Amzar File

ArtScience Museum:
Arty and LUCKY?

Source: AsiaOne



TO MANY fengshui practitioners, the new ArtScience Museum – one of the projects by the US$5.5 billion (S$7 billion) Marina Integrated Resort – which has three floors of gallery space and opens on Feb 17, may just be the luckiest place in Singapore. The New Paper spoke to five practitioners, who agreed that the design, which has a roof that collects rainwater, symbolises a collection of wealth.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


“The Lotus primarily absorbs wealth and water,” said Master Hui Jie of Hui Master International Geomancy. “Coincidentally, the casino and convention centre are behind the structure. That means that wealth is pouring in to these places.”

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


However, the fengshui master consulted on the project, Mrs Louisa Ong-Lee, had a different spin for the design. In comments made last year in The Straits Times, she said: “The museum is shaped like a lotus, appearing like an open palm with fingers representing a gesture of welcome as well as a gesture of giving back to society through opportunities, generosity and charity. The lotus is a flower with auspicious and divine meaning.”

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


OCULUS - Dish-like roof channels rainwater through the central atrium, creating a 35m waterfall into the reflecting pool at the lowest level of the building. Water is redirected through the water feature to create a continuous waterfall.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


LOBBY - Ground level: Surrounded by the 4,000 sq m lily pond, the glass- encased entrance on the ground level houses the ticketing booths.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


MAIN GALLERIES: Basement two - This level holds 8 main galleries and has the largest exhibition space (2,715 sq m) of any level in the museum.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


UPPER GALLERIES: On the 1,435 sq m third level, 10 galleries provide a walk-around viewing experience for travelling exhibitions.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


ARTSCIENCE GALLERIES: Fourth level (651 sq m) - The Museum’s largest “finger” extends 60m above ground. It will house the museum’s permanent exhibition: “A Journey Through Creativity"

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


"A Journey Through Creativity", found in the fourth level gallery, will allow visitors to follow the journeys of great artists and scientists across time and culture in a multimedia gallery, complete with lighting effects, sound and moving images.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


"A Journey Through Creativity", found in the fourth level gallery. will also feature an interactive gallery themed "Inspiration" with large suspended artifacts representing inventions that bridge art and science. Displays include Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine, a Kongming Lantern and a molecular model of a "Bucky-ball".Guests can recreate design projects on interactive touch screens and share them over the internet.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


GREEN FINGERS: Air stratification - Air-conditioning grills are built into the floor to cool only the air at the visitor's height, rather than the entire space.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


Natural lighting: Skylight at the finger tips illuminates interior walls without using too much electricity.

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen


ADMISSION CHARGES: Adult - $30, Senior (65 years and above) - $27, Child (2-12 years) - $17

Infographics: Fadzil Hamzah, Simon Ang & Celestino Gulapa, Photos: ST, TNP / Text: TNP, Clarence Chen