotel a full 5 stars if they had been attentive at the start.

Stay from 14- 16 August (2 nights). I emailed them before my stay to request for simple honeymoon decorations but did not specify what.
However, on the day of checking in, I was appalled that the room did not come with any decorations or arrangements. Not even the simplest decoration.

Furthermore, there were some areas that could be improved on such as the water pressure in the shower as well as the lack of internet connectivity in the hotel room.

I'm using a local telco but I had very bad internet connection in the room. The hotel wifi did not help at all too.

I'm quite surprised at the level of service as well as the state of certain amenities that a 4 star hotel offered.

Well, I emailed them to report on these matters and I'm glad that they responded promptly to solve these issues.
However, the internet connectivity in the room is still not up to par.

Will I stay again? Yes for short stays but not for longer stays.
Hotel itself is very aesthetic and location is really good, less than 5 minutes walk to Tanjong Pagar Mrt with my food options and a supermarket nearby. But the hotel certainly did not live up to a 4 stars reputation.
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Modern, well equipped hotel in a convenient location. Staff are super helpful. Rooms are very quiet and dark at night with great beds. Breakfast is good. The rooftop swimming pools could do with more beds/seating.
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Lucas was really great and helpful and also Nanthini
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 5666 Reviews
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Um dos hoteis mais bonitos de singapura. Bem situado. Para visitar as principais atracções a pé.
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Perfect. Fantastic, but above all, the staff and the aesthetics are incredible. Breakfast has a huge variety of food. Perfect for families.
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Lovely place with fantastic service. Highly-rated hotel. Nicely decorated and beautiful.
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Its a luxurious 5 star hotel, private accessible pool gym and seating area, also restaurant.
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The room maintenance was a little lacking, but the common areas and breakfast were excellent, and the location was great, with a shopping mall and restaurants right behind the building.
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PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering is one of the most unique and impressive hotels in Singapore. The hotel's eco-friendly design, lush greenery, and stunning architecture create a beautiful oasis right in the heart of the city.

The rooms are modern, comfortable, and well-appointed, with thoughtful amenities and excellent attention to detail. The facilities, especially the infinity pool and wellness areas, provide a relaxing escape from the busy city environment.

What made the experience even better was the exceptional service. The staff were friendly, professional, and always ready to assist with a smile. Their hospitality made me feel welcomed and valued throughout my stay.

The location is excellent, with easy access to Chinatown, Clarke Quay, and many of Singapore's major attractions. The breakfast selection was extensive and delicious, offering a great mix of local and international options.

Overall, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering delivers a perfect balance of luxury, sustainability, and comfort. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Singapore and would gladly stay here again.
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 98358 Reviews
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Great shopping destination. Aside from the Rain Vortex, there is also the canopy garden where one can relax and rest, not to mention the various restaurants and cafes available as well.
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Singapore International Airport is so beautiful
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Fantastic airport .Spacious ,calm.We has a long lay over.Hot water machine at Terminal 3 helps us a lot .
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It's something you should see at least once.
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In the shopping mall, some people slept overnight in the walkways and seating areas next to the waterfall. There were many different kinds of restaurants.
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Very good maintain with huge capacity.
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 Over 26 Reviews
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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. 🌿✨
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Lovely place to visit the greens! I loved spending time here by myself exploring
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. 🌿✨
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!
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Insanely beautiful waterfall with lush green views, located inside Marina One (The Heart).

This place is packed with food eateries on weekdays, catering mainly to working professionals. On weekends, only Cold Storage is open, which is convenient if you need quick groceries or imported food and snacks.
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Quiet little spot away from the hustle and bustle of cbd. Came here to snap photos. You can take a little walk up via the slopes to admire the architecture. There were tables on the ground floor, good for a quiet solo takeaway lunch or to get some studying or work done even
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 911 Reviews
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Had dessert with my extended family. Have both hot and cold.
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Very airy. Cool though not air-coned.
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Variety foods , pleasant environment to dine.
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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.
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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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Comfortable, big eating place with many food choices. Price of food fair.

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