New Science Centre in Jurong Lake District: Design details unveiled, opening pushed back to 2027

SINGAPORE — The detailed design of the new Science Centre in Jurong Lake District has been unveiled by the Science Centre Board on Friday (Dec 2), and the centre is set to open in 2027, two years later than projected.

Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, who attended on Friday the Science Centre’s Untame: After Dark event — the third yearly edition of the centre’s education activity series — said: “We are happy with the proposed overall design for the new Science Centre and are putting the finishing touches to the final design. With that, we are ready to start work next year.” 

The new centre was scheduled at first to open by 2025. The Science Centre Board, in response to TODAY's queries, said that the progress of the project was reviewed in light of construction delays and disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We have also taken this additional time to do a number of value engineering studies to optimise the cost of the building, with the revised timeline having to be pushed back to around 2027.

"The current Science Centre will continue to serve the needs of Singaporeans and tourists till the new Science Centre is ready," the board added.

The existing Science Centre — which first opened in December 1977 in Jurong industrial estate to promote interest and learning in science and technology to students and the general public — is located on Science Centre Road off Jurong Town Hall Road.

Now that the new centre will open its doors in 2027, that will also mark its 50th anniversary.

The new building will be located next to Chinese Garden MRT Station and will be part of the setting for a 7ha integrated tourism development that will include attractions, restaurants and hotels. 

In a joint news release by the Ministry of Education and Science Centre Singapore, they said that the new centre will consist of five interlocking rectangular blocks with large glass window openings that serve as “monocles” offering strategic views of the lake.

It is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with Architects 61.

The structure will appear to float above the parkland and lake, with outdoor gardens and courtyards surrounding it.

Visitors may look forward to a new observatory to learn about astronomical events, and there are plans to engage educational institutions and the community to collaborate on activities and exhibitions.

When it opens, the centre will also extend its opening hours for more regular night programming, to offer specially curated “after-dark” science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) exhibitions and programmes for adult visitors. 

The new Science Centre will feature a children’s gallery that is more than twice the size of the current children’s wing named KidsStop. 

The gallery will have its own interactive outdoor waterplay area, discovery trails in a secondary forest, and a sensory trail at the roof garden. 

Older students may visit specialised laboratories and workshops that encourage hands-on learning of scientific concepts. 

For instance, the new Eco-Lab will support students in scientific investigations, where they can retrieve and analyse biological, water or soil samples taken directly from the Eco-Garden, and continue to monitor the data collected from the samples with Internet of Things equipment.

They may do so using their personal learning devices in school or at home.

There will be a Digital Fabrication Lab as well that will support incubator programmes to nurture the entrepreneurial aspirations of the young and a Makerspace for people to bring their imagination to life. 

A focal point of the new Science Centre will be a new outdoor activity plaza.

The Ministry of Education and Science Centre Board said that there will be many possibilities for placemaking activities at this plaza, for both Stem programmes as well as to bring in the community for civic activities, "adding buzz to the Jurong Lake District". 

The Science Centre Board said that the new centre, which was designed with sustainability principles in mind, will aim to be a super low energy building with the adoption of green technologies and intelligent building management systems to reduce energy use. 

The centre will also educate visitors on sustainability practices such as vertical farming systems through its programmes and exhibitions. 

The board also said that it aims to strengthen existing collaborations and grow new partnerships with companies here and institutes of higher learning. 

It is seeking to showcase Singapore innovations to the world, and celebrate the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of Singaporeans. 

It will also engage stakeholders such as schools, community and industry partners to co-create Stem programmes, and plan exhibitions and activities, in subsequent years.

Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, chief executive of the Science Centre Board, said that the board has been experimenting with new programmes and exhibition formats at the current site, “taking note of the best practices we can apply to provide enhanced experiences to our audiences”.

“Top of the list is to seek community partnerships to ensure we co-create a place that individuals will not only want to visit, but also leave feeling more curious about science,” he added.