SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
PURPOSEDRIVEN DESIGN
“The environmental and socio-economic impact of a building extends beyond its property lines. When viewed from this context, we understand the responsibility that we as architects and built environment professionals bear in designing for a better, greener and more liveable tomorrow.”
MESSAGE FROM AR. ANGELENE
CHAN, CHAIRMAN
Around the world, we have witnessed extreme and erratic weather events, from heat waves and droughts to deadly floods and fires that have put economies and the lives of many at risk. The constant rise in Earth’s temperature is fuelling all these at an unprecedented rate. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Climate 2024 Update, the global mean surface air temperature, boosted by a warming El Nino event, was 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average between January and September this year. This puts us dangerously far from the goal of keeping global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and net zero emissions by 2050.
The urgency with which we must all act is clear. And as architects, engineers, and designers, we have a crucial role to play. How we design and build has impacts that extend beyond a development’s property lines, positively contributing to the liveability of our built environment. This is something that deeply resonates with our core values, driving the purpose of our practice and anchoring our design ethos, which has, since DP’s inception in 1967, always been concerned with delivering meaningful architecture that uplifts communities and improves lives.
In understanding that effective plans against climate change and biodiversity breakdown require collective action from every part of the Built Environment industry, we recognised and leveraged the advantages our multidisciplinary setup presents. Our Sustainability Plan, published in early 2024, charts our roadmap and whole-of-DP approach to net zero carbon emissions in 2045. This DP-wide alignment of our global multidisciplinary design practice is crucial to unifying our resources and actions towards contributing to better-than-sustainable outcomes for a more liveable urban future, thereby enabling us to fulfil our commitment to a healthier planet and people.
The Sustainability Report, organised into Practice, Projects, and People chapters, accounts for our sustainability actions. We have begun tracking our carbon footprint in our Singapore office, which has provided important insights into our efforts and informed our next steps for operational sustainability. We have also begun reviewing and updating our standard specifications for sustainable building design as well as the development of our web-based toolkit with the aim of making sustainability-driven design more accessible; the toolkit empowers our architects to embed sustainability considerations into their design workflow from the outset, aligning with our commitment to a better-than-sustainable urban future. Equally important, we continue to encourage lifelong learning in DP through employee upskilling programmes and to nurture a culture of care for our employees that extends to the community through our corporate social responsibility programme.
We are in a long and difficult battle against climate change, but there is still time for us to change the tide. In DP, we are united in this mission. We are resolute in our belief that our design, being purpose-driven, can have a positive and far-reaching impact in realising a better-than-sustainable, liveable urban future for all.
TOGETHER FOR A BETTER SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
“Sustainability should no longer be the default. It must be a springboard for us to go beyond, be better than sustainable, aiming for a regenerative, nature-positive future.”
MESSAGE FROM AR. SEAH CHEE HUANG, CEO
A sustainability journey cannot be walked alone. As a part of the built environment sector, we recognise our role in contributing to carbon emission woes. Yet, this shared responsibility also presents a pivotal opportunity: to be part of the solution, through decisive collective action and driving meaningful change towards a better-than-sustainable future.
At DP, we are committed to translating our words into actions. Our journey began with the publication of our Sustainability Plan 2024, which set out clear strategies for achieving net-zero targets. This was followed by our inaugural Sustainability Report. Although such reporting is not mandatory, it demonstrates our dedication to transparency and accountability in managing our actions and emissions.
This report represents a significant milestone in DP’s sustainability journey. More than a document; it offers a platform for reflection, learning and growth. It provides a blueprint and benchmark upon which we can meaningfully track our progress and measure our impact.
Looking ahead, this report informs and shapes our long-term plans, highlighting areas for improvement and challenging us to refine our approach to responsible design. Achieving deep sustainability requires a shift in mindset – a rethinking of the status quo and a refreshing of our practice. By re-examining our processes and practice, we strive to remain future-ready and relevant in this increasingly complex world.
At the heart of this journey is collaboration. In preparing this report, we worked closely with internal and external stakeholders, including multidisciplinary teams within DP, as well as research students in Master in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, and Terrascope, to name a few. These synergistic partnerships are crucial for aligning values and our vision for the future. We deeply appreciate these collaborations and are committed to nurturing them in the years ahead. Through this report, we also hope to inspire positive change and encourage other partners and friends of DP to join us in building a better future together.
Sustainability should no longer be the default. It must be a springboard for us to go beyond, be better than sustainable, aiming for a regenerative, nature-positive future. As architects, we can drive transformation and renewal, uplifting our shared future for the health of both people and the planet. The future is ours to shape, and the time to act is now. Let us create the change we wish to see.
BETTER-THAN-SUSTAINABLE
OUR SUSTAINABILITY VISION
We must continue to transform the way we design, build and maintain our built environment so that it makes a positive contribution to the world and all its communities.
Adapted with
from
Silo Thinking
Green Certified Development Conventional Development
Restorative Development Regenerative Development REGENERATIVE
OUR SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP
Commit to industry decarbonisation roadmap
50% reduction in carbon emissions from business operations
2023
Track sustainability performance for SG projects
2030
Net zero operational carbon roadmap for all projects
Net zero carbon emissions from business operations
SG Green Plan
Net Zero Carbon target
2045 2050
Net zero whole life carbon for all projects
IPCC target year to achieve net zero emissions to avoid exceeding 1.5 degree climate threshold
NET ZERO CARBON IN OUR OPERATIONS BY 2045
SUSTAINABILITY SNAPSHOT
WE PUBLISHED OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN IN EARLY 2024 COMMITTING TO NET ZERO CARBON GOALS BY 2045. WE COMPLETED OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT FOR SINGAPORE OFFICE.
