Designed for the future of biomedical research

Since its initial creation in the early 2000s, Biopolis has become the heart of a thriving biomedical industry in Singapore. Over several phases of development, the research hub has expanded into a vibrant campus, located at the convergence of commercial and residential neighborhoods in Buona Vista. Elementum, a new biomedical  research center developed by Ho Bee Land for startups and large companies alike, represents Biopolis’s sixth phase.

The 12-story structure responds to the unique contours of its site, bending along the northern edge of the campus in a distinctive “U” shape. This form marks the northern entry into Biopolis, and is complemented by a covered and accessible outdoor atrium that spans more than half the ground level. With openings across the site, the atrium welcomes pedestrians into its retail and event spaces, which extend into the surrounding landscape. The podium, encompassing the second and third levels, rises 18 meters above this outdoor forum, where a skylight brightens and shelters the public space below. Atop the podium, a 900-square-meter green roof provides an additional setting for events, surrounded by the main laboratory levels which rise in a series of curving setbacks.

The centerpiece of a dynamic neighborhood

The building faces one of Singapore’s newest national parks, a 24-kilometer greenway called the Rail Corridor. This linear park, along the former railway route which once brought commuters and freight between Singapore and Malaysia, connects Elementum with the plazas of two existing, Grade A commercial towers, The Metropolis 1 and 2.

Terraced gardens connect the park with Elementum’s retail, which is finished in stone and wood in concert with glass storefronts. The openings in the atrium welcome people inside, and connect directly with an abundance of new community spaces designed in collaboration with Grant Associates. With lawns, art displays, an amphitheater, playgrounds, and an outdoor gym, Elementum has turned Biopolis into a main stop on the Rail Corridor and a destination for Buona Vista.

An incubator for scientific research

The labs are designed for a range of tenants, from biomedical startups to more established companies. To support this broad array of research requirements, the labs vary in size from 73 to 183 square meters. Each of these spaces can be expanded, condensed, or converted into offices as tenancy changes. A modular design and construction approach for the labs makes this flexibility possible, and the structural engineering ensures each space meets the stringent requirements of a scientific facility—from vibration resistance to specialized building management systems. To foster the exchange of ideas, Elementum is rich in communal spaces and amenities, with a combined 800 square meters of terraces on the setbacks, the expansive green roof, and its engaging public realm on the ground.

High-performance facade design

Elementum’s functional needs and sun exposure shaped the design of the facade.  The labs are placed inside the building’s curve, away from direct sunlight exposure. Glass and aluminum clad the building, and the windows of the labs align with the heights of the benches inside. On the outer curve, the bottom edges of the facade slope inward to create eaves that shade the interiors. With a window-to-wall ratio of about 47 percent, the facade is calibrated to maximize available sunlight while minimizing glare and solar heat gain. The result is a significant reduction in energy use—a key contributor to the project’s Green Mark Platinum certification.