Singapore is making waves on the global architectural stage with its impressive Pan Pacific Orchard, recently crowned the World’s Best New Tall Building by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). This award recognizes not just the height of skyscrapers, but also innovation, sustainability, and design aesthetics. The Pan Pacific Orchard is being described as more of a "hotel in nature" than merely another urban development, showcasing how cities can integrate greenery and living spaces seamlessly.
Announced on October 9th, 2024, the CTBUH praised the hotel for its "groundbreaking approach to high-density urbanism," showcasing tropical plants climbing structural columns and hanging from edges where guests relax by lagoon-style swimming pools. The essence of the design orbits around the concept of biophilia, which emphasizes people's innate affinity for nature, making this building more than just brick and mortar.
The architecture, conceived by the locally renowned firm WOHA, offers guests not just lodgings but experiences grounded in nature. The Pan Pacific Orchard stands tall at about 140 meters, with its unique features including terraces themed around Singapore’s rich natural heritage. There’s the Forest Terrace, which welcomes visitors to its cascading waterfall and native plant species; the Beach Terrace, with its pool shaded by palm trees; the Garden Terrace, featuring walking trails around lush lawns; and the Cloud Terrace, which offers stunning city views and serves as event space.
Unlike conventional hotels, the Pan Pacific Orchard feels more like part of the neighborhood rather than just another towering building. Architect Hong Wei Phua expressed this sentiment: "You experience the hotel not as a very big building, but at more of a neighborhood scale. Instead of arriving at a podium —into an internalized space, or a maze of rooms and passages— you enter it as if you’re stepping directly onto forest ground.”
This design philosophy breaks away from the typical podium and tower style by incorporating elements of public space, making it freely accessible even to pedestrians who walk by. The operational amenities are also noteworthy, with 347 rooms, most featuring balconies offering expansive views of the landscaped terraces, and visitors can indulge at the hotel's two restaurants or impressive 400-seat ballroom.
Another exciting highlight is the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, evidenced by the rooftop solar panels and green space far exceeding Singapore’s strict regulations, which mandate developers to incorporate greenery within their builds. Not only does the Pan Pacific Orchard meet those regulations, but it also triples them, setting the standard for future developments within the city.
Visitors who wish to experience this “hotel retreat” don’t need to break the bank. A standard two-bedroom suite, which includes distinct features like rain showers and expansive views, is priced competitively at around R4,918. This accessibility furthers the hotel’s aim of catering to both guests and the public alike.
The Pan Pacific Orchard reflects Singapore’s broader vision of creating what the nation’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, dubbed the "garden city". Since the 1960s, the government has pushed for green buildings, something visibly evident as greenery flows from high-rise structures and public spaces alike. Recent efforts have seen the city-state incorporate Asia’s tallest wooden building and others with verdant exteriors, improving the urban countryside aesthetic.
Since its inception, CTBUH has championed high-rise architecture and its architects, recognizing transformative structures annually. Past winners of the Best Tall Building title include iconic skyscrapers such as One Vanderbilt Avenue and the Quay Quarter Tower, which was spotlighted for its sustainability through its upcycling of older structures.
For those hoping to visit Singapore and witness this architectural marvel, the Pan Pacific Orchard isn’t just about luxury stays; it stands as commitment to sustainable living and innovative design principles. It's more than just another hotel; it’s about the experience, the ambiance, and the integrated approach to urban living, drawing tourists and locals alike to embrace the greenery intertwined with contemporary architecture. With every corner filled with tropical flora and climbing vines, the hotel exemplifies how urban development can coexist with nature.
Singapore’s Pan Pacific Orchard has proven itself not only as the address for upscale accommodations but also as the embodiment of biophilic principles at their best. This recognition as the world’s best new tall building serves as both acknowledgment of its design triumphs and inspiration for future developments worldwide, showing how nature can keep thriving within the urban jungle.
