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Guoco Midtown Office Tower TOP With 80% Take-Up To-Date

6 February, 2023/in News /by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Guoco Midtown, the mega integrated mixed development by GuocoLand Limited (“GuocoLand”), has injected 709,000 sq ft of new premium Grade A office space in Singapore’s Downtown Core business district as its 30-storey office tower achieved its Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”).

The other components of Guoco Midtown, including the Network Hub, two retail clusters (Midtown Square and Midtown Market), luxury condominium Midtown Bay and the conserved former Beach Road Police Station (Midtown House), will be progressively completed in 2023.

Across the road at Tan Quee Lan Street, construction of Midtown Modern, Guoco Midtown’s second luxury condominium, as well as a third retail cluster (Midtown Common) right above Bugis interchange MRT station is also on schedule. This phase of Guoco Midtown is targeted to be completed by early 2024.

When fully completed, the entire 3.2-hectare Guoco Midtown will introduce its unique mix of premium offices and luxury residences, coupled with innovative retail concepts and 30 gardens and landscaped spaces into the heart of the city. It is expected to welcome more than 10,000 people – a new “Midtown” community of business executives, residents, shoppers and visitors – daily into the Beach Road-Bugis district.

Strong take-up as Global MNCs attracted to Guoco Midtown’s unique character

Guoco Midtown has received robust interest from major multinational corporations looking for quality office space in the heart of the city, and has achieved 80 per cent pre-commitment take-up to-date, including deals in advanced stages of negotiation. Secured and prospective tenants come from a wide range of industries such as banking and finance, chemical, consumer brands, energy, maritime, professional services, reinsurance and technology.

Ms Valerie Wong, GuocoLand’s Managing Director of Asset Management, said, “At Guoco Midtown, we will have tenants from multiple sectors, just as we currently do over at Guoco Tower. Besides being a more resilient business model, we find that tenants enjoy the diversity and being part of a larger business community which may at times result in unexpected networks and partnerships.”

One of Guoco Midtown’s anchor tenants is Pacific International Lines (“PIL”), a global shipping company and Southeast Asia’s largest home grown carrier with a fleet of 100 vessels. Other tenants include multinational corporations such as German chemical company BASF, Chinese Internet technology company NetEase Interactive Entertainment and Liechtenstein’s VP Bank, a leading bank for private clients and intermediaries.

Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL said, “As PIL aims to be a future focused organization, we would like our workspace to support us in developing a collaborative and innovative workforce. Guoco Midtown’s office spaces, which facilitate good physical-digital alignment, are well-suited to achieve our goal. Being located in an integrated and green development like Guoco Midtown, with its conveniences and offerings such as the Network Hub, will enable us to drive connectivity and sustainability as a dynamic shipping line. We also appreciate the fact that the development will help us promote a balanced live-work-health lifestyle among our people.”

At Guoco Midtown, in addition to its premium office spaces, there are recreational facilities including a 40-metre swimming pool, as well as office tenants-only end-of-trip facilities such as bicycle racks, showers, lockers, and changing rooms, and even BBQ pavilions at the Level 7 garden and the Level 29 roof garden. The development was also conferred the Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority for achieving high standards in sustainability with features that conserve energy and water.

Added Ms Wong, “Many companies today are rethinking how their office real estate can better serve their organisational objectives. As a landlord, we see tenants as long-term partners and strive to support them in their transformation journey. The offerings at Guoco Midtown, including the Network Hub and our flexible leasing concept, as well as the amenities focused on wellness and recreation, are the results of our engagement with tenants and prospects at Guoco Tower and Guoco Midtown.”

Network Hub – meeting the future needs of companies

Guoco Midtown supports traditional office tenants’ move towards hybrid and shared workspaces by providing complimentary access to the Network Hub, Singapore’s first-of-its kind business networking club with best-of-class facilities and amenities.

One of the key facilities of the Network Hub is a spacious hybrid meeting and event space that can accommodate townhalls, product launches, seminars, training and networking sessions for more than 200 people. Other facilities include soundproof pods for focus work, communal seating for hot-desking, collaborative work or just to have quiet time to work privately, as well as a spacious café lounge for informal discussions.

Ms Wong said, “With hybrid working here to stay, demand for flexible spaces, short-term office suites and meeting spaces will persist – especially as workplace practices continue to evolve. We also support tenants’ future expansion needs by providing meeting and training facilities which can be booked on demand and private office suites on short leases.”

