BLOG - Page 39 of 108 - Building Review Journal

New Shaw Tower Achieve the BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification under latest 2021 criteria

3 January, 2023/in News, Sustainability/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Shaw Tower celebrates a series of accolades certifying it as one of Singapore’s most state of the art, sustainable and healthy workplaces. It has been awarded the coveted Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification under the latest 2021 criteria – the first grade A commercial building in Singapore to achieve this prestigious accolade. In addition, as an industry’s first for a commercial building, the development is also awarded three additional badges, showcasing exemplary performance gaining the Health and Wellbeing (Hw), Intelligence (In) and Maintainability (Mt) badges.

80% of new developments by gross floor area (GFA) will be required to be BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certified from 2030 under the Singapore Green Building Masterplan announced last year. As the first grade A commercial building to achieve the higher standards required, Shaw Tower will demonstrate how future workplaces in Singapore can be greener and healthier from design and construction through to completion and beyond.

As a BCA Green Mark 2021-certified Super Low Energy Building, the new Shaw Tower builds a solid foundation on the following key features:

• Superior energy efficiency: The new Shaw Tower will achieve more than 60%1 energy savings – utilising an advanced hybrid air-conditioning system, smart Internet of Things (IoT) lighting and tenant power management strategies. These will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Shaw Tower, mitigating climate change in the transition toward a carbon zero industry.

• Provide renewable energies: Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels along with a wind turbine will also generate renewable energy, contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the building.

• Employ smart technologies: Shaw Tower will use smart facilities management systems powered by an IoT ecosystem to monitor and automatically adjust indoor air quality and lighting levels for optimal energy efficiency and thermal comfort. It will also capture building occupancy and space utilization data to optimise workplace strategy.

• Create healthier environment for tenants: High performance air filtration and sterilisation systems clean the air throughout the tower to promote better air circulation for human health. This is supported by Indoor Air Quality monitoring systems and controls that respond automatically to changes in air quality due to shifting occupancy levels or other factors.

1 This refers to 60% energy savings above 2005 building codes which is being used as the anchor reference for Green Mark energy savings.

Occupants and visitors can also take advantage of amenities such as a gymnasium, end of-trip facilities supporting healthier travel options and 15,700 square feet of retail and dining options including a rooftop restaurant.

With buildings contributing over 20% of emissions locally, Lendlease continues to work with like minded partners and supporters like BCA and Shaw Towers Realty Pte Ltd, to help Singapore create more sustainable and healthier buildings for the benefit of communities now and in future.

Raising the bar on the future of work

In addition to the BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) accolade, the new Shaw Tower is also:

• The first building under development in Singapore and Asia to achieve the WiredScore Platinum award – the highest rating available – in recognition of its digital connectivity standards as a future-ready workplace supporting tech-centric ways of working.

• Singapore’s first high-rise grade A commercial building under development to be pre-certified the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), targeting WELL v2 Core Gold, boosting the health and wellbeing of tenants and visitors.

• ABC Waters Certified Project by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for its lush green cascading gardens capping the podium section and the two sky terraces at the top and midpoint of the tower, providing biophilic spaces further enhancing the health and wellbeing of future occupants and visitors.

“It is not an easy feat to achieve the very first BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) award under the latest 2021 criteria for a new grade A commercial building, along with the other accolades from WiredScore and PUB. We are thankful for the opportunity to co-create high-tech, sustainable and healthy buildings for Singapore,” commented Ms Ng Hsueh Ling, Managing Director, Singapore and Chairman, Lendlease Global Commercial Trust Management.

Aedas-Designed Double Twin Towers Complex Setting Itself to be The Future Landmark

27 December, 2022/in Architecture/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 01

To keep pace with the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), which is deemed a key strategic role in the country’s development blueprint to implement innovation-driven reforms, the Greater Bay Area (Guangzhou)

Technology Finance Centre comprises of a five-star hotel, offices, retail and residential spaces. Aedas Global Design Principal Leo Liu has led the team to create a mixed-use complex to form an urban living room, encouraging social interaction, strengthening communities and creating a vibrant live-work dynamic.

