ISSUE 1 / 2014
Designing Landscape Creating green, living and breathing towns
A Brighter No Child’s Shade Of Green Play
Winning Works
Piloting energy-efficient technologies in mature estates
Snapshots of HDB’s 2013 awards and accolades
Using precast technology to improve productivity in HDB projects
ISSUE 1 / 2014
Cover Story
Designing Landscape 02-13
No Child’s Play 14-20
Evolving HDB landscapes and a peek into the Landscape Guide
Find out more about HDB’s prefabrication journey
Landscaping Lives If the seeming homogeneity of high-rise living leads you into thinking that the people residing in them live unexciting lives, be prepared for a nice surprise. Beneath the façade of routine orderliness runs a rich vein of creative, pulsating life where HDB residents pursue dreams and passions that rise above the ordinary. And even though the tall towers may predominate, the greenery and porosity of HDB towns have created a pleasing and sustainable landscape in every imaginable sense. In this issue, we lead you down the garden path, from when landscaping was first employed as a green foil to the hardness of brick and concrete, to its present-day role as designer of active community living with its carefully planted gardens, pergolas and playgrounds. And helping older HDB towns turn a brighter shade of green are initiatives being trialled in Yuhua to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices at the individual, household and community levels. Another area where HDB was an early mover is prefabrication. Adopting the technology to improve the quality of homes has resulted in savings in cost and time, enhanced building efficiencies, and also contributed to safer and greener methods of construction.
21 MEET THE DWELLERS
The ultimate beneficiary of all our efforts is the HDB dweller, and starting with this issue, we plan to introduce them to you – such as Guangjun, a full-time university student and part-time electric guitar maker.
Guitar Lad – Electric guitars handcrafted with love, from home
24 A BRIGHTER SHADE OF GREEN Mature towns and sustainable features go hand in hand as part of the HDB Greenprint initiatives
32 WINNING WORKS Read more about HDB’s awards in 2013
About ‘Dwellings’ ‘Dwellings’ is published by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore’s public housing authority and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development. For over 50 years, HDB has provided quality and affordable public housing for generations of Singaporeans. Currently, more than eight in 10 resident households in Singapore call an HDB flat their home. Through ‘Dwellings’, we want to share how we create the kind of public housing that is uniquely different, and also uniquely Singapore’s. We also have a website, www.dwellings.sg, where you will find more images and interactive content, and where you can send in your feedback and suggestions.
1960s
1980s
1970s
/03
issue 1 2014
Designing
Landscape 1990s
Since the first plantings more than 50 years ago, landscaping in the HDB heartland has grown more varied and interesting, encompassing both softscape and hardscape elements. With an increasingly sophisticated planting palette and more community spaces, it is today one of the key tools that HDB uses to create green, living, breathing towns.
2000s
c
omprising predominantly high-rise blocks, Singapore’s public housing could easily have developed into concrete jungles. Instead, the towns are green urban oases despite their built-up mass. A clear vision of what we want our towns to be, along with good planning and policy, has ensured that public housing, Singapore-style, is also vibrant and sustainable.
Landscaping Over The Years Before HDB towns came to be, home for most families in Singapore was a tiny space carved out in a city slum or squatter colony. This dire housing situation was swiftly dealt with by the newly-formed Singapore government through an extensive building programme from the 1960s onwards. Playing an integral role in the public housing evolution is landscape design. In the early years, only simple playgrounds were introduced and landscaping was deployed mainly to provide shade. Over the next two decades, landscaping evolved with the development of precincts and parks, as HDB’s attention shifted from solving the housing shortage to creating quality living environments. The community facilities that sprouted in the 1970s and 1980s also took on interesting and varied forms, adding to the overall landscape and ambience. Playgrounds, for example, were no
01 At play at home: residents of Punggol Spectra enjoying the precinct facilities on their doorstep 02 Green lung: pretty palms line The River Vista @ Kallang’s precinct walkways
longer the simple see-saws and swings of old but boasted designs that let fly with imaginative shapes and themes, from dragons to doves. From the 1990s, as HDB towns began to take on distinguishing identities, landscaping helped enhance the differences. In some towns, it incorporated the natural terrain as part of the design flow. Capitalising on hilly topography, it created dry streams; softening drainage channels with natural embankments, it brought wildlife and nature into the space and invited them back into the urban landscape. Estates with integrated roof gardens and thematic neighbourhood parks also began sprouting up. These further strengthened each town’s visual identity, and contributed to a richer sense of place and attachment for residents. With sustainability becoming an important aspiration for HDB towns, green roofs, accessible roof gardens and high-rise vertical greenery, among many other sustainability features, were boldly experimented with and implemented from the 2000s onwards. These gardens in the sky have not only increased the amount of breathing space for the community, but also brought visual relief and a cleaner, greener and more comfortable living environment in HDB towns.