“These innovations are the result of GuocoLand’s continuous exploration to help tenants better utilize their spaces and future-proof their offices by increasing their agility to respond to changes in business cycles,” she added.

Innovative retail concepts and placemaking programmes

Occupants of Guoco Midtown can also look forward to a wide selection of retail and F&B options and services at the three retail clusters totalling 50,000 sq ft.

Porsche Singapore, one of Guoco Midtown’s anchor retail tenants, will be introducing a new automotive retail concept through its new showroom, Porsche Studio Singapore. The showroom combines car displays with an integrated F&B experience, as well as co-working and community exhibition spaces to deliver more customer-centric experiences. The partnership between Porsche Singapore and GuocoLand will also see larger-scale community events at Guoco Midtown’s public event spaces.

With GuocoLand’s stellar track record of building and managing quality integrated mixed-use developments, coupled with its experience in placemaking, Guoco Midtown will play a key role in transforming the Beach Road-Bugis district as the new “Midtown” of Singapore.

On Guoco Midtown’s placemaking and programming initiatives, Ms Wong said, “Besides the ‘hardware’ like the Network Hub and the recreational facilities, Guoco Midtown’s office tenants will also enjoy the ‘software’ through regular activities that we will organise, such as fitness classes, music performances or even business events and training for executives.”

Guoco Midtown is directly connected to the Bugis interchange MRT station, which is served by both the East-West Line and Downtown Line. It is also within walking distance to the North South and Circle Lines. Guoco Midtown is also linked to the wider Beach Road-Bugis vicinity through an underground pedestrian network and a network of second-level linkways and bridges.

A multi-billion development, Guoco Midtown’s site on Beach Road is a joint venture between GuocoLand and Hong Kong-listed Guoco Group Limited, while the site at Tan Quee Lan Street is jointly developed by GuocoLand, Hong Leong Holdings Limited and Hong Realty (Private) Limited.

Aurecon Appoints Industry Leader Dr Alex Katsanos To Expand its Advisory Business In Greater China

26 January, 2023/in News /by Editor

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International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed Dr Alex Katsanos as its Managing Principal, Advisory for Greater China. Alex is based in Hong Kong and will report to Alton Chow, Managing Director for Greater China.

This key appointment complements Aurecon’s Asia business growth strategy, providing a springboard for the company to unlock new ideas and opportunities, as well as differentiate itself in a highly competitive market.

Alton shared, “We see enormous growth potential for our advisory business in Greater China, amid rising demand for technically-led services and solutions. Alex’s multi-disciplinary international experience, coupled with his strong business acumen and knowledge of local market dynamics will position us well to help our clients elevate their business to a new level. Alex’s appointment will catalyse Aurecon’s next phase of growth in Asia.”

Reiterating the importance of Aurecon’s concerted effort to expand its advisory business internationally, Julian Dolby, Group Managing Principal, Advisory at Aurecon said, “We are delighted to have Alex on board and his appointment reflects the ambitions we have for our Advisory business. Asia forms a key pillar of our commitment to deliver greater value and impact for our clients across all project stages. By leveraging the full breadth of our advisory expertise and deep technical design capability alongside his broad experience and client centric mindset, Alex will enable us to better tailor innovative and high value solutions for our clients in Greater China.”

About Alex Katsanos

Alex is a management consultant and advisor on policy, with 24 years of international experience, in the infrastructure space. His expertise focuses on public sector policy, operational improvement, capital planning, Smart City and data strategy, sustainability and procurement excellence. Over the course of his career, Alex has worked across most infrastructure sub-sectors, both for government and private clients in East Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. For the past decade, his focus has largely centred on Hong Kong and Greater China, where his intimate understanding of these markets will be instrumental in driving Aurecon’s growth.

With his strong track record in starting up and growing advisory services in infrastructure focused consultancies, Alex will leverage Aurecon’s core strengths to expand its advisory services for the private and public sectors in Greater China. Apart from growing Aurecon’s existing suite of services, Alex will also spearhead the development of new propositions that meet changing market demands and advance the government’s strategic goals.

“As China opens up its borders and Hong Kong gradually increases its construction expenditure to its highest levels by the middle of this decade, there are significant challenges

that require bold policy initiatives in the public sector, as well as digital transformation work in the private sector. In this environment, there are ample opportunities for innovative businesses like Aurecon to provide tailored advisory services that help clients solve these challenges. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to grow a service offering that will maximise impact for our clients in Greater China,” Alex said.