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS.
INCREASE IN TRAINING HOURS RECEIVED BY EMPLOYEES.
71% OF OUR COMPLETED PROJECTS IN SINGAPORE ACHIEVED GREEN MARK PLATINUM AND LEAF PLATINUM OR BETTER.
29% OF OUR COMPLETED PROJECTS IN SINGAPORE INCORPORATED ABC WATERS STRATEGIES.
14% OF OUR COMPLETED GREENFIELD PROJECTS IN SINGAPORE ACHIEVED >100% LANDSCAPE REPLACEMENT.
702 HRS CONTRIBUTED TO CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECTS.
SUSTAINABILITY GOVERNANCE
Sustainability leadership, frameworks and policies enable us to operate responsibly and to design and deliver quality environments –creating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values for our stakeholders, and achieving our sustainability vision and goals.
IN
2021,
WE BENCHMARKED
OUR
PROJECT OUTCOMES AGAINST THE TARGETS OF THE UN SDG AND
ESTABLISHED A WHOLE-OF-
DP APPROACH TO CREATE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE FOR OUR CLIENTS.
We firmly believe that design has the power to create positive change in our environment and to uplift lives and communities. It is from this baseline that we derived our APD practice guide and sustainability matrix. The framework, which references the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the SG Green Plan, is critical to our sustainability plan and competitive advantage for:
• Delivering circularity, resiliency and regenerative outcomes in our operations and in the projects that we do;
• Creating environments that are safe, liveable and lovable in our offices and our projects;
• Engendering a stronger social fabric and a deeper sense of community; and,
• Contributing to economic productivity and resiliency through our built environment projects and our operational sustainability.
A ravine atrium was designed to run through the centre of the building, allowing natural light and air to filter deep into the internal spaces. This access to daylighting and natural ventilation not only reduces the building’s energy load but also improves the students’ wellbeing.
The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore)
GREEN-WELL-TECH IS A WHOLE-OF-DP APPROACH THAT HARNESSES OUR RESOURCES AND
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
STRENGTHS TO BETTER ADOPT DESIGN
PRACTICES
THAT DELIVER SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, ENABLED BY TECHNOLOGY.
OUR STRATEGIC THRUST
Green-Well-Tech (GWT) is DP Architects’ strategic thrust to unify our resources and capabilities into an integrated whole-of-DP approach that further strengthens and elevates our sustainable building and urban designs for better-than-sustainable outcomes. Underpinned by DP’s founding purpose to uplift the human experience and spirit, it places sustainability and wellbeing at the baseline of everything DP does and is supported by purposeful technology. First articulated in 2021 as a response to the climate crisis, GWT now extends across all aspects of practice from project design to business operations; driving growth and the pursuit of excellence through the practice’s three pillars – SG Core, Internationalisation and Multidisciplinary.
PEOPLE & PARTNERS TALENT + | DP ACADEMY | DP LIFE
GREEN-WELL-TECH OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY | PRACTICE | UPSKILLING | RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Directors’ Huddle
Brainstorming session at Directors’ Huddle
RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.
SHAREHOLDERS
DESIGN BOARD
CHAIRMAN + BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
BOARD-APPOINTED COMMITTEES
CHAIRMAN & CEO OFFICE GOVERNANCE
MANAGEMENT TEAM + CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
GROUP BUSINESS CORPORATE FUNCTIONS
SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP
Our commitment to sustainability involves strategic vision and oversight provided by our leadership, supported by the Board-appointed committees.
Our sustainability agenda is driven by our Management Team and Operations Team, working in close collaboration to translate vision into action, navigating emerging sustainability challenges and opportunities. Together, they ensure our sustainability commitments remain an integral part of our business strategy and operations across all regions.
Through this leadership structure, we foster a culture of environmental responsibility; encouraging sustainable practices across our operation and projects that will drive meaningful progress towards long-term environmental, social and economic value.
