The New Science Centre Singapore is a SG$639.5 million (~US$470 million), 55,000-square-metre landmark STEM education and cultural destination being built on a 7.4-hectare site adjacent to Chinese Garden MRT station in Singapore’s Jurong Lake District, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with Architects 61 and developed by the Science Centre Board under Singapore’s Ministry of Education. Comprising five interlocking rectangular volumes housing exhibition galleries, interactive labs, a new Observatory, a Digital Fabrication Lab, a Makerspace, rooftop gardens, and a 30-metre wide outdoor Activity Plaza — the building appears to float above the surrounding parkland and serves as a gateway between the MRT station and Jurong Lake Gardens. Construction commenced in Q1 2025, with the new centre targeted to open around end-2027, coinciding with Science Centre Singapore’s 50th anniversary, while the current Science Centre in Jurong East will continue operating until the new facility is ready. The Science Centre’s construction timeline runs in parallel with Singapore’s most consequential current building project, as Las Vegas Sands has appointed Woh Hup as main contractor for the US$8 billion Marina Bay Sands IR2 expansion — a standalone 55-storey all-suite resort tower, 15,000-seat arena, and luxury entertainment complex targeting structural completion in June 2030 and a guest opening in early 2031, together underscoring the extraordinary scale of Singapore’s built environment pipeline in this decade.
Project Overview
Type: New-build national science and technology education centre (museum/attraction)
Location: Boon Lay Way, adjacent to Chinese Garden MRT station, Jurong Lake District, Singapore
Site area: 7.4 hectares
Total building size: ~55,000 square metres (~25% larger than current 47,000 sqm centre)
Total project cost: SG$639.5 million (~US$470 million)
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) + Architects 61 Pte Ltd (Principal Consultant)
Contractor: Obayashi Singapore Private Limited
Design concept: Five interlocking rectangular volumes; “monocle” panoramic windows overlooking Jurong Lake; building appears to float above parkland; courtyards and gardens connecting MRT to Chinese Garden
Groundbreaking ceremony: November 1, 2023
Construction start: Q1 2025
Target opening: End-2027 (Science Centre’s 50th anniversary year)
Key facilities: Exhibition galleries, interactive laboratories, Observatory, Digital Fabrication Lab, Makerspace, rooftop gardens (event space), 30m outdoor Activity Plaza, night programming spaces, admin offices, visitor services
Extended hours: Plans for regular night programming and after-dark STEM exhibitions
Existing centre: Current Jurong East Science Centre remains open until new facility is ready
Context: Key anchor attraction for the Jurong Lake District masterplan; integrated with Jurong Lake Gardens and future Cross Island Line (Phase 2) and Jurong Region Line stations
Community engagement: “New Science Centre: Wonderfully Yours” public showcase now open at current centre; architectural scale model on display
Project Team
Owner: Government of Singapore
Developer: Science Centre Board
Science Centre Board Chairman: Ms Tan Yen Yen
Science Centre Board Chief Executive: Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng
Minister for Education: Mr Chan Chun Sing
Senior Minister/Patron: Mr Teo Chee Hean
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (London) + Architects 61 Pte Ltd (Singapore) — Principal Consultant
General Contractor: Obayashi Singapore Private Limited
Infrastructure developer: JTC Corporation (land and infrastructure delivery)
Masterplan context: Jurong Lake District (JLD) — Singapore’s second Central Business District
Published 21st October 2024: As a country with the highest per capita investment in Science and Technology in the world, it’s no surprise that a massive project like Science Centre Singapore is currently in the works. However, more than the main objective of fostering STEM education further, the new centre will feature “Science meets Nature” for the public, which everyone expects to bring in more interest.
Brief History
Previously called the Singapore Science Centre, it was part of the National Museum, but the government decided to convert it into a new institution in 1969 in order for the museum to focus more on arts and history collections.
The Science Centre Singapore, on the other hand, was aimed to be the cornerstone of technological and scientific education in the Lion City. The idea was originally coined by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, then known as the Science Council of Singapore.
The 60,000 square meter building, costing roughly SG$12 million, successfully opened on December 10, 1977. From then on, it has seen a couple of renovations, but the Urban Development Authority declared in 2008 that the government planned to transfer the facility to its current project location in 10 to 15 years.
Science Centre Singapore Project Overview
As the building is within the Jurong Lake District, it will maximize visitors’ experience, who not only will be awed by the wonders of science and technology but will have an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature via the lake’s gorgeous landscapes and the surrounding gardens.
The new building will total 55,000 square meters in size, which is around 25% bigger than the current building. The completion will coincide with the Centre’s 50th anniversary in 2027. Zaha Hadid Architects designed it in collaboration with Architects 61 PTE Ltd.
Some of the planned amenities of the building include rooftop gardens, an immense outdoor plaza, and extensive windows. All of these will provide sweeping views of Jurong Lake, as well as the nature trails.
The building comprises five connected units containing a wide array of interactive labs, exhibition galleries, and different facilities and events spaces, as well as admin offices and service areas.
The design gives the centre-goers the feeling that the building floats above the parkland, and its gardens and courtyards lead from the MRT station to the Chinese Garden. It will also feature a new Observatory, a Digital Fabrication Lab, and a Makerspace. Learners will definitely not run out of things to enjoy and discover.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Science Centre Board held the groundbreaking ceremony on November 1, 2023, for the new Science Centre Singapore, adjacent to the Chinese Garden MRT station. The project aims to be one of the main attractions for the Jurong Lake District.
Among those who officiated the ceremony are the following:
- Mr Chan Chun Sing – Minister for Education
- Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng – Chief Executive of the Science Centre Board
- Ms Tan Yen Yen – Chairman of the Science Centre Board
- Mr Teo Chee Hean – Patron of Science Centre Board
The Centre will also feature immersive learning, cutting-edge technology, and interactive exhibits that will definitely encourage kids to explore science more than ever. There are also plans to partner with program developers to come up with exhibitions that encourage parents and guardians alike to actively participate in activities to support and boost children’s learning experiences.
In the end, the ultimate goal is for people of all ages and all walks of life to not only want to visit and be entertained but also leave the venue with kindled interest or even awakening strong enough for them to delve deeper into science and technology.
Factsheet
Owner: Government of Singapore
Project: Science Centre
Developer: Science Centre Board
Location: Boon Lay Way / Jurong Lake District, Singapore
Contractor: Obayashi Singapore Private Limited
Value: Estimated SG$639.50m
Construction Start: June 2024
Construction End: October 2027
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