Before joining Aurecon, Alex has been a consultant for firms including McKinsey & Company and Arcadis. As a leading expert in his field, Alex was the principal author of several landmark public sector reports, such as the recent report “Improving Time, Cost and Quality Performance of the Hong Kong Construction Industry” for the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council. Alex holds a PhD degree in Engineering from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom and is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Bureau Veritas Creates “Net Zero” Centre Of Excellence With Envision Digital

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

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Bureau Veritas is delighted to announce the opening of a “Net Zero” centre of excellence to support customers in their efforts to reduce energy consumption, decarbonise their activities, and ensure the traceability of their declarations. This project is supported by Envision Digital’s technology. The centre will help organisations to achieve significant progress towards their “Net Zero” commitments, thanks to digitised, verifiable and certifiable processes. Thanks to its collaboration with Envision Digital, Bureau Veritas will benefit from the expertise of a world leader in carbon footprint reduction and monitoring.

To help organisations reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the level of transparency that is required today, Envision Digital, the technological leader in artificial intelligence and IOT (AIoT) for Net Zero targets and decarbonisation, and Bureau Veritas, world leader in testing, inspection and certification, are combining their expertise to develop an integrated service offer for energy management and carbon monitoring, that will be hosted in a “Net Zero” centre of excellence.

This centre will propose solutions in three areas:

❖ Real time certification of carbon emissions to ensure credibility and facilitate extra-financial data reporting (CSRD, ESG, etc.)

❖ Attaining the energy and carbon goals defined while optimising costs (monitoring and optimisation of carbon emissions, results-based commitment on expected savings, etc.)

❖ Funding the investments required for carbon emission monitoring (supply of sensors, platform installation, energy-carbon management service) via the energy savings certificates scheme, for which Bureau Veritas is one of France’s leading experts via its Capital Energy subsidiary.

“This centre of excellence is being created in response to an increasingly demanding regulatory context and sharp rises in energy costs. The centre represents a fundamental innovation for our customers, because it will enable them to attain their “Net Zero” targets faster. It is further proof of Bureau Veritas’ commitment to helping its customers to be more efficient and credible in the implementation of sustainable solutions. As an independent third party, we will be proposing services & solutions for today’s energy and ecological challenges, assisted by Envision Digital, leader in its field,” explained Jacques POMMERAUD, EVP Africa, France & Government Services at Bureau Veritas.

“The EnOS™ digital platform that we are making available to the Bureau Veritas teams is based on our AIoT technology, combining an IoT platform with advanced expertise in artificial intelligence for decarbonisation. In the current situation of strong energy and environmental tension, this solution enables evaluation and optimisation of customers’ energy consumption and carbon footprint, to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free economy. Thanks to the know-how of world leader Bureau Veritas, our customers will have access to the services of a shared carbon centre of excellence, encouraging an overall approach and dedicated to the implementation of practical, efficient and innovative solutions,” added Maher CHEBBO, Managing Director of EMEA at Envision Digital.

From one end of the chain to the other [see diagram below], Bureau Veritas and Envision Digital will be proposing a secure, modular, digital decarbonisation system to their customers, along with overall technical assistance; this model is already in place throughout the world.

The creation of this carbon centre of excellence represents a further milestone in the joint efforts made by the two companies since 2021, when their partnership was first announced.

*EnOS™, Envision Digital’s proprietary AIoT operating system, connects and manages over 240 million connected objects and 560 gigawatts of energy assets worldwide. Its monitoring solution, Carbon Envision Ark, earned Envision Group a place on Fortune magazine’s “Change The World” list in 2021.

Kaer Expands Sustainable Cooling Portfolio in Asia with S$62 Million in Contracts in Singapore and Malaysia

20 January, 2023/in News /by Editor

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20% increase in cooling delivered in 2022 from 2021
Contracts signed with Lendlease in Malaysia and Gaw Capital in Singapore signal a 30% growth to Kaer’s CaaS portfolio in 2023
Unveiling of new sustainable cooling systems at Fullerton Hotel, the Excelsior Hotel, and Dnata.

Singapore-based Cooling as a Service (CaaS) pioneer Kaer has secured over S$62 million in contracts for leading retail and commercial projects in Singapore and Malaysia. This will result in a 30% increase in cooling delivered from Kaer’s CaaS portfolio, highlighting strong demand for sustainable cooling solutions and the growth of Kaer’s innovative CaaS model.

Kaer’s CaaS model offers cooling at a fixed rate on a pay-as-you-use basis to support the growing demand for commercial and industrial cooling across Asia. In 2022, Kaer implemented CaaS at partner buildings Parklane, Excelsior Hotel, Dnata Catering, Dnata Cargo, and GR.ID, lowering carbon emissions and, improving energy consumption by over 50%.

