Garden Pod: A one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly boutique hotel in Gardens by the Bay

/ EdgeProp Singapore |

October 13, 2023 10:50 AM SGT

Seah Liang Chiang (left), founder and CEO of Tiny Pod, receiving the Best Sustainable Hotel Development award for Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay from Khew Sin Khoo, president and group CEO of CPG Corp (Albert Chua/The Edge Singapore)

In September 2022, an intriguing boutique hotel set within the verdant green spaces of Gardens by the Bay opened its doors. Made out of repurposed shipping containers, the low-rise building is minimal yet striking, lending a modern touch to the Serene Garden, a 2ha outdoor park in Gardens by the Bay. Modelled after Japanese Zen gardens, the park features plants such as bamboo, podocarpus and junipers, along with rock gardens and tropical trees.

Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay is an eco-friendly pop-up hotel that was crafted using sustainable principles to provide a one-of-a-kind stay for guests. The hotel is a project by Tiny Pod, a Singapore-based company that specialises in moveable and sustainable hotels.

The hotel is the first and only hotel located in Gardens by the Bay. Designed by President’s Design Award winner Laud Architects, it comprises four 40-foot shipping containers that are cantilevered onto metal structures. This enables all bedrooms, which are located on the second level, to enjoy views of Serene Garden. The placement of the containers was done in a distinctive pinwheel layout, further maximising views while maintaining privacy.

The structure of the hotel is largely made up of steel and glass, lending to its contemporary look. The minimalist design was an intentional choice, allowing the building to blend into its surroundings, rather than distracting guests from the beauty of the surroundings.

According to Laud Architects, Garden Pod incorporates a number of sustainable features. These include adding a layer of insulation and using double-glazed glass as well as a white exterior finish to help repel heat. Each container roof is installed with photovoltaic panels that harvest solar energy that supplies about 80% of its daily energy consumption. Meanwhile, the lift system at the hotel was repurposed from a decommissioned show unit, reducing fabrication costs.

The hotel’s unique concept, together with its thoughtful design, has garnered the development distinguished awards, such as the Singapore Institute of Architects Design Award for Special Categories (Innovation, Material and Construction Detailing) in 2023. It was also a finalist at the World Architecture Festival 2023.

Garden Pod has also garnered recognition at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2023, where it was presented the inaugural award for Best Sustainable Hotel Development.

Tranquil retreat

Garden Pod comprises just four suites. Each suite is a duplex unit spanning 753 sq ft that comes with an en suite bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. The kitchen, dining and living areas are located on the first level, along with a private outdoor patio. A spiral staircase inside the suites leads up to the bedroom, where there is a king-size bed as well as a queen-size Murphy bed. There is also a sofa bed on level one. Hence, each suite can accommodate up to five people.

Working within the constraints of a shipping container came with its own challenges. According to Tiny Pod, achieving a practical layout was difficult, given the narrow 2.4m width of the container, which also dictated the width of the metal structure on the first floor. To counter this, taller containers with a height of 3m were used, allowing the interiors to have higher ceilings that provide a sense of space, especially in combination with the suites’ full-height glass doors and windows.

In addition, the suite integrates subtle sustainable design touches supplied by local artisans that help provide an immersive guest experience. Each unit is scented with a perfume containing floral and tea scent notes from fragrance house Maison de L’asie. Glassware maker Soda Lemon provides drinking glasses made from upcycled glass as well as containers housing terrarium displays. Unique coasters made out of recycled plastic were supplied by The Plastic Project Singapore.

The hotel does not have a front desk or reception, with Tiny Pod opting instead for digital locks and an app that generates a secure password for guests. It is also situated close to the open-air car park at The Meadow at Gardens by the Park, offering guests convenient access to parking.

Paving the way for sustainable hotels

Garden Pod is the latest hotel project by Tiny Pod and its first foray into the luxury sustainable hotel space. The company also operates container hotels located at one-north as well as Pasir Panjang Road, near Haw Par Villa MRT Station.

According to Tiny Pod, Garden Pod will be dismantled and moved to another location in Singapore in a few years, once its lease at Gardens by the Bay expires. The shipping containers, together with the hotel’s lightweight steel structures, can be easily disassembled and relocated to a new location to be assembled there. Ultimately, the goal of the hotel is to leave minimal impact on the land and keep wastage to a minimum.

The EPEA judges were impressed by the hotel’s novel concept of upcycling containers to create a unique boutique hotel experience, in addition to being an example of how sustainability can be weaved into the hotel industry.

“It’s an idea that will kickstart the conversation on sustainability, which in turn will affect the next generation,” says Sky Seah, academic director, Master of Science in Real Estate, at the National University of Singapore and a judge for this year’s EPEA. She adds that initiatives such as Garden Pod play an important role in paving the way for future, better iterations of sustainable buildings in Singapore.

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Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay

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