After 6 months of the soft opening, Mandai’s Bird Paradise held its official grand opening on 15 November 2023. Attended by 1,000 guests and Deputy Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, as guest-of-honour officiating the event, RSP attends the official opening event as one of the partners involved in the design and build of Bird Paradise in collaboration with NParks.
Recently, RSP received the BCA Universal Design Excellence Award for Bird Paradise & Mandai Wildlife West. The space adopts a universal design approach that fosters inclusivity, bringing nature lovers from all walks of life closer to nature. The design of public spaces prioritizes smooth, barrier-free transitions between activity zones. The facilities include accessible amenities like nursing and adult changing stations.
"As we craft spaces that celebrate the beauty of nature, we are reminded that designing for humanity goes beyond aesthetics—it is about creating sanctuaries that foster connection, understanding, and appreciation for the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us. Our partnership with Mandai exemplifies the shared commitment to building spaces that not only captivate the senses but also resonate with the essence of our shared humanity."
Some of the key features of Bird Paradise & Mandai Wildlife West are wide sheltered walkways for visitors with prams and wheelchairs. Free wheelchairs are also provided for the elderly and disabled. Additionally, complimentary in-park shuttle for connectivity from the Entrance to Central Plaza are equipped with clamps for guests on wheelchairs. For the hearing impaired, there are hearing enhancement facilities as well at information counters, Learning Centres and the Amphitheatre.
All guests who attended the opening event received a commemorative stamp collection set, which was designed by former RSP architect, Teo Nam Siang. According to Mandai, “…the stamp designs features some of the park’s most threatened species – the Negros Bleeding-heart Dove, Philippine Eagle and the Knobbed Hornbill. The remaining three designs were inspired by the park’s most iconic aviaries, the Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands, Kuok Group Wings of Asia and Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa, highlighting the captivating avian residents that call these habitats home.”
