A 27-metre mass timber canopy—Southeast Asia’s tallest single-span timber structure—is the centrepiece of CapitaLand’s $1.4 billion Geneo development, Singapore’s new ‘work, live, and play’ hub. The canopy spans a 3,000-square-metre public plaza and physically connects five buildings—1, 1A, 1B, 5, and 7 Science Park Drive—serving as the architectural and functional link that unites the precinct.
Today, Wood Central spoke to Ang Chow Hwee, Director of Architecture at Woh Hup (Private) Limited, the main contractor for the project, and Chethiya Ratnakara, former lead for design implementation and coordination for Venturer Timberwork and current Managing Director of Versobuild Pte Ltd.
According to Ang and Ratnakara, the curved mass timber canopy represents a significant learning milestone for Singapore’s construction industry, which is now increasingly embracing mass-engineered timber (MET) for public developments: “Because timber construction in Singapore is still rare, there are very few people who know how to do this,” said Ang. “So when we started, we explored some value engineering… but the client was firm on using timber.”
Ang noted that construction progressed rapidly, taking just five months from start to finish, thanks to an efficient design strategy, off-site prefabrication, and streamlined on-site assembly. However, the process before that was far from simple: “First, we had to educate the client and consultants that timber is a natural material, so not all parts are uniform,” Ang explained. “Then, we had to assure them that the PEFC-certified timber used was sustainably sourced and responsibly procured.”
All components were shipped flat-packed and assembled in a warehouse off-site
In total, the structure comprises over 1,150 cubic metres of GL30c and GL24c Spruce Glulam, fabricated and supplied by Versowood Oy—Finland’s largest private sawn timber producer. This total included more than 780 individual components and approximately 80 tonnes of custom-designed S355 steel connectors. “For logistical efficiency and to manage costs, we shipped the components to Singapore flat-packed,” Ratnakara said. “They were pre-assembled in a warehouse about 20 kilometres from the site before being installed seamlessly on location.
One major challenge was transporting the components, some measuring over 19 metres long. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Juha Virtanen (Glulam Sales Manager) and Marko Järvinen (Glulam Production Director) of Versowood, we overcame this. The glulam was shipped using specialised Ma-Fi trailers with added protections to endure a 6-week journey from Finland to Singapore through varied weather conditions.”
“During construction, we erected scaffolding to protect the timber and ensure safe access to installation points,” added Ang. “Connection-wise, we had to account for environmental exposure due to the canopy’s semi-outdoor configuration.”
The design, inspired by Gothic cathedrals, demanded both lightness and elegance: “We needed to keep everything slim,” said Ang. “Timber design engineers from Ronnie and Koh Consultants and Ergodomus Timber Engineering scrutinised every joint, piece by piece. And on top of the timber structure, we had to install a glass roof to protect the plaza below. Since it rains heavily in Singapore, drainage became a core design challenge. That’s why we incorporated triangular geometry into the structure—to manage water flow efficiently. In effect, the canopy was designed for rain.”
Tackling Fire Safety Scepticism
Both Ang and Ratnakara acknowledged that fire safety posed one of the greatest hurdles on the project, particularly in meeting the 120-minute fire-resistance requirement mandated by local code: “Singapore local authorities have implemented stringent fire safety standards for mass timber, largely due to the material’s inherent combustibility,” Ratnakara said.
The team, after undergoing a rigorous and detailed process, successfully demonstrated compliance with local fire code requirements through performance-based fire engineering and advanced structural modelling, along with design modifications and additional fire testing in line with both international standards and local regulations. And whilst various fire protection strategies for timber are available, the project adopted the sacrificial charring method to achieve the required 120-minute fire rating, preserving the timber’s natural aesthetic while ensuring code compliance.
Looking ahead, Ang is optimistic about the future of timber in the region: “I truly believe mass engineered timber is beautiful,” he said. “And once you get the engineering right, design for manufacturing becomes incredibly smart and efficient to build.”
Editor’s Note: The Geneo Timber Canopy stands as a landmark achievement in Southeast Asia’s mass timber journey—one that would not have been possible without the leadership of Venturer Timberwork, the specialist timber contractor that pioneered the use of engineered timber in Singapore. The project is the culmination of over 30 years of experience in delivering high-performance timber solutions, with Chethiya Ratnakara contributing during his time as a member of the Venturer Timberwork team.
While Venturer Timberwork is no longer based in Singapore, it remains active across hospitality markets in Bhutan, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf, the Caribbean, and Africa. Its founder, Kevin Hill, continues to drive innovation from Singapore, positioning the company as a regional hub for mass-engineered timber (MET) market development—delivering solutions that benefit project owners, consultants, contractors, and the broader sustainability ecosystem.
The Geneo project represents one of Singapore’s most successful early adaptations of MET, showcasing the potential of timber for complex urban environments. However, much has evolved across the sector since its inception four years ago, particularly in the optimisation of project delivery models and the expanded availability of regional MET supply. While the Geneo canopy remains a beacon for MET adoption in Singapore, it also marks the beginning of a broader push to make mass timber more regionally relevant and accessible across Southeast Asia and beyond.
