News Archives

Singapore’s First Super Low-Energy Sports Centre to Be Ready in Mid-2023

17 May, 2023/in News, Sustainability, Design /by Editor

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Singapore’s upcoming Kallang Tennis Centre (KTC) is the first sports facility to attain the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) award. It is slated to be completed in June 2023. SAA is providing architectural consultancy for KTC, while Surbana Jurong is engaged for environmental sustainability design, civil and structural engineering and mechanical and electrical services.

Singapore’s reputation as a city in a garden inspired SAA to design the Centre to be set amidst lush greenery that extends from the Geylang River nearby. The greenery continues onto the rooftop public park and the vertical greenery surrounding the outdoor courts. KTC is envisioned as a first-class venue for tennis events and a vibrant addition to the nearby Singapore Sports Hub, with up to seven indoor, 12 outdoor courts, and four rooftop courts and amenities such as a sheltered event plaza, sponsorship lounge, and a player’s lounge.

The airy design of the naturally ventilated space offers a welcoming sense of visual and physical openness for visitors. The green boulevard between the 10 outdoor practice courts is a mini park on its own, providing a soothing environment to rest or to watch tennis players as they practice.

Atkins Awarded Engineering Services Contract for Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link

16 May, 2023/in News, Construction /by Editor

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a design and engineering services contract by The Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government to support the second stage study of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu – Qianhai) project. The second stage study commenced in early 2023 and is expected to be completed in mid-2024.

The project links Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area to Qianhai, strengthening the connection between the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen innovation and technology corridor. With the support of road networks, the two areas will be jointly developed into a strategic hub of a transport corridor on the Pearl River’s east bank. The first stage study, completed in 2022, established the strategic value and necessity of the project and formulated a preliminarily feasible scheme. As part of the second stage study, Atkins will support the planning, preliminary engineering feasibility, benefits, and environmental impact, as well as construction and operation arrangements of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link project.

“As a leading engineering services and project management consultancy, we are committed to engineering a better society for our planet and its people,” commented Wing Law, Chief Executive Officer, Asia at Atkins. “This contract represents a significant win for the company that will enhance the public transport network and support business and community growth in China’s Greater Bay Area. We are proud to work with the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government on this major study, and we look forward to providing our engineering excellence underpinned by digital services and net zero solutions to deliver the project to the highest quality, safety, and sustainability standards.”

From harnessing the power of data and technologies that deliver seamless, personalised passenger experiences to optimising operations and reducing risks through decades of experience in engineering services, Atkins has built a track record and decades of knowledge required for today’s sustainable rail and transit projects. In Asia, Atkins has supported key clients in buildings and places, industrial, transportation, and water sectors by providing its design, engineering, and project management services. Some of the Company’s flagship projects include Hong Kong International Airport, Chongqing’s Cuntan Cruise Terminal, and Yinchuan International Airport.

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Jinzhan International Cooperation Service District Has a New Shortlisted Proposal

15 May, 2023/in News, Architecture, Design /by Editor

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Jointly designed by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University and Aedas, this proposal is one of the shortlisted designs for the Jinzhan International Cooperation Service District in Beijing. It is closely located where the embassies are clustered, embodying harmony and synergy of cultural diversity. The district is aimed to become a focal development for Chaoyang, Beijing.

With a concept of a “Central Fusion Zoning”, the proposal injects multi-functional industries to promote the city’s image, advocate international exchange and facilitate future development. The planning adopts concentric circular zoning, optimising vibrant international commercial activities. The core ring integrates international retail streets, high-end border-crossing TOD facilities, and cultural centres whilst the middle ring provides amenities including hospitals, schools, and residences. The outer ring is a cradle for high-tech industries, enhancing their productivity and efficiency through a humane working environment. The district is comprehensively planned, creating a mixed-use destination that gathers talent and provides diverse professional services to citizens.

