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Sapphire Windows Unveils $10 Million State-of-the-Art Headquarters

25 August, 2023/in News/by Editor

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Sapphire Windows, a prominent Singaporean window and door system specialist, recently announced the Grand Opening of its state-of-the-art headquarters which officially launched on 4 August 2023. Representing a substantial $10 million investment, this exceptional facility marks a pivotal milestone for Sapphire Windows, setting a new industry standard in window production within Singapore. The distinguished event was graced by Her Excellency President Halimah Yacob and Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee alongside esteemed VIPs and guests.

With more than 30 years of experience, Sapphire Windows has earned prestigious awards, including the SME500 in 2022 and the Asia Pacific Property Award in 2023, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the window and door system market. These accolades affirm their commitment to excellence and exceptional solutions for clients.

Unveiling the Future of Window Production

Since its establishment in 1989, Sapphire Windows has demonstrated exceptional resilience and industry prowess by consistently driving innovation and prioritising customer-centricity. Jeffrey Liew, Managing Director and Founder emphasised, “Our journey has been anchored by our unwavering motto ‘Do it Right, Do it Proud.’ We believe in empowering the next generation of talent within our company, fostering a culture of innovation as we meticulously craft window and door systems that exude elegance while providing comfort and security to every home.”

Sapphire Windows’ grand opening featured a significant gesture – the momentous lighting of an LED tree, symbolising their strength and resilience. The company’s commitment to growth is represented by the act of nurturing with soil and water from their core team exemplifies the company’s ongoing commitment to growth and reaching new heights.

The $25,000 donation to the Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild (SPGG) Bursary Fund reflects Sapphire Windows’ commitment to empowering the next generation in their academic pursuits. This noble gesture aligns with Liew’s passion for giving back to society and nurturing future leaders. Sapphire Windows proudly supports SPGG’s mission to provide equal education opportunities for all Singaporean students.

The Sapphire Windows Headquarters in Loyang, Singapore, spans 65,000 square feet across 4 levels. Built with meticulous attention to detail within 2 years, this showroom displays avant-garde designs, highlighting how Sapphire Windows’ products enhance living spaces. Technology has revolutionised operations, enabling precise and efficient handling of labour-intensive tasks, greatly increasing production capabilities. In just one 8-hour shift, the skilled workforce can produce around 100 complete windows, including outer and inner panels.

Showroom and Experiential Zone at Level 4

Level 4 of the Headquarters is a vibrant Showroom and Experiential Zone, featuring a voluminous living area, bar zone, entertainment room with home theatre and karaoke, and an inviting outdoor terrace. The dynamic geometric design and plush furnishings create an enticing space for relaxation and leisure, while the multipurpose sports hall with two badminton courts fosters connections among clients and suppliers who are also sports enthusiasts.

Production and Automated Machines at Levels 1 & 2

At Level 1, the glass assembly line and specialised machines for manufacturing jumbo-sized windows and doors are in operation, and Level 2 serves as the main production space, housing an automated line of machines responsible for precisely crafting windows and doors. Level 1M provides an air-conditioned workers’ dormitory that can accommodate up to 48 people, ensuring comfort for its dedicated workforce, while Level 3 serves as a spacious storage area.

Kajima Development Launches THE GEAR in Singapore

24 August, 2023/in News/by Editor

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On 4 August 2023, Kajima Development Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kajima Corporation, officially launched The GEAR: Kajima Lab for Global Engineering, Architecture & Real Estate, Kajima’s regional headquarters, and R&D and innovation hub. Located in Changi Business Park, the upper echelons of Kajima leadership had long been eyeing an anchor for this region.

“We are extremely grateful for the warm welcome that Singapore has extended to us ever since our first project here in 1962. Almost ten years ago, the late Dr. Shoichi Kajima tasked us with a mission to establish our headquarters in Singapore – he admired Singapore’s blueprint for success and impeccable reputation as a business hub and gateway to the region. He thought there was no better place for us to deepen our roots in the region,” said Mr. Shuichi Oishi, Chief Executive Officer, Kajima Development.

Together with Kajima Overseas Asia Singapore, the local construction arm of Kajima, Kajima Development broke ground in August 2020 and completed the building on schedule notwithstanding the uncertainties occasioned by the pandemic and obtained TOP on March 31, 2023. Officiated by Minister Low Yen Ling, Minster of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry as the Guest of Honour, the Grand Opening Ceremony marked a momentous milestone that not only showcased the state-of-the-art facility that embodies Kajima’s commitment to a sustainable, connected and future-ready Singapore but also the beginning of a new chapter in the firm’s history as Kajima’s first global R&D and innovation hub.