Conveniently located in Huangpu district of western Guangzhou, the project is accessibly situated by Kexue Boulevard, to the north of the Guangshen Expressway that connects major cities of Guangdong. This double twin towers complex exemplifies an efficient high-density infrastructure integrating different functional programmes to cater to rapid urban development.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 03

The masterplan integrates the functions and entrances, leading the pedestrians to the sunken plaza in the centre and embodying the agglomeration of assets. Derived from “waterfall cloud”, the architectural form adopts a dynamic landscape of flowing clouds pouring down like water. The simplistic yet fluid curves outline

the façade, symbolising the passage of clouds in the sky while emphasising the “flow” element.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 04

The edges are softened through arched glass panels, creating smooth forms and reducing the massing of the towers. The linear architectural form then flows and extends outwards to form a grandeur entrance canopy, echoing its design language.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 06

Further detailing the façade, a tapered section has been achieved by varying the depth of the fins design, adding texture to the otherwise flat plane. The decorative strips on the stainless steel curtain walls differ in width according to the height of the building, getting wider towards the bottom of the structure, allowing a more diverging and upright appearance. Inward-opening strips enable natural ventilation to inject fresh air to interiors without affecting the architectural form. With the stainless steel and glazing reflecting one another under the sunlight, looking like glistening water, the imagery of “waterfall cloud” is further reinforced.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 07

The primary aim of this design is to create an energised complex that provides multiple-layered public spaces, greening and environmental benefits. The project is set to become a vibrant hub connecting the city through its porosity and adaptability. The smooth architectural form extends to a green podium and forms a biophilic communal space that promotes communication to activate the public realm.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 09

Lodging different business types and functions, the mixed-use structure accommodates a plethora of floor plan types. The floor plan is optimised to maximise the floor area and achieve excellent corner view where each guest can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. It is set to become a theatre where comfort meets functionality.

Greater bay area (guangzhou) technology finance centre by aedas 10

“To incorporate the features of an innovative zone, we aim to create a vivid landmark that shall mark itself as a masterpiece in time through a simple façade and consistent architectural language,” said Aedas Global Design Principal Leo Liu.

Project Details:

Project: Greater Bay Area (Guangzhou) Technology Finance Centre

Location: Guangzhou, China

Client: GDD Holding Group

Design and Project Architect: Aedas

Gross Floor Area: 295,862 sq m

Design Directors: Leo Liu, Global Design Principal

Ayana Estate to Opens Museum Saka to Celebrate Bali’s Rich Art, Religion and Culture

24 December, 2022/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

AYANA Estate proudly announced the opening of Museum Saka – a carefully curated space to showcase and celebrate art expressions that reflect the beautiful interactions of Balinese culture, mystic, and religion – in March 2023. The museum takes Nyepi, a Balinese Day of Silence, which is unique only to Bali, as its theme. Nyepi is considered to be one of the most peaceful and beautiful nights in Bali where pollution level drops and the sky is very clear that the Milky Way can be seen to the naked eye. This has been an inspiration for the museum to be a meditative space with its star-spangled ceiling and calling ambience. For the opening, the museum will boast a sizable collection of large effigies of Balinese mythical beings, ‘Ogoh-ogoh’, a contemporary community-based art that would otherwise only be seen and enjoyed once a year as part of Balinese Day of Silence processions.

Located in the heart of AYANA Estate in Jimbaran, the 5,000 square meters’ museum houses eight different galleries, an archive and library area, a screening room, a café, and a curated merchandise store. The key collection of the museum will highlight ten of Ogoh-ogoh from prominent local artists, including works of Kedux and Gusman Surya. “Presenting ogoh-ogoh in its contemporary expression but as a messenger that is deeply rooted in Balinese culture, will allow visitors to be immersed in the feeling and vibrancy of the Nyepi processions. Ogoh-ogoh are created communally by the island’s youth. The creation activities showcase Balinese spirit to preserve arts and culture,” said Marlowe Bandem, a renowned Balinese culture archivist. Marlowe is a part of the museum’s expert committee responsible for museum’s curation. Other esteemed members are Professor I Made Bandem, Bruce Carpenter, James Bennett and Farah Wardani.

The word ‘Saka’ means pillar in Balinese and denotes the ideals of the museum as a strong foundation to support the advancement of Bali art and cultural expression. Saka also refers to the Balinese Saka calendar, and the role the museum will serve to connect past and present Bali and give visitors an experience that transcends time and space.

Museum Saka forms an intrinsic part of the integrated luxury AYANA Estate aimed at enhancing guests’ experiences by offering a unique Balinese art and culture experience. It is supporting AYANA Estate’s identity as a microcosm that provides insights into the mysticism of Bali as well as a must-visit destination of its own. “As the largest integrated resort in Bali, AYANA Estate is responsible for being the frontrunner in promoting and celebrating the Balinese culture of all of our guests of national and international community. We have been doing so by intertwining Balinese influence on our resorts’ architecture, interior, and our legendary Balinese hospitality. This will then be significantly elevated with the presence of Museum Saka,” said Michi Sonoda, Executive Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing, AYANA Estate.

Free for guests and open to the public, Museum Saka offers guests an unrivaled meditative space all year long, immersing the senses in artistic marvels, lush landscapes and architectural wonders. It is also geared towards hosting events and receptions in its indoor and outdoor area as well as providing exciting events, performance, workshops and other creative programs for kids and adults.

Leading up to the opening, Museum Saka will invite leading voices in Bali’s traditional and contemporary arts to support Saka to become a world-class museum destination in Bali.

AYANA Estate and Museum Saka also invite travelers from all around the world to plan and join in celebrations of the Balinese Day of Silence in March 2023, staying at one of its four award-winning resorts – AYANA Villas Bali, AYANA Segara Bali, AYANA Resort Bali, and RIMBA by AYANA Bali – each with its own personality and heavenly vista that will create a story of a lifetime.

For more information, please visit ayana.com.

Pontiac Land Group Celebrates the Completion of Capella Sydney’s Construction Phase With Official Ceremony

23 December, 2022/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Illustrative view 9 section 4.55 view (mod 7) from bent street (1)

Pontiac Land Group hosted distinguished guests from the NSW government, City of Sydney and the Singapore High Commission to Australia at a special ceremony marking the completion of Capella Sydney’s construction phase.

Following seven years of meticulous planning, conservation and renovations, the former Department of Education building has been transformed into a 192-room hotel where contemporary design meets storied architectural features. Opening in March 2023, Capella Sydney will elevate luxury accommodation options for business and leisure travellers, bringing heightened cultural immersion to the city’s historical Sandstone Precinct and contributing to the relaunch of Australia’s high-end tourism economy post-covid.

The event opened with a First Nations Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, followed by speeches from David Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Pontiac Land Group, The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Councillor Clover Moore and His Excellency Anil Kumar Nayar, Singapore High Commissioner to Australia. Guests were hosted in the hotel’s entrance foyer, where four specially commissioned heritage interpretation artworks by renowned Australian artist Judy Watson were unveiled within the Education Building’s original directory boards.

“It took seven years of planning, conservation work and renovations, and although not easy, the stunning result makes it worthwhile. Pontiac Land has collaborated with the City in the areas of heritage restoration and interpretation, public art and most recently Sydney’s North Public Domain Plan Update so we knew these precious buildings were in good hands,” said The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Councillor Clover Moore. “We are working with Pontiac Land and the team to undertake public works to Farrer Place and to achieve a service tunnel under Loftus Street to the former Lands Department building, another landmark sandstone building. And from March, when Capella Sydney opens to its first guests, it will add to the vibrancy of our Quay Quarter with its web of laneways and variety of venues in heritage buildings. A once strictly nine-to-five part of town will be alive around the clock, and the hotel will be a wonderful addition to the rejuvenated Circular Quay precinct.”

A holistic mixed-use development in the making

Capella Sydney is a two-phase restoration project, comprising two heritage properties – the former Department of Education building and Department of Lands building, collectively known as the Sandstone Precinct.

Restoration works at the Department of Lands building are still underway, with an estimated completion date in 2026. Upon completion, Capella Sydney will be extended into a mixed-use development with larger-scale event and meeting spaces, curated retailers and signature food and beverage establishments, catering to both luxury travellers and the precinct’s thriving business scene.

The extended Capella Sydney will become one of the largest privately funded tourism infrastructure projects in NSW and one of the biggest job-creating foreign investments in Sydney. An economic impact analysis by Ernst and Young estimates it will create over 500 full time equivalent jobs across the construction and tourism sectors and contribute approximately A$1.2bn both directly and indirectly to Sydney’s economic output.

Pontiac Land’s scale of investment on the project is comparable to the International Convention Centre in Sydney’s Darling Harbour and Allianz Stadium at Moore Park.

An amalgamation of Singaporean and Australian expertise and experience

Pontiac Land Group was awarded the lease and redevelopment project in 2015, following a rigorous and competitive public tender process where the Group demonstrated a strong track record for transforming spaces and communities through iconic architecture, thoughtful design and luxury hospitality. As one of Singapore’s pioneering developers, Pontiac Land has played an instrumental role in shaping Singapore’s luxury real estate landscape, particularly along the city’s iconic Orchard Road shopping belt and idyllic Marina Bay waterfront business district.

The privately-held real estate company takes a long-term view on their investments and firmly believes in uplifting and growing alongside the communities they operate in. Throughout the project, Pontiac Land made every effort to engage Australian companies and craftspeople in this iconic restoration project. Over 95% of the project’s builders, craftspeople and consultants are local Australian companies, including Essence Project Management and Built, one of Australia’s largest construction groups who have been involved since the project’s tendering stage in 2014. Since then, Essence has grown from a small talented team of three individuals into a 50-person state-accredited service provider. Built, which has been spearheading the complex restoration works at both the Education and Lands buildings, is now recognised as one of the country’s most innovative tier one contractors and trusted heritage adaptive reuse experts.

“The work on the Sandstones Precinct was a wonderful opportunity to make better use of government assets to boost the NSW economy with the creation of hundreds of construction and hospitality jobs,” said Leon Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Property and Development NSW. “It also means these landmark buildings will, for the first time, be open to locals and visitors to enjoy.”

“We are thankful for the trust extended to Pontiac Land of these historically significant buildings. Capella Sydney demonstrates the Group’s expertise in architectural and heritage conservation, our commitment to be a custodian of Australian art and culture, and our beliefs in creating inspiring environments in partnership with the local communities,” said David Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Pontiac Land Group. “We look forward to unveiling this new landmark of luxury hospitality for the public to experience in March 2023.”

220905 capella public living room final ft

For more information, visit https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-sydney

Brilliant Singapore Engineering Projects Received Top Regional Accolades at CAFEO 40

22 December, 2022/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

320068642 3200696603505508 6876291517542140750 n

Two engineering projects from Singapore have been presented with the prestigious ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 2022. The award ceremony was held on 7 December at the 40th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 40) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Presented by ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), the awards recognise exceptional engineering achievements within ASEAN countries that have demonstrated remarkable engineering skills and made significant contributions to engineering progress and quality of life in ASEAN.

The two winning projects are:

● Tuas Port Phase 1 (TPP1): Reclamation, Wharf Construction & Dredging Project by Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte. Ltd.

Completed in November 2021, the project marked a significant milestone in the Singapore Government’s long-term plan to develop the Tuas next-generation port to be the largest fully-automated containerised terminal at a single location in the world by 2040.

Consisting of 21 deep-water berths that can handle 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, TPP1 involved about 120 hectares of soil improvement works on existing land, 294 hectares of reclamation filling and soil improvement works at existing sea area and 8.6 km of caissons wharf construction works. TPP1 is recognised for its adoption of several innovative and sustainable engineering solutions and green initiatives to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprint.

● Use of Plastic Waste to Construct Durable Asphalt Pavement by Samwoh Innovation Centre (Samwoh)

In 2019, Samwoh and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) initiated a joint research study to evaluate the use of plastic waste in asphalt. Laboratory test results from the study have shown that the use of certain types of plastic waste in asphalt can increase its service life by about 40 per cent, while leading to cost savings of about 20 per cent as compared to conventional asphalt.

The team has moved on to conduct a field trial to validate the performance of the plastic asphalt under actual traffic and weather conditions, focusing on monitoring road pavement conditions and groundwater and surface runoff.

In 2021, plastic waste made up around 15 per cent of the total waste generated in Singapore. The total volume of plastic waste generated in that year was 982,000 metric tonnes and only six per cent of it was recycled. The rest was incinerated and the residue being used for landfill. With the potential of plastic asphalt in boosting plastic waste recycling rate and reducing carbon emissions arising from road maintenance, this project could make significant contributions to the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and promote a circular economy.

“I would like to congratulate Samwoh Innovation Centre, as well as MPA and Surbana Jurong Consultants for bringing regional honours to Singapore. Both projects are excellent illustrations of our engineers using their ingenuity and resourcefulness in planning and solving design challenges, as well as their ability in pioneering the use of new materials and methods to contribute to the well-being of people and communities for a sustainable future,” said Mr Dalson Chung, IES President.

“It is our great honour to receive the ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award. Our project is ‘for the use of plastic waste to conduct durable asphalt pavement’. The success of the research project will contribute significantly to Singapore Green Plan 2030 of increasing the overall recycling rate of plastic waste and will push a big step towards a circular economy,” said Dr Ho Nyok Yong, Chief Operating Officer of Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd.

Procore’s Inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance Report Highlights Commitment to Building a Sustainable Future

21 December, 2022/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Procore Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PCOR), a leading global provider of construction management software, today announced the release of its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which highlights the company’s guiding principles, efforts and aspirations related to ESG.

“Since Procore’s inception, our vision has been to improve the lives of everyone in construction, and we remain deeply committed to driving the industry forward and supporting the people who build our communities,” said Tooey Courtemanche, Founder, President, and CEO of Procore. “With today’s construction technology, it’s no longer just about building, but about building better and leaving a legacy behind for future generations, which is why we are proud to share our first ESG Report.”

The ESG Report unveils Procore’s four ESG pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Our People, Social Impact and Responsible Business Practices. Key highlights from the ESG Report include:

Building a Better World

● Providing customers with construction management software that helps reduce construction waste, mitigate the risk of rework and enable safer jobsites with improved quality control.

● Offering integrations for ESG tools through the Procore App Marketplace to enable customers to measure and understand their sustainability data.

Our People and Communities

● Educating the next generation of future construction professionals by providing free Procore access to 97% of American Council for Construction Education accredited undergraduate construction management programs.

● Partnering with 107 new organizations to donate Procore products, and donating $250,000 to our Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Association of General Contractors of America, in 2021.

Governance and Responsible Business Practices

● Establishing oversight and management of ESG at multiple levels of the company, from the Board of Directors to a cross-functional ESG Committee that develops and drives ESG initiatives across our business operations.

● Driving board diversity, with 44% of the Board of Directors identifying as female.

“At Procore, we’re committed to promoting sustainability through our environmental stewardship, social initiatives and corporate governance practices,” said Ben Singer, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary and Executive Sponsor of Procore’s ESG Committee. “While we have a lot of important work ahead of us, this inaugural ESG Report provides a valuable baseline for us to measure against and marks an important first step on our journey as we continue to work toward a more socially responsible and climate-conscious future.”

The disclosures in the ESG Report incorporate the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s Standards for the Software and Information Technology Services industry and address several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more about Procore’s ESG efforts and to view the full ESG Report, please visit Procore’s investor relations website at https://investors.procore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, about Procore and its industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or future financial or operating performance, and may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will” or “would,” or the negative of these words, or other similar terms or expressions that concern Procore’s expectations, strategy, plans or intentions.

Procore has based the forward-looking statements contained in this press release primarily on its current expectations and projections about future events and trends that Procore believes may affect its business, financial condition, and operating results. The outcome of the events

described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from Procore’s current expectations, including, but not limited to, our ESG commitments, plans, policies and initiatives, and as set forth in Procore’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on Procore’s forward-looking statements. Procore assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Winners of the Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards

20 December, 2022/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

On 23 November 2022, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) announced the winners of the prestigious WorldGBC Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards, which were celebrated in Bali, Indonesia.

The WorldGBC Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards showcases the businesses and innovators leading the way in sustainable buildings. The biennial event, first held in 2014, celebrates Asia Pacific’s brightest achievements towards a more sustainable built environment: buildings pushing the envelope in sustainability, inspiring companies, and strong female leadership.

An independent panel of high-profile judges assessed nominations from Asia Pacific Green Building Councils and selected winners in three awards categories:

The Business Leadership in Sustainability Award
The Women in Green Building Leadership Award
The Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award

The winners across the following categories:

Award 1: Leadership in Sustainable Design & Performance

1a) Residential

Hong Kong – InnoCell, by Leigh & Orange Limited

1b) Commercial

Singapore – Schneider Electric East Asia & Japan Headquarters, by Schneider Electric
Malaysia – The Menara IQ, by HSBC

1c) Institutional

China – DaTong Energy Resources Exhibition Bldg, by Beijing New City Green Resources Technology Employment

Award 2: Business Leadership in Sustainability

Title Sponsor: AGC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Hong Kong – Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

Award 3: Women in Green Building Leadership

Vietnam – Luu Thi Thanh Mau, General Director of Phuc Khang Corporation, Vice President of Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association – VYEA, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association – HOREA.

The trophies for the WorldGBC Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards 2022 were sponsored by Pan-United, a leading technology company in the concrete & logistic space. These trophies were designed and engineered from PanU Illuma, a structural low-carbon concrete that allows natural light to pass through, saving electricity, energy and maintenance costs.

Recap of the finalist showcase webinars:

APN Awards – Showcase (Business Leadership) – 2 Nov 10:30am GMT+8. Video Recording.

APN Awards – Showcase (Women Leadership) – 3 Nov 10:30am GMT+8. Video Recording.

APN Awards – Showcase (Commercial Building) – 4 Nov 10:30am GMT+8. Video Recording.

APN Awards – Showcase (Residential Building) – 9 Nov 10:30am GMT+8. Video Recording.

APN Awards – Showcase (Institutional Building) – 10 Nov 10:30am GMT+8. Video Recording.

Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council, said:

“The Asia Pacific region has the unparalleled opportunity to share with the world its journey in securing low carbon and sustainable built environments. Congratulations to all the incredible award winners and finalists, who are leading the way in innovation across the region.

“By showcasing your work as industry leaders and ground-breaking infrastructure projects, the APN Award winners are inspiring much-needed solutions for both people and planet – and showing what can be done to accelerate sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere.”

Cary Chan, Executive Director of Hong Kong Green Building Council, Chair of Asia Pacific Regional Network, said:

“A heartwarming congratulations to the 2022 APN award winners. Their outstanding projects demonstrated that it’s possible to achieve total sustainability, and we can do better. These awards set a positive momentum for the industry. We hope to see more and more outstanding projects demonstrating their vision and approach aligning with WorldGBC’s strategic areas.”

Anand Muthukrishnan, Principal Counsellor, India Green Building Council Vice Chair of Asia Pacific Regional Network, said:

“Warmest congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Asia Pacific Network Awards 2022. The best-in-class practices and unique sustainable solutions adopted would transform the way the buildings and built infrastructure is perceived. Your leadership & commitment to sustainability is an inspiration to everyone, and this accomplishment is another step towards achieving WorldGBC’s Net Zero goals!”