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Through scientific research on the environment, an ecological and people-centric district is created by optimising the balance among wind, light, heat, and sound. The proposal implements 17 carbon-neutral environmental measures to construct an all-round low-carbon system, consisting of carbon-free buildings, energy-efficient transport, new energy consumption, green industries, low-carbon lifestyles, and establishment of natural carbon sink.

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The district marks itself as an integrated area of Beijing and a gateway to the world by means of strategic positioning, greenery and water resources planning, traffic structure, and spatial experience. With a functional layout, three zonings are outlined to integrate the TOD with waterfront space, weave the whole district by interconnected pavements, and deliver a public realm for cultural icons and venues. Jinzhan International Cooperation Service District is designed to be a place-making hub and liveable community with a vision of advancing high-tech industries and international exchange.

Environmental Product Declarations Offer Facts for Environmental and Climate Protection

14 May, 2023/in News, Sustainability /by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The building sector is responsible for more than 30 percent of global CO2 emissions. In the fight against climate change and for an environmentally friendly future, it is therefore particularly important to build in a sustainable and resource-saving way. But how to find the most climate-friendly among all the products? How is sustainable planning and building possible? The best way is with measurable data and transparency. This can be found in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

Environmental Product Declarations are a method for the standardised presentation of the environmental impacts of products or services. EPDs provide a data basis that maps the entire life cycle of a building product or parts thereof and quantifies its environmental impacts. EPDs are based on the international standard ISO 14025, which applies to all sectors, but the construction industry is the pioneer in its application. The idea is that the standardised collection of environmental data on building products creates a comparable basis for sustainable construction planning. Planners, architects and builders then use this information to make an informed decision when making their selection.

They use the EPD to determine which building products will minimise the environmental impact of their project. This supports sustainable construction and advances climate protection. At the same time, a sustainable way of doing business is also supported, which aims to conserve resources and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, customers can use them as evidence for various building certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM or DGNB.

The most important contents of an EPD

In an EPD, the environmental impacts of a product are recorded along the entire life cycle or in parts, including raw material extraction, production, transport, use, disposal, and recycling, among others. For each area, various environmental criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption are recorded and evaluated. These results or environmental indicators flow into the EPD and enable comparability between building products.

An important component of an Environmental Product Declaration is the assignment of the product to a specific product category. This classification in the Product Category Rules (PCR) is necessary to establish comparability between similar products. In each product category, the relevant environmental factors are recorded and included in the EPD.

Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments – two that belong together

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) are two key elements of sustainability in the construction industry that are closely linked. Simplified, one can say that the EPD is a standardised summary of the results of an LCA.

The LCA is carried out in four phases. First, the purpose and scope of the LCA are defined. This is followed by a life cycle inventory, which records data collection and calculation methods to quantify relevant inputs and outputs of a product system. In the impact assessment phase, potential impacts on the environment are analysed with the help of the results of the life cycle inventory. In the final evaluation, the results of the life cycle inventory and the impact assessment are considered together.

Depending on the building product, there are different approaches to assessing environmental impacts. All start from the cradle and differ over the further life cycle of the product. The concept of “cradle to grave” covers all phases of a product’s life, from raw material extraction to production, transport, use, and disposal. It shows the complete ecological footprint from beginning to end. The approach “cradle to gate” records the ecological footprint of a product until it leaves the factory gate and before it is transported to the consumer.

It does not take into account further environmental impacts during use and disposal. “Cradle to cradle” is the most comprehensive consideration. It is based on the principle of the circular economy, where products are designed so that they can either be fully recycled or composted at the end of their life cycle. It avoids the generation of waste and promotes the conservation of resources.

How does aquatherm support its customers and partners with the LCA?

aquatherm has had an ISO-compliant LCA carried out for four product families, which has been verified by an independent institute. Based on these Life Cycle Assessments, aquatherm provides customers with the corresponding EPDs for their projects. The results show that aquatherm piping solutions made of polypropylene have clear advantages compared to other materials such as copper or steel with regard to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and the amount of waste.

Tuan Sing Makes Headway with Phase 1 of Opus Bay in Batam

13 May, 2023/in News, Architecture /by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Tuan Sing Holdings Limited is making good progress with its integrated mixed-use township project, Opus Bay, in Batam, Indonesia, while simultaneously developing a luxury outlet mall in East Jakarta. Spanning 125 hectares and launched in phases, Opus Bay is one of Tuan Sing’s most expansive projects in Indonesia. Under Phase 1, Opus Bay’s Cluny Villas have completed structural works and have progressed on to architectural works, while Balmoral Tower is undergoing foundation works. These developments follow the completion of their respective show units, a marketing gallery and an arrival hall. Potential home buyers and property investors can now visit the show units to get an in-depth look at the development.

“As a leading regional developer in Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Australia, we are thrilled that Phase 1 of Opus Bay has reached a significant milestone. Alongside our partners, we are confident this development will surpass expectations and deliver an unparalleled living and lifestyle experience for our project’s purchasers,” says Mr. James Ong, Senior Vice President, Sales, Leasing & Marketing.

Opus Bay aims to unlock Batam’s untapped potential and transform the island into an exciting destination. It is designed to be a vibrant hub where residents can live, work, play, and learn, surrounded by lush greenery and a stunning seafront view.

Units of Cluny Villas, a community of luxurious resort-style villas, are expected to be completed from Q4 2023 onwards while Balmoral Tower which features high-rise residential apartments with seafront views will be ready by Q4 2025. Future developments at Opus Bay will feature lifestyle offerings such as entertainment, F&B, retail, hospitality, and tourist attractions.

Given its location next to the Waterfront Ferry Terminal in Batam, Opus Bay will benefit from a mere 40-minute ferry ride from the Singapore Harbourfront Ferry Terminal. The proximity to Singapore is set to appeal to Singaporean buyers, who desire an attractive home away from home. At the same time, Opus Bay will serve as a high-quality lifestyle destination for Indonesian residents.

Meanwhile, property investors can expect to capitalise on Batam’s free trade zone status and the Indonesian government’s significant investment in improving the island’s connectivity. The recently enacted Omnibus Law is anticipated to ease foreign ownership restrictions on residential properties, providing a boost to the property market, particularly in the high-end residential sector, which is Opus Bay’s target segment.

“We are excited to announce the opening of this property project in Batam, as it represents a significant step towards fostering economic growth in the region. By providing new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike, this development will help to drive investment, create jobs, and support the wider community. We remain committed to working closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that Batam continues to thrive and prosper for years to come,” says Muhammad Rudi, Chairman of BP Batam.

The development of Opus Bay reflects the close collaboration between Tuan Sing and several award-winning world-class architectural firms and partners. ONG&ONG is the architect behind the Cluny Villas, while homegrown architect RT+Q is the mastermind behind Balmoral Tower. Lead8 and Park + Associates are respectively the architects behind the design of the retail offerings and enhancement of the existing ferry terminal. Overall, New York-based Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is the master plan architect, while China Construction is the primary contractor of the project.

Whilst the progress of Opus Bay is on track, Tuan Sing is also making headway with the construction of The Grand Outlet – East Jakarta. The latter, which is a joint venture project with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd, is slated for completion in late 2023. The luxury outlet mall is set to be a landmark in Karawang, a rapidly growing economic hub connecting Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, and its third-largest city, Bandung.

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WATG Shares its Sustainability Ambitions in Conjunction with Earth Day 2023

27 April, 2023/in News, Sustainability /by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As the world celebrated Earth Day on 22 April 2023, the preeminent, multi-disciplinary design firm, WATG, reinforced its advocacy of designing with sustainability in mind. For more than 70 years, the firm has stood at the forefront of sustainable architecture from reducing carbon emissions via renovations to designing energy-efficient buildings. The firm has set an ambitious goal for all projects to have an accredited team member onboard by 2024, regardless of the client’s plans for a sustainable project.

By 2025, WATG hopes to receive accreditation for at least 50 percent of its team members. A pioneer of sustainable design, WATG is responsible for some of the world’s most iconic and eco-conscious architectural projects, including the Fari Islands in the Maldives, and the Hann Lux Resort Banyan Tree and Angsana in the Philippines.

Chiara calufetti-lim, aia, leed ap bd+c and principal of architecture at watg

“As architects, we serve as agents of change in addressing the global climate crisis. The construction industry is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions, and this needs to change. At WATG, we believe that every project we undertake must respect the local environment and have a positive impact on its surrounding communities,” said Chiara Calufetti-Lim, AIA, LEED AP BD+C and Principal of Architecture at WATG. “We are proud to champion sustainable design and will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to creating a purposeful built environment.”

Fari Islands in the Maldives

In supporting a collective ‘Four Islands, One Destination’ vision, Fari Islands offers an elevated Maldivian resort experience on an island archipelago in North Male Atoll. Its design features innovative technologies such as solar panels and a water treatment system that recycles wastewater. The resort also boasts a coral regeneration programme and biophilic architecture that support cross ventilation and natural wave movements, which help to minimise adverse impacts on the surrounding marine ecosystem.

The Fari Islands project has won several awards, including the 2021 Green Good Design Awards and the 2021 AHEAD Asia Award for Eco-Friendly Hotel of the Year. The master planning project was led by Chiara and Marcel Padmos, Vice President of Planning, and conceptualised with sustainability at its core for a truly unique guest experience across a pristine landscape.

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Hann Lux Lifestyle Resort, Banyan Tree and Angsana, in the Philippines

This is an ambitious ‘luxury playground’ and expansive eco-resort that showcases WATG’s integrated design services and commitment to sustainable tourism in the northern Philippines. The resort’s landscape is designed as a biodiverse space that celebrates local agricultural practices. WATG’s interior design firm, Wimberly Interiors was also involved in designing the wellness-orientated 56-key Banyan Tree and family favourite 200-key Angsana. Other green design features include a water management strategy and a rainwater harvesting system.

“Identifying existing real estate to be renovated, converted for new use, and fitted with new tech and systems is now mandatory. Sustainability can no longer be an afterthought and must remain at the forefront of our approach to architecture. Our work can have immense influence on the environment, so we dutifully develop sustainable solutions, integrate them into our design process and always stay sensitive to the site and its connection to the Earth,” concludes Chiara.

GuocoLand-led Joint Venture Awarded Lentor Gardens Site

26 April, 2023/in News /by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

GuocoLand Limited (“GuocoLand”) and Intrepid Investments Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Leong Holdings Limited, announced today that they were awarded the Lentor Gardens land parcel. The site, which measures 235,371 sq ft (equivalent to 21,866.7 sq m), will yield a maximum permissible gross floor area of 494,289 sq ft (equivalent to 45,921 sq m). The Lentor Gardens site is located within the Lentor Hills estate, a private condominium neighbourhood surrounded by landed estates and low- to mid-rise condominiums. The Singapore Government plans for the Lentor Hills estate to be a sustainable and pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood.

Mr Cheng Hsing Yao, Chief Executive Officer of GuocoLand Group, said, “We have a strong track record in creating high-end residential projects with innovative concepts. We have also demonstrated our capabilities in transforming and uplifting neighbourhoods through our developments, such as Guoco Tower for Tanjong Pagar and Guoco Midtown for the Beach Road-Bugis area. For the Lentor estate, we and our partners will position this new neighbourhood into a new premium residential estate with our various projects in the area.”

To be developed in partnership with Hong Leong Holdings, the Lentor Gardens site is GuocoLand’s third project in the Lentor Hills estate. GuocoLand’s mixed-use development Lentor Modern was the first new development to be launched in the Lentor Hills area in September 2022. In January 2022, GuocoLand, Intrepid Investments Pte. Ltd. and TID Residential Pte. Ltd. successfully acquired the site for the upcoming Lentor Hills Residences.