Designed by Kajima’s team of architects and engineers in Japan, The GEAR building stands as a testament to Kajima’s architectural prowess and commitment to excellence. The sleek and contemporary design seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, offering a dynamic and collaborative workspace for Kajima’s diverse teams and partner organisations. The GEAR houses all of Kajima’s local staff and will look at new ways to contribute to the local economy, create more employment opportunities, and nurture local talents. Home to five state-of-the-art laboratories, The GEAR building will serve as a hub for Kajima’s groundbreaking research in sustainable construction materials, advanced building systems, occupant well-being, and smart technologies.

Powered by the Kajima Technical Research Institute Singapore (KaTRIS), the strategic overseas R&D function of Kajima based in Singapore since 2013, this facility will accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions that address pressing global challenges, such as climate change and urbanisation. Its eighteen testbed zones are also installed with occupant behaviour monitoring sensors and indoor environment monitoring sensors to compare and verify new technologies and knowledge developed in the labs.

The GEAR’s innovation hub also aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry players, startups, researchers, and academics. For starters, Kajima has prioritised deepening relationships with both local and overseas universities to apply research to practice, and foster links with the next generation of talent. The initial fruits of these nascent relationships were on display during the ceremony. For example, in-person attendees were greeted by a tethered drone watering the external greenery at the entrance of The GEAR.

Developed in collaboration with researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the proof-of-concept provides a real-world application for drone technology, which enhances productivity in facility management. Guests who attended the event were also gifted augmented reality (AR) postcards, which act as markers to display 3D models of The GEAR when viewed on a mobile application. Together with the Architecture, Representation and Computation Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Architecture, Kajima supported the development of the group’s current AR visualisation platform by testing it in a real-world professional architectural production process by facilitating tests to evaluate the deployment pipeline and user experience of the tool.

Kajima’s collaborations with universities go beyond joint research. Having entered a memorandum of understanding with the Singapore Management University (SMU) in February 2023 with the intent to develop the built environment sector by supporting the growth of startups and cultivating talent.

The GEAR played host to a student conference co-organised by undergraduates of SMU on the afternoon of the official launch. The agenda comprised a keynote by Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited, and a panel discussion which explored insights on sustainable innovations from the various players in the sector. By organising more industry events, programmes, and workshops, Kajima hopes to act as a pillar to support stakeholders to enforce their commitment to sustainable smart city development and propel the sector towards a stronger culture of innovation. Through such initiatives, Kajima will connect ecosystem enablers with built environment corporations and startups in Singapore, Japan, and beyond, to encourage potential partnerships. The GEAR will be that hub to connect Singapore to the world.

“Singapore is a vibrant hub of innovation and growth, and we are excited to strengthen our presence in this dynamic market. Our goal is that The GEAR will serve as a centre of excellence and allow us to collaborate more closely with industry stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of the region,” said Mr. Keisuke Koshijima, Executive Vice President, Kajima Corporation. “By combining our rich heritage and experience with frontier technologies, we aim to reshape the future through our base in Singapore,” he added.

The launch of The GEAR represents a pivotal moment with its innovative design, functional versatility and unwavering commitment to sustainability, which Kajima hopes will position it as a trailblazer in the regional built environment landscape.

All images courtesy of www.thegear.sg

A New Format of IBEW Aims to Inspire Lateral Thinking

23 August, 2023/in Events, News/by Editor

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The highly anticipated tentpole International Built Environment Week (IBEW) event presents the Built Environment Leaders’ Summit (Leaders’ Summit). Happening on 6 September 2023, the summit will embrace a format designed to foster interdisciplinary conversations within the dynamic Built Environment community.

Aligning with the refreshed Built Environment Industry Transformation Map 2025 (ITM), this year’s conference carries the theme: “Lateral Thinking in a Vertical World”. Leaders’ Summit will provide a platform for attendees to witness the transformative power of lateral thinking and creative problem-solving in shaping the Built Environment’s future around the four central pillars of “Organisational Transformation,” “Digitalisation,” “Advanced Manufacturing,” and “Innovation & Technology”.

With a forward-thinking focus, the summit will delve into compelling topics such as the rise of generative AI and the transformative potential of digitalisation and innovation, and their profound impact on the Built Environment. The four keynote speakers headlining the conference are:

Shane Snow, Author of “Smartcuts” and Co-Founder, Contently and SHOWRUNNER
Zack Kass, Technologist and Futurist
John S. Hamalian, Director, Southeast Asia, Lean Enterprise
Manminder Takhar, Global CTO for Global Smart Cities, Dell Technologies

The Leaders’ Summit will shine the spotlight on how companies have effectively addressed challenges akin to those encountered within the Built Environment with their own unique approaches. The event is poised to inspire industry leaders and professionals to generate innovative solutions by applying lateral thinking within their own field and through cross-domain collaboration, thereby shaping the future of the sector. Moreover, attendees of the summit can look forward to an exciting line-up including engaging panel discussions, dynamic fireside chats and networking sessions. Please refer to the website for the full list of speakers and more information on the programme.