Aside from that, the company also successfully completed a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant pilot project, successfully achieving a GWP rating of 0.97 from 1,300.

Kaer’s newly acquired partnerships also include landmark projects such as Fullerton Hotel in Singapore and The Exchange TRX in Malaysia, with contract terms spanning between 10 and 15 years. According to Justin Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Kaer, “In the last 12 months we have continued investing in people, new technology and growing capabilities in new markets, all in support of accelerating the adoption, delivery and superior customer experience under the CaaS model. We have showcased that CaaS leads the way towards a low carbon and climate resilient future. We are proud of what we have achieved, but this is just the beginning.”

Traditionally, building owners purchase, install and run cooling systems, with high upfront costs, along with ongoing maintenance and operational costs. Under the CaaS model, customers simply dictate the cooling conditions they require and Kaer delivers that as and when needed by the building. Kaer assumes all financial investments and operational responsibilities while building owners buy cooling at a fixed $/RTH (Refrigerant Ton Hour) rate on a pay-as-you-use basis.

Kaer’s CaaS model better positions buildings to qualify for green accreditations such as Singapore’s Green Mark and Malaysia’s Green Building Index.

Kaer’s CaaS model saves over 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year for its customers and has moved many onto 100% renewable energy for their cooling including INSEAD Business School and 1Elpro Business Park, a mixed-use development in India.

Kaer’s CaaS model has been recognised by experts from the World Economic Forum, the Economic Intelligence Unit, and the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, as an innovative approach to improving energy efficiency decarbonising cities for a climate-resilient future.

Cooling buildings sustainably

CaaS has been implemented at airport services provider Dnata’s HQ and cargo buildings, and Gaw Capital’s new mall and retail space GR.iD in Singapore.

At the GR.iD mall, a 234,242sq ft retail space and office tower, the CaaS model reduced the energy consumption by 60%. Kaer has also recommissioned and repurposed a 17-year-old chiller to be used as a standby machine at the mall, extending the machine’s lifespan and promoting a circular economy.

The company has also been working with INSEAD Business School, where Kaer’s systems are fully integrated with INSEAD’s Class Scheduler. This allows campus buildings’ air conditioning units to turn on and off automatically based on class schedules and bookings, reducing waste and removing the need for time-consuming coordination between students, faculty, and facilities teams.

The journey ahead

Kaer has a total contracted pipeline of projects worth over S$285 million, covering 15 million square feet of real estate in India, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Collectively, these projects support Singapore’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. They are also aligned with Malaysia’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and India’s target to achieve net zero by 2070.

Kaer’s work and model is expanding across Asia and supporting the rising demand for sustainable cooling driven by rapid urbanisation and climate change, amid international calls for a climate resilient future.

Contractor OKP Chooses Volvo Vibro Hammer Solution for Sheet Piling Application

20 January, 2023/in News, Construction /by Editor

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The EC350DL vibro hammer solution was developed by Volvo’s Special Application Solution (SAS) team to operate in perfect harmony with any vibro hammer, enabling OKP to work efficiently, reliably and comply with the Singapore government’s site safety requirements.

The EC350DL complete vibro hammer solution meets the safety requirements in Singapore while working efficiently and reliably.

As a brand synonymous with safety, Volvo has designed attachments to work in perfect harmony with its excavators and offers customers a complete solution that is proven, reliable, and backed by a full warranty and servicing.

“Choosing a package of Volvo machines and perfectly matched attachments gives contractors peace of mind that work will be completed efficiently and comply with the government requirements in Singapore,” says Joseph Low, Senior Manager for Productivity and Retail Development at Volvo Construction Equipment Singapore.

One such contractor benefitting from this peace of mind is leading transport infrastructure and civil engineering company Or Kim Peow Contractors Pte Ltd (OKP), which recently purchased two new Volvo EC350DL excavators with a specially designed front attachment for vibro hammer applications.

OKP’s Volvo EC350DL excavator installing sheet piles to construct the retaining wall on the Sungei Selarang and Subsidiary Drain A improvement project.

OKP has deployed one of the excavators to work for 8 to 12 hours a day on a project to improve the Sungei Selarang and Subsidiary Drain A, positioning sheet piles efficiently and effectively to construct the retaining walls.

