A regenerative eco-resort immersed in nature

Singapore, which champions the evolution from “Garden City” to “City in Nature,” boldly expresses this vision through architecture in Mandai Eco Resort, designed by WOW Architects.  WOW Architects was appointed as the architect, following a competitive design pitch. The winning proposal envisioned a regenerative resort carefully embedded adjacent to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Rather than simply blending into the environment, the architecture enhances the natural landscape. By inverting the conventional zoo paradigm—where guests are typically separated from nature and wildlife—the resort redefines the relationship: humans become part of the jungle ecosystem, coexisting harmoniously with native flora and fauna.

Treehouse View
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Architecture and landscape

The 4.6-hectare site, previously used for back-of-house operations of the Singapore Zoo, has been sensitively transformed. The architectural massing adapts to the terrain and existing vegetation, while replanting of native species enhances the site’s ecological value. Inspired by the form of the Liana vine, the building branches and weaves through the forest. It avoids having a fixed façade, instead existing as a fluid structure where architecture and ecology merge into a living, breathing organism.

Panoramic View of Mandai Rainforest Resort
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

East Pool Pavillon
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Resort Entrance
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Dragonfly Eco Pond
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Lobby Staircase
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Lobby
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The resort houses 338 guest rooms, including 24 elevated treehouses. Each unit is designed for open-air living, using passive strategies to optimize natural ventilation and comfort. The result is Singapore’s first super-low energy hotel, achieving approximately 40% less energy consumption compared to conventional benchmarks. This energy efficiency is the result of an integrated environmental strategy: naturally ventilated corridors and lobbies, mixed-mode air conditioning in rooms, solar panels, and Passive Displacement Ventilation (PDV) in the treehouses—where cool air circulates silently without conventional compressors.

Standard King Guest Room
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Standard King Guest Room Veranda
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Family Room
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Treehouse Suite Bathroom
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Treehouse Suite Veranda
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

The main guest wings, 4–5 storeys tall, gently meander through the jungle. The treehouses, shaped like seed pods, are positioned carefully among existing trees and are connected by forest pathways or elevated walkways. A significant number of existing trees were conserved on-site, including species of high conservation value. Additional roof and façade planting, along with strategic reforestation, is expected to double the current tree count and significantly enhance biodiversity.

GuestRooms Block
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Guestrooms
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Treehouse Pods
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Interior design

The interior continues the narrative of adventure and discovery inspired by the layered jungle landscape. Designed to harmonize with the tropical climate, the interiors encourage guests to adapt, explore, and feel closer to nature. Guest rooms offer sheltered comfort while maintaining a close connection to the surrounding forest. Sliding doors, verandas, and balconies extend the indoor space outward, with material continuity between interior and exterior. Bathrooms are designed to be naturally lit and feature sliding panels that open into the bedroom for a more spacious, integrated feel. Local artists and artisans contributed to wall murals, furniture, and art pieces that reflect the jungle’s ecology. These elements help guests connect with and remember the unique flora and fauna of the Mandai region.

Spa and Wellness Pod
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Spa and Wellness Pod Interor
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Spa and Wellness Reception
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Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Pool Pod
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Textures & Craftmanship at Mandai Rainforest Resort
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Resort operations for a conscious stay

The resort is operated by Singapore’s own Banyan Tree Group, whose core sustainability ethos—“Embracing the Environment & Empowering People”—guides the guest experience. The focus is on responsible consumption, meaningful connection, and wellbeing-driven hospitality that inspires guests to reduce their impact and help protect the natural world. WOW Architects led the design and collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to ensure sustainability in all aspects of planning and execution. Partners included Atelier Ten (Environmental Design), Arup (Mechanical & Electrical), Bo Steiber (Lighting), Ramboll Environ (Ecology), Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl (Landscape), Warner Wong Design (Interior), and Web Structures (Structural Engineering). A dedicated advisory group of academics and experts provided guidance in fields such as education, sustainability, ecology, horticulture, and acoustics. Expanding upon Banyan Tree’s sustainability values, WOW Architects envisioned a regenerative eco-resort that does more than coexist with the jungle—it actively restores and enhances it. The final design blurs the line between architecture and nature, aiming to leave the site in better ecological condition than before, and offering guests an immersive and mindful stay.

Forage Dining
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Rooftop Pool
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

Rooftop View
Photo credit: Aaron Pocock Photography

About WOW Architects

WOW Architects is an international consultancy offering services in architecture, interior design, landscape design, and master planning. Their mission is to create immersive sensory experiences rooted in culture, memory, and place. The studio specializes in hospitality, residential, and commercial projects, with strong concepts driven by lifestyle and context.