Latest news with #Mandai
CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
A look at the new Mandai North Crematorium
Scroll up for the next video X A look at the new Mandai North Crematorium
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
New Mandai crematorium and ash-scattering garden to open on Aug 15
SINGAPORE: A new crematorium and ash-scattering garden will open in Mandai on Aug 15, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday (Jul 28). Located next to the existing Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium complex, the new Mandai North Crematorium will use automated guided vehicles to transport coffins and lockers for ash collection. It has six service and viewing halls and can house 18 cremators, but will begin operations with three halls equipped with nine cremators. It will start with four cremation services daily and ramp up progressively in the coming months. NEA said it will fit out the remaining halls and add the additional cremators to meet an anticipated increase in demand for cremations in future. For comparison, the existing crematorium, which opened in 2004, has four halls and 12 cremators. The crematorium and garden span about 2.4ha, slightly more than half the size of the Padang. Annual resident deaths are expected to increase from about 25,000 in 2024 to around 40,000 by 2040, NEA said. Meanwhile, the demand for inland ash scattering has increased from around 900 applications in 2021 to over 2,300 in 2024. 'The new crematorium will provide additional cremation capacity, and the (Garden of Serenity) will provide an additional option for the inland scattering of ashes,' said NEA. 'They will enable us to continue serving the nation's needs in the years ahead.' Bookings for cremation slots will open on Aug 9, and the crematorium and garden will be open daily. The garden will be open from 9am to 5.30pm except when it is closed for maintenance. Singapore also has two private crematoriums, but NEA handles more than 90 per cent of cremations. ASH-SCATTERING GARDEN The Garden of Serenity is the second inland ash-scattering garden in Singapore, after the Garden of Peace opened in 2021 in Choa Chu Kang. Ashes can also be scattered at sea or stored in columbariums or at home. The Garden of Serenity, which is within the new Mandai North facility, has four ash-scattering lanes in the shape of a leaf. Granite boulders that were excavated during its construction, which started in 2017, are used for seating along the lanes. The garden also features a pond and lush foliage, meant to create a peaceful and dignified environment. Each lane in the garden is named after a flower and is around 10m long. Ashes can be scattered on pebbles, which sit atop granite chippings and soil. Water sprinklers or canisters can be used to help the ashes filter through the layers. Religious ceremonies or rites, including the burning of joss sticks, leaving of food offerings and playing of music will not be allowed. However, fresh flowers can be placed on racks around the garden. At 750 sqm, the Garden of Serenity is much smaller than the Garden of Peace, which is 9,500 sqm in size. NEA said that accumulated "ash soil" will periodically be transferred from the Garden of Serenity in Mandai to a designated location in the Garden of Peace in Choa Chu Kang to ensure that people can continue to use the smaller garden. The fee for ash-scattering at the gardens is S$320. AUTOMATION, QR CODES Mandai North Crematorium will make use of technology to ensure service reliability, including through the use of automated guided vehicles to transport coffins. At the existing crematorium, staff members push a trolley carrying the coffin. Funeral service providers will receive a cremation permit with a QR code, which must be scanned outside the service hall to ensure that the casket is at the right hall at the right time. The automated guided vehicle and screen outside the service hall will also reflect the deceased's name, the date and the time, before the casket is unloaded from the hearse. A QR code on the automated vehicle will be used for verification before the coffin is placed into a cremator. Attendees will then need to be seated before the automated guided vehicle transports the casket to the front of the service hall. The service halls feature slopes instead of steps, to improve accessibility for wheelchair users. At the new facility, the viewing hall – where mourners watch the casket being transported toward the cremators – is located directly in front of the service hall. This is unlike the existing Mandai Crematorium, where the service halls are a distance away from the viewing halls. NEA said the building layout was designed to minimise walking distances, especially for elderly visitors. "A one-way visitor circulation flow caters to back-to-back cremation services, minimising the need for arriving and departing groups to cross paths. This arrangement provides a degree of privacy for each group of visitors and facilitates a sense of closure for the bereaved," the agency said. The new waiting halls at Mandai North Crematorium are also enclosed with glass panels to provide more privacy to families. When the cremated remains are ready, an ash collection permit with a QR code will be sent via email. The registration process will involve verifying the applicant's identity, before a queue number is provided and an ash-sorting room is assigned. When the queue number is called, family members can scan a QR code to unlock a locker containing the ash box. There are three walls of lockers, and the lockers open one at a time for each wall. Families can perform final rites in the ash-sorting room. Each room is equipped with a table, a bench and a wash basin.
