Singapore’s Next Great Third Space In The Science Centre Singapore

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧? The next frontier to audience engagement could be in “third spaces”.

Not the home (first space), not the office (second space), but the "in-between" locales like cafés where people can come as they are. Vincent Phan explains this beautifully in his 1000 Libraries Magazine’s article — https://shorturl.at/sIupO

It inspired me to wonder: What if Singapore’s next great third space isn’t a lifestyle hub but the Science Centre Singapore? I'll explain why.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

At our very core, we long for a sense of belonging and places where we can be ourselves, without the pressure to perform.

Neutral physical grounds where community forms organically and serendipity sparks connection.

Brands often try to engineer engagement through TikTok-worthy gimmicks and events, but loyalty built (if any) is fleeting.

When I was a precinct manager for Orchard Road at the STB many years ago, I gained an important insight about Place Management: the best third spaces can’t be forced.

Design the space and trust people to create their own memories.

𝐀𝐧 O𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 F𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞

The Science Centre is a popular destination among families. With its relocation in 2027, it has the perfect opportunity to redefine itself as a commons of science, curiosity, and playfulness.

Some ideas:

- Imagine coffee raves where energy-harvesting dance floors power spectacular digital displays. Suddenly, science becomes embodied fun, and kinetic energy is not just abstract theory.

- Invite design students to reimagine cafes where the ritual of coffee brewing becomes lessons in thermodynamics. Blur the lines between the classroom and social hangout.

- Just as Centre Pompidou redefines cultural engagement in Paris, Science Centre Singapore can encapsulate science in its architecture and green spaces, allowing for meetups with no agenda.

That said, creating third spaces is walking a tightrope to balance business sustainability and inclusivity. The challenge remains in designing scalable engagement formats (both free and payable) so that communities from diverse backgrounds feel welcome to co-create.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞

When people feel ownership over a space, they return, and they bring others. For mission-driven institutions like the Science Centre, this means renewed relevance, stronger education outcomes, and deeper cultural value.

Because when you allow people to come as they are, the engagement leaves a lasting impression.

Which places in your life feel like true third spaces?