Curiosity Cove is a multisensory experience that lets children lead their own imaginative adventures. Nature-themed zones, including a labyrinth of giant roots, climbable spider webs, immersive soundscapes, and responsive digital marshes, encourage visitors to move like wildlife and see the world through the animals' eyes.
The new attraction, operated by Mandai Wildlife Group, is situated within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It adds an indoor element to the nature and wildlife destination, which is also home to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Wonders.
Now with Curiosity Cove, families can continue their adventures year-round, whatever the weather.
End-to-end partner
Moment Factory was appointed lead experience designer and content producer for Curiosity Cove by Mandai Wildlife Group and collaborated closely with the Group’s project team and wildlife experts to develop the concept and deliver a seamless narrative experience from beginning to end.
Working with architectural and engineering partners, Moment Factory wove storytelling into every detail of the 4,600-square-metre space, transforming the architecture itself into a participant in the experience.
Sakchin Bessette, Moment Factory co-founder and executive creative director, says: "Curiosity Cove began with Mandai Wildlife Group’s mission to spark children’s curiosity and empathy for the natural world.
"With that vision as our guide, our experiential education team assembled a group of creatives and specialists to design an immersive environment where play and learning naturally come together.
"Conceived as a permanent attraction, Curiosity Cove is a place where children of today and of future generations can form lasting connections with the world around them, fulfilling a vision closely aligned with Moment Factory’s own.
"We’re proud to have collaborated to make it a reality."
'Hypernatural' playscape
Rooted in science and fueled by imagination, Curiosity Cove reimagines natural forms for exploration on an interpretive scale. Roots are transformed into architectural shapes, webs become climbable structures, and terrain turns into sculptural landscapes.
This 'hypernatural' approach allows young visitors to explore ecosystems through self-directed interaction, with scientifically accurate models presented in playful colours and accompanied by an immersive audio layer.
The result is an adventure through four ecosystems: Forestlands, Grasslands, Drylands, and Wetlands, featuring 30+ immersive elements.
Each is scaled to the size and rhythm of children, promoting climbing, crawling, and touching. For example, in the Wetlands, guests engage with water flow and migration as they discover how water connects ecosystems and supports all life.
A key feature in this zone is the Reef Retreat, where children learn about the species that live deep underwater and how they defend themselves. In the Grasslands, nature comes alive with responsive technology that merges physical scenography with digital layers.
Every moment is made to surprise and foster wonder and discovery, from huge atmospheric elements that shape the sensory experience to interactive features and tactile details.
Throughout the creative process, Moment Factory tested the user experience with children in the target age range to guarantee the best engagement.
These insights shaped the space's design by enhancing circulation to promote collaborative play. They also guided the choice of textures, sensory cues, and interaction points, ensuring the environment is intuitive and welcoming for young visitors.
Integrated experiential environment
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into Curiosity Cove's architectural elements. From sensors, projectors, and lighting to spatialized sound, this creates a cohesive “phygital” environment in which movement activates hidden life or changes light and sound.
Intended as a truly inclusive space, the layout offers a space for adventure, quiet, and reflection for every child, regardless of ability or sensitivity. Additionally, varied levels of engagement mean the entire family can explore the rich, multisensory environment at their own speed.
Moment Factory oversaw the complete project ecosystem, from spatial strategy and material palettes to interactive media, delivering a unified, narrative-driven environment where architecture and technology intersect to support experiential learning.
As demand for immersive educational environments continues to grow, the studio is creating spaces where learning unfolds through shared, meaningful experiences.
This work builds on years of expertise and an array of recent innovative projects in the sector, including The Perpetual Story Machine for the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), immersive experiences at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and its collaboration with Science World (SW) in Vancouver.
In October, Moment Factory launched the first US edition of the award-winning AURA series at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