/05
issue 1 2014
Encompassing Guidelines HDB’s landscape approach encompasses a broader construct today, stemming from three distinct design values: to serve the community, protect the environment and enhance the attractiveness of the common spaces. This has resulted in a variety of functional, interconnected, barrier-free and safe spaces in the HDB precincts. Each is designed with a different feel, ambience and features, to serve varied groups of users and draw the community outdoors. Keeping existing terrain and biodiversity in mind, as well as the deployment of green and water-sensitive design, the outcome is a more sustainable landscape approach. 01
02
Façades and Features 01
02 01 An oasis of calm in Toa Payoh: activity space amidst greenery for residents to rest and interact in comfort 02 Shades and signposts: use of trees in this Serangoon Estate helps to provide shade and also mark spaces and peripheral boundaries 03 Blast from the past: Sri Geylang Serai’s use of traditional motifs tie in with the area’s history 04 Skyrise greenery in Toa Payoh: car park roofs efficiently utilised as roof gardens 05 Perfect blend: soft and hard landscaping fuse together to create a pleasant living environment for the residents of Punggol
/07
issue 1 2014
03
04
05
Landscape Concepts In New Towns In the new towns and estates, landscaping is applied at four main planes: peripheral, entrance, activity and circulatory spaces. Each carries its own unique features that also integrate seamlessly with each other. Open And Porous The periphery of HDB precincts is designed without physical barriers making for easy transition to the adjacent developments and amenities. However, landscaping is used to demarcate the precinct edges and enhance the identity of the estate. Where space permits, two layers of trees are planted, so as to provide shade and greenery and serve as a shield from the dust and noise of passing vehicles.
Welcoming Markers As for the entrance areas, primarily the main vehicular entrances, drop-off areas and the pedestrian entrances, special features help enhance the sense of welcome for residents. These range from precinct markers to differentiated plantings at the main entrance, and shelters demarcating pedestrian areas and footpaths. Activity Spaces Within the precinct, activity spaces provide residents with opportunities to mingle with their neighbours, which in turn foster the growth of strong communities. A central precinct garden, which includes the playground, fitness corners and seating facilities, serves as the main activity area and is landscaped with appropriate plants for a more pleasant environment. In void decks at the foot of HDB blocks, the ample seating provided helps enhance these social spaces for residents. In newer towns and precincts, residents enjoy roof gardens as additional community areas. Linking the various amenities are carefully planned vehicular and pedestrian circulatory spaces.
Flora and Fauna 01
02
Updating Afresh Existing Estates The landscaping in mature towns and precincts is updated to current standards through various upgrading programmes such as the ‘Neighbourhood Renewal Programme’ and ‘Remaking Our Heartland’. In conceptualising the landscape design for existing precincts, extra care is taken to ensure minimal disruption to the area while adding new features. For example, healthy mature trees which take many years to grow are carefully conserved, and are monitored for signs of stress and damage during the construction of new facilities. The new facilities introduced into the old precincts are also designed to blend in with its established character.
/09
issue 1 2014
03
06
04
01
Preserving nature: keeping the characteristic hilly terrain of Bukit Batok with walking paths paved for the convenience of residents 02, 03 Visual feast: colourful plants create interest and character in estates 04 Bird watching: the white-crested laughing thrush feeling at home in an HDB neighbourhood park 05 Purple beauties: flowers liven up the HDB landscape 06 Softening external faรงades: a variety of flora found in Yew Tee Estate 05
Fun and Foliage 01
02
03
/11
issue 1 2014
04
01, 02, 03 Nature’s classroom: inquisitive young minds having fun checking out plants and insects 04 Photo-taking opportunities: beautiful landscaping within HDB neighbourhoods
Looking Skywards HDB has also looked skywards for inspiring landscaping. Plantings have sprouted on rooftops and walls that not only help to reduce glare and the ambient temperature, but also contribute to the overall beauty and serenity. Up On The Roof Where rooftop greenery has been implemented in the newer towns and estates, it has brought visual relief and softened the hard urban edges of towering blocks. With facilities and community spaces incorporated in the design, residents get to enjoy these added benefits. Rooftop greenery has been applied on the roof decