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The newly opened over-the-top Marina Bay Sands Casino and Resort ^[4] in Singapore will soon host a slightly more down-to-earth museum focused on the fusion of art and science. Renowned Architect Moshie Safadie ^[5], who has been tickling the edge ^[6] of green design for decades, designed the mega resort to grab the world’s attention — but the soon-to-open ArtScience Museum ^[7] is certainly the most environmentally-sensitive building in the development. Interpreted as a lotus flower or outreached hand, the roof deftly collects water and light for the museum’s use.

Heralded to be the first museum ^[8] of its kind, the ArtScience facility will house 21 galleries totaling 4,800 square meters and it will display works based on the greatest common denominator of art and science — creativity. The galleries will host travelling shows as well as a permanent collection. Singapore’s approach to the project is to attract not only tourists but to encourage cutting-edge thinking as part of its new economy.

The ArtScience Museum takes a forward-thinking approach to the use of natural resources. A central waterfall in the building will be fed by rain caught in the huge bowl ^[9] that is formed by the roof. The recirculated water is also filtered and used for the restroom facilities.

Each one of the ten fingers that extend out has a generous skylight ^[10]that fills the upper galleries with abundant daylight ^[11]. Air conditioning grills built into the floor help save energy as well by cooling only the air at the visitor’s height, rather than the entire space. Called air stratification ^[12], the technique is gaining popularity with engineering firms. While the overall $5 billion Marina Bay Sands project is all about geez-wiz conspicuous consumption, the ArtScience Museum at least points in a more promising direction.

+ Moshie Safadie ^[5]

+ ArtScience Museum ^[7]