Several individuals have been recognised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for bringing Singapore’s standard of sustainable design to greener heights. They were awarded the Green Building Individual Award at the annual BCA Awards on May 16.
In 2013, a new award — the Young Green Building Individual Award — recognises young individuals under the age of 40 who have made outstanding personal contributions in the field.
A “green” hospital
One example of sustainable design can be seen in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. With space at a premium, plants are stacked vertically — from planter boxes hanging outside wards, to a central courtyard growing in the basement, and a community garden on the roof.
The hospital’s design also takes advantage of the neighbouring Yishun Pond and other water features to make for a healing environment. The courtyard also acts as the hospital’s heart — as it is designed to be the point of reference for visitors and patients to orientate themselves around the hospital ground.
With 35 per cent of the building being naturally ventilated, it leaves the hospital vulnerable to the elements.
Jerry Ong, a commendation award winner at the BCA Awards and principal architect at CPG Consultants, said: “In Singapore context, the rain can come suddenly, the rain can come in horizontally and there’s no way you can protect against the rain. So through a period of about three months, we explored various options — we did mock-ups.
“In the end, we decided to opt for automated blinds. Six months after the (hospital’s) opening, they are all already in place.”
“Recycled” roads
In the research lab of building material company Samwoh, waste material comprising of asphalt, rubber, concrete and bitumen are given a new lease of life — as recycled materials that can used to pave the roads.
The company runs tests that include running a weighted wheel over slabs of asphalt mixes to test for durability.
Dr Kelvin Lee, the winner of the Young Green Building Individual Award and technical manager at Samwoh Corporation, said: “Over the years, we have developed a number of recycled materials that have been accepted by the authorities — namely the recycled concrete aggregate which is derived from demolishing buildings or even reclaimed asphalt pavement from asphalt pavement waste.
“Recycling provides an option whereby we do not need to rely on others and we can be self-sufficient.”
In Singapore, recycled concrete aggregate for example has been used to pave parts of Changi Airport’s airfield. The company also used recycled concrete in its buildings.
Source CNA – 26 May 2013
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