Lentor – a new town for modern families

Ms Dora Chng, General Manager (Residential) at GuocoLand, said, “The Lentor area is well-connected and it is also close to amenities and green spaces. It is rapidly emerging as a premium residential estate. Demand for homes in this area will continue to grow.”

“GuocoLand developments are designed for people with modern lifestyles. Lentor Modern, the only mixed-use development in the area, offered buyers an integrated lifestyle. For the new development at Lentor Gardens, we envision a high-end residential development with around 530 units based on modern concepts of living amidst nature and greenery. The development will comprise a combination of 8-storey blocks and 16-storey towers with sky terraces. More than 6,000 sq ft of childcare facilities will provide added convenience to families with young children,” added Ms Chng. The development is expected to be ready for launch in the second half of 2024.

“The Lentor estate has tremendous potential. We are pleased to once again partner GuocoLand in developing high quality and distinctive residential homes in this exciting and transformed area, following the development of Lentor Hills Residences which will be launched soon,” said Mr Loke Kee Yeu, General Manager (Projects), Hong Leong Holdings Limited.

The following features of the Lentor Gardens site make it an ideal residential location. Residents of the new development will enjoy unblocked views of the vast greenery in the vicinity. Besides being close to several nature reserves and parks, the Lentor Gardens site will have a new Hillock Park next to it and a future Linear Park just a few minutes away. There will also be seamless pedestrian and cycling connectivity as the neighbourhood is developed.

The Lentor mass rapid transit (“MRT”) station, part of the Thomson-East Coast Line (“TEL”), is just a short 5-minute walk away via a seamless sheltered walkway. When the TEL is completed around 2025, residents of the new development will have convenient access to many parts of the island, from Bukit Timah, Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road, and Central Business District to Marina Bay and the East Coast. In addition, the TEL will enable residents to connect to all the major lines – Circle Line, Downtown Line, North East Line, North-South Line, East-West Line and even the future Cross Island Line. The TEL will also link to the Johor Bahru- Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS), that is on track to commence passenger service by end-2026.

Residents of the upcoming development will have convenient access to more than 96,000 sq ft of commercial, F&B and retail spaces, including a supermarket, at GuocoLand’s Lentor Modern mixed-use development currently being built above Lentor MRT station.

The Lentor Gardens site is close to several established schools, such as CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, which is about 1km away, Anderson Primary School, Presbyterian High School, Eunoia Junior College, as well as tertiary institutions and international schools, such as Nanyang Polytechnic and the French International School.

Strong track record in high-end residential and mixed-use developments

GuocoLand has a stellar track record in developing high-end quality residential developments. It has developed more than 11,000 residential units across nearly 40 developments in Singapore, including Wallich Residence, Leedon Residence, Goodwood Residence and the 450-unit Martin Modern, completed in 2021.

GuocoLand’s developments that are currently under construction, such as Midtown Modern and Lentor Modern, have achieved strong sales. To date, Midtown Modern has sold 90 per cent of its 558 units, while Lentor Modern, launched in September 2022, has already seen 88 per cent of its 605 units being taken up.

In addition, GuocoLand is known for its capabilities in developing large-scale, integrated mixed-use developments. The Group’s flagship Guoco Tower is a “vertical city” with Grade A office space, luxury residences, six storeys of retail and dining options, a five-star business hotel and an urban park directly above the Tanjong Pagar MRT station. The Group’s Guoco Midtown, which is being constructed above the Bugis interchange MRT station, will transform the Beach Road-Bugis district with its 30-storey Grade A office tower (completed in January 2023), three retail clusters, 30 thematic gardens and landscape areas, as well as two high-end condominiums – Midtown Bay and Midtown Modern.

