1 and 7 Science Park Drive at Geneo

SAA Architects Pte Ltd

Client: CapitaLand Singapore (BP&C) Pte Ltd

Geneo: A Summary of Key Innovations —

'Geneo' is a new life sciences and innovation cluster formed as part of Singapore Science Park’s (SSP) rejuvenation masterplan. Founded 40 years ago, SSP has 350 multinational companies and start-ups within the R&D and technology sectors, housed in an extensive 55-hectare campus five miles to the west of the Singapore Central Business District. Geneo's life sciences cluster incorporates a series of innovations responding to the changing needs of the science park typology, laboratory and tech workspaces, and social spaces in work environments. Re-thinking the Science Park Typology — The SSP was built in the 1980s as a ‘Campus’-type development with buildings spaced far apart and set back from the road. Today’s high-tech workforce requires a more active, urban environment with amenities and services. The Geneo scheme comprises five buildings — totalling 151,344 sqm of floor space — that are placed close to street level, forming an active streetscape. Spaces between buildings are used for pocket gardens and more intimate and carefully landscaped interventions. The result is a completely different environment that has the excitement and vibrancy of an urban setting. Re-thinking the Life-Sciences Workspace — Tech firms are seeking larger and highly flexible workspaces that can adapt over time. To give businesses freedom to reconfigure based on evolving needs, Geneo creates adaptable, super-deep column-free workspaces of approximately 20 metres with long facades of 90 metres. Over 80,000 sqm of the new workspace is designed for biomedical R&D. Specialised laboratory configurations include exhaust risers to the roof to meet ventilation requirements, floor traps for dry and wet laboratory types, and low-vibration flooring to accommodate sensitive laboratory equipment. At the same time, there is an increased interest in the role of collaboration in the workspace. Geneo has also re-imagined the office lobby as a ‘City Room’ — a super-sized lobby that incorporates space for informal social gatherings, and larger-scale presentations and events. Re-thinking Social Spaces at the Workplace — The separation between work and home life is increasingly blurred. Employees are looking for flexibility, work-life balance, and an increased range of easily accessible amenities. In response, the new GENEO scheme features a spectacular ‘Event Plaza’ at its heart, with a branching glulam timber structure. This 24-metre-high space is the social centre of the new GENEO development and features over 3,000 sqm of restaurants and cafes as well as spaces for presentations, performances, and events. The plaza is naturally ventilated and designed to withstand tropical sun and rain. In addition to the Event Plaza, there is a large central garden with spaces for lunch, contemplation, and exercise — a basketball court, yoga deck, running track, and cycling paths. Geneo also introduces SSP’s first lodging facility, the 250-key Citadines Science Park Singapore — a 10,000 sqm serviced residence that accommodates long-term and short-term stays, equipped with a gym, swimming pool, restaurant, and café.