Balconies covered in tropical plants and contoured surfaces based on rock formations surround this Singapore hotel by WOHA, which topped the hotels category at the Inside Festival awards last week.

Singapore studio WOHA designed the PARKROYAL on Pickering hotel as an extension of Hong Lim Park, a new green space located next to the site in the centre of the city's business district.

By adding plant-covered balconies and terraces around the exterior, the architects were able to create 15,000 square metres of greenery - around double the area of the site - and give every guest a garden view from their room window.

These green spaces are complemented by the contoured surfaces that make up the building's podium. Modelled on the topography of natural landscapes, these surfaces break through the glazed outer walls and continue through the reception spaces at ground level.

Other details such as hanging vines, pools of water and raw stone continue the natural theme, while mirrors line the walls and ceilings to reflect light through the space.

The top of the podium accommodates a terrace for guests, complete with infinity-edge pools and pavilions shaped like giant birdcages.

A total of 367 rooms are contained in the upper levels of the building. The architects were also responsible for the interiors of these spaces, but dropped the garden theme in favour of clean bright spaces with bespoke furniture and fittings.

PARKROYAL on Pickering was named best hotel interior at the Inside Festival, which took place in Singapore last week alongside the World Architecture Festival. The overall prize was given to a Barcelona apartment with patterned floor tiles.

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Here's a project description from WOHA:

PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore

Designed as a hotel and office in a garden, the project at Upper Pickering Street is a study of how we can increase the green replacement in a high-rise development in the city centre and multiply it in a manner that is architecturally striking, integrated and sustainable.

Located in central Singapore, the site is at a junction between the CBD and the colourful districts of Chinatown and Clark Quay, and faces Hong Lim Park. A contoured podium responds to the street scale, drawing inspiration from a combination of landscaped bonsai arrangements that are modelled, chiselled and spliced to mimic natural landscapes and mountain rock formations as well as that of the contoured padi fields of Asia. These contours are precast concrete elements of modular radii, allowing the complex, sculptural podium to be put together from a basic 'kit of parts'.

On the ground the contours create dramatic outdoor plazas and gardens which flow seamlessly into the interiors. Greenery from the park is drawn up in the form of planted valleys, gullies and waterfalls. The landscaping also conceal openings to the above ground carparking while allowing in air and natural light. The top of the podium is a lush landscaped terrace housing the development's recreational facilities, with infinity edge pools opening up unobstructed views of the city. Birdcage cabanas perched over the waters add interest and delight.

The crisp and streamlined tower blocks harmonise with surrounding high-rise office buildings. They are attenuated into an open-sided courtyard configuration, breaking down the 'wall of buildings' effect and maximising views and daylighting into the building. Blue and green glass create a patina that recall the waters of Singapore River adjacent. Lofty 4 storey sky gardens which bring lush greenery directly to the rooms and breaks down the scale of the building. Corridors, lobbies and common washrooms are designed as garden spaces with stepping stones, planting and water features which create an alluring resort ambiance with natural light and fresh air, instead of being 24-hour energy guzzling air conditioned spaces. Tall overhangs work together with leafy foliage to screen these spaces from the weather and direct sun.

A total of 15,000m2 of skygardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls, planter terraces and green walls were designed; this is double the site area or equivalent to the footprint of Hong Lim Park! A diverse variety of species ranging from shade trees, tall palms, flowering plants, leafy shrubs and overhanging creepers come together to create a lush tropical setting that is attractive not only to the people but also to insects and birds, extending the green areas from Hong Lim Park and encouraging bio-diversity in the city.

These landscapes are designed to be self-sustaining and rely minimally on precious resources. Rainwater collected from upper floors irrigate planters on the lower floors by gravity supplemented by non-potable recycled Newater, which will also be used for all water features. Photovoltaic cell arrays on the roof will power grow lamps and softscape lighting, making these Singapore's and perhaps the world's first Zero Energy Skygardens!

This project is awarded Singapore's Green Mark Platinum, the nation's highest environmental certification. The hotel officially opened in January 2013.