Unique eco-friendly boutique hotel Garden Pod is located in Gardens by the Bay

On September 20, 2022 a fascinating boutique hotel located in the lush green areas in Gardens by the Bay opened its doors. Built from recycled shipping container, the low-rise structure is simple but impressive, adding a contemporary design on gardens by the bay. Serene Garden, a 2ha open-air park situated in Gardens by the Bay. The design is based on Japanese Zen gardens, the park has plants like podocarpus, bamboo, and junipers. It also has the tropical trees and rock gardens.

Gardens Pod at Gardens by the Bay is an eco-friendly hotel pop-up designed with principles of sustainability to create guests with an unforgettable stay. The hotel was developed of Tiny Pod, a Singapore-based firm that specializes in mobile and sustainable hotels.

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This hotel was the only hotel inside Gardens by the Bay. The hotel was designed by President’s Design Award-winning Laud Architects, it comprises four shipping containers measuring 40 feet that cantilever onto steel structures. This allows the bedrooms, located on the second floor with stunning views across the Serene Garden. The location of containers were designed in a unique pinwheel arrangement which maximizes views while preserving the privacy.

The hotel’s structure is largely constructed of glass and steel that give it a contemporary style. This minimalist look was a deliberate decision, which allowed the hotel to blend in with its surroundings rather than separating guests from the beautiful surrounding.

Based on Laud Architectural Associates, Garden Pod incorporates a range of environmentally friendly attributes. This includes the addition of insulation, as well as using double-glazed glass and an exterior with a white finish to reduce heat. The roofs of each container are fitted with photovoltaic panels which harvest solar energy, which accounts for 80% of the daily energy use. The lift system in the hotel was reused from an old show unit which has reduced the cost of fabrication.

The hotel’s unique design and well-thought-out design, has earned numerous awards for its development including an award from the Singapore Institute of Architects Design Award for Special Categories (Innovation Materials as well as Construction Details) from 2023. The hotel was also one of the finalists at the World Architecture Festival 2023.

Garden Pod has also garnered recognition at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2023, at which it was awarded the inaugural award for the most sustainable hotel Development.

Tranquil retreat
Garden Pod comprises just four suites. Every suite is a two-plex with 753 square feet of space and comes with an ensuite bathroom equipped kitchen, as well as free WiFi. The dining, kitchen and living spaces are on the upper level as well as an outside patio. A spiral staircase within the suite leads to the bedroom which has a king-sized bed, as well as the queen-sized Murphy bed. There’s also an extra sofa bed in the upper level. Thus, each suite can take up to five people.

The constraints in a shipping container was with its own difficulties. Based on Tiny Pod making a viable layout was a challenge due to the tiny 2.4m wide of the container. It also determined the width of the steel structure at the top. To overcome this, larger containers with 3m height were employed, which allowed for higher ceilings in the rooms which create a feeling of space and a sense of space, particularly in conjunction with the windows that were full height and windows.

Additionally, the suite incorporates subtle design elements from sustainable sources provided by local artisans who will provide a truly immersive experience. The suite is each scented with an aroma that includes tea and floral notes by the perfume Maison of L’Asie. Glassware producer Soda Lemon provides drinking glasses made of recycled glass and also containers for display terrariums. Unique coasters made of recycled plastic were made available through The Plastic Project Singapore.

The hotel doesn’t have reception or a front desk and reception, and instead uses Tiny Pod opting instead for digital locks and an app that creates an encrypted password for guests. It’s also located near the open-air car park located at The Meadow at Gardens by the Park and offers guests easy parking.

Setting the stage for sustainable hotels
Garden Pod is the latest hotel venture from Tiny Pod and its first attempt at the luxury sustainable hotel industry. Tiny Pod also operates container hotels in one-north, as well as Pasir Panjang Road which is located near Haw Par Villa MRT Station.

According to TinyPod, Garden Pod will be dismantled and relocated to another site in Singapore within a couple of years after the lease for Gardens by the Bay expires. Shipping containers in conjunction with the hotel’s steel lightweight structures, can be removed and moved to a new site to be erected there. The ultimate goal for the establishment is to create little footprint on the landscape and reduce waste to an absolute minimal level.

The EPEA judges were impressed with the hotel’s innovative idea of reusing containers to create an unique boutique hotel experience in addition to providing an example of how sustainability could be integrated into the hospitality industry.

“It’s an initiative that can start the discussion on sustainability, which will impact the future generations of people,” says Sky Seah academic director of the Master in Science in Real Estate, at the National University of Singapore and the judge at the upcoming EPEA. She adds that projects like Garden Pod play an important role in creating the conditions to future, better versions of sustainable construction in Singapore.