Our jury panel also put down their wish lists for the future projects:

Low energy consumption and/or net zero will be the target for all future projects
Include efforts that focus on the consumers’ behavior and user awareness of sustainability in order to achieve greater efficiency, health & wellbeing, and resources & circularity.
Include continuous POE (post occupancy evaluation) to fine tune the building in order to dovetail it with the users’ lifestyles.
For daily living of the average users, keep interfacing the hi-tech and “smart” building features and systems simple and user friendly.
Challenge the paradigm of future living as Covid has taught us that traditions can be changed.
Tackle issue of unsustainable living conditions such as congestion, density, quality and high unaffordable prices
Change policy of housing from urban planning perspective to achieve greater sustainability
Use of digital solution to disrupt building typology
Balance between living space and public space, helping people connect with each other
Balance between improving the quality of life and reducing the demand for net zero carbon
Demonstrate commitment to social equity and value throughout the life-cycle, and in the broader community
Prioritise circular economy strategies at all stages of the life cycle
Using intensive and in-depth Micro-climate study for decision optimisation
Maximise the potential of passive design, making the best use of nature. Thereafter, using active and renewable systems.

Cities of the Future: What We Need To Build Safer Smart Buildings

20 December, 2022/in Sustainability/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Michiel Bruggeman, Head of Innovation Asia Pacific at KONE

We live in a rapidly urbanizing world of cities characterized by busy spaces and stressed workers. Although they sound utopian, ideals of smart, connected buildings are within grasp.

To the people who will live and work in them, a smart building should be a simple interaction – but underpinning that effortless experience are layers of technology, from hardware deep underground to signals pinging through the Cloud.

To become truly accessible, healthy, sustainable, and running as efficiently as possible, components underpinning smart building development need to be connected by technology.

The foundations of a smart building

The underlying aspects of the smart buildings are mostly unseen. To enable these intelligent systems and encourage sustainable practices to address the current crisis of consumption that is driving global climate change, we need smarter materials and resource usage.

Circular systems are slowly starting to develop that better utilize waste products, returning them to functional use and reuse instead of simply discarding them. How can we eradicate waste in our cities? It starts with developing new materials at the core of our buildings. That could be materials that are easier to recycle at the end of life – think steel cables that require no oil such as KONE’s UltraRope™ – or integrating existing waste to reduce the amount of virgin resources needed to create materials, such as using plastic waste pellets to add more density to concrete, furniture or other components of a building.

Construction waste from the building or demolition remains an enormous problem in filling up landfill facilities; instead, we could start to integrate final building elements into the construction process. By using final lift shafts to move materials and workers, we reduce the amount of time in constructing a building, as well as the resources needed to build it.

With stronger systems underpinning a building’s physical structure, we can start to build layers that improve human interaction.

Establishing connectivity to enable interactions

Building on solid foundations of materials, we next need a mid-layer of connectivity that allows communication between different stakeholders and services. This establishes channels for the smart elements of a building to coordinate.

The physical elements of a building can enable a healthier space for people to flourish. Principles of sustainability, such as energy efficient buildings or use of regenerative technology, could reduce the need to rely on polluting elements. Regenerative technology either distributes or stores the energy exuded in an action, such as a lift storing up the energy created in a downward trip to power the journey upwards, or returning it to the building’s network. This better deploys limited resources in an effortless way that, while unnoticeable to the human eye, reduces consumption which will in turn cut emissions.

Better buildings aren’t enough in a fast-paced environment – as well as sustainable spaces we need interactive players. Robots could play an integral role in making buildings safer and healthier, by automating many tasks. Yet for robots to operate efficiently, they need to be able to ‘talk’ one another. One of the greatest hurdles our smart systems face isn’t the limits of innovation, but the very human problem of not speaking the same language. Initiatives such as Singapore’s Robotics Middleware Framework, that KONE has been heavily involved in creating, are building a blueprint for intra-robot relationships – reducing the need for time consuming service management and making it easier for robots to react to a dynamic and changing environment.

With an external layer that connects deeptech to human usability, we create space for more creative and collaborative interactions.

Predictive proactivity for seamless experiences

Building on established foundations that enable interactivity, reduce overconsumption and better allocate resources, the top-layer of any building must use intelligence to predict and prepare for what may happen next.

The technology embedded at every level enables a huge amount of data generation – data that can be used to inform decision-making and make predictions. This could include buildings setting up predictive maintenance, reducing the likelihood of accident or harm to people. It could also make for a more efficient physical building, with elevators being pre-deployed downstairs at peak-entry times, reducing the need for people to interact with previously high-touch areas (such as lift call buttons).