The 99-year leasehold Lentor Gardens site was acquired through the 2H2022 Government Land Sales Programme for a tender price of approximately $486.8 million. The public tender was launched on 31 October 2022 and closed on 4 April 2023.

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Schneider Electric and SGBC Release Joint Report on Green Building Adoption in Singapore

25 April, 2023/in Sustainability, News /by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) have launched a joint report highlighting the critical challenges that need to be tackled as well as key recommendations to accelerate green building adoption in Singapore.

The report, titled “Going Green from the Inside Out: Accelerating Green Building Adoption in Singapore”, presents and analyses the findings of a survey by Schneider Electric involving 500 business leaders across MNCs and SMEs in Singapore, as well as findings from a qualitative study conducted with members of the SGBC on the level of awareness, preparedness, understanding and views of business leaders on green buildings in Singapore. Fieldwork was conducted between October 2022 and February 2023.

Most business leaders in Singapore have a general understanding of green buildings only

The report unveils that most business leaders (51%) in Singapore have a general understanding of green buildings, while only four in 10 (38%) have a comprehensive understanding. These findings highlight the crucial need for more business leaders to develop a deeper knowledge of green buildings so as to spur greater adoption and progress.

Low awareness may be holding back adoption, but momentum is expected to pick up

In line with the lack of understanding of green buildings, low awareness over its benefits may be holding back greater adoption of green buildings, as only 12% of respondents indicate that all their operations already utilise green buildings. Nevertheless, the adoption of green buildings is expected to gain momentum, as over half (52%) say their organisation plans to increase investment in using green buildings in the next one to two years.

Sustainability goals and energy efficiency are the top drivers for adoption

In terms of the drivers for adoption, the report finds that “sustainability and ESG considerations” (41%), as well as “energy efficiency” (40%) are the top two factors for organisations looking to increase the use of green buildings.

“Cost and ROI” seen as the biggest barrier to increasing access to green buildings

As for barriers, 61% of survey respondents indicate that “cost and return on investment (ROI)” is the biggest barrier when looking to increase the use of green buildings in the next one to two years. This highlights the opportunity to convince more organisations to tap into the various support schemes available and reap their benefits.

Most business leaders are highly supportive of Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 targets

Business leaders are generally still highly supportive of Singapore’s green building targets, with 95% agreeing that 80% of Singapore’s buildings should be ‘green’ by 2030, and 98% agreeing that 80% of Singapore’s buildings should be ‘Super Low Energy’ from 2030. Of those who indicated support for the latter goal, 56% believe the target should be lower.

Recommendations

In light of these findings, Schneider Electric and SGBC have listed five recommendations in the report to accelerate the adoption of green buildings in Singapore:

Stakeholders, particularly developers and landlords, can take the lead to advance the green agenda: Within the private sector, developers and building owners especially play a critical role in ensuring that green features are accounted for from the onset in upcoming developments or by retrofitting existing buildings.
Promote greater awareness to leverage technology and tap on support schemes: To enable the scalability of green buildings, upfront costs and doubts over subsequent potential cost savings reaped from green solutions must be tackled.
Grow pool and pipeline of green building professionals: Institutes of higher learning can work closely with the industry to groom the next generation of green building professionals.
Enabling greater access to green finance: Green financing must become more mainstream and accelerated to drive sustainable financing for the sector.
Forging impactful partnerships and co-innovating solutions: Stakeholders’ strengths can be leveraged to co-develop new innovative solutions and industry best practices.

“As we approach key national sustainability milestones, it is imperative that we continue accelerating efforts to reduce emissions and advance towards a net-zero future,” says Lee Ang Seng, President of the SGBC. “While it is heartening to see companies taking action, more can be done to improve the awareness and update of green building solutions towards a low-carbon future. We are heartened to work with SGBC Founding Member Schneider Electric on this meaningful report which will definitely help the industry to identify common challenges, outline actionable steps, and leverage collective effort to decarbonise the built environment.”

