BCA's 2009 awards tally jumps to 151 and its Green Mark scheme draws more interest, says UMA SHANKARI
Business Times 28 May 09;
INTEREST in green building is growing in Singapore. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) gave out a whopping 151 awards this year - up from 97 last year - reflecting the industry's growing commitment towards building a safe, high-quality, sustainable and friendly built environment.
In particular, BCA's Green Mark certification scheme, which was launched in 2005, attracted more interest. Some 103 buildings were certified 'green' this year, up from 69 last year.
And following keen interest from both public and private sectors in 'greening' their properties, BCA this year expanded the Green Mark scheme to offer certifications in three more categories: infrastructure, office interior, and landed houses. Previously, the Green Mark scheme was only offered to buildings.
The Marina Barrage won a Green Mark Platinum award under the infrastructure category. The development, which spans the mouth of the Marina Channel to create Singapore's 15th reservoir and the first in the city, was praised as a showcase of environmental and water sustainability.
Four office tenants were awarded the Green Mark for Office Interior while two landed homes were given the BCA Green Mark for Landed Houses award.
Analysts said there has been a spike in the number of projects with Green Mark certification, as demand from corporations is motivating developers and construction companies to build green buildings.
'Most multinational corporations have some level of commitment to the environment, whether as a result of mandatory reporting in their home country or through voluntary involvement in corporate social responsibility indices,' said Paul Baxter, Colliers International's director for corporate services in Asia-Pacific.
For these organisations, choosing a Green Mark-certified building helps them achieve their corporate sustainability objectives, he said.
Tenants are also showing an increased willingness to pay more for green space. A survey done by CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle late last year showed that 60 per cent of Asia-Pacific companies are willing to pay a premium rent to occupy sustainable space - despite the tighter economic environment.
The main obstacle to building green buildings - the higher cost for developers - still remains. However, the cost premium to build a green building has shrunk from as much as 10 per cent to around 4 per cent as construction companies and developers become more comfortable with sustainable design, products and technology, said Colliers' Mr Baxter. Also, maintaining the property once it is built is cheaper, and tenants can reap cost savings of as much as 15-30 per cent as compared to buildings with conventional designs.
Other than the Green Mark scheme, companies last night also received awards under five other categories - including two categories introduced this year.
Under the pre-existing categories, eight projects won the Construction Excellence Award - including the St Regis Hotel and residential developments Icon, Citylights and The Tresor. Another eight projects picked up the Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Award. Developments lauded in this category include The Sail @ Marina Bay and Parc Emily.
Ten projects, including Anchorvale Community Club and Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre, and VivoCity, won the Universal Design Award.
Two new award categories were introduced this year as the building industry becomes more green.
The inaugural Green and Gracious Builder Award was developed to recognise progressive builders who take the effort to address environmental and public concerns arising from construction works.
Some 14 construction companies - including familiar industry names such as Poh Lian Construction, Tiong Seng Contractors, Woh Hup, Tiong Aik Construction, Lum Chang Building Contractors and Lian Beng Construction - won the award this year.
The other new award, the Built Environment Leadership Award, was launched to recognise outstanding industry firms such as developers, builders, and architectural, structural, and mechanical and electrical consultants that have demonstrated excellence and leadership.
The Platinum award in this category was given to City Developments, and seven Gold Class awards were given out to other outstanding firms such as CapitaLand, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Surbana International Consultants, Woh Hup and Tiong Seng Contractors.
Looking ahead, interest in green building is likely to remain strong, analysts said.
CB Richard Ellis, for example, has embarked on a comprehensive study to evaluate the wide range of benefits that sustainability has for commercial real estate holdings. More such studies can be expected as developers and contractors look to 'green' more upcoming projects.
Building sector urged to look at two growth areas
Grace Fu spotlights complex civil engineering works, sustainable development
Uma Shankari, Business Times 28 May 09;
THE building and construction industry here should look at two new growth areas as it forges ahead despite the economic downturn, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu said yesterday.
