Green Buildings In Singapore: The Complete List

Introduction

‘Green buildings’ are defined as buildings that incorporate features that bring positive impacts to the environment. Green buildings can include schools, hospitals and any type of structure provided it fulfils the stipulated criteria below:

• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
• Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
• Good indoor environmental air quality
• Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
• Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
• Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
• A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment

 

Not all green buildings are built similarly, it depends on climate, culture and tradition as well as wide-ranging environmental, economic and social policies which shape the government’s approach to green buildings.

The Singapore Government has begun this initiative as it is noted that buildings account for more than 20% of Singapore’s carbon emissions. This resulted in the creation of the Green Building Masterplan which aims to create or repurpose buildings that are more eco-friendly.

Here is a complete list of green buildings found in Singapore.

NTU School of Art, Media & Design

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has an aim to be the most-eco friendly campus in the world through maximising efficient resource usage and minimal wastage of energy and water.

The building does not compromise on elegance as it uses green roofs tilted at 45 degrees which lower heat gain and a high-performance glass façade that maintains a low ambient temperature. The lights are in-built with motion sensors to minimise energy usage.

CapitaGreen

Located in Tanjong Pagar, 55% of the building is covered in lush foliage. The building also employs the usage of double-skin glass which reduces solar heat gain and keeps the interior cool.

The rooftop of CapitaGreen is the main highlight which channels cool and fresh air through its core channels. This provides air-conditioning to all levels at a significantly lower rate of energy consumption. The rooftop is also equipped with a rainwater-harvesting system to self-irrigate the vertical garden.

Oasia Hotel

Oasia Hotel brings a splash of green and red to the surrounding cityscape. The building consists of 30-metre vertical gardens which break up the distinct strata of Soho, Hotel and Club rooms and provide cross-ventilation at the same time.

Tree House

Completed in 2014, this condominium holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest vertical garden. The building is encased in thick foliage which filters out carbon dioxide to minimise the estate’s carbon footprint. Tree House also encompasses state-of-the-art windows which utilise heat-reducing technology and keep the building cool.

Eco Sanctuary

This building was designed with a vision to enhance the relationship between home and nature as well as offer eco-living in the midst of natural surroundings.

Eco Sanctuary seeks inspiration from the life-cycle of a butterfly and houses various indigenous species of butterflies in the building. The architecture also captures the small details of a butterfly through the usage of curvilinear and oblique patterns. The hexagonal shapes provide shade and at the same time, is designed to maximise natural lighting and ventilation.

Gardens By The Bay

One of the most recognisable icons of Singapore, the 250-acre gardens feature 2 conservatories (the largest climate-controlled greenhouses in the world) and a forest of 18 Supertrees, which range from 82 to 164 feet tall. These Supertrees have incorporated technologies that have cooling channels to moderate the surrounding environment.

ParkRoyal on Pickering

Completed in 2013, this building incorporates rain sensors, solar power, and water-conservation and light-saving measures, as well as reduced use of concrete in its construction. Additionally, the building also features 161,459 square feet of sky gardens, waterfalls, and planter walls that constitute more than twice its total land area.

National Gallery Singapore

City Hall and the Supreme Court were merged using a complicated veil of glass and steel carefully positioned above to create the 690,000 square-foot present National Gallery of Singapore which currently houses the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The building consumes 35% less energy than standard commercial buildings.

Keppel Bay Tower

This landmark utilises a new autonomous lighting system that is 10% more energy-efficient than best-in-class buildings. It also features air handling unit fans which are about 45% more energy-efficient than other best-in-class technologies. The fans also run at a lower noise level than regular systems, making for a more pleasant environment.

The cooling tower water management technology helps to remove and prevent the build-up of solids and sediments in the building’s cooling tower system. The implementation of this technology improves the system’s heat transfer efficiency and has resulted in a more than 5% reduction in air-conditioning energy usage.

Conclusion

Singapore is making progress in converting present buildings to more sustainable buildings as well as building future buildings with green features in mind. The different features of the abovementioned buildings make them unique in an urban landscape.