Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) recently marked the first anniversary of Sentosa Sensoryscape, celebrating a remarkable milestone of exceeding 5 million in footfall since its opening in March 2024. As a key component of the Greater Sentosa Master Plan, Sentosa Sensoryscape has successfully redefined visitor experiences, increasing dwell time on the island by an hour since its soft launch last year.
The 30,000-square-metre green connector, linking Resorts World Sentosa to Sentosa’s beaches, provides a multi-sensory experience that blends nature, design, and technology into an immersive journey. Sensoryscape is home to more than 200 species of trees and shrubs, enriching the experience with lush greenery and natural beauty. Its nighttime spectacle, ImagiNite, remains a standout feature, being the first outdoor “phygital” experience in Southeast Asia, incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) to transform the landscape after dark. By enhancing Sentosa’s after-dark appeal, Sensoryscape has successfully positioned the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists.
Introducing Senseri – The New AR Feature Enhancing ImagiNite
Senseri taking flight over Scented Sphere
In conjunction with this milestone anniversary, SDC has launched Senseri, a new AR feature that further elevates the ImagiNite experience. Inspired by Sentosa’s peacocks and the island’s spirit, Senseri is a mystical superbeing that takes flight across Sensoryscape’s night sky through the ImagiNite app. The name “Senseri” is derived from “Sen,” linking it to Sentosa, and “seri,” meaning “radiance” in Malay. This addition strengthens the fusion of tangible and virtual reality, enhancing the magical nighttime ambiance of Sensoryscape.
A Special Media Event with a Bespoke Soundscape by August Lum
To further commemorate the occasion, SDC hosted a media event featuring a live symphony showcase by renowned composer August Lum and a 16-piece orchestra. Lum’s bespoke soundscape, composed specifically for Sensoryscape, plays during the day to create a distinct day-to-night experience for visitors. The evocative soundtrack, carefully designed to harmonise with the lush surroundings and cascading water, gently immerses guests in a tranquil and sensory journey.
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OPW Media: Conversation with August Lum on the inspiration behind the design thinking of Sentosa Sensoryscape’s soundscape
Speaking on the inspiration behind the Sentosa Sensoryscape’s soundscape, August Lum shared:
“Prior to the beginning of composition, Regina from Sentosa Development Corporation and I established some objectives and boundaries for the compositions making up Sensoryscape’s soundscape. The music ought to express different emotions – to make the audience feel different emotions – yet cannot be too heavy-handed, or too negative, or too experimental to the point of alienating people. The music is ‘sensory’ in the way that it takes one on a journey, it does not attempt to be a piece of wallpaper. So if you listen to the music, you’d find pleasant melodies and interesting instrumental textures and conversations. Even if one doesn’t pay close attention to it, one can generally feel a relaxed vibe in the space, and this vibe comes with the sound of falling water and lush greenery and warm and relaxing colours.”
He further emphasised that “Sensoryscape is a world of its own despite being located in a very public space between an integrated resort complex and a tropical beach. The soundtrack has been written with the purpose of taking one into another ‘space.’”
Lum’s compositions include pieces inspired by Sentosa’s iconic elements, such as Cable Car, Monorail, and Carillon where he shared more insights into his compositions with us as follows:
- Cable Car – it depicts the experience of being floating and gliding slowly and silently. I always find that a ropeway / gondola provides a ride that cannot be similarly experienced by other forms of transportation that are able to hover or elevate.
- Monorail – I always recall a ride on the old monorail that traversed around the island. Part of the music was inspired by the background music that accompanied the onboard commentary. Another part of it came from the relaxing and warm experience it offered, as well as the “tropical” nature of its route (passing through tropical-inspired attractions and landscapes, from the forest to the beach – it was not air-conditioned, and the doors were windowless, so one felt part of the locale that the train went past, and one certainly felt the heat and was reminded of being on a sunny, tropical island that wasn’t anything sterile like the mainland (leaving mainland Singapore for one of the outlying islands was kind-of considered “going abroad”).
- Carillon – inspired by the carillon bells that used to stand at the furthest end of Merlion Walk (next to iFly Singapore). On my visits to Sentosa, I would sometimes make a point to be there on the hour just to listen to it chime. I have always loved the sound of bells and carillons because they can be made to sound harmonious, yet there is a slightly off-pitch quality which makes them sound natural and quaint. So, this piece was originally intended to be a “concerto” for the carillon of sorts.
Artistic Collaboration and Community Initiatives
Event attendees at the media event were also the first to view the new Sensoryscape Word Block, designed by local artist, JOOheng Tan. Tan is also the designer for the iconic Siloso Word Block on Siloso Beach, which has become synonymous with Sentosa’s unique beachside charm.
Sensoryscape continues to evolve as a dynamic programming and experiential space, collaborating with local artists, creative minds, and interest groups to foster community engagement. Past initiatives include illuminating the precinct in yellow and purple for the #ShineforDementia campaign and hosting the vibrant “18 Blessings in Bloom” floral installation for Chinese New Year. Looking ahead, Sensoryscape will play a key role in major events such as WWF Earth Hour 2025 Festival and Sentosa Cares Week later this year.
Visiting Sentosa Sensoryscape
Sentosa Sensoryscape is open to the public daily, with the ImagiNite experience available nightly from 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM. As part of its anniversary celebrations, complimentary island admission will be available from 15 to 23 March and 6 to 14 September via the following modes:
- Sentosa Express via VivoCity Station
- Passenger vehicles entering through all gantries at Sentosa Gateway
- Existing free entry options, including the Sentosa Boardwalk, SBS Transit’s Service 123 (with distance-based fare), and cycling
For more information on Sentosa Sensoryscape, please visit https://sensoryscape.sentosa.com.sg.
Photos credited to Sentosa Development Corporation.