She was speaking to developers and contractors at the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)'s annual award ceremony. A total of 151 awards were given out this year, compared with 97 last year, as the industry worked towards building a safe, high-quality and sustainable built environment in Singapore.
In her speech, Ms Fu identified complex civil engineering works and sustainable development as two emerging growth areas.
'Our local builders have the potential to take on complex civil engineering works,' she said. In Singapore's densely built-up environment, civil engineering projects will become more complex, she noted. Infrastructure works such as underground expressways and MRT tunnels also require different skills, expertise and equipment.
'I encourage the industry to capitalise on the potential pipeline of works that includes about $50 billion of civil engineering projects in the next 10 years, to recruit and train staff in the relevant areas of expertise, invest in technology and build capability to take on such complex projects,' Ms Fu said.
Another key emerging growth area is sustainable development, she said.
The recently launched Sustainable Singapore blueprint sets out goals and initiatives for 2030, to improve energy efficiency. One aim is to reduce Singapore's overall energy intensity by 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. To achieve this, BCA aims to 'green' 80 per cent of buildings here by 2030.
The high number of awards given out by BCA this year is mainly due to a spike in the number of buildings certified 'green'. Some 103 buildings were certified under BCA's Green Mark scheme this year, up from 69 last year.
'The significant increase of award winners this year is a very positive indicator of the success, and of the industry's support, of BCA's efforts to create an excellent built environment for Singaporeans,' said BCA chief executive John Keung.
Following interest from the public and private sectors in 'greening' properties, BCA this year expanded the Green Mark scheme to offer certification in three more categories - infrastructure, office interiors and landed houses. Previously, the Green Mark scheme was only offered to buildings.
Singapore's building and construction industry is the only sector that is growing this year against a backdrop of weak external demand and negative economic growth forecasts. The sector grew 24.4 per cent year on year in Q1 2009.
Building firms bag 151 awards
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 28 May 09;
SINGAPORE'S construction sector, the only bright spot in the economy, is not just growing amid the recession but is also improving its quality and standards.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) last night handed out a record 151 awards at its annual event held at Suntec City.
This was a 'reflection of the industry's commitment to improving capabilities and productivity', said Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu.
Against a backdrop of weak external demand and economic contraction, the construction sector grew 24.4 per cent in the first quarter, from the same period last year, she noted.
This growth should be 'sustainable' and the industry needs to continue to invest in manpower development, and build capabilities in new growth areas, she said. 'Our construction firms should be forward-looking, willing to invest in people and in technology, and willing to adopt good practices.'
To encourage this, the BCA yesterday launched a new Built Environment Leadership Award for outstanding firms that have showed excellence and leadership in shaping the cityscape.
Property giant City Developments was awarded the inaugural platinum award - the highest accolade - while seven others, including CapitaLand, RSP Architects, Meinhardt Singapore and Woh Hup, won gold class awards.
Firms are assessed based on their contributions to the built environment through the type and number of BCA awards, and other local and international awards won by the firm.
Ms Fu separately launched three new schemes under BCA's Green Mark initiative: Green Mark for infrastructure, landed houses and office interiors, in addition to its schemes for rating the environmental performance of buildings and parks.
The Green Mark scheme for green buildings has gained momentum, with 103 green building awards recorded this year, up from 69 last year, and a paltry 17 when it was first launched in 2005. BCA recently committed to 'green' 80 per cent of Singapore's buildings by 2030.
Environmental sustainability is another key emerging growth area, said Ms Fu. BCA has pledged $100 million to help existing building owners green their assets. The agency will train some 18,000 'green specialists' over the next 10 years to grow this sector.
Awards were also given for categories such as construction excellence, design and engineering safety excellence, universal design, and the green and gracious builder award.
BCA also celebrated its 10th anniversary at the awards. BCA's chairman, Mr Quek See Tiat, noted the authority's achievements over the past decade and acknowledged the challenges ahead.
