Photo: Basement concourse at SMU; Wikimedia Commons
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS) are prepared to expand their campuses underground.
Following National Development (MND) Minister Khaw Boon Wan’s blog post on underground facilities in Singapore, the two universities have completed all the preparatory studies involved in building underground laboratories, lecture theatres, as well as performance and sports halls, for their students.
One preliminary study conducted by NTU researchers found that the rock strata below the campus grounds are suited for cavern construction.
The concept of utilising underground space may be new to the new campuses, but a third university, the Singapore Management University (SMU), has already been using a basement level to connect six of its above-ground buildings since 2005.
Singapore’s other underground development plans include the Jurong Rock Caverns, as well as the underground science city below Kent Ridge Park.
