Tropical plants wind their way up towering columns and cascade from ledges high above the ground. Guests relax by a lagoon-like pool, shaded from the intense midday heat. Soaring terraces, resembling natural caverns, are integrated into the tower’s structure.
This is Singapore’s Pan Pacific Orchard which is half jungle and has got its waterfall. The architectural marvel was recently awarded the title of the world’s best new tall building by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
The organisation praised the hotel for its innovative approach to blending nature with urban architecture.
The gorgeous hotel has over 340 rooms spread across 23 storeys with more than 100 different species of plants.
Opened in June 2023, the hotel has also won three other awards, including the best tall building between 100m and 199m (328 ft – 652ft) tall.
The unique architecture of Pan Pacific Orchard features a series of L-shaped sections that divide the tower into four distinct layers, creating room for urban gardens and greenery.
Each of these terraces is inspired by a different theme reflecting Singapore’s tropical climate: forest, beach, garden, and cloud, arranged in ascending order.
This design allows the integration of natural elements into the building, blending urban living with nature.
Picking up the gong for the world’s best skyscraper is no easy feat for the lush hotel, with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat recognising the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.
The council’s chief executive Javier Quintana de Una said in a statement the hotel “represents the best of responsible vertical urbanism today”.
The statement added: “By holistically incorporating greenery into its design, Pan Pacific Orchard honours Singapore’s heritage while pushing the envelope of sustainable urban development in a dense, urban setting.”
Designed by Singapore-based Woha Architects, Pan Pacific Orchard’s 350-room hotel combines Singapore’s natural environments—forest, beach, garden, and cloud—into a single, breathtaking structure.
The Forest Terrace features a tree-filled lobby with a waterfall and pond, while the Beach Terrace offers pools and a sandy “beachfront.”
The Garden Terrace includes a beautifully landscaped garden and event space, and the Cloud Terrace boasts a pillarless ballroom with panoramic views, accommodating up to 400 guests for grand events.
Speaking to CNN architect Hong Wei Phua of WOHA, said: “You experience the hotel not as a very big building, but at more of a neighbourhood scale.”