“We have a tight schedule for the project and its progress is affected by the high and low tide of the water so we needed a solution that would be reliable and powerful enough to put the sheet piles in place quickly,” explains Kance Liong, Senior Project Manager at OKP.

“Besides efficiency, safety is our topmost priority, and we are confident in the complete solution from Volvo to meet both our criteria. This allows us to work with peace of mind, whereas if we used a third-party front attachment, it may not be certified by the authorities and may fail, causing more trouble for us,” Liong continues.

“In addition, the excavator is also reliable and fuel efficient, and Volvo’s aftermarket service support is among the best in Singapore. Our first choice of equipment purchase is Volvo nowadays,” he concludes.

The Volvo excavator and vibro hammer have been designed to work in perfect harmony with each other.

Asia’s leading international geospatial industry event returns to Singapore on 15th & 16th March

5 January, 2023/in News, Events /by Editor

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Geo Connect Asia celebrates the return to a normal meeting environment in March in Singapore, combining an exhibition of more than 100 companies and a series of conferences. The Main Stage Conference theme, Advancing sustainable & resilient geospatial solutions for an interconnected world, reflects the need to respond to sustainability goals with the pressing challenges associated with climate change, urban growth and food security.

Geo Connect Asia incorporates Digital Construction Asia and is co-located with the inaugural Drones Asia Show. The combined event is expected to attract more than 3000 delegates and visitors from Singapore, the Asian region, and beyond.

Supported by the Singapore Land Authority, Geo Connect Asia offers a platform for Southeast Asia’s governments, businesses and not-for-profit sectors to bring geospatial, locational intelligence and remote sensing into the mainstream.

In addition to the main conference, the Digital Underground Connect Expert Stage returns with the title Advancing Subsurface Utility Mapping for Construction and Asset Management.

A second Expert Stage runs with the theme A data driven roadmap for measuring sustainability in the construction world; a third Expert Stage on road and rail infrastructure is in formation.

In a diverse region of 640 million people, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) shares both common values and ambitions as it looks to grow into becoming the world’s fourth-largest trading economy.

Demands on managing its resources will be supported with the co-location of the UNGGIM seminar titled Geo-enabled effective land administration. The seminar is co-organised by the United Nations Expert Group on Land Administration and Management (UN-EG-LAM) and the UN-GGIM-AP Working Group 2 on Cadastre and Land Management.

Geo Connect Asia 2023 has received the support of more than 30 industry organisations, and welcomes Trimble as Platinum Sponsor for the third consecutive event and Topcon as a Silver Sponsor for the first time at the event.

The event is organised by Montgomery Asia, a fully owned company of London-based Montgomery Group and present in Singapore since 2016. The team has more than 80 years of experience in working across Asian markets and initiating new business opportunities.

About Geo Connect Asia 2023

Following a successful event in June 2022, Geo Connect Asia 2023 specifically focuses on bringing the industry together for two days of face-to-face discussions and networking from 15th – 16th March 2023 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. The event will provide a collaborative business meeting platform for industry professionals from across South-East Asia. Discover how geospatial solutions and location intelligence can take your business to new heights and meet and network with some 2,500 industry professionals physically and virtually, all sharing a collective vision of the global geospatial community.

Visit website: https://www.GeoConnectAsia.com

Schneider Electric Awarded Top Scores in ESG Ratings Consecutively

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

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Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been ranked best in its sector by three prominent, independent Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers.

These include:

Number one position among Electrical Components & Equipment companies in the 2022 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) conducted by the renowned rating agency S&P Global. -First place in the Electronics & Equipment sector by Vigeo Eiris, Moody’s principal European ESG ratings agency, and
A List status on the 2022 list of companies recognized as leaders in environmental transparency and action compiled by CDP.

This outstanding extra-financial performance confirms Schneider’s unique sustainability leadership positioning in the private sector, demonstrating the value of its commitment and strategy to combine business with sustainable impact.

“In a context of continued disruptions, we show how it is possible to stay focused on what matters most: people, planet, and performance,” said Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric. “Not only do these top ratings reflect our unwavering engagement towards the welfare of our internal and external stakeholders, and the environment, they encourage us to concentrate on action and innovation, and bring everyone along.”

Details of the three external recognitions are as follows:

12th consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

• Schneider Electric ranked #1 among industry peers in the latest CSA with a score of 90 out of 100, well above the Electrical Components & Equipment sector’s average of 21, and in recognition of progress made on Biodiversity, Operational Eco-Efficiency, Supply Chain Management, Labor Practices, and Human Rights (score date: December 9, 2022).

