Gardens by the Bay: Lessons for Australian Park Design

Some parks are well designed.
Others change the way cities think about public space.

Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is one of those rare projects. It is more than a tourist destination. It is a benchmark for how architecture, landscape design and infrastructure can work together to create a vibrant, climate responsive public realm.

For councils, planners and landscape architects, projects like this raise an important question: what makes a park truly successful? Is it scale, sustainability, innovation, or the way people use it every day?

The answer lies in thoughtful design. Spaces that invite people to gather. Shaded seating that encourages longer stays. Integrated pathways, shelters and public amenities that support movement, comfort and accessibility.

By examining what makes Gardens by the Bay globally recognised, we can better understand how strong design principles translate into lasting value for communities. And how those same principles can inform the future of Australian parks, streets and public spaces.

Cover Photo by Sergio Sala on Unsplash

Why Gardens by the Bay Is a Benchmark in Park Design

Gardens by the Bay is a vast, 101-hectare botanical garden located in the heart of Singapore. A masterpiece of botanical artistry and garden design, it’s also home to multiple groundbreaking innovations that seamlessly blend environmental sustainability, advanced technology, and public engagement in ways never seen before. The park's main world-first features include:

The Supertrees: Sustainability at Architectural Scale

Imagine standing beneath eighteen towering trees, reaching up to 50 meters tall, their trunks draped in vibrant greenery. These aren’t just trees - they’re Supertrees. Home to over 200 plant species, they’re equipped with 5,000 solar panels that generate 1 megawatt of energy to power the park and feed into the city’s grid. The trees also collect rainwater for irrigation, and thanks to the plants, they naturally cool the air by up to 5°C. Visitors can wander along suspended walkways between the Supertrees, soaking in stunning views of the city skyline.

Photo by Kaung Myat Min on Unsplash

Climate Controlled Domes and Immersive Ecosystems

The domes at Gardens by the Bay are groundbreaking in replicating diverse global climates- like tropical rainforests and arid deserts - allowing visitors to experience ecosystems that wouldn’t normally thrive in Singapore's tropical heat. The two domes span over 3 acres, standing 38 meters tall and 120 meters long. The Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse, and the Cloud Forest, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 meters, together house more than 3,000 plant species. The Cloud Forest replicates a cool, misty mountain rainforest, while the Flower Dome showcases plants from arid deserts and Mediterranean climates. Beyond their beauty, these domes serve as educational spaces, raising awareness about climate change and biodiversity, making them a leader in sustainable and immersive park design.

Photo by Jiachen Lin on Unsplash

Smart Technology and Efficient Park Infrastructure

The innovation at Gardens by the Bay lies in how the garden seems to 'think' for itself - where lights only come on when needed, and plants are watered only when they’re thirsty. This is achieved through smart self-adjusting systems that optimise resource use, making the park highly efficient in managing its utilities.

For example, smart lighting automatically adjusts its brightness based on natural light levels, conserving energy. The irrigation system, equipped with soil moisture sensors, ensures water is used only when necessary, reducing waste.

Inside the park’s domes, climate control systems adjust temperature and humidity in real-time, minimising energy use while maintaining ideal conditions for the eco-systems.

The park also incorporates smart technology in its maintenance. Bin sensors alert staff when they’re full, while self-cleaning glass, treated with hydrophobic and photocatalytic coatings, stays clear with minimal upkeep. Additionally, silicone and fluoropolymer water-repellent coatings are applied to structures and walkways, ensuring they remain durable and low-maintenance in all weather conditions.

Photo by Miguel Sousa on Unsplash

Designing Parks That Strengthen Community Connection

From the very beginning, community involvement has been at the heart of Gardens by the Bay’s design. The National Parks Board launched a global competition to find world-class design ideas, and submissions poured in from around the world. The designs were then displayed to the public, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive - 85% of people loved the plans, and 97% said they’d visit the Gardens.

This spirit of community engagement continues today. The park blends cutting edge features like the iconic Supertrees and climate-controlled domes with accessible, multi-purpose spaces. These areas host a variety of activities, from cultural programs to year-round events, ensuring that people from all backgrounds continuously interact, creating a dynamic inclusive space inviting social connection in ways traditional parks do not.

The results speak for themselves: 90% of visitors report being satisfied, and return visits are at an all-time high. In fact, 40% of visitors are locals, thanks to the park’s ever-changing events and seasonal exhibits, which keep people coming back for more.

Turning Global Inspiration into Local Impact

Gardens by the Bay shows what is possible when design, sustainability and community needs align. It is a reminder that public spaces are not simply landscaped areas. They are social infrastructure.

For Australian councils and landscape architects, the challenge is not to replicate a landmark. It is to apply the same principles at a local scale. Thoughtful placement of public seating. Durable street and park furniture designed for harsh climates. Shade structures that extend dwell time. Drinking fountains and barbeques that support everyday use.

Great parks are built on practical decisions. Materials that withstand Australian conditions. Modular park furniture that adapts to evolving layouts. Accessible designs that welcome people with reduced mobility.

At GX Outdoors, we work alongside councils and designers to create robust, adaptable outdoor products for people, parks and streets. From park shelters and public seating to bin enclosures and barbeques, our range is designed to support vibrant public spaces that last.

Global benchmarks inspire us. Local communities shape what we build.

Explore our full range of outdoor products and see how we can support your next project.