Discovering the Future of the Built Environment at BEX Asia

Running alongside IBEW 2023’s Built Environment Leaders’ Summit is BEX Asia 2023, Asia’s premier Built Environment trade exhibition, scheduled for 6 – 8 September 2023. BEX Asia is well-positioned to offer an all-in-one sourcing platform tailored to the needs of local and Southeast Asian participants. The exhibition will showcase an array of market-ready and innovative solutions, from sustainable building materials and energy-efficient solutions to advanced technologies in air purification, digitalisation, and smart building management.

“Net-zero buildings are already here. To minimise their carbon footprint when building and operating buildings, governments and companies are emphasising sustainable construction practices and green building designs along with operations. Our passion at Johnson Controls is to build smarter, healthier, and more sustainable buildings, thus industry events like BEX Asia provide us with a platform to share and gain valuable insights into the latest trends, challenges, opportunities, and best practices in the Built Environment industry,” said Peter Ferguson, General Manager, Southeast Asia, Johnson Controls, an exhibitor at BEX Asia.

The SGBC Seminar, also part of the exhibition’s comprehensive programme, will allow attendees to accumulate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to enhance their professional credentials. BEX Asia will additionally feature a host of onsite product demonstrations from exhibitors as well as industry announcements, promising attendees over 20 hours of enriching content at the Green View Seminar and the Technology Demonstration Area.

On 7 September 2023, attendees can also gain valuable insights at the Workplace Safety Forum, organised by the Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS) and the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC). Furthermore, BEX Asia, in collaboration with its partners Camfil and ebm-papst, is taking significant strides towards a sustainable future by partaking in the Plant-A-Tree programme. This initiative, part of a commitment to offset carbon emissions, will include a series of activities, such as developing a carbon footprint measurement solution with Singapore Polytechnic. This programme will culminate in the planting of 50 trees after the event, solidifying the dedication to a greener planet.

Forging Alliances for Industry Advancement

Attendees will also get to witness the signing of significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that exemplify Singapore’s dedication to collaboration and progress in the Built Environment. These agreements demonstrate the nation’s commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and industry advancement. The MoUs will bring together key stakeholders from varying sectors, fostering meaningful collaboration and knowledge sharing, and propelling the Built Environment industry forward.

Among these is a partnership between Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and KPMG, which will join hands to drive the net-zero methodology and establish a sustainability ecosystem within Singapore, aligning with the nation’s Net Zero vision and commitment to building future talents. Additionally, SP is scheduled to enter an MoU with AKZONOBEL to co-drive the adoption of green building solutions.

The Built Environment community will also see the emergence of another milestone through the forthcoming MoU between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and CPG Corporation, which aims to foster strengthened industry collaboration, particularly in sustainable endeavours such as decarbonisation. The MoU between NYP and CPG will encompass initiatives such as collaborations on Pre-Employment Training (PET) modules, Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses, applied innovation, industry attachments, and internships. These efforts will provide upskilling opportunities for the existing workforce and inspire and prepare future talents to join the Built Environment sector, equipping them with skills aligned to the latest Industry Transformation Map.

Mr Yip Je Choong, Managing Director of Singapore and Indonesia, RX, said: “This year’s International Built Environment Week, through The Built Environment Leaders’ Summit and BEX Asia, plays a vital role as a dynamic platform, bringing together visionaries and decision-makers to connect, ignite creativity, share knowledge, and inspire change. The summit stands as a beacon of thought leadership, sparking interdisciplinary dialogues and fuelling innovative thinking for the future of the Built Environment. Meanwhile, the exhibition showcases cutting-edge solutions, offering tangible pathways to address the challenges faced by the community. Together, IBEW’s pipeline of events fosters meaningful collaborations and drives advancements towards a sustainable and future-ready Built Environment.”

IBEW 2023’s Built Environment Leaders’ Summit (6 September 2023) and BEX Asia 2023 exhibition (6 – 8 September 2023) will be held in-person at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Johnson Controls Expands Into More Vertical Markets in the Philippines

8 August, 2023/in News/by Editor

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Johnson Controls, one of the global leaders for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings together in its joint venture with Primer Group of Companies is expanding and strengthening its product and solutions portfolio in the Philippines. This will give it access to bigger markets and potential in large-scale city development, infrastructure, mid-commercial building, data centres and healthcare projects.