“With Singapore’s buildings accounting for over 20% of national carbon emissions, the case for greening its infrastructure has never been greater, and developers, building owners and business leaders play a critical role in helping to drive this agenda on sustainable development,” says Yoon Young Kim, Cluster President, Schneider Electric Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei.

“At Schneider Electric, we are deeply committed to this cause and are constantly growing our capacity to help partners strategise, digitise and decarbonise. We are confident that by taking this first step towards understanding the opportunities and challenges of going green, we can better help companies navigate this complex but critical task and sustain stronger results in their decarbonisation journeys.”

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Aedas Designs “Floating Mansion” on Nansha Financial Island, Guangzhou

24 April, 2023/in News, Architecture, Design, Construction /by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As the only municipal administrative centre of Guangzhou, Nansha New District is leading the future to be a free trade zone as the main linkage between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Hengli Island, in particular, has been labelled an international financial island, acting as the most integral part of the financial blueprint in activating Pearl Bay, and shall serve as the benchmark for the future CBD of Nansha. Entrusted by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Ken Wai, Global Design Principal of Aedas, led the team to create a new landmark that strikes the city’s landscape.

The mixed-use project comprises a kindergarten, three low-rise buildings of mainly commercial uses by the riverbank, two mid-rise buildings for residential, commercial and public service use in the middle and four high-rise upscale residential towers towards the northern plot. By incorporating an unobstructed river view and vibrant city life with comprehensive amenities, the project forms a green oasis with close proximity to city living.

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The project is a rare find within the city’s financial district, especially with an indulging panoramic view of the river. Located by the riverside of Hengli Island, Nansha District, a planned road runs across the plot and divides it in two. The south side of the plot is adjacent to the riverside ecological green corridor, where residents may enjoy a multi-layered river scenery from different viewpoints. Overlooking the estuary to the east and an endless stretch of river to the west, the plot attains a mesmerising unobscured view of the riverfront. The west and north sides of the plot are office building areas which link to the landmarks in the CBD. Being merely 600 metres away from the IFF Conference Centre, the project allows for city viewing from a prime perspective.

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The project has posed several challenges to the team such as requesting a wide scope of functional uses and a high floor area ratio. To maximise flexibility, the design blueprint is altered in a way that different functions are dispersed across the plot to strike a balance between the need for functionality and the users’ spatial comfort. By distributing the buildings by the perimeter, most units can enjoy an all-embracing view of the river. The area is tied together with a central public void adorned with multilevel vegetation. It irrigates and connects different spaces through its porosity, energising the plot to provide an active public response and environmental benefits. Apart from enriching the greening of the residential area, the void coheres with the ecological environment of the city as well. A striking skyline that lights up the riverside is finally achieved with a multi-dimensional layout of buildings with disparate heights.

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The design extends the urban vitality axis by Jinger Road to link it to the riverbank and local landscape. A portal that acts as a symmetrical axis is formed to echo the design language, achieving an airy and open environment by utilising sunlight and greenery. Individual corridors are also formed in their respective plots to penetrate the riverside landscape into the northern plots, creating an exemplar in blending the urban living experience with natural sceneries.

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The team has drawn inspiration from the tip of Hengli Island that points towards the estuary, hence marking “Cloud Palace Above Sea” as the design concept. Comparing the building to a giant cruise ship sailing in the wind, the tower constantly overlooks the river and the vast sea, enjoying the gift of nature from the water and the sky. Through research on spatial structure, layout, and sunlight, the design team fully simulated the shape and viewing experience from a cruise, creating well-proportioned buildings to ensure that the view of the lavish landscape is maximised.

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The façade of the residential tower is comprised of aluminium plates, reflecting the surrounding sea and sky. The overall design focuses on adjusting viewing angles to reduce visual obstructions between units, ensuring that the riverscape is accessible to most, to create a top-tier riverfront apartment. The viewing dock at the crown of the tower is ingeniously designed, offering a picturesque view of the river, while enriching the residential experience. Both residential towers stay true to the essence of the design concept in mimicking an experience on a cruise – the balcony itself resembles the viewing deck where you may immerse in the surrounding waters, and savour every moment of life by the river.