Better predictive integrations don’t just make the individual’s experience better or more seamless – they have significant accessibility upsides. By enabling users with additional access requirements the ability to navigate a building with more information, we are opening up spaces that were previously inaccessible without relying on human interaction or facilitation to manage the experience. In automating access to a building, people have more time and space to creatively consider ways they can further improve it; making them active and engaged participants in a healthy ecosystem.

Innovation is an opportunity for all

Instead of imagining a smart building as an amorphous collective of ideas, we can already see how it will fundamentally function. Technology enables change. It connects to various systems and services to optimize the customer experience, while learning preferences to improve for next time. In a future world of smart cities, user experience and the reliability of delivery will set a building apart in the market.

Building solutions should be an investment in the future. By rethinking materials at construction or design phase, we can make structures that are built to last, future-proof technological layers and create truly smart sustainable buildings. But a solitary building is not enough.

Collaboration and co-creation with government agencies and building owners will allow us to collectively pivot and transform the building industry. A spirit of collaboration between companies that are willing to be a part of an open innovation playing field will be the key to building smart nations around the world, establishing a path to a sustainable future for all.

The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur with World Largest Rooftop Public Park set to Open in 2023

19 December, 2022/in Architecture, News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

118787473 3307152646028600 1509834220602762924 o

The Exchange TRX, the lifestyle precinct of the Tun Razak Exchange, is set to become the social heart of Kuala Lumpur bringing experiential retail and entertainment to life when it debuts in Q4 2023.

Conceived as “a lifestyle precinct in the park”, The Exchange TRX will include more than 400 experience stores spanning only four retail levels featuring new-to-market brands, statement stores, and reimagined store formats.

Designed to offer a visionary glimpse of tomorrow’s urban living, the 17-acre lifestyle quarter of TRX is a progressive retail destination that brings international placemaking designs and sustainability standards to Malaysia.

Encompassing 1.3 million sq ft of Net Lettable Area (NLA), lifestyle anchor tenants include Golden Screen Cinemas which will be offering an exciting new immersive cinematic experience; Seibu department store which is bringing in Malaysia’s first “depachika” Japanese food hall and taking up 250,000 sq. ft. across four levels; and an up-scale supermarket by the Dairy Farm Group of Hong Kong, along with world’s leading international luxury brands, fast fashion and exciting new F&B concepts.

Mitch Wilson, Project Director for The Exchange TRX and Head of Retail for Lendlease Malaysia, said “Our vision and the cornerstone of Lendlease’s strategy with The Exchange TRX is to create a city defining project within TRX, Malaysia’s first International Financial District. As a global organization, we will showcase our international placemaking expertise alongside our 43- year history in Malaysia to introduce our signature approach to experiential retail. With our global platform, we have the trust of retailers from all over the world. We are grateful for their support in getting our occupancy levels to well ahead of market ratios, given we are under a year before opening. We believe the diverse retail mix complemented by dynamic leisure and entertainment activations will serve as a key point of differentiation and will drive visitors to linger longer and make repeated visits.”

“The Exchange TRX sits at the heart of TRX – which when completed is expected to be the working and living space for a community of 45,000 people. This, together with the masterplan’s high-quality infrastructure and unparalleled connectivity, demonstrates the precinct’s enormous commercial potential. When we open our doors to the public in Q4 2023, this iconic social and lifestyle destination will appeal to not only an increasingly thriving on-site population but to all Malaysians as well as international visitors,” he added.

Developed by Lendlease, an international real estate group with a global track record in urban regeneration and placemaking, The Exchange TRX is the group’s largest integrated development in Asia.

The masterplan’s centerpiece and a unique feature of The Exchange TRX is its seamless integration to a 10-acre rooftop public activated park which offers an extraordinary opportunity to break down barriers between indoors and outdoors, creating a multi-dimensional leisure experience for families, the working community, and visitors.

Designed by Lendlease in partnership with landscape architects Oculus & Pentago, the TRX City Park will house a unique biodiverse ecosystem of over 150,000 plantings from close to 150 native plant species. With cascading greenery, children’s play areas, water features, and beautifully shaded enclaves that will allow for everything from quiet contemplation and alfresco dining to community events, sports and leisure activities, the park will also serve as one of Kuala Lumpur’s most scenic locations to host red carpet galas, festivals, concerts, movie premieres, and international exhibitions.

Destination dining is another major highlight at The Exchange TRX. With over 100 unique dining outlets offered in each of its five dining precincts, an all-day food adventure beckons.

The “Food Exchange” introduces a modern twist to the traditional hawker scene, featuring local delicacies, snacks, and souvenirs. This precinct also features a rotating concept as well as cultural and live cooking shows by local chefs. “Concourse Dining” will feature an international food hall with seated dining offering trendy international and Asian food. “Park Dining” consists of six destination dining experiences with garden-inspired interiors providing a perfect backdrop for private and corporate events. “Premium Dining” combines gastronomy and aesthetics to present an exquisite, luxurious dining ambience, whilst the alfresco “Dining Terrace” serves as the ideal place for socializing.