AR. LEE SHEE KOENG DIRECTOR, DP ARCHITECTS & HEAD OF SG OPS
BERNARD TAY DIRECTOR, DP ARCHITECTS
IDR. CLAUDIA NAM DIRECTOR, DP DESIGN
ANANDAN KARUNAKARAN DIRECTOR, DP URBAN
REGINA ONG FINANCIAL CONTROLLER, DP ARCHITECTS
CHAN HUI MIN DIRECTOR, DP ARCHITECTS AND HEAD OF THE SMART SUSTAINABILITY UNIT
AR. JACQUELINE PONG DIRECTOR & HEAD OF DP ACADEMY, DP ARCHITECTS
YVONNE TAN DIRECTOR, DP GREEN
GLADYS TYE MANAGER OF DP ACADEMY, DP ARCHITECTS
BRYAN BOH FINANCIAL CONTROLLER, DP ARCHITECTS
AR. TAN CHEE KIANG DIRECTOR & HEAD OF OPS, DP ARCHITECTS
DEREK HERBERT HEAD OF OPERATIONS / CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, DP ARCHITECTS
AR. CHUA ZI JUN DIRECTOR & HEAD OF SG OPS, DP ARCHITECTS
AR. REBECCA CHIA SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DP ARCHITECTS
ER. YONG SIEW ONN DIRECTOR, DP SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
LEONARD CHEOK ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (CONTRACTS), DP ARCHITECTS
RAYMOND CHAN DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE, DP ARCHITECTS
AR. NG SAN SON DIRECTOR & HEAD OF SG OPS & DETAILS/SPECS, DP ARCHITECTS
AR. KOR TECK POH SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DP ARCHITECTS
ADELINA JAYA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DP SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
AR. SHAWN TEO SENIOR ASSOCIATE & CO-HEAD OF DP LIFE, DP ARCHITECTS
JACKSON KEUNG OPERATING MANAGER, ICT, DP ARCHITECTS
PRIHANTO DIRECTOR, DP URBAN
GLENN LOH ASSOCIATE & CO-HEAD OF DP LIFE, DP ARCHITECTS
SUZANNE HO SENIOR MANAGER, QUALITY ASSURANCE, DP ARCHITECTS
DJOKO
SUSTAINABILITY THRIVES ACROSS OUR ORGANISATION THROUGH THE ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT OF EVERY DEPARTMENT
GWT LEADERS AS SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS
This leadership commitment is reinforced by our Green-Well-Tech Task Force, which plays a pivotal role in developing frameworks and strategies across our practice. The Task Force brings together expertise from various disciplines, enabling us to take a holistic approach to sustainability challenges while ensuring alignment with our business objectives.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE
The implementation of our sustainability framework is supported by the active participation of our heads of department, who serve as sustainability champions across our organisation.
Through regular engagement and cross-departmental collaboration, they ensure that sustainability principles are woven into daily operations and decision-making processes. Working in synergy, the heads of department translate sustainability objectives into actionable initiatives within their teams. This approach enables us to address sustainability challenges collectively, from strategic planning to implementation.
Each of us has a role and responsibility towards the sustainability of our practice and our planet. The path to net zero emissions must begin with us and from our business operations.
The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore)
BIPV panel façade.
BUILDING OUR CARBON BASELINE TODAY TO DRIVE REDUCTION STRATEGIES TOMORROW
AN ESTIMATE OF OUR 2023 FOOTPRINT IN SINGAPORE OFFICE.
2,430 tCO2e
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 13 and our APD goals of Positive Energy and Circularity.
UNDERSTANDING OUR CARBON SOURCES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS
We have commenced our carbon accounting process; understanding our sources of emission, enabling us to devise informed carbon reduction strategies, track the outcomes of firm-wide initiatives to reduce emissions, and measure progress.
Our headquarters in Singapore, with significant operations, is leading this initiative. We conducted a greenhouse gas inventory following the GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Protocol utilising a mix of activity- and spend-based methods to account for emissions.
Building on this foundation, our reduction strategy prioritises initiatives that target the highest contributors to our carbon footprint, ensuring maximum impact. This includes reviewing our procurement policies for a more green-forward business operation.
2025: NEXT STEPS
The blueprint for sustainability that we establish in Singapore will be extended to our global offices, beginning with the implementation of carbon accounting so as to identify areas of high carbon output and to devise effective carbon reduction strategies.
RETHINKING OUR CONSUMPTION AND WASTE PATTERNS FOR A LOW-WASTE OUTCOME
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 12 and our APD goal of Circularity.
UNDERSTANDING OUR WASTE STREAMS AND IMPROVING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Our waste and resource management strategy begins with understanding our consumption and waste patterns, focusing on three key streams: general waste, paper and electronic goods. We have implemented the following programmes:
• Instituted a faulty electronic waste return policy with third-party disposal services to ensure proper disposal of electronic equipment;
• Opted for bundle-up packaging with IT products suppliers to minimise waste at source;
• Established new procurement policy for office catering which prioritises vendors providing biodegradable food packaging and cutlery;
• Further reduction of printing credits and number of printers available;
• Established default double-sided printing;
• Continue paper recycling programme.
Water consumption monitoring is limited to pantry use and minimal landscaping as we operate within a mall where general water utilities, such as toilet use, are managed by the asset owner.
2025: NEXT STEPS
We are looking to strengthen our efforts through strategic reductions in employee printing credits and number of printers in the Singapore office. We will also be refreshing office-wide campaigns on proper waste disposal to raise awareness and inculcate a green-conscious mindset in our employees.
Our multidisciplinary approach helps to create building designs which have direct environmental, social and ecological impacts to deliver a betterthan-sustainable urban future.
SYSTEMS-BASED THINKING FOR REGENERATIVE DESIGN APPROACH
First launched in 2015, the APD is DPA’s sustainable design guide.
APD v. 3.0 addresses design pathways necessary to tackle the contemporary climate crisis and social needs through a systems-based approach. It focuses on measuring the impact of a building project across carbon, natural, human & social and economic systems.
Each category is benchmarked against industry standards for environmental and human health, empowering our design teams to align projects with social, environmental and economic sustainability criteria.
Project teams use the APD wheel through stakeholder engagement, conveying sustainability goals and strategies. The wheel becomes a dynamic tool, guiding the entire project team throughout its lifecycle, managing sustainability priorities alongside other factors like project life-cycle cost. This ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to sustainable design.
