What happened
Exploria has opened at Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve as a permanent, approximately 10,000m² visitor attraction. Developed by Mandai Wildlife Group, the project opened on 3 March 2026. GSM Studios led the experience design and production process.
The attraction interprets ecosystems and species that can be difficult to reach or observe directly, including deep oceans, caves, microscopic life, prehistoric environments and extreme habitats. It contains no live animals. Instead, digital imagery, scenography, lighting, audio and environmental effects are used to present 250 species across five themed worlds.
At its centre is Our Interconnected World, a hub leading to the other zones and featuring the multimedia presentation Our Planet Awakens. The wider programme includes augmented-reality experiences, large-scale installations and immersive film. In the Bitdeer AI Extreme Frontiers area, visual and audio simulations are combined with controlled wind and temperature effects.
Visitors can set up an Explorer profile and avatar, undertake activities and gather species badges. An RFID-enabled system connects this activity across 87 interactive installations, allowing progress to continue between zones.
Why it matters
Exploria offers a built-environment approach to nature interpretation that does not recreate habitats with animals. Its subject matter focuses on environments beyond routine public access, as well as organisms that are not readily visible to the unaided eye.
For exhibition, museum and visitor-attraction teams, the project brings spatial design, digital content, interaction design and sensory systems into a single operational journey. The installation also illustrates the scale of coordination involved: GSM Studios’ remit covered concept development, creative direction, scenography, interaction design, media narrative, content development, and project and production management.
Other named contributors include FORREC, Lightemotion, Electronics & Engineering, Dpt., Immersive International, CraveFX, Headspace Studio and Bob. Their roles covered areas including attraction planning, lighting, audiovisual integration, digital content, sound, scenographic implementation and systems integration.
What readers should watch
The project is now operating as a permanent installation at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Professionals assessing comparable experiences can examine how its shared RFID layer ties individual exhibits to a broader visitor pathway, rather than treating each interactive element as a standalone feature.
