Shangri-La Hotel launches 7m-tall orchid greenhouse

Orchids on display inside Shangri-La's new architectural greenhouse, which was unveiled on June 7, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
(From left) Shangri-La Hotel general manager Reto Klauser, former Orchid Society of South East Asia president Peggy Tan and Orba chairman Mark Shaw at the unveiling ceremony. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
The greenhouse, called The Orchid, was made to look like an orchid bud and is surrounded by orchid beds in the shape of petals. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

SINGAPORE - More than 600 orchids took the spotlight at Shangri-La Hotel's new architectural greenhouse, which was launched during their 45th Anniversary celebration on Tuesday (June 7).

Called The Orchid, the 7m-tall open-air orchid greenhouse, adds to the hotel's existing Orchid Walk.

"With our big gardens and the many plants and flowers here, we wanted to strengthen that, and build something remarkably unique to us, and Singapore," said Mr Reto Klauser, vice-president and general manager of Shangri-La Hotel.

The varieties in the greenhouse include 25 species of orchids, all Singaporean hybrids including the Dendrobium, that was named by Shangri-La Hotel at their 35th anniversary, and Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The Orchid is designed by Tierra, an urban, architecture and landscape design company, and built to look like the bud of an orchid.

The greenhouse was created using three-dimensional beams, curving upwards towards the sky, surrounded by orchid beds in the shape of petals.

"The Orchid represents change, diversity and beauty. It couldn't be ordinary. We had to do something never done before here in Singapore," said Mr Franklin Po, the founding principal and creative director of Tierra.

Twenty-four guests attended the launch of the greenhouse, including guests of honour, Ms Peggy Tan, immediate past president of the Orchid Society of South East Asia, and Mr Mark Shaw, chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association.

"The Orchid is by far one of the best orchid greenhouses in South-east Asia. Nothing can compare, it's in a class of its own," said Ms Tan.

Guests at the hotel will not only be able to admire the orchids in its new greenhouse, but also sign up for daily special activities such as painting sessions or a guided drone flight session.

They can also make a reservation for Dîner De Fleurs - a private dinner for two to six guests inside The Orchid.

"We designed the Dîner De Fleurs menu to have the appearance of leaves, pebbles and some served in small potted dishes. It's all about nature," said Mr Klauser.

The 600 orchids in the new greenhouse add to the 1,000 different ornamental flowering trees, fruit trees, aquatic plants, vibrant tropical flowers and Asian herbs that the hotel houses.

Members of the public are welcome to visit Shangri-La's new greenhouse and enjoy the variety of orchids in the garden.

"We're in the garden city (Singapore), inside of Shangri-La's Orchid Garden. We've gone all out here with The Orchid, to create an experience like no other. It's an engineering masterpiece," said Mr Klauser.

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