Just off the southern coast of Singapore, Sentosa Island is host to thousands of tropical plant and wildlife species, making it more than a simple theme park attraction. In order to draw attention to this important natural heritage, the Sentosa Leisure Group decided to transform one of the island’s abandoned monorail stations into a nature trail and discovery center, geared towards opening young people’s eyes to the wonders of the wild. gsmprjct° was chosen to undertake this remarkable metamorphosis.
What is the best way to help people appreciate and understand nature? For gsmprjct°, the answer is in giving people the tools to discover nature on their own, by introducing them to basic science process skills such as observation, classification and analysis. Colorful, fun graphic interactives taught visitors to identify types of birds from their beak shape or colouring, while textured trunk-like columns invited visitors to touch and feel for different bark types. Installed in the old monorail station’s open-air space, the interactives were designed to withstand the heat, humidity and rain of Sentosa’s tropical climate.
Before hitting the trail, school groups and families could relax in a multi-purpose family room, outfitted with a film projection screen and a colorful showcase display with wildlife specimens, or take a peek at the temporary exhibition held next door, a space easily reconfigured to host workshops or educational programs. Armed with the necessary tools, visitors could then pick up a trail guide and follow the former train tracks, now transformed into a pedestrian boardwalk, to discover Sentosa’s natural treasures.