CNA
6 days ago
- CNA
Colugo Camp: New glamping spot at Mandai opens on Aug 8
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Independent Singapore
18-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
Indonesian domestic helper jailed for stealing over S$30,000 from employer's sister-in-law
Photo: DepositPhotos SINGAPORE: A 28-year-old Indonesian domestic helper was sentenced to 10 months in jail this week after she admitted to stealing more than S$30,000 from her employer's sister-in-law over the course of less than a month. Mei Santi Andriani, who was hired to care for her employer's elderly in-laws, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. Another three similar charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. According to Shin Min Daily News , Andriani was employed by a 59-year-old woman but did not live in the same household. Her duties revolved around the care of her employer's 82-year-old father-in-law and mother-in-law and included cooking and cleaning. The elderly couple originally lived in a private residence in Mandai, but after renovation works began at the house, they temporarily relocated to a flat along Yishun Ring Road on March 26. There, the elderly couple shared a bedroom, while Andriani and the employer's 53-year-old sister-in-law were assigned individual rooms. According to court documents, the sister-in-law had made it clear to Andriani that she was not to enter her room unless she was home. The room was usually kept locked. However, at some point while doing laundry, Andriani discovered a key to the sister-in-law's room in the pocket of a pair of trousers. She kept the key without informing anyone, intending to use it for theft. On May 6, she entered the room while the sister-in-law was away and found a drawer in the wardrobe containing a stash of cash. That day, she took S$4,700 and deposited the money into her bank account. Over the next three weeks, Andriani returned to the same drawer at least 14 times, taking varying amounts of money. In total, she stole S$30,140. On each occasion, she deposited the stolen cash into her bank account the same day. Investigations later revealed that a large portion of the money was remitted to her husband in Indonesia. The rest was spent on personal items and mobile games. The court noted that Andriani had clearly abused the trust placed in her and exploited her role in the household to commit the thefts. She was sentenced to 10 months' jail on July 15. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Forbes
Singapore's First Regenerative Resort Is Open—Here's How It Was Made
The organically shaped treehouses are a visual standout Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree Even without leaving Changi Airport, you immediately understand why Singapore is nicknamed the 'Garden City'. Incredibly green and teeming with plants, the airport is an apt introduction to the country where towering trees and gleaming skyscrapers sit side by side. The gardens, so to speak, are not limited to the outside. There's a large array of buildings that look like modern-day Gardens of Eden, thanks to the popularity of biophilic design and architecture in Singapore. The latest example is Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, a visionary project conceived not only to be sustainable but regenerative that opened its doors in April. Connected to Singapore's host of national parks such as the Night Safari and Bird Paradise, the eco-resort's setting is like no other. It's situated right by the tranquil Upper Seletar Reservoir and embraced by thick foliage that transports guests away from the concrete jungle and into a natural one. The first regenerative resort in Singapore sits at the Upper Seletar Reservoir Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree The resort respects its verdant location by not building taller than the treelines, so you feel ensconced in nature. And while the use of natural materials allows it to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, the forward-thinking architecture instantly piques curiosity. The undeniable stars are the curvaceous treehouses inspired by the endangered pangolins—the unusual, organic shape sets it apart from the typical tropical villa vernacular. With a strong aesthetic direction and a firm commitment to the environment, the property is certified as Singapore's first Super Low Energy (SLE) resort. How was this prime example of biophilic design made? We speak to Chiu Man Wong, co-founder of WOW Architects, to share the creative journey. How did WOW Architects get involved with the Mandai project and what were your first impressions of the site? The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree project started with Mandai Wildlife Group convening a design competition with a very forward-looking brief. We won the competitive tender because we not only satisfied