The joint venture reaffirms Johnson Controls’ long-term commitment to the Philippines as it gives customers access to full-cycle capabilities in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment, controls, industrial refrigeration, digital services and total solutions to address the fast-growing market demand for sustainable buildings and facilities. It further taps into the growth in industrial manufacturing, data centres and cold-chain verticals and strengthens Johnson Controls’ presence in the region and beyond.

“We are witnessing strong demand beyond more sustainable and healthier buildings across Southeast Asia, and this joint venture expands into the verticals of industrial infrastructure, logistics, industrial refrigeration and commercial buildings with a full Johnson Controls product portfolio. The Philippines is important to us as we see huge opportunities for collaboration and growth,” said Peter Ferguson, General Manager of Southeast Asia, Johnson Controls. “As part of our commitment to the market, we’re pleased to appoint Glenn Lemoncito as the General Manager for Johnson Controls Philippines. In his role, he will drive the business operations and strategy, oversee the joint ventures with Primer Group, and drive meaningful growth and partnerships locally and across the region.”

Glenn has more than 30 years of experience in business development, sales, and marketing, and has held several leadership and management positions in multinational companies. With his in-market expertise and proven track record, Glenn will be responsible for driving business growth and expanding the organization’s commitment to employees, customers, and partners. This joint venture enables Johnson Controls Philippines to operate more effectively and be closer to the customers directly through its sales & service capabilities with a broader customer base.

Johnson Controls’ products and solutions coupled with Primer Group’s deep understanding of the Philippines market, will provide customers in the Philippines with best-in-class service, in-market expertise, and access to a full suite of solutions across industrial, infrastructure, industrial refrigeration and commercial buildings.

“At Primer Group of Companies, we believe in bringing the world closer to our customers through meaningful partnerships. Together with Johnson Controls, we’re confident that we will offer customers a comprehensive range of HVAC solutions and services to help them, the industry, and the nation achieve our net zero targets together,” said Jimmy Thai, President and Chief Executive Officer of Primer Group.

Sobha Realty Highlights Sustainability in Recent Development Projects

7 August, 2023/in News/by Editor

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Luxury real estate developer Sobha Realty is one of the pioneering, backwards-integrated real estate companies, having all of the key competencies and in-house resources to deliver multiple projects concurrently. Established in 1976 by the visionary entrepreneur, PNC Menon, the company has redefined the art of living over the last four decades and grown its presence in UAE, Oman, and India.

“At Sobha Realty, we strive to always deliver a better experience for our customers, be that in terms of our products or our services. Our backward integrated business model allows us to easily adapt our business to become a more dynamic and innovative developer,” it said.

The company hit record sales of over US$2.5b in the past year, releasing more than 4,000 units in the market. For 2023, the sales targets have been set substantially higher. Recently, it has acquired land parcels with over 16 million square footage of gross floor area to maintain its sales momentum. According to the company, it intends to develop the land parcels in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, keeping in mind the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 and its own plans for a sustainable future.

Deeply ingrained into the firm’s philosophy is sustainability – a value also well-reflected in its projects. As a testament to this, the company has developed and released its in-house ESG report in 2022, aligning with the global principles of the Global Reporting Initiative and the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. The company also undertook the pledge to support the UAE Government in reaching its net zero targets by 2050. Sobha Realty has also launched the Sobha Modular factory, which is expected to streamline its construction timelines and lead to the delivery of its projects on or before the committed dates.

Sobha Realty also recently developed Waves, a residential development located at the waterfront district of Sobha Hartland, Dubai. It is a 35-storey development boasting a gross floor area of over 470,000 square feet, and a built-up area of approximately 774,000 square feet. It consists of around 592 apartment units and 12 retail units.

The residential tower commenced construction in February 2021 and received the building completion certificate in February 2023. Its façade is a simple play of horizontal and vertical forms that give uninterrupted 360-degree views of the tower. The two acute corners have a vertical emphasis leading the eye to a light-weight floating roof giving a sense of lightness to the tower.

To ensure that the company’s sustainability values are carried throughout the design and construction of Waves, it ensured the energy and cost-effectiveness of the project by using low-flow plumbing fixtures to save water and energy, as well as reduce utility bills. It also used a single-stack drainage system to improve performance compared to a conventional three-stack drainage system.

At the same time, each apartment unit is equipped with provisions for a smart home automation system, which shall be able to regulate lighting, temperature, and curtains, and allow secure video communication with visitors at the building entrance. Units also have provisions for advanced control through smartphones and tablets, as well as through standard wall switches and thermostats.

