BCA honours building firms for efforts to minimise noise and be environment-friendly
Linette Lai, Straits Times 23 May 09;
A NEW award recognising building firms that adopt environmentally friendly practices and minimise the effects of construction for people living near the worksite has been presented to 14 firms.
The inaugural Green and Gracious Builder Awards are given out by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which judges builders on a points system with top performers earning an Excellent rating.
All the 14 honoured builders use piling methods that generate less noise. They also put in place systems to build rapport with residents living around the construction sites and show concern for their workers' welfare.
However, some builders go the extra mile.
Poh Lian Construction installs recycled polyurethane sandwich panels around its generators and the perimeter of its worksites to reduce noise.
It has also ensured that its worker dormitories are of high standards, especially as these are often located away from residential areas and may lack adequate infrastructure.
Poh Lian Construction is building projects such as the Trillium and Solitaire condominiums.
Kay Lim Construction and Trading, another honoured firm, is involved mainly in HDB projects such as precinct upgrading.
It installed air-conditioners and louvre curtains for the school beside its worksite in Punggol to ensure that lessons could go on uninterrupted.
The company also planted trees and herbs on site to improve the working environment.
'We hope that more builders will join in to become green and gracious builders,' said Mr Tan Tian Chong, BCA's director of technology development.
'The award will enhance the image of the construction industry by recognising the efforts of builders in addressing environmental and public concerns arising from construction works.'
The BCA received 14 applications from companies. All clinched awards, with 13 judged to be 'excellent'.
14 builders recognised for green efforts
Business Times 23 May 09;
THE Building and Construction Authority (BCA) recognised 14 builders this year for their efforts in going green.
BCA's inaugural Green and Gracious Builders' Award is the first of its kind in Singapore, and aims to spur builders to adopt sustainable and environment-friendly practices during the construction phase of development.
The award, which has two categories - "excellent" and "merit" - looks at three criteria: innovation, green practices and "graciousness" in minimising inconvenience to those living near the site.
Common traits the 14 builders display include the use of piling methods that produce less noise, a good system to build rapport with surrounding residents and caring for their workers' welfare.
Gammon Pte Ltd, for instance, does well in the area of green practices as it espouses environmental sustainability in educating staff to be energy-efficient at all their project sites.
"We hope that more builders will join in to become a green and gracious builder," says Tan Tian Chong, BCA's director of technology development. The winners will receive their awards from Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for National Development on Wednesday.
