Science parks used to be pretty boring. You’d imagine rows of grey buildings, a few labs, and people in white coats who never talked to each other. But if you look at what’s happening at the Singapore Science Park today, that old image is basically dead. Much of this shift comes down to a specific philosophy on how people actually work, and Sharon Teo, the Managing Director of Workspace Management at CapitaLand Investment, has been right at the center of it.
Honestly, it’s not just about "office space" anymore. It’s about whether a scientist at a biotech startup will ever bump into a software engineer from a multinational firm while grabbing a coffee. Sharon Teo has been vocal about this—that a sustainable, modern workplace has to do more than just provide four walls and a roof. It’s gotta be an ecosystem.
Why Sharon Teo views the Singapore Science Park as a "Community"
For a long time, landlords just collected rent. You paid for the square footage, and that was that. But Teo’s approach at CapitaLand suggests that the role of a landlord has shifted into being a "partner." If you've ever worked in a place where you felt isolated, you know how much that sucks for productivity.
According to Teo, the goal for places like the Singapore Science Park is to create "placemaking" initiatives. This sounds like a corporate buzzword, but it’s actually about stuff people like. Think Oktoberfest celebrations, live music series like "Science Park Pulse," or even culinary events like "Flavours of Tomorrow."
The logic is simple.
Happy people stay.
Connected people innovate.
When employees feel like they belong to a community, they’re more likely to actually show up to the physical office. In a post-pandemic world where everyone is struggling with "return-to-office" mandates, Teo argues that purpose-built spaces that prioritize well-being are the only real way to win that battle.
The $1.4 Billion Geneo Cluster: A Major Milestone
If you want to see the physical manifestation of these ideas, look at Geneo. It’s a S$1.4 billion life sciences and innovation cluster within the park. It’s huge. We're talking five Grade A buildings designed specifically for the next generation of R&D.
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What makes Geneo different?
- Synergy over Silos: It’s designed so different industries—like biotech and tech—overlap.
- Sustainability: Most of these new builds are Green Mark GoldPlus-certified.
- Lifestyle Integration: It’s not just labs; there are retail units and spaces to "unwind."
Sharon Teo has noted that Geneo is meant to strengthen those community connections. It’s about providing spaces for networking that don't feel forced. Most people get this wrong—they think innovation happens in a meeting room with a whiteboard. Realistically, it happens when someone from Grab (a major tenant) chats with someone from a deep-tech startup over lunch.
Beyond the Buildings: The Sustainability Factor
There’s a lot of talk about "green" buildings, but Teo emphasizes that sustainability goes deeper than just solar panels. It’s about the "softer" aspects of business. When a company like Schneider Electric or Johnson & Johnson sets up shop in the park, they aren't just looking for low electricity bills. They want a space that helps them attract and retain talent.
Teo has pointed out that a sustainable workplace actually boosts morale. If your office is full of natural light, has great air filtration, and offers easy access to green spaces, you’re probably going to be less stressed. It’s not rocket science, but it is often overlooked in traditional commercial real estate.
What Most People Get Wrong About Science Parks
People often think these parks are only for giant corporations or academics. That's not true anymore. The Singapore Science Park has become a landing pad for startups through things like the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab. This lab brings together different industries to tackle smart city challenges.
It’s an industry-led hub. It’s gritty. It’s where the rubber meets the road.
Sharon Teo’s leadership in workspace management focuses on this flexibility. A company might start with a small lab and need to scale up rapidly. If the infrastructure isn't "plug-and-play," that company leaves. By providing end-to-end solutions—from the physical lab setup to the networking events—the park keeps the talent within its borders.
Actionable Insights for Businesses Looking at Science Parks
If you’re a founder or a facility manager looking at a move, don't just look at the price per square foot. Here is how you should actually evaluate a space based on the current trends in Singapore:
- Check the "Placemaking" Calendar: Does the landlord actually host events? If the last event was three years ago, the "community" is a myth.
- Look for Flexibility: Can the space grow with you? Modern clusters like Geneo are built for modularity.
- Evaluate the "Third Space": Is there somewhere to go that isn't your desk or a formal conference room? Cafes, lounges, and outdoor benches matter more than you think.
- Sustainability as Talent Retention: Ask about the Green Mark rating. Younger talent, especially in tech and science, actually cares if their employer is housed in a "dirty" building.
The Singapore Science Park isn't just a collection of buildings; under the guidance of leaders like Sharon Teo, it has morphed into a living laboratory for how we work. The focus has shifted from the "where" to the "how" and "why."
As the park continues to evolve, the integration of work, play, and living will only get tighter. Whether you’re a scientist or a CEO, the takeaway is clear: the best work happens in environments that treat you like a human being, not just a cog in a machine.
To make the most of this environment, your next step should be to audit your current workspace's "collaboration frequency." Track how often your team interacts with people outside their immediate department. If that number is zero, it might be time to look for a campus that actually facilitates those "accidental" breakthroughs.