These feats have been recognised by the Real Estate Asia Awards, as Sobha Realty took home the Developer of the Year – United Arab Emirates category win and its Waves also won the Luxury Residential Development of the Year – United Arab Emirates title. The prestigious awards program mehonours the most innovative real estate developments and laud industry players in Asia Pacific that stand out in the market.

WorldGBC Report Showcases Breakthrough Action to Overcome Challenges in Advancing Net Zero Buildings

1 August, 2023/in News/by Editor

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On 26 July 2023, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launched the fifth edition of its annual Advancing Net Zero (ANZ) Status Report that highlights action being taken now to decarbonise the built environment from businesses, governments and the global Green Building Council (GBC) network.

Here is a quick recap of the Advancing Net Zero programme’s progress in the year 2022 to 2023:

A global movement being driven by 35 GBCs, with initiatives designed to deliver greater awareness around the urgency and achievability of net zero buildings
All five regional networks of WorldGBC are collaborating on Advancing Net Zero related projects to equip industry with resources to accelerate uptake
22 national Whole Life Carbon (WLC) decarbonisation roadmaps published or in development by GBCs, with more being produced externally
The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment (the “Commitment”) now has 175 signatories (including businesses, organisations, cities, states and regions), with 140 business signatories that are responsible for around $400 billion annual turnover, holding nearly 20,000 assets collectively across 75 countries, taking action at scale to decarbonise their portfolios and beyond
Built environment will be established as a critical climate sector at the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, UAE, with this WorldGBC report reflecting the thematic agenda “Multi-level Action, Urbanisation and Built Environment/Transport” on 6 December 2023 .
Nine global programme partners are accelerating industry action and overcoming barriers to net zero through innovative business activities

Accelerating a breakthrough in decarbonising the built environment

The WorldGBC Advancing Net Zero global programme, in collaboration with GBCs, partners and Commitment signatories, is accelerating action at a local, regional and global level towards achieving the breakthrough moment to decarbonise the built environment. In July, the UN High Level Climate Champions announced that a critical tipping point had been reached as 20% of key actors from the building and construction sector had joined the Race to Zero.

At the UN Climate Summit COP27 held last year, WorldGBC (represented by nine women), the network and the BuildingToCOP Coalition showcased actions and solutions from the sector, with 19 built environment initiatives launched. Looking ahead, COP28 in Dubai (30 November to 12 December 2023) will once again feature the built environment as a key thematic topic, further solidifying our efforts to establish buildings and the built environment as a critical climate solution.

GBCs continue to spearhead change in their local markets. The ANZ programme is now engaging more GBCs than ever with 35 GBCs participating, and the entire network involved in regional ANZ activities. All five WorldGBC regional networks now have Advancing Net Zero projects aimed at localising solutions and guidance for uptake at scale, including Net Zero Readiness Frameworks being developed in MENA and the Americas.

Each GBC is also engaging their members and beyond to accelerate the transformation of the sector. Examples from across the network are featured in the Status Report, from the GBC Action Timeline to deep dives into the leadership action of Kenya Green Building Society, Chile Green Building Council and India Green Building Council.

Commitment signatories continue to showcase industry leadership, and in the report, WorldGBC details examples of signatories delivering decarbonisation action across their portfolios. The front cover of the report features AMP Capital’s Quay Quarter Tower, a repurposed building of a 1970s skyscraper in Sydney, Australia. Two-thirds of the old structure and 95% of the building’s core were salvaged, saving around 12,000 tonnes of carbon and an estimated US$102 million. Commitment signatories Arup and Multiplex were also involved in this ambitious project, with Dexus and Deloitte as anchor tenants.

Advancing Net Zero’s global programme partners represent key industry players, actively working to decarbonise the sector. Included in the report are Cemex, Kingspan and Mott MacDonald on how they are engaging with their value chains both upstream and downstream to facilitate change and build resilience towards sustainable, resilient, equitable built environments for everyone, everywhere.

However, the industry still faces challenges in scaling up solutions and ensuring all buildings are fit for purpose while minimising their impact on our planet. The report draws attention to the work, resources, and case studies that are helping to overcome challenges such as access to finance, electrification, offsets, existing buildings, embodied carbon, benchmarks and more.

Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council said, “WorldGBC’s Advancing Net Zero programme is making critical steps towards total sector decarbonisation. This report once again highlights the game-changing achievements from the leading work of our GBCs, programme partners and Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment signatories, who are driving solutions and demonstrating that the industry is ready for bolder ambition.”

In the run-up to the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai, UAE, the world’s first Global Stocktake year should serve as a reminder for governments to reflect on how their actions and policies will help them achieve the goals they signed up for under the Paris Agreement. WorldGBC knows that the solutions exist for a decarbonised future; and their network is ready to support industry and government to ensure that pledges, commitments and promises are turned into action that is delivering the change at scale that our world demands.

