ArtScience Museum’s upper building resembles an opening lotus. The curved forms give the building its silhouette, and skylights bring daylight into the upper spaces. The bowl-shaped roof also collects rainwater and channels it towards the central atrium.
Start outside at 6 Bayfront Avenue, beside the Marina Bay Sands waterfront. Look for the petal-like forms, the lily pond and the way the building rises above the promenade. For a look inside, the museum lists free building access with separate charges for selected exhibitions.
- Look up from the promenade to see the petal-like roof.
- Look near ground level for the lily pond, above the museum’s lower galleries.
- The roof directs rainwater towards the central atrium.
- Check the museum’s current ticket page if you plan to enter an exhibition.
Plan your visit
Guide contents
Read the building from the promenade
Start far enough back to see the roof as a whole. Then move closer on the public approach and look at the separate curved forms. The upward shapes recall petals and give the museum a profile you can recognise from across the bay.
The lily pond gives a second view of the design. Some gallery spaces sit below it, so the roof alone does not show the full size of the museum. Use the promenade to see how the upper structure relates to the lower levels.
How the roof collects rainwater
The roof slopes towards a central opening. Marina Bay Sands describes water travelling down into the atrium through that opening. The museum’s sustainability information also describes collecting and reusing rainwater.
When you look at the building from outside, try to work out which parts of the roof guide water inward. A view of the exterior helps explain the system even when you do not see water flowing.
Turn the visit into a short architecture walk
Pick two places to stop. From a wider waterfront position, look at the outline and its relation to the skyline. Near the museum, look for details such as the curved surfaces and the edge of the pond. Keep the path clear while taking photographs.
If you want to see the atrium or a gallery, check the museum’s opening hours and any charges for the exhibition you have chosen. From Bayfront MRT, follow Marina Bay Sands’ directions to the Waterfront Promenade and museum.
Common questions
Does the roof have a practical purpose?
Yes. Its design brings daylight into upper spaces and directs rainwater towards the central atrium.
Where are the lower galleries?
Marina Bay Sands describes lower gallery spaces beneath the lily pond.
Do I need an exhibition ticket to see the outside?
The exterior can be viewed from the public waterfront. Selected exhibitions inside have separate charges.