Mandai Resort
Located at the heart of the Mandai forest, Mandai Resort is Eco.id’s proposal for Singapore’s first and only rainforest eco-resort. From material selection to the incorporation of nature throughout the architecture, Eco.id’s nature-inspired approach engages the Mandai forest to create an immersive experience that seamlessly blurs the boundary between the indoors and outdoors.
As an environmentally progressive eco-resort designed for multi-generational education and leisure, Mandai Resort hopes to cultivate an appreciation of wildlife and environmentally sustainable practices amongst the guests.
Its site-responsive design follows the found terrains and is orchestrated to minimize the disturbance to the surrounding flora and fauna.
While the fruits of the rainforest and endemic species such as the Bat Lily drive the narrative of the eco-lodge, water is used as the main constituent of the arrival experience with the creation of vantage points, framing the views of the Seletar River. The water element, symbolic in nature, welcomes guests to the beginning of their exciting journey towards the eco-lodge.
Surrounding the reflective pool is a Village of Pavilions, consisting of the reception, lounge and an interactive centre for research and monitoring of the health of the forest.
Combining modern design with traditional elements, each pavilion is conceived with a seamless layout with spacious and airy interiors, paying homage to the traditional settlements of Kampungs in early Singapore.
Tucked in the periphery of the arrival zone lies a Health and Wellness Retreat, which offers guests a one-stop place to relax and re-energize amidst the tranquil rainforest. With green curtains of cascading Vernonia elliptica creepers, the two storey pavilion houses the Forest Spa and Specialty Restaurant.
Throughout the development, paths intertwine between lush natural setting to come close to the natural habitats. Using the existing terrain and varying levels throughout the site, walkpaths on the ground level seamlessly become elevated tree-top walks, creating an alternative way of experiencing the journey.
The Rainforest Living Room, set in the center of the resort, comprises the All Day Dining restaurant which serves culinary delights inspired by the flavors of the rainforest.
The Mandai Resort also offers visitors to participate in glamping, a way of camping that allows the experience of the outdoors while retaining the luxury comforts of an accommodation.
Nestled among the trees, the Treehouse Observer Cabins offer an alternate form of glamping and mimics the surrounding trees in its external appearance. The staggering heights and radial composition gives each of the 12 cabins a unique vantage point in all directions.
With the incorporation of Mandai’s natural environment to enhance the visitor experience for guests, the eco.id team hopes that the Mandai Resort will be a memorable destination resort where humans, wildlife and nature can co-exist side by side symbiotically.