Call to Action

The world’s first Global Stocktake year should serve as a reminder that collective action is needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In the lead-up to the UN Climate Summit COP28, WorldGBC is calling on businesses, organisations, cities, states and regions to step up their ambitions and take action. Join the Race to Zero and be a frontrunner in the race by signing WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.

Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment

The building and construction sectors can work together to solve this crisis by committing collectively to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and collaborating to achieve optimum performance outcomes, building by building. Join your local Green Building Council (GBC), and engage with regional activities to find out how you can play your part.

Governments can drive mainstream systemic change through enhanced whole-life carbon policies and enabling the transition to renewable energy sources, inspired by industry demonstrating what is possible today. Explore WorldGBC’s Global Policy Principles to find out more. The question we should be asking is why are we choosing not to build more sustainably when the solutions already exist and are being implemented across the globe. Continuous engagement, challenging the status quo, and being aware of the impacts of decision-making in building design, construction and performance, is key to moving forward.

American Standard Design Award 2023 (ASDA) Celebrates Competition Winners

21 July, 2023/in News/by Editor

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LIXIL, the maker of pioneering water and housing products, hosted an awards ceremony and exhibition at The Arts House Singapore, on 12 July 2023 to celebrate the winners and finalists from the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2023. The event included the award ceremony and a gala dinner. The winners and finalists also got an opportunity to participate in a design workshop at the LIXIL Design Studio the next day. The workshop was followed by an architectural tour and a tour of LIXIL’s showroom located at 24, Mohd Sultan Road.

With the theme of “A Home to Love, A Space for Everyone”, ASDA seeks to uncover the power of design, to create a bathroom space that is truly loved by everyone in the family. The second edition of the competition was launched on 20 September 2022 and was open for Second Year and above tertiary design school students from ten countries across Asia: Australia, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Close to 1,500 entries were submitted, a two-fold increase from last year. The entries were judged by creative minds and thought leaders across the region between February and May 2023. The National winners were announced on 28 April 2023, who went on to the Asia-Pacific judging round and the winner of the Asia-Pacific Grand Prize was announced on 24 May 2023. The winners are:

Sin Ponleu – APAC Grand Prize Winner / 1st Prize Winner from IndoChina (Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar)
Azra Hrnjic – 1st Prize Winner from Australia
Riya Awati – 1st Prize Winner from India
Grace Wong Jing Yee – 1st Prize Winner from Malaysia
Aevan Georgeline de Jesus – 1st Prize Winner from the Philippines
Rossalinda – 1st Prize Winner from Singapore
Marisa Chonpracha – 1st Prize Winner from Thailand
Duong Pham Ngoc Hoai – 1st Prize Winner from Vietnam

Expressing his happiness on winning the APAC grand prize, Sin Ponleu said, “I am very grateful for this achievement; it has been such an incredible experience for me to move forward to higher levels. With this achievement, I will remember to keep pushing myself to improve and continuously learn new things, all in the pursuit of enhancing the quality of life through architecture.”

Grace Wong, Malaysia’s 1st prize winner, also shared: “I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and pride in winning this award. I joined the ASDA competition because I wanted to test my abilities and learn from others in the field. Seeing the work of fellow participants has allowed me to broaden my perspective and gain valuable insights. I also want to thank the judges for their valuable feedback and comments. The judging session was truly the highlight for me. These experiences have been instrumental in my growth as a designer, allowing me to continuously strive towards becoming better.”

The entries were judged at two levels – National Level and APAC Level. At the national level, a judging panel made up of architecture and design luminaries from each country evaluates entries received from local participants. The regional competition was conducted across Asia-Pacific and the 1st Prize Winners from each country were evaluated by the Asia-Pacific judging panel to determine the APAC Grand Prize Winner.

“I am truly impressed that this year’s designs demonstrate an in-depth understanding of each space, material, colour, lighting, and ventilation conditions. Overall, the entries reflect clear purpose, attractiveness, allure, and high feasibility. And within it, there are technical elements, sanitary technology, convenience, and aesthetics as core values that we all aim for. ASDA has played a very crucial role in initiating and creating challenges for young designers, said Arch. Le Troung, Founder and CEO of TT – Associates and one of the APAC jury members.

“The American Standard Design Award was created as a platform to nurture and recognize exceptional talent in the industry. We are thrilled to honour the winners and showcase their groundbreaking ideas. Through its rich history of over 140 years, American Standard has continuously set new benchmarks in delivering bathroom solutions that combine purposeful designs and pioneering technologies. American Standard continues to be trusted by generations for its progressive and dependable products. This event not only celebrates their achievements but also acts as a catalyst for further innovation and collaboration for sustainable architecture and design,” said Antoine Besseyre Des Horts, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Asia.

