Grounds and Landscape

In this story, we explore the grounds and landscaping that created Yale-NUS’ unique outside spaces.

The grounds were a place to relax, play and enjoy nature, but they also served an educational purpose as part of the College’s concept of ‘living and learning’.

A Learning Landscape

The Yale-NUS College library building, a several trees behind a patch of green space in college green (in front of the library).

Singaporean architectural firm, Lekker Architects, designed the new campus grounds based on the concept of ‘a learning landscape’.

This meant that the College grounds were not just a place where students studied, but where they could also learn from its landscape.

To this end, the grounds were designed as an arboretum—a botanical collection of trees and shrubs designed for the purpose of being studied.

Each plant species on campus was labelled so that students could learn about its role in the cultural and natural history of Singapore.

Campus green in front of Library Ground Floor, a big tree on the right and Yale-NUS College Hall building in the background.

History and Site

Located within NUS University Town, the chosen site presented some initial difficulties.

The Biofiltration Pond

The vegetation in and around the Biofiltration Pond (commonly known as the Eco-pond) filtered pollutants from rainwater.

Nestled in the lush tropical landscape at one of the lowest points of University Town, the Eco-pond filtered about 11 to 13% of University Town’s water runoff which was then returned to the NUS water network.

Yale-NUS College biofilteration pond, a black-white waterhen is standing on the left.

College green, multiple green plants and trees used for biofiltration.

The water was filtered and cleaned by the plants that surround the pond, such as lemongrass, paper reed, fountain grass, walking iris, bamboo orchid and pandan.

These plants also provided food for the animals that lived in the pond, which included a variety of fish such as Jack Dempseys, guppies and carp, who shared the pond with a number of red-eared sliders (an invasive species of turtle).

White-breasted waterhens and otters were also regular visitors.

Heritage Tree

When surveys were carried out on the site of the new campus in 2012, an unknown tree was discovered. Samples of its branches and fruits were submitted to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, who identified it as the first example of Margaritaria indica in Singapore.

Heritage tree, a member of Margaritaria Indica species, plate

Listed as Critically Endangered in Singapore, the tree was awarded Heritage Tree status by the National Parks Board in 2014.

Known for its distinctive scaly bark which peels to reveal a red colour underneath, Margaritaria indica is found from India to South China to Australia, but is rare in Southeast Asia. Two further examples have subsequently been found in Singapore.

To mark the inauguration of the new campus, and the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, two postage stamps were produced, one of which featured a painting of the Heritage Tree by Yap Zhi Wen (Class of 2017).

Plants of the Campus Green

The campus green was designed with the theme Evolved Tropical Forest in mind, with multiple layers of plants resembling a tropical forest.

In addition to the Heritage Tree, five other mature trees were preserved when the campus was constructed, creating the upper ‘canopy’ layer.

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Below was an ‘understory’ layer of local trees, with a variety of shrubs and groundcover species forming the ‘undergrowth’ or forest floor layer.

A close-up photo of borneo mahogany leaves.

An autograph tree on campus green in Yale-NUS College campus.

Residential College Courtyards

Each of the three Residential Colleges had its own courtyard, with a lawn and gardens, where students could relax and socialise.

The courtyards also mean that when you step out of your room you run into people that you know and so on.

Inaugural President of Yale-NUS Pericles Lewis describes the courtyards.

Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

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Frangipani tree in Saga College courtyard.

White Chempaka

The fragrant white flowers are commonly made into necklaces and garlands. They are also used in Indian rituals for their characteristic perfume. A related variety has deep yellow flowers and a similar fragrance.

Pride of India

Native to India, this tree is treasured for its showy bright pink to lavender blooms. It is also used in Ayurvedic treatments, as well as in local construction. Its strong timber has been used to make bridges, wharves, boats, railway sleepers and even furniture and agricultural tools.

Hong Kong Orchid

Orchid-like blooms are found in shades of purple and pink on this tree. Its flower is the official floral emblem of Hong Kong and is displayed on its state flag.

Frangipani

Frangipanis are considered to be sacred trees in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and are commonly found planted on temple grounds. It is also the national tree of Laos.

Mast Tree

Its common name refers to the tall straight trunks which are used to make the masts of ships. During religious ceremonies in India and Sri Lanka, its long leaves are strung into wreaths and used to decorate doors and archways.

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Two betel palm trees are photographed from below, with Elm College residential building in the background.

Betel Palm

The nuts of this palm, together with lime and tobacco, are wrapped in Piper Betle vine leaves to form the Betel quids commonly chewed in the Asian region. They provide a "buzz" but are believed to be carcinogenic.

Lipstick Palm

This palm is common throughout Singapore and is often planted for its ornamental scarlet leaf sheaths. It also has some limited traditional uses in floor and roof surfaces.

Oil Palm

Palm oil, which is used in manufacturing and foodstuff production, is derived from the fruit of this palm. As a result, this species is cultivated in vast plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

MacArthur Palm

This common roadside palm is easily recognised by its clusters of slender trunks, each with a crown of feathery fronds that appear jagged and torn at the tips.
It is grown mainly for its ornamental value.

Singapore Walking Stick Palm

Native to Singapore and Malaysia, the strong and straight stems of this palm are used to make walking sticks, spear handles and door handles.

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Neem Tree

Native to the Indian subcontinent, its fruits and seeds contain an oil which has historically been used for its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is a natural pesticide.

Rubber Tree

Once widely cultivated in
Singapore by the British, its sap is a natural source of rubber. Trees over 30 years of age were typically felled after their latex production declined.

Tanjong Tree

The timber from this tree is valued for its hardness and strength. Its fragrant flowers, fruit and bark are also used in traditional medicine.

Nutmeg

Native to the Spice Islands, this tree is the source of the spices Nutmeg and Mace. It was once widely cultivated in Singapore, with the largest plantations located surrounding today's
Orchard Road.

Torch Ginger

Local delicacies such as rojak and laksa all feature the unique fragrant flower buds of this plant as a key ingredient. Its showy pink flowers are also often used in decorative floral arrangements.

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Recognition
and Awards

The campus grounds and landscaping were popular with the students, faculty and staff, proving them with a place to relax, socialise and learn.

Eight people (a woman in white/green dress, six men in suits and a woman in a red dress) are holding awards on stage at BCA Awards. Background has a wall that reads “BCA Awards 2019” with pink light on the wall.

The ecologically friendly design of the courtyards and biofiltration pond was recognised when the College received the Green Mark Platinum Award in 2013, before the campus was even completed.

The campus received the same award again in 2021.

The landscaping’s ecologically friendly design was also recognised with the award of the Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) certification from the National Parks Board in 2014.

Yale-NUS was the first educational institution to receive the award. The award was recertified in 2017, and in 2021 with a Gold level award.