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY
Emphasis on the social and community-building aspects of the built asset in its urban setting, such as inclusiveness and liveability.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Enhancement of the built asset’s positive impact on the health and wellbeing of its occupants.
INTELLIGENCE & MAINTAINABILITY
Improvement in maintainability and safety of built assets, and increase in productivity through the adoption of integrated digital delivery.
RESILIENCY
Recommendations on rising urban temperatures, flooding, food security and economic sustainability.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & DECARBONISATION
Optimisation of passive and active design, smart energy management and renewable energy to achieve Net Zero Energy in buildings.
WHOLE LIFE CARBON
Reduction of carbon emissions of a built asset throughout its life cycle based on the RICS standards.
WATER CONSERVATION
Reduction of water consumption and the use of alternative sources to meet non-potable water demands.
SITE & ECOLOGY
Minimisation and mitigation of the built asset’s undesirable impact on natural ecology.
GUIDING PURPOSEFUL DESIGN DECISIONS THROUGH OUR INTEGRATED APD TOOLKIT
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12,13 and 15.
DEVELOPING OUR OWN TOOL FOR MAPPING AND MEASURING SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN
We have developed our sustainable design guide into an intuitive web-based toolkit that simplifies complex sustainable design decision-making, leveraging industry benchmarks and successful project data to guide our architects through the challenges of implementing sustainable design strategies.
The APD Toolkit aims to enable our architects to better understand how the buildings we design perform in practice. By making sustainability-driven design more accessible, the toolkit empowers our architects to embed sustainability considerations into their design workflow from the outset, aligning with our commitment to a better-thansustainable urban future.
The APD Toolkit presently prioritises energy efficiency segment, measuring building energy performance and mapping the building design to achieve net zero energy.
2025: NEXT STEPS
The APD Toolkit will continuously be upgraded and expanded, with in-depth benchmarking strategies for the other APD segments.
The interdisciplinary design approach delivered an out-ofthe-box solution, featuring an eco-envelope that can generate some 530,000kWh of renewable energy annually.
THE GREENHOUSE AT DULWICH COLLEGE (SINGAPORE) SINGAPORE
The vision for The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore) is a fully-sustainable development that meets present energy demands and serves as a live learning ground on sustainability for its student cohort, while being future-proofed for a greener tomorrow. Conceived in collaboration with DPSD, the resultant architecture delivers an estimated annual reduction of 216 tonnes of carbon emissions and generates approximately 530,000kWh of renewable energy yearly.
Our architectural and ESD strategies combine passive and active design solutions that are derived from meticulous climatic response studies. The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore) boldly features a seemingly detached eco-envelope of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) panels that pushes the perimeters of functional design. Covering 1,300sqm of the building and constructed in a trellis-like structure, it fulfils its primary function of supporting the school’s energy needs whilst providing cover to the rooftop for a sheltered garden space.
The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore) has been awarded Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy.
Employing a mix of passive and active strategies, the design achieved an overall energy savings of 42.7%. The clubhouse is the first sports and recreation building in Singapore to be certified GM2021 Platinum Super Low Energy.
SAFRA CHOA CHU KANG CLUBHOUSE SINGAPORE
Underscored by sustainability goals, the genesis of our design for SAFRA Choa Chu Kang Clubhouse as a ‘Fitness Oasis’ was to elevate the concept of health and wellbeing. We wanted to create an architecture that promotes not only physical activity but also sustainability such that it prioritises both human and environmental health.
Ambitiously, we achieved a Green Plot Ratio of 380% by integrating landscaping throughout the development with social and mental wellbeing forming the core of the development via a central courtyard on the ground floor. The rich landscaping blurs the park and clubhouse into a seamless compound, effectively creating an immersive parkexperience and proximity to nature while drawing the neighbouring community into the development. Simultaneously, physical health and community take centre stage through the elevation of the swimming pool and futsal court to the second level. This confluence of nature, community and lifestyle is further elevated through the integration of biophilia and pedestrianised networks throughout the development.
Our carbon reduction strategies include the use of green concrete and recycled steel, significantly cutting embodied carbon by 23% per gross floor area during the construction of SAFRA CCK Clubhouse; as well as the harnessing of renewable energy and the employing of passive design strategies, resulting in an overall energy savings of 42.7%.
The indoor sports hall at Bukit Canberra adopts Design for Manufacturing (DfMA) and low-carbon construction material, Mass-Engineered Timber (MET) construction. The partially exposed MET structure is intended to create public awareness of sustainable and productive construction approaches.
Bukit Canberra Singapore
PRESERVING EMBODIED CARBON THROUGH THOUGHTFUL MATERIAL
SELECTION,
ASSET ENHANCEMENT
INITIATIVES AND ADAPTIVE REUSE
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 9, 11 and 13, and our APD goal of Circularity.
UPDATING OUR STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN
Our decarbonisation efforts in projects which focus on reducing the environmental impact of key building materials, such as concrete, steel and glass, align closely with BCA’s Green Mark requirements. To support this, we are updating our standard specifications to incorporate green materials that meet industry standards and best practice, allowing our projects to achieve a low-carbon outcome.
We recognise that Building Reuse is one of the most effective ways to reduce embodied carbon emissions in the built environment. In this spirit, we strive to promote Asset Enhancement Initiatives (AEI) and adaptive reuse in our projects, and welcome collaborations with like-minded clients and consultants, to advance sustainable design practices.