the brief, but also demonstrated that we were able to design a resort that centers around regenerative design. The design we put forth was able to show that the resort blends in and becomes one with its surrounding environment and enhances the existing site which used to house back-of-house facilities. It's a beautiful location—surrounded by the Upper Seletar Reservoir and vegetation including many mature trees. Wong Chiu Man, co-founder of Warner Wong Design and WOW Architects Courtesy of WOW Architects Maria (the co-founder of WOW Architects) and I felt that if we were to design and build a resort here, it had to be truly meaningful and worthy of the effort and responsibility involved. Part of the site had infrastructure like staff quarters and a wastewater treatment plant. These facilities were decommissioned and cleared, and we carefully designed the resort within this footprint to minimize disturbance to the surrounding vegetation. We also strongly felt a commitment to give back more greenery, planting in native trees to complement and enrich the area. Biophilic design and architecture is thriving in Singapore. How did you push the boundaries at Mandai? This was conceived of as a regenerative design-driven project, which means we aim to give back more than we have received when we took over the site. This is manifested in the green strategy with trees of conservation value retained in tandem with regreening efforts to plant native species, alongside expanding green surface area with the facade and rooftop forest. In addition to the increased green ratio, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is also certified to be Singapore's first Super Low Energy (SLE) resort, in which we have designed the total energy use to be 40% less than equivalent properties. The open-air lobby at Mandai Rainforest Resort allows natural ventilation to flow through the space Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree The design incorporates a host of energy-saving measures including the use of natural ventilation, mixed mode air-conditioning and solar panels. The treehouses also feature passive displacement ventilation—a solution that cools air using passive chilled water technology rather than traditional air conditioning compressor units. Our aim was not only to use less energy but to transform our guests' perception of coolness and thermal comfort, as well as educate them to be more discerning in their habits and demands. Rather than cooling entire spaces, we are creating cool zones around the guests so that guests still feel comfortable. Construction is an inherently carbon intensive exercise. How did you ensure this project was as sustainable as possible? Although the original design was conceived of using mass timber construction technology (a renewable resource), investigations showed that this method and material was not yet developed and proven robust enough for harsh tropical jungle climates, and to be enduring for a substantial life cycle. Therefore, we used proven concrete precast technology but adopted it with a twist. Felled trees were recycled and reused into the project. The bark of the trees was upcycled into textured patterned rubber moulds that remind guests of the rainforest. The Grand Mandai Treehouse has an expansive view of the lush setting Mandai Rainforest Resort By Banyan Tree The wood of the trunks was also recycled into reconstituted wood panels by a Singapore company specialising in this technology, and used in the external cladding of the treehouses. Certain species of hardwood trees were reused and upcycled into custom furniture specially designed for the resort in collaboration with Singapore craftsmen. We wanted to not only do our part in helping to regenerate the forest, but also celebrate artisanal craft in Singapore by transforming resources of the forest. Designing sustainable structures in a tropical setting has its challenges. Which decisions were made to ensure it had a strong sense of place? Our concept is sympathetic to the existing vegetation, treelines as well as natural topography. Wherever possible, the resort is elevated several meters above the ground to allow native wildlife to move across the site. It's also designed to be unobtrusive, sitting below the upper canopy layer of the surrounding trees. This Liana-like eco-resort tells the story of the rainforest not only by its biomorphic blending and branching form that meanders through the site, but it also describes the four major layers of the rainforest in section, so guests to traverse through the rainforest in multiple dimensions not normally seen to humans. Tell us, what are your favourite design elements of the project and why? There are so many aspects of the resort's design that are special to me and Maria for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, because of the thought that went into it or the