Aedas Global Design Principal Ken Wai remarks, “The balance between man and nature is deemed fundamental in the design of residential buildings. Architectural designs should uphold the belief of being people-oriented, directing them to explore the most primitive habitat combined with the pursuit of quality of life and modernity, in order to meet one’s vision of ideal lives.”

Grundfos Commercial Building Services Unveils New Global Headquarters in Singapore

23 April, 2023/in News /by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, today inaugurates the global headquarters of its Commercial Building Services (CBS) division in Singapore. The move comes off the back of heightened demand for resource-efficient solutions to foster a sustainable built environment in Singapore and the region, where almost 56% of ASEAN’s population will be urban by 2030.

Serving commercial buildings such as hotels, hospitals, office towers, airports, and data centres, Grundfos’ CBS division delivers water pump systems that serve various applications supporting the successful operation of these buildings, including air-conditioning, cooling, heating, fire protection, to wastewater and water disinfection. A critical component of Grundfos’ relocation strategy will be the Singapore Innovation Hub, which aims to leverage local knowledge to pioneer future solutions for energy-efficient commercial buildings. The facility will look to bring Grundfos’ R&D capabilities closer to customers and the market, as well as provide a platform for collaboration with industry partners, customers, and researchers to co-develop energy and water-efficient smart solutions.

As part of developing the Singapore Innovation Hub, Grundfos has engaged in various feedback, steering and risk management efforts since March, following which the company will embark on identifying and developing key innovation initiatives, establishing a governance structure, and discussing areas of collaboration with potential partners. All this will contribute towards a comprehensive working plan for the new Singapore Innovation Hub by the third quarter of 2023.

Singapore was selected for the relocation based on its strengths in innovation and talent, and its nationwide commitment to sustainability through its Singapore Green Plan 2030. Singapore’s strategic location as the gateway to other ASEAN countries also allows Grundfos to work more closely with customers in these markets and support their sustainable urbanisation needs.

Recent reports of climate change and rapid urbanisation have called for countries to examine their buildings’ environmental impact. The region’s building sector accounts for nearly a quarter of total energy consumption and energy-related carbon emissions, and this is still projected to grow by around 60 percent by 2030 and 120 percent by 204 0. Specifically, space cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings globally and in ASEA N. Being one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, the sector’s sustainability ambitions are high on the region’s agenda.

Poul Due Jensen, Group President & CEO, Grundfos, said, “Locating our CBS headquarters in the heart of Asia is part of our wider business strategy of operating as a truly global company. We also recognise Singapore’s strong potential in becoming a hub for green innovation, which aligns with our business focus of driving global sustainability. At Grundfos, we are committed to delivering on our net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure our growth is sustainable. This includes designing our products and solutions to help our customers reduce their energy consumption, conserve resources, minimise their environmental impact, and ultimately advance the global green transition.”

Bent Jensen, Group Executive Vice President & CEO of Commercial Building Services, Grundfos said, “Cities are here to stay, and the future of humanity is undoubtedly urban. With that in mind, there is great urgency in driving a sustainable built environment globally that conserves energy and water use. This is especially important for ASEAN as this region’s urbanisation is unprecedented. Today’s milestone demonstrates our commitment to introducing cleaner, more energy-efficient technologies that can help existing and future buildings reduce their energy consumption and overall carbon footprint. We look forward to advancing a sustainable built environment both regionally and globally with Singapore at the heart of our innovation and operations.”

Under the new CBS headquarters, Grundfos will also be strengthening its talent pipeline to over 200 employees, by bringing in global expertise and hiring local talents. The company will also continue its efforts in collaborating with public and private players locally.