The National winners each won a cash prize of US$2,000 with the APAC Grand Prize winner walking away with a total of US$5,000 cash prize. The APAC winner and finalists were also invited to participate in a half-day tour and a design workshop at the LIXIL Design Centre in Singapore.

Click here for more information about the design competition and a way to be part of an impactful movement that can make a difference in consumers’ lives.

Paya Lebar Green to Comprise Most Sustainable Retrofitted Building in Singapore

20 July, 2023/in Design, News/by Editor

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Paya Lebar Green – set to be one of the greenest, healthiest and smartest workplaces in Singapore – has been awarded the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification under the latest Green Mark 2021 scheme.

In a first for Singapore, Paya Lebar Green has also been awarded the highest accolade receiving all five sustainability badges in both New Non-Residential and Existing Non-Residential Building categories under the latest Green Mark 2021 scheme: the Health and Wellbeing (Hw), Resilience (Re), Whole Life Carbon (Cn), Intelligence (In), and Maintainability (Mt) badges across its two buildings.

Situated along Paya Lebar Road previously occupied by Certis Headquarters, Paya Lebar Green broke ground on 1 December 2022. The development comprises two buildings come 2024 – a brand new, 12-storey South building and the refurbished eight-storey North building, where the new Certis Group Headquarters will be located at. The project is jointly developed by Certis and Lendlease.

This achievement demonstrates both Certis and Lendlease’s commitment as partners to meet the “80- 80-80 in 2030” outlined in the Singapore Green Building Masterplan: the first 80 is a target to green 80% of buildings by Gross Floor Area (GFA) by 2030, the next 80 is for 80% of new developments by GFA to be certified as Super Low Energy (SLE) from 2030 and the last 80 is to achieve 80% improvement in energy efficiency for best-in-class green buildings over the 2005 baseline by 2030.

Mr Paul Chong, President & Group Chief Executive Officer, Certis, shared, “We set out right from the start to make this redevelopment of our headquarters an example of what we can achieve when we bring together technology and experience to create long-term, sustainable solutions fit for the future of working patterns and the needs of our people. I’m glad we have secured this certification by BCA in recognition of our efforts and look forward to helping raise the sustainability standards of both buildings new and old across Singapore and beyond.”

Ms Ng Hsueh Ling, Managing Director, Lendlease Singapore, added, “Paya Lebar Green represents our wider global effort to reach our Mission Zero goals of Absolute Zero by 2040. Bringing our development expertise and Certis’ technology together, we will make Paya Lebar Green an exemplar not just of our joint green commitments, but one where we prioritise occupants’ wellbeing and productivity.”

Mr Ang Kian Seng, Group Director of the Environmental Sustainability Group at the Building and Construction Authority, said, “Green buildings have a good return on investment over their life cycle, and they also help cushion building owners from the heightened risk of volatile energy prices. With more than 100 Super Low Energy buildings to date, we are seeing more developers and building owners striving to achieve higher energy performance using innovative design and technologies. With features such as hybrid cooling and onsite photovoltaics (PV), supported by an advanced smart facilities management platform, Paya Lebar Green is the first building to attain all five sustainability badges under Green Mark 2021. It demonstrates that going beyond Super Low Energy standard is achievable for both new and redevelopment projects.”

Lendlease will bring its expertise in green and sustainable construction with a focus on minimising environmental impact by reducing direct carbon onsite emissions, recycling building materials, and using low embodied carbon materials and renewable energy sources. The project is slated to attain more than 80% overall recycling rate for construction and demolition waste.

Visitors to Paya Lebar Green can expect various tech-enhanced health and well-being features drawn from Certis’ Smart Facilities Management capabilities. The buildings will offer embedded solutions such as enhanced filtration systems and bi-polar ionisation, IoT sensors measuring occupancy, and optimising light levels and temperatures for a comfortable yet sustainable working environment while providing environmental data analytics for continuous operational efficiency improvements. The embedded smart and sustainable solutions will help achieve greater energy performance for the buildings.

Aside from its quality indoor environment, Paya Lebar Green will also feature biodiverse, vertical greenery. Paya Lebar Green has also received other accolades beyond the Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification. Paya Lebar Green South has received the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) WELL Core Silver pre-certification, which attests to the development’s commitment to sustainability, health and well-being and people-centric design, and the WiredScore Platinum certification for digital connectivity, which is the global accreditor’s highest-awarded rating. Paya Lebar Green North has received the WiredScore Gold.