effort to craft and execute it. It's crucial to note that it's not the design itself that is important to us, as much as the guest experience and memory creation as a result of the design, and its effect on the senses. There are a few standouts. For instance, the treehouse decks at sunset. After a tiring day walking around the parks, the most relaxing, soothing and healing experience is to sit out on the decks of the treehouse. There are only natural sounds and engaging views of water and jungle. Between 6pm and 8pm, if you focus on just breathing and gazing, the fading light and deepening shadows transports you into another emotional state. Because we chose not to have balustrades but only installed nets for safety, the connection is intimate and up close. The Private Pool Pavilion is the perfect place get some quiet time Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree Secondly, the sunrise at dawn inside the east pool pavilion followed by the journey up the decks as the sun rises. The wildlife parks and the immediacy of the surrounding rainforest favors early morning wake-up calls! When you get to the east pool pavilion at 6:45am, and strike a yoga pose that relaxes you, there will be the most amazing transformation of light and shadow and the promise of a better new day! By 7:30am, walk up the spiral stairs two decks between levels 4 and 5, and chase the rising sun as it illuminates the reservoir and the jungle. The jungle symphony can sometimes be deafening! Sometimes, early morning mist wafts through the trees for a mysterious unveiling of the panorama. These experiences are by design, and highly curated to awaken our senses and memory creation, so that we can be deeply aware of nature and all of its elements. Thirdly, walking through the guest room corridors and linkways between the central block and the west wing. Maria and I were passionate about retaining the small cluster of trees between the main wing and the west wing, and for good reason, as they are amongst the tallest and most mature on site. So we branched the buildings around these trees. Some pieces in the resort feature recycled wood Mandai Rainforest Resort By Banyan Tree Like a Liana vine, the room corridors and wings are weaved between these trees. As a result, the layered and non-identical overlapping corridors and lookout points celebrate these jungle giants. We want guests at every level to take time to pause, marvel, and learn about these silent sentinels who act like guardians to the regenerating jungle that we replanted around them. Another highlight is the concrete 'memory walls'. To reduce the carbon footprint, we decided to reuse every single tree we cut down in the non-concrete components. We harvested the barks of certain specimens as well as a few signature vines that were removed from the site. We made custom rubberised formwork moulds that are used in the casting process of the precast concrete panels. When guests run their hands along the easily accessible concrete walls as they walk along the corridors, they can see, feel, and connect with the trees that existed on the site. Lastly, the 'Mandai Chairs' in Forage. Along with some of the artisanal wood furniture in the lobby and rooms, we wanted to support local woodcraft and emerging talent in Singapore. One focal point where we thought this would be appreciated was Forage, the specialty restaurant at the resort. We designed the Mandai Chair—our Singaporean take on influences from popular Mid-century modern and American craftsman chair pieces. In collaboration with Roger & Sons, we selected a variety of local species found in the Mandai jungle, and after several attempts, perfected this chair, which we hope brings comfort, visual appreciation and tactile joy to guests! What is one thing you want guests to experience in the property before they check out? The one thing that all guests must do is to float inside the rooftop pool in the early morning or late evening, gaze out over the infinity edge, and soak in the sounds of the rainforest. Especially in the early morning, the symphonic melodies of the wild denizens is humbling and touching—you can really feel the presence of nature. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is located at 60 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729979 MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Wellness Design Is Booming—Rakxa In Bangkok Shows How To Bring It Home By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Is Quiet Luxury Over? Top Designer André Fu Believes It's Here To Stay By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Osaka Expo 2025: The Making Of The Philippine Pavilion By Carlo Calma By Kissa Castaneda Forbes The Hotels In 'The White Lotus' Season 3, Aside From The Four Seasons By Kissa Castaneda Forbes See Inside The First Fully AI Architectural Project By Studio Tim Fu By Kissa Castaneda
