Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s national garden and a premier horticultural attraction showcasing the best garden and floral artistry. Situated in the heart of the city, this horticultural wonderland spans 101 hectares. It comprises three waterfront gardens: Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central.
Officially opened in 2012, Gardens by the Bay has become one of Asia’s foremost tourist attractions, drawing over 100 million visitors. The attraction has been featured in global pop culture, including movies like Crazy Rich Asians. Notably, the Flower Dome earned a Guinness World Record in 2015 as the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse. It is celebrated not only for its innovative design but also for its role in enhancing Singapore’s image as a “City in nature.”
Innovation and Protection: IP Behind the Magic
Intellectual Property (IP) has played a pivotal role in shaping Gardens by the Bay into a globally recognized attraction. The uniqueness and distinctiveness of the gardens are not only rooted in their unique design and architecture but also in the strategic use of IP rights that protect these features.
Gardens by the Bay boasts several distinctive features protected by various IP rights, contributing to its iconic status. The Supertree Grove, with its towering vertical gardens, and the two conservatories, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, are signature elements that stand out for their architectural brilliance and design innovation. As such, they are protected under copyright. The patterns on textiles, fabric, leather, or sheet material used in constructing these elements are protectable under industrial design. Moreover, the name “Gardens by the Bay” and related branding elements are protected through trademarks, ensuring the brand identity remains exclusive to the attraction.
Safeguarding a Global Icon
The IP portfolio of Gardens by the Bay includes:
- Trademarks: As of 2024, the names “Gardens by the Bay,” “Supertree” and related branding elements are safeguarded through 16 registered trademarks, covering logos, symbols, and unique terms associated with the gardens. Distinctive elements like butterflies and dragonfly illustrations, the iconic Supertree, and signature patterns are all thoughtfully integrated into the park’s design to create a cohesive and immersive experience that reinforces its brand identity. This trademark protection not only preserves Gardens by the Bay’s exclusive identity but also opens avenues for additional tourism revenue through branded merchandise, franchising, and collaborations.
- Industrial Design: Covering the unique design elements of Gardens by the Bay, the use of registered designs used on products and merchandise such as textiles, fabric, leather, or sheet material ensures that the visual and functional aspects of the attraction are legally safeguarded.
- Copyright: One of the key factors contributing to Gardens by the Bay’s success is its distinctive design and architectural innovation, which are carefully protected through IP rights. Copyright plays a crucial role in safeguarding the creative aspects of the project, particularly the architectural plans and design innovations, including the Supertree Grove and the conservatories—the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. This copyright protection ensures that the unique architectural brilliance of the Supertrees, characterized by intricate designs and advanced environmental systems, cannot be replicated without permission. By securing these rights, Gardens by the Bay maintains the originality of its structures, reinforcing its reputation for creativity and ensuring its unique character remains one-of-a-kind.
IP rights have been instrumental in differentiating Gardens by the Bay from other botanical attractions worldwide. The uniqueness protected by IP rights has created a distinctive brand that resonates with local and international visitors, enhancing Singapore’s reputation as a “Garden City” and attracting visitors worldwide. This strong brand identity, underpinned by IP protection, provides a significant competitive edge in the global tourism market.
Growing Economic Success Through IP
Protecting its unique features and brand identity has enhanced its market position, contributing to its economic success. The attraction’s ability to maintain its exclusivity through IP rights has played a crucial role in its appeal to tourists, resulting in steady revenue generation and solidifying its place as one of Singapore’s top tourist destinations. The attraction’s success is further underscored by its recognition as the Number 8 World Top Attraction in the 2024 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.
The Gardens has had commercial success with its events. One example is Avatar: The Experience, which debuted at the Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay in October 2022. Inspired by the global blockbuster AVATAR, this immersive walk-through event was created by Neon Global in collaboration with Disney Location-Based Experiences and Lightstorm Entertainment.
Global Recognition and Lasting Legacy
The creation and success of Gardens by the Bay are deeply rooted in the vision and efforts of key individuals and teams who strategically leveraged IP to protect and promote the attraction. Architects, designers, and horticulturists played a critical role in realizing the vision of a futuristic garden city. Remarkably, this lush destination, now home to over a million plants, trees, and flowers from every continent except Antarctica, was once a barren site of sand and soggy soil. In just five years leading up to its 2012 opening, a multidisciplinary team of international and local specialists transformed the space—previously lacking even basic infrastructure—into one of the world’s most iconic garden attractions.
Over the years, Gardens by the Bay has garnered accolades from prestigious organizations, including the Singapore Tourism Board, TripAdvisor, and the International Garden Tourism Conference, recognizing its achievements in sustainability and tourism.
Design and environmental awards have also come from the Building and Construction Authority, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the World Architecture Festival, and the Hong Kong Design Centre, honoring its groundbreaking conservatories and architectural innovations. Their innovative work, protected by IP rights, has won numerous awards and recognition, and also inspired similar projects globally, showcasing the power of IP in driving creativity and excellence in tourism development.
The global recognition of the attraction increases the risk of unauthorized use of its brand elements by third parties, which could dilute or negatively affect its market position. However, proactive IP management and enforcement strategies have helped mitigate these risks, ensuring that the integrity of the Gardens by the Bay brand remains intact.
Today, Gardens by the Bay unites communities across Singapore and draws visitors from around the world. It stands as a testament to the power of IP in shaping a globally recognized tourism landmark. Through the strategic use of IP rights, the attraction has distinguished itself in a competitive market while contributing significantly to Singapore’s economic and social development. Gardens by the Bay’s success underscores the critical role of IP in safeguarding and promoting unique features, ensuring long-term growth, sustainability, and enduring appeal in the tourism industry.