• This assessment serves as the basis for Schneider Electric’s inclusion in the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and Europe.

12th consecutive year on the CDP Climate Change A List

• Schneider Electric is the only company in its sector to have been listed as A-List for the 12th year in a row.

• CDP recognized Schneider Electric’s Climate Strategy and its commitment to environmental transparency following the recent renewal of its short- and long-term carbon reduction targets, in accordance with SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard.

#1 in its sector by Vigeo Eiris

• Schneider Electric ranked first in the Electronic Components & Equipment sector in Europe with a score of 73 out of 100, a two-point increase compared to 2021 (score date: July 2022). • This ensures Schneider’s inclusion on the Euronext Vigeo World 120, Europe 120, France 20, and CAC40 ESG indices, made up of the highest-rated companies selected by Moody’s ESG Solutions.

Schneider Electric uses the annual ratings from these key independent external indexes to grant shares to executives, senior management, leaders, and talented employees determined as part of the long-term rewards scheme.

Johnson Controls Marks 40 Years in Singapore with Continued Commitment in Sustainability

3 January, 2023/in News /by Editor

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Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, marks its 40th year in Singapore with continued commitment to digital transformation as a key enabler for Singapore’s sustainability goals for the built environment.

Johnson Controls in Singapore serves as the regional hub in Asia Pacific with three locations and over 800 employees. Focusing on making the future more productive and sustainable through intelligent and smart buildings, Johnson Controls’ suite of smart building products and solutions have been installed in more than 40% of commercial buildings in Singapore.

“Johnson Controls is grateful to have been part of our customer’s journey to achieving green buildings and is now ramping up towards super low energy and net zero buildings. Globally, we have nearly 140 years of experience in the built environment and are involved in many iconic projects – the latest being the World Cup stadiums in Qatar where a custom digital solution powered by our OpenBlue digital platform creates one unified command and control center for all eight stadiums,” said Anu Rathninde, president, Asia Pacific, Johnson Controls. “In Singapore, the conducive business environment and progressive policies have enabled us to experiment with newer solutions and models. This is one of the first markets in Asia Pacific where we launched our Johnson Controls capital financing that facilitates innovative as-a-service models such as healthy air as-a-service and net zero buildings as-a-service.”

Incorporated in Singapore in 1982, Johnson Controls was present in the country prior to that through its various brands including YORK for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning products as well as Tyco for security products. The company has received numerous awards and accolades such as Singapore Green Building Council for its YORK YZ chiller in the green building solutions product category.

“Johnson Controls is no stranger to Singapore’s sustainability agenda and the Singapore Green Plan 2030. As a company, we have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement, with science-based targets to reduce our operational emissions by 55% and customers’ emissions by 16% by 2030. In Singapore, we have actively participated in the built environment ecosystem, including through partnerships with companies and educational institutions, which will serve as the pipeline to build up talents and capacity in parallel, especially in this brave, new, green economy,” said Peter Ferguson, general manager, Southeast Asia, Johnson Controls.

Johnson Controls has ongoing partnerships with educational and training institutions including the National University of Singapore, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and SkillsFuture Singapore. Appointed as the SkillsFuture Queen Bee for the Built Environment Facilities Management sector this year, Johnson Controls is now helping and mentoring small and medium-sized enterprises to develop digital capabilities to transform their businesses and kickstart their sustainability journeys. In the previous year, also in collaboration with SkillsFuture Singapore, Johnson Controls trained 34 mid-career individuals on digital transformation in the built environment under the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – out of which four of the trainee’s secured full-time employment in Johnson Controls.

Another key development, in 2020, Johnson Controls launched the OpenBlue Innovation Center, located at the National University of Singapore, with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). A living laboratory, the Center has since served as a collaborative site for academics, students, industry leaders, small- and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to innovate. Some achievements include:

• More than 300 use cases developed in the areas of sustainability, digitalization and wellness through co-innovation and design workshops with industry players.

• By encouraging ecosystem partners in showcasing their work, seven start-up solutions have been deployed in the Center.

“Congratulations to Johnson Controls on its 40th anniversary in Singapore. Our partnership has grown from strength to strength over the years, with the company making significant contributions to Singapore’s built environment sector in the areas of sustainability, talent development and innovation. We look forward to closer collaboration as Johnson Controls creates and drives, from Singapore, exciting solutions for smart and sustainable buildings in the region,” said Tan Kong Hwee, Executive Vice President, EDB.

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

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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.

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

24 December, 2022/in News /by Editor

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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.