Wetlands by the Bay Singapore is set to transform the city’s approach to immersive art and environmental engagement. The new project will feature a 12,000 square meter museum where visitors can navigate through mangroves by pedal kayak while interacting with works by the international art collective teamLab. This will mark the first museum in the world designed specifically for water-based exploration among living wetlands.
teamLab has established a reputation for combining art, technology, and interactivity in ways that blur the line between exhibition and experience. Its Tokyo installations invite visitors to walk through projections, touch digital works, and even splash through illuminated spaces. The collective has expanded across Asia and beyond, with sites in Osaka, Kyushu, Macao, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah, all of which attract international attention and often sell out months in advance. The Singapore museum promises to continue that legacy, introducing a completely new environment where art meets natural habitat.
Wetlands by the Bay Singapore is part of the larger Gardens by the Bay precinct, a landmark project first opened in 2012. The city-state’s developers are planning a significant expansion of the Kingfisher Wetlands, increasing the mangrove area threefold to reach 600 mangrove trees and boosting the total number of plants to 50,000. This will not only create a visually striking environment but also reinforce Singapore’s commitment to ecological preservation in urban spaces. A canopy boardwalk will allow visitors to observe the wetlands from above, offering unique perspectives of both the art and the natural ecosystem. Plans also include a food court overlooking the Marina Reservoir and the future Founders’ Memorial, further integrating leisure, culture, and nature.
While the exact details of the 12,000 square meter museum are still under wraps, teamLab’s history suggests an experience that will combine cutting-edge digital projection, interactive installations, and social-media-ready visual moments. For visitors, this will mean an opportunity to explore mangroves in a way that is both artistic and immersive, transforming a natural landscape into an interactive gallery. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with the museum expected to open by the end of 2028. Wetlands by the Bay Singapore aims to position the city as a global hub for experiential art while advancing urban ecological initiatives.