2025: NEXT STEPS
Educating our design professionals on these updated standard specifications will be key to improving accessibility to the know-how and supporting firm-wide adoption of sustainable practices.
The rejuvenation of Golden Mile Complex is a significant project in DP’s pursuit and advocacy of sustainable urban development and preservation of our built heritage.
GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX SINGAPORE
The residential and commercial development was gazetted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore in October 2022, making it the first modern, large-scale, strata-titled development to be conserved in Singapore. The rejuvenation work for Golden Mile Complex involves the addition of a new residential tower beside it and the alienation of the adjoining state land.
Golden Mile Complex was first completed by Design Partnership, which was succeeded by DP Architects in 1973.
PAYA LEBAR GREEN SINGAPORE
Comprising both an existing and a new building, Paya Lebar Green is designed to be one of the greenest, healthiest and smartest workplaces in Singapore. The architectural scheme proposed extensive retrofitting of the existing building, Paya Lebar Green North which included an upgrade of its envelope system to double-glazed glass windows, and low-carbon concrete and steel. Across both buildings, energy-efficient features are complemented by the installation of PV panels on the roof, effectively off-setting annual energy consumption by 21%.
Community-centric design strategies and extensive biophilic design come together to create a wellness oasis at the core of the development, promoting employee health and wellbeing. In recognition of this, the project was awarded BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) and attained all five badges in the areas of Health & Wellness, Intelligence, Maintainability, Whole Life Carbon and Resiliency.
We significantly minimised its carbon footprint by retrofitting the existing structure which forms its North block, and using certified carbon mineralised concrete and green building materials in its newly-built South block.
Avoiding full demolition, we re-used the existing curtain wall structure with a glass and vertical fin cladding, effectively minimising operational carbon emissions and reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect by 40%.
LAZADA ONE (ADDITION & ALTERATION) SINGAPORE
Refurbishing the 1989 development at Bras Basah was a balancing act between the new and the old as our multidisciplinary team worked with keeping the original building and its architectural character. By re-using the existing curtain wall structure, we were able to minimise construction waste. To update its exterior with a contemporary look, we cladded the round columns with glass and introduced tri-toned vertical fins to the façade.
This detailing forms a rhythmic pattern that creates visual dynamism while making for practical addition that furthers our sustainability agenda: effectively reducing the on-site urban heat island effect by 40% and achieving an optimal ETTV performance rate of 45W/m2 for greater thermal comfort, and reducing the cooling load and operational carbon emissions of the building.
The applied design strategies successfully redeveloped and transformed the existing building into a new hybrid typology that caters to the needs of new economy businesses while revitalising its locale.
Regenerating spaces of disamenity and reclaiming them as a 500m linear park, with a mix of native and exotic plant species that mimics the ecological habitat of the proximal coastline, for the community.
Punggol Green
Singapore
WE PROMOTE THE PROTECTION AND REVITALISATION OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS BY FOSTERING BIODIVERSITY.
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 3, 13 and 15, and our APD goals of Life-Centred outcomes and Healthy Places for Healthy People.
CONTINUE INTEGRATING ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY INTO OUR DESIGN THINKING
As stewards of our project sites, we remained committed to reversing land degradation and restoring biodiversity; adopting an interdisciplinary approach to embed environmental management practices and implement proportional green replacement in our projects. Alongside our specialist arm in landscape architecture and arboriculture, we advocate the integration of local plant and insect species in our design solutions so as to contribute to ecological reparation in our built environment.
To deepen our impact, we provide accessible resources through the APD Toolkit and encourage our architects to conduct ecological studies that inform each project’s ecological footprint.
Our architectural scheme envisioned a living building in which ecological systems thrive in harmony with social systems, and progresses towards regenerative urban ecology.
BUKIT CANBERRA SINGAPORE
Bukit Canberra is a new integrated sports and community development located in Sembawang Town, designed with a focus on both human and planetary health. Its architectural scheme applies a whole-of-system approach that accounts for whole life carbon and allows its design outcomes to align with global sustainable goals.
Key strategies include prioritising the provision of naturally ventilated spaces, the application of sustainable technologies in construction and circular design. Circulation corridors are open air, sheltered pathways are connected by a network of tropical plazas, experiential loops and landscape playfields. Thus, delightfully set within verdant landscapes, they deliver a contiguous park experience, while contributing to the reduction in the overall energy demand of the development.
Mass-Engineered Timber (MET) was used in the construction of the Indoor Sport Hall and features as partially-exposed structures to create public awareness of sustainable and productive construction approaches. In the hawker centre, eco-digesters are used to convert food waste into biogas and viable fertilisers for the landscaped areas.
The re-thinking and realisation of what liveability entails in a better-than-sustainable urban future requires meaningful partnerships between stakeholders and multidisciplinary collaborations within the Built Environment sector.
PLANTATION VILLAGE SINGAPORE
The Plantation Village is an exemplary case of how government initiatives and industry know-how in urban design and planning strategies can come together to realise a sustainable, inclusive and vibrant housing estate model.
