Arup engineers world’s longest public cantilever

After four years of round-the-clock design and construction, Marina Bay Sands® officially opened for business on 23 June 2010.

Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, in association with Aedas Architects and Arup, the landmark building sits in the heart of Singapore’s new downtown – Marina Bay.

Dubbed one of Asia's most spectacular urban resorts, the development offers visitors a luxury hotel crowned by the iconic Sands SkyPark®, state-of-the art convention and exhibition facilities, theatres, and entertainment complexes. Arup's multidisciplinary contribution includes: advanced works; infrastructure, structural, civil, fire and geotechnical engineering; traffic, facade and acoustic consulting; and risk management.

An iconic element of the development, Sands SkyPark® is an engineering marvel featuring the world’s longest public cantilever. The rooftop superstructure is sited 200m high atop three 55-storey hotel towers and stretches 38m wide and 340m long - equivalent to the length of four and a half Airbus A380. Whilst enjoying extensive landscaped rooftop gardens, restaurants, bars and a 150m infinity-edged swimming pool, guests are also greeted with uninterrupted views of urban Singapore - from the commercial skyscrapers and modern residential estates, to parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

The design and delivery of Marina Bay Sands® was a massive undertaking, made possible by a collaborative design process and by drawing on global expertise from across Arup. “By pushing engineering boundaries, adopting new and innovative technologies and techniques we were able to respond to the client’s vision and deliver this spectacular design” says Va-Chan.

Work continues on the geometrically complex lotus-inspired museum, the Crystal Pavilions and two state-of-the art theatres that form part of the overall Marina Bay Sands® development.

2010 is a significant year for Marina Bay with several feature developments due for completion. Arup is proud to be involved in a number of these including: The Singapore Flyer; The Helix; the Waterfront Promenade; and Gardens by the Bay.

Sands SkyPark® at a glance:

• Can accommodate 3,900 people.
• Over 7,000 tonnes of steel used in construction.
• World’s longest public cantilever constructed from a pair of tapering post-tensioned steel box girders up to 10m deep, supporting the concrete deck.

More information is available on the official Marina Bay Sands® website.