Introducing BENUAR by The Toy Moscow – Where Classic Art Deco Meets Pop-Art Elements

19 July, 2023/in Design, News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Alexander Vorobyov’s new restaurant, BENUAR by The Toy Moscow, has opened at VLADIVOSTOK Grand Hotel & SPA in Russia, along Vladivostok’s Korabelnaya embankment. BENUAR was conceived as an extension of Moscow-based The Toy project but without direct associations. A fine dining place by day, it turns into a restaurant with a show programme by night.

The idea came from the location – the seaport – so the space is bright with a vast glass area that aims to remind diners of Mediterranean Cipriani restaurants. Balanced by textures, materials and space interiors, customers are made to feel comfortable, just like at home or on a yacht. In fact, two walls of the restaurant open onto a parapet behind which the seashore begins; this allows diners to feel relaxed, assuring them that the restaurant meets their highest expectations.

Once they walk through the glass doors, customers find themselves in the lobby that’s reminiscent of a rosewood box. After passing through a small welcome passage, they find themselves in a bar. The bar’s facade is finished in onyx and decorated with spectacular lightning. The lounge, by contrast, is bright with high ceilings and big windows. A glass outbuilding adjacent to the lounge is a winter garden, where you can find tables as well.

The place’s atmosphere is festive and elegant without pretentiousness thanks to a variety of objet’d’art – think a funny, two-metre blue Micky Mouse in the selfie zone and “hands” in the lounge, that are pulling heavy velvet curtains.

BENUAR’s main feature is that it’s a place for business meetings and the gathering of friends. It can easily turn into a restaurant with exciting show programmes come nightfall. The scene is equally visible from all the tables. There is a separate benoir lodge for VIP guests, which lends the restaurant its name. Seven-metre ceilings shape the mezzanine level, complete with tables, sofas, chairs and excellent views.

Glazing, which makes the space feel light and airy, is combined with full soundproofing, thanks to numerous curtains and draperies. These act as interior decor and make rooms fully soundproof and shady when needed. The interior, combined with the author’s cuisine – its main emphasis in the capital of Primorsky Krai is, naturally, seafood – is the only restaurant of this level in the city. It is truly a sight for those who want to spend time dining meaningfully.

World Architecture Festival 2023 Shortlist Reveals Most Inspiring Projects

18 July, 2023/in Awards, News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The most inspiring architectural projects from around the world were recently revealed as the shortlist for the 2023 World Architecture Festival (WAF) was announced. This is ahead of the live event, which will take place in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands from 29 November to 1 December 2023. WAF represents the world’s biggest live-judged architectural awards programme, where all finalists present their projects to a panel of judges at the international festival. Today’s shortlist celebrates the best newly completed buildings and landscapes, as well as the most inspiring future architectural concepts across 33 categories, ranging from residential and cultural to creative reuse.

The Inside World Festival of Interiors shortlist was announced during the week of 13 July 2023. WAF’s sister awards programme celebrates the finest examples of global interior design, across eleven categories. The shortlist has been selected from more than 800 entries and comprises 495 projects from 333 unique practices. This year’s finalists range from major world architects including Foster + Partners, UNStudio, Grimshaw Architects, MAD Architects, WilkinsonEyre, Safdie Architects and Nikken Sekkei, while many smaller practices will also be on stage, live pitching against the big names.

The international judging panel for this year’s awards consists of more than 140 industry experts, representing 43 countries, and will include Lily Jencks, Nigel Coates, Rafiq Azam, Albert Williamson-Taylor, Tracy Meller, Jason Bruges, Annette Fisher, Roland Schnizer and Issa Diabaté. This year’s finalists span the globe, with the top ten shortlisted countries including China, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, the United States, Iran, Thailand, Singapore, Canada, and Japan.

On the final day of the festival, category winners from across all 44 category prizes will go head-to-head for the ultimate accolades of World Building of the Year, Landscape of the Year, Future Project of the Year and Interior of the Year. A host of special prizes, including WAFX, which celebrates imaginative cutting-edge designs addressing major world issues, will also be awarded to projects from the main shortlist.

WAF programme director Paul Finch comments: “We are delighted with both the quantity and quality of this year’s entries. They are a reminder in a world experiencing numerous crises that architects continue to address both everyday and unusual challenges with skill and imagination. We look forward to seeing the shortlisted architects in Singapore.”

WAF and its co-located event, InsideWorld Festival of Interiors, will welcome the world’s leading architects and designers for three days of talks programmes, awards, exhibitions and fringe events, showcasing leading international practices, the best new projects, and most pressing live debates.

Click here to read more about the 2023 World Architecture Festival, or click here for the full shortlist for this year’s completed buildings, future and landscape project awards.