The Exchange TRX sits within the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) modelled after international financial districts such as Canary Wharf in London, Marina Bay in Singapore, and the International Financial Centre in Hong Kong. With direct connection to the largest MRT station on the network, and access to all primary arteries of the city, The Exchange TRX offers unparalleled connectivity to the Klang Valley and beyond.

Pan Pacific Orchard Introduces First Look into Flagship Luxury Urban Oasis

15 December, 2022/in Architecture, News/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Pan Pacific Orchard Introduces First Look into Flagship Luxury Urban Oasis

Opening in May 2023, Pan Pacific Orchard will launch a vertical oasis of four toweringnatural terraces, redefining the cityscape of central Singapore

Pan Pacific Hotels Group, a member of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited, introduces a new luxury destination hotel in the iconic commercial district of Orchard Road. Opening in May 2023, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore will be the Group’s next flagship hotel, presenting 347 keys within lush, open-air architecture. Its prime address on Orchard Road places it at the doorstep of Orchard station and shopping malls such as Palais Renaissance, ION Orchard, and Isetan Scotts.

Designed by WOHA Architects, Pan Pacific Orchard embodies luxuriant tropical hospitality that will add a green spectacle to Singapore’s prime shopping belt. It will showcase four high-volume, open-air terraces – Forest, Beach, Garden and Cloud – brimming with more than 7,300sqm of foliage that covers more than 200% of the hotel’s land area. Every guest room affords an inimitable view of either terrace landscape or the cityscape of Singapore.

Marcel NA Holman, General Manager of Pan Pacific Orchard and Vice President of Operations for China, Japan and Indonesia, shared: “Pan Pacific Orchard will bring the new vision of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts to life, elevating the brand into graceful luxury. With sincere service from the heart, we deliver a brand-new luxurious experience for discerning travellers and transform the landscape of Singapore’s iconic Orchard Road. Our passionate team looks forward to welcoming guests with our sincere and graceful hospitality, creating memorable experiences for all.”

Brand-New Guest Experiences within a Landmark Destination Hotel

Arriving at Pan Pacific Orchard will resemble stepping into a tropical paradise. Guests will be greeted by the verdant Forest Terrace, enveloping the lobby space with rich foliage and cascading water features. A 120m-tall green column towers through the high-volume terrace, creating a spectacle of curling vines and thriving flora that spans the first three storeys of the hotel.

Here, guests can enjoy a breezy check-in amidst the relaxing greenscape, and indulge in afternoon tea at intimate seating spaces resting upon sparkling ponds. The hotel’s signature restaurant perches on the second and third floors of Forest Terrace, affording spectacular vistas of the surrounding sanctuary.

For guests checking into a room between the fifth to tenth storeys, Pan Pacific Orchard’s Beach Terrace will transport them to a balmy resort escape in the middle of the city. An outdoor pool runs across the fifth floor, met by sandy shores, tropical foliage that mimic a seaside getaway, and a pool bar for the ultimate beach holiday experience.

Overhead, a mirrored ceiling extends across the entire terrace, reflecting the rippling cerulean waves and creating the effect of an infinite blue sky. Ten special Beach Club Lofts each offer a private outdoor balcony with direct access to the pool.

Levels 11 to 16 will feature the exquisitely manicured Garden Terrace, featuring an outdoor lawn that stretches beneath the guest rooms. Lined by private cabanas, Garden Terrace offers a serene and picturesque space for customised events or relaxation in shaded comfort.

In this terrace, guests and visitors will discover Pan Pacific Orchard’s specialty destination bar. Club guests can also enjoy a dedicated check-in lobby, as well as a plush Pacific Club Lounge that extends from indoors to outdoors.

At the highest levels, the Cloud Terrace occupies the 18th to 23rd storeys. Here, Pan Pacific Orchard proudly presents the city’s only space for “meeting in the clouds” – a pillarless ballroom on the 18th floor with a sweeping capacity of 420 seats. This distinguished event space will present a dream setting for memorable events and celebrations, accompanied by a breezy vista of the city’s landscape.

Pan Pacific Orchard is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability features, including renewable solar panel technology, an in-room filtered water system, and a bio-digester system that transforms food waste into cleaning water, driven by the sustainability agenda of Pan Pacific Hotels Group. Through parent company UOL Group Limited, Pan Pacific Orchard was also awarded Best Hotel Development Award in the PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards Singapore 2022.

For more information, please visit https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-orchard-sg.html.

All images credited to WOHA.