These strategies include the design and integration of urban green under Singapore’s Housing & Development Board’s (HDB) Biophilic Town Framework, which seeks to create a “nature-centric neighbhourhood so that residents can connect with nature and enjoy its intrinsic value”. Articulated via the courtyard design concept, the HDB estate features wide open spaces such as the Common Green with its expansive network of tree-lined, universally accessible pedestrian pathways; the Precinct Heart; and, the elevated quadrangles with landscaped decks and provisions of benches, trellises and facilities for social activities. Strategically located, these open spaces create the sense of being in nature, and function as effective breakout zones that invite residents outdoors, create opportunities for cross-interaction and facilitate communal bonding.
SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB SINGAPORE
Derived in response to the natural surrounds of the adjacent Lornie Reserve, the design and planning of Singapore Island Country Club harnesses nature as its backdrop and expands the definition of ‘sustainability’.
The site utilisation takes cue from the existing topography. Leveraging the natural difference in elevation between the road and site to create a new datum and space beneath it. This crucially allows the architectural scheme to integrate the green deck and carpark without additional excavation, preserving the site’s ecological integrity.
This respect for nature and preservation of ecology extends into the architectural programming, which sensitively established three key scales of connection to the natural environment. A courtyard visually connects the three floors and informs the stratified layering of programmes which are each mapped to a spatial experience of the rainforest. The resultant programming places simulation rooms on level one in conjunction with the forest floor, and the open-air all-day dining on the second floor which levels with the canopy layer of the rainforest. On the third floor, which hosts the business centre, café and lounge, club members find themselves at level with the crowns of the trees as if nestled within the emergent layer of the rainforest. This dialogue between the built and natural environment is enabled by compact zoning strategies which allows for tight integration between the programmes in terms of operation and maximum green open area for enjoyment of the end-users.
The architectural scheme also future-proofs the clubhouse. Designed for maximum flexibility, the pavilions allow for a large range of uses and can be easily configured in the future as and when the spatial requirements of the club changes.
Designed to offer a series of layered encounters with nature, the architectural thresholds of SICC extend respectfully towards the woodlands of Lornie Nature Reserve.
The INLET Block 2, as part of a comprehensive master plan, presented the opportunity to explore how architecture as space can recreate a sense of place and regenerate its locale.
The INLET Block 2
Shanghai, China
GENERATING GOOD BY ADDING VALUE TO PLACE, PEOPLE AND SPACE THROUGH DESIGN
This aims to contribute to UN SDG 4, 8, 11 and 16, and our APD goals of Productive Economies, Climate Resiliency and Inclusive, Liveable & Lovable Cities.
HARNESSING THE CAPABILITY OF DESIGN TO DELIVER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VALUE
We firmly believe that design has the power to effect positive change in our environment and to uplift lives and communities. So, sustainability is not just a buzz word for us; it is the cornerstone of our design practice. It is from this baseline that we derived our APD practice guide and sustainability matrix. The competitive advantage it affords us will, crucially, enable us to realise our clients’ visions while creating value for both people and planet through our built environment projects by:
• Delivering circularity, resiliency and regenerative outcomes;
• Creating environments that are inclusive, safe and lovable;
• Engendering a stronger social fabric and a deeper sense of community; and,
• Contributing to economic productivity and resiliency.
How this translates into benefits for our clients and our business is outlined in the report, “The Future of Nature and Business”, published in 2020 by the World Economic Forum. It projects that nature-positive developments in Asia Pacific could unlock USD4.3 trillion of annual economic value and 232 million jobs by 2030.3
3 New Nature Economy: Asia’s Next Wave. Retrieved in October 2021 from https://www.ecosperity.sg/en/ideas/ new-nature-economy-asias-next-wave.html
Pioneering a sustainable development model, we applied urban strategies that harness low-carbon technologies, create inclusive spaces, integrate biophilia, and engender a sense of community, place and wellbeing.
TIANJIN ECO-CITY GREEN INNOVATION PARK MASTER PLAN TIANJIN, CHINA
Working collaboratively with the managing committee of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, the master plan of Eco-City Centre was conceived in response to China’s “Dual Carbon” policies and aims to pioneer a sustainable development model, guided by Eco-City’s planning framework and Singapore’s sustainability experiences, through future-proofing and systematic approaches.
The design scheme envisions a continuously-growing urban landscape, grounded by a Central Activity Belt that connects Sino-Singapore Friendship Park in the North and Z4 Light Rail station in the South of the city centre. The Belt comprises public spaces, and implements innovative infrastructure integrated with latest sustainability technologies. They include the Eco-atrium, an enclosed indoor public space with passive cooling and energy-saving smart controls, and the Eco-Veranda and Eco-Canopy, a sheltered walkway and event space integrated with BIPV glass to harvest solar energy and rainwater.
The master plan epitomises a system of thoughtful and sustainable urban practices, that interweave multiple urban clusters with diverse communal and civic spaces, without compromising the quality of work and life of visitors and residents in the future. It is a perfect embodiment of both China and Singapore’s ideal for the blueprint of future sustainable cities.
GET SPACE, with its mixeduse programming, introduces a broad mix of activity and uses that further contributes to the socio-economic dynamism and vibrancy of its locale.
GET SPACE GUANGZHOU, CHINA
Large-scale, mixed-use developments, with their broad mix of uses, can significantly contribute to the existing social fabric and economy of their locale. For this scheme in Guangzhou, we pulled focus on the needs and wellbeing of the people, highlighting the expansive public realm and flexible mix of functions within the tower blocks.
The design began with an exploration of form of the two “horizontal” skyscrapers and through an interplay of volumes, an interesting dialogue between mass and voids emerged. Continuous open street blocks, multi-level platforms and sky decks were thoughtfully integrated to form highly interactive venues that allow visual and physical engagement with the city while encouraging social interactions. This includes a delightful 600m long canopy shelter at podium level. The semi-outdoor public realm harnesses landscaping as a passive solar design strategy to both provide comfortable shading and regulate the micro-climate of the retail spaces.
These community-forward design strategies combine with the flexible programming within the development to lend GET SPACE a flexibility and accessibility that appeals to both businesses and visitors alike; thereby, generating social and economic value for the Guangzhou Science City district.
Community and sense of place form the backbone of our architectural design scheme; effectively, creating a vibrant lifestyle hub that draws people together and fosters interaction.
CHENGNAN RIVERFRONT URBAN COMPLEX CHENGNAN, CHINA
Placemaking forms the primary focus of the architectural scheme for Chengnan Riverfront Urban Complex, which foregrounds its waterfront appeal to create social and commercial value. Key to activating this is the proposal to unify the plots on which the development sits, via elevated commercial bridges and to strategically conceal the pump station, marring the urban interface, within the architecture. This not only provided a clean canvas for beautification of the urbanscape but also introduced public spaces for vibrant, multifunctional communal use.
The vision of a socially-vibrant, site-sensitive and environmentally-conscious urban development was realised through the adoption of the ‘Eco River Valley’ concept. Enclosed within the commercial bridges, the central courtyard is framed by layered terraces that make for rich interaction spaces. This design language is echoed in the stepped terraces integrated along the Chengnan River and the publicly-accessible landscaped roof. Open and inclusive, they facilitate social activities and encourage interaction amidst stunningly scenic views of the riverside.
Sense of place is further elevated through its bold architectural form, inspired by Nanjing’s traditional silk ‘Yunjin’ and the ‘Ancient Palace Wall’. Smooth ‘Yunjin’ patterned curved glass contrasts with 3D terracotta tiles, becoming an iconic landmark. The office and apartment towers extend this theme, with flowing lines and towering silhouettes creating a lively and distinct shared space.
Sensitive programming and universal design strategies were employed to realise a communal library that embraces diversity and contributes to the building of inclusive knowledge societies.
PUNGGOL REGIONAL LIBRARY SINGAPORE
Punggol Regional Library was designed in response to four main objectives: building inclusive knowledge societies, fostering cultural diversity, achieving sustainable development and bridging the digital divide. It is envisioned as a nebula, a cloudinspired form and spatial expression that suggests the idea of exploration of knowledge and inclusivity of all age groups. Similar to journeying through the galaxy, the library’s planning allows users to move through the space as one explores and learns.
First storey is the “launchpad” where infants start to explore reading. Second storey is the “aurora” where children engage in various activities. Third storey is themed “atmosphere” where teenagers interact and study. Fourth storey is a “space” for adult collection. Fifth storey is the “horizon” where the programme space is placed within a rooftop garden. These vertical zonings consider the spectrum of activities, acoustics and segregation required from the diversity of programmes within the library space.
Image courtesy of Guan Ho Construction Co (Pte) Ltd
Through our community projects and employee upskilling programmes, we nurture a culture of care that extends from our people to our communities, creating lasting positive impact.
GWT Technical Class
GWT Master Class
DP Inspire Awards 2024
WE CULTIVATE A CULTURE OF LEARNING THROUGH PROGRAMMES BY DP ACADEMY AND OUR TALENT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK.
NURTURING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH IN SUSTAINABILITY
DP Academy has expanded its in-house training offerings, which includes the GWT Practice Sessions. These encompass lectures on best-in-class project case studies and monthly technical presentations covering sustainability topics ranging from decarbonisation to site and ecology. They are held groupwide to enhance capabilities in the GWT domains and their intersections; and have, over the course of the year, seen a 48% increase in training hours.
We are also actively strengthening our competency and leadership in green building practices through sponsorship for employees to participate in Green Certification courses. These include the Green Mark Professional Qualification Scheme organised by the Singapore Green Building Council, as well as LEED and WELL accreditation. The push for year-on-year expansion of our pool of green professionals has resulted in 1 in 20 design-related employees with sustainability credentials.
2025: NEXT STEPS
We will review feedback on current initiatives and programmes to identify areas for improvement while continuing to offer diverse learning opportunities for our employees.
Industry sharing and dialogue session with both local and international students
WoWdering Wanders
2024 Singapore Garden Festival
WE GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATE POSITIVE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE THROUGH DESIGN.
RAISING AWARENESS AND GENERATING SOCIAL GOOD
We design public installations with our partners to raise awareness about critical climate and social issues. Applying circularity and community design principles, our hope is to simultaneously cultivate a civic and green-forward mindset amongst our employees and inspire meaningful public dialogue around a more sustainable and liveable urban future.
We regularly host visits and dialogues with both local and international students at our headquarters; and through these, we share our design commitment to and ethos in sustainable building design with real-world project cases on how we can achieve better-than-sustainable outcomes for a greener, more liveable urban future. The hope is to inspire a new generation of architects and designers, who will each stand as champions of positive climate and social change.
2025: NEXT STEPS
We continue to seek partnership opportunities and avenues through which we can purposefully contribute to and advocate for the sustainable development goals.
The centre is an embodiment of intentional programming and thoughtful design, showcasing how design can empower individuals and allow graceful and healthful ageing in place.
GOODLIFE STUDIO (BUKIT PURMEI) SINGAPORE
Goodlife Studio seeks to reach out to and empower the elderly residents of Bukit Purmei through learning-focused activities. The design scheme repurposes an existing void deck space into a 300 square metre communal space that is sub-divided into three zones to cater for three learning studio settings. Its non-gated set-up is punctuated by bright solid hues and muted timber tones, effectively pushing against the conventions of active ageing centre design and redefining the stigma of ageing.
Of the three, Kayu Artisan is the main studio; and it is what makes Goodlife Studio unique. Designed with the intention to engage male seniors who are more at risk of social isolation than their female counterparts, it offers the familiarity of craftsmanship to the seniors. The word ‘Kayu’ is borrowed from the Malay language and used colloquially to describe making a mistake. Thus named, Kayu Artisan provides a fun and light-hearted environment where imperfections are normalised and seniors are free to express themselves. In this dynamic setting, the more experienced senior artisans will become stewards of the learning community, enabling a continuation of wisdom and knowledge.
Enveloped by 17,000 recycled aluminium Dream Discs, the Singapore Pavilion is designed to be bold, tactile and experiential; a call for global action towards a better-thansustainable and progressive urban future.
SINGAPORE PAVILION
OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN
The Dream Sphere is designed by DP Architects in collaboration with Kingsmen Experience for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Inspired by the ‘Little Red Dot’, the pavilion represents qualities and characteristics that are uniquely Singapore. It also stands as a beacon, embodying the wider collective aspiration for a more positive and more sustainable future. This call for global action is articulated through its immersive experience and its façade design. Constructed as modular components, the mounting of the aluminium discs calls to mind the Japanese cultural practice of hanging up well-wishing plaques, Ema and forming a façade patterning that references the traditional Japanese motif, Seihaiga Metaphorically, this culminates the energy of thousands of dreams for a betterthan-sustainable future, with each aluminium Dream Disc coming together to form a collective spectacle that becomes the core expression of the Singapore Pavilion – the Dream Sphere. This aspiration is also captured in the construct of the pavilion through the 4Rs of sustainability – Renew, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for a more circular and low-carbon outcome.
Distilling the aspirations of Singapore into unique experiences and spatial narratives, the Singapore Pavilion hopes to be a catalyst for progress by inspiring dreams for the future, connecting shared aspirations and sparking collective action; so that we can take steps towards realising a brighter, healthier and better-than-sustainable future for all lives.
DP Life Family Day 2024
DP Life Weekly Yoga Sessions
DP Life Family Day Coastal Cleanup
WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE CULTURE THROUGH PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES BY DP
LIFE
THAT
PRIORTISE THE
WELLBEING OF OUR EMPLOYEES
NURTURING HAPPY, HEALTHY, ECO-CONSCIOUS EMPLOYEES
We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and their wellbeing is fundamental to our sustainable growth. In 2024, DP Life and our Human Resource department worked together to enhance our wellness initiatives to support their holistic health. This includes expanding medical benefits to cover Traditional Chinese Medicine so as to address diverse healthcare needs, continued annual health screenings, and monthly Fruit Day programme which is intended to encourage healthy eating habits. The increased focus on employee wellbeing has since gained traction, leading to ground-up initiatives, such as Mind over Matter, a weekly yoga session conducted by DPians.
DP Life has also organised numerous office-wide events to foster a deeper sense of community within DP. These include lunch celebrations for festive events, such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali; and the yearly DP Family Day, which brought employees and their families together for a day of fun.
D57 Walk
WE ASPIRE TO CREATE MORE VALUE AND DO BETTER BY PLACING SUSTAINABILITY AND WELLBEING AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO.
DP Architects is a leading multidisciplinary design firm with 1,000 team members networked across 16 global offices and 8 architecture-related specialisations, including urban planning, engineering, sustainable design, interior design, façade design, and landscape architecture. Founded in 1967, we have expanded our impact in shaping cities to 77 countries with notable works across a diverse range of typologies, including commercial, community, housing, hospitality, recreational and healthcare.
The practice is guided by its belief in the power of design to effect positive change and driven by its commitment to create quality environments that enrich the lives of people and that contribute to sustainable development. By harnessing our collective design expertise, our shared values, our One Global Studio network and our diversity of ideas, we seamlessly deliver well-calibrated interdisciplinary design solutions for a better-thansustainable urban future.
OUR GLOBAL OFFICES
SHANGHAI
DUBAI
MUMBAI
HYDERABAD
BENGALURU
KUALA LUMPUR
JOHOR BAHRU
GUANGZHOU
SHENZHEN
HANOI
YANGON
BANGKOK
HO CHI MINH CITY
SINGAPORE
JAKARTA
LONDON
CREDITS
CONTENT: Chan Hui Min, Belle Chung and Lee Yee Lin
GRAPHICS: Valent Tan and Kirsten Wong
Special thanks to the contributions by the students of the M.S. in Sustainability Management program at the Columbia University’s Earth Institute and School of Professional Studies.
BETTER THAN SUSTAINABLE
