IMMERSIVE RAINFOREST PARK CO-DESIGNED BY GRANT ASSOCIATES OPENS IN SINGAPORE
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Asia’s first adventure-based zoological park - Rainforest Wild Asia - opened to the public on 12 March 2025. Designed to offer an immersive and sensory journey, the 13-hectare wildlife park is a bold new addition to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a world-leading nature and wildlife destination in Singapore.
Grant Associates was appointed in 2017 by Mandai Wildlife Group, the developer of Singapore’s fifth wildlife park, to co-lead on the landscape vision up to tender, alongside CLR Design. Following the initial design work by Grant Associates and CLR Design, the design and build contract was awarded to contractor China Jingye Engineering Corporation in 2020, who engaged DP Architects and DP Green as part of their consultant team to develop and implement the project.
Working in collaboration with Mandai Wildlife Group, the design team created a wildlife park that invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The park features open, naturalistic habitats where animals like the hog deer, Malayan tiger and bearded pig roam freely within, without visible barriers. Visitors can expect chance animal sightings as they explore the park’s thoughtfully designed landscapes, replicating the feeling of an authentic rainforest adventure.
Each guest can choose their level of adventure, which varies in intensity and offers different perspectives of animal habitats along the way. Guests can navigate the different layers of the rainforest, from the forest floor, canopy to the cavern via universally designed elevated walkways for leisurely strolls or forest treks for those seeking a challenging but fun route. For the daring, there are additional options such as harnessed, guided tours which take participants along a via ferrata path to scale karst walls of up to 20m or onto a simulated cave expedition where they can abseil 10-meters down and navigate narrow tunnels in darkness. For a quick adrenaline rush, visitors can take part in other adventure activities and experience the thrill of stepping off a 13m or 20m platform for a freefall experience with a gradual descent.
Over 7,000 trees and shrubs, native to Southeast Asia, were planted to the site, complementing the existing protected tree clusters, enhancing the natural feel of the environment. Focal points and interactive activities are scattered throughout the park to ensure that every guest remains engaged with the exploration theme, with opportunities to gather information and learn about the rainforest ecosystem.
Andrew Grant, founder and director at Grant Associates, says: “This project redefines what it means to connect with nature. Our approach has been to create a landscape that feels as authentic and immersive as possible, allowing visitors to step into the heart of a thriving rainforest ecosystem. We’re thrilled to see this vision come to life and hope it inspires a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and conservation."
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Project credits: Mandai Wildlife Group
Location: Mandai, Singapore
Construction began: 2020
Completion: March 2025
Client: Mandai Park Development Ltd
Site size: 13 hectares
Architect:CPG Consultants
Master planner/ Zoo Specialist: CLR Design
Landscape Architect: Grant Associates
C&S Engineers: ECOM
M&E Engineers: Squire Mech
Quantity surveyor: Arcadis Singapore
Adventure Specialist: Stretchmarks Asia
Irrigation Specialist: Water Equipment Technology
Lighting Designer: Lighting Planners Associates
Signage Designer: Acacia Design
Arborist & Biodiversity Specialist: Camphora
Main Contractor: China Jingye Engineering Corporation
Design Consultants: DP Architects
DP Green
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Editors notes
About Grant Associates Grant Associates is a pioneering international landscape architecture practice, whose work reconnects people with nature in insightful, delightful and distinctive ways whilst addressing the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate crisis and biodiversity extinction. Grant Associates’ design process is underpinned by a knowledge of human behaviour, nature and ecological science combined with innovative design technology. The practice combines original thinking, creative collaboration and regenerative design to breathe new life into our cities and landscapes.
