Singapore Field Investigation
World-Leading Integrated Water Management System
Project Case Study
Marina Barrage
Reservoir on Marina Bay
A new source of water supply, flood control and a lifestyle attraction.
Location: Singapore City, Singapore
Size: 10,000 hectares, 1/6 the size of Singapore
Inquiry
How do you redesign an estuary for water security, flood control and recreation? What do you lose?
Project Summary
Built across the mouth of Marina Channel, Marina Barrage (MB) creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in an urban landscape. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised. Together with two other reservoirs, Marina Reservoir has increased Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country’s land area. (PUB.gov)
Part dam, part tourist attraction, Marina Barrage is a multi-purpose attraction in Singapore, just a short walk from Gardens by the Bay on the very southern tip of the main island. Although its main function serves as a dam - aiding water storage and flood control for the whole of Singapore - most visitors know Marina Barrage as a place of recreation, proving especially popular for picnics, kite flying and the stunning sunset views from the main elevated section of grass looking across the city. (PUB.gov)
Design
The Marina Barrage comprises nine 30m-long steel gates and acts as a tidal barrier that separates seawater from freshwater. In addition to serving as a tidal barrier to keep out high tides, the gates release excess water from the reservoir during heavy rains. To exemplify Singapore's commitment in environmental and water sustainability, the Barrage is designed with environmentally friendly principles in mind. Features such as a roof garden, solar panels and a rainwater collection system were incorporated in the building. (Greenroofs.com)
With a turfed Green Roof and the use of double-glazed glass panels to provide thermal insulation, the building interior remains cool despite the building's full exposure to the sun, thus minimising energy consumption by the air-conditioning system. The grass and soil shield the building from the sun and reduces maximum surface temperature by 3˚C. The Solar Park, one of the largest collection of solar panels currently in operation in Singapore, generates about 50% of the daytime electricity needed for indoor lighting and power points at the Barrage. With its 405 panels, the Solar Park generates 76,000kWh electricity per annum, which is equivalent to the monthly electricity consumption of about 180 average households in Singapore. (Greenroofs.com)
The Pump House at Marina Barrage uses glass and louvers for its external walls so that the interior is lit by natural lighting. This also eliminates the need for air-conditioning and reduces electricity consumption and operation costs. Located in the open center of the Central Courtyard, the fountain and community Water Playground are popular spots. The Green Roof is accessible via a lift inside the main complex, or visitors can walk up through its beautifully arced looping pathway. (Greenroofs.com)
Challenges
●Design for two goals: functional infrastructure and a beautiful recreation area.
●Building the dam while the river is flowing and the tides are ebbing and floodings.
●Planning for the worst floods and the highest tides.
●Analysing sediment types under the bay and driving deep pilings to anchor the structure.
●Creating space in an urban setting for the reservoir to fill up in.
●Desalting the water once the dam was in place.
●Destroying estuary habitat in order to place the dam across the mouth of the river.
Pacific Northwest Context
●Where are the dams in your watershed that provide water security and flood control?
●How could this design strategy be used to increase water supply security in the PNW?
●How would damming the estuaries of Puget Sound affect the ecosystem? Who are the stakeholders in a design discussion like this?
●What is the value of bringing multiple planning objectives into a watershed-wide framework?
○Green Duwamish Watershed Strategy
○Snoqualmie Valley Farm, Fish Flood Plan
○City of Duvall Watershed Plan
Resources
Overview of Construction Process
Marina Barrage - Green Roof Case Study
Rooftop park described for tourists - Attraction Guide
Slideshow - photos and maps
Case Studies created by Sustainability Ambassadors made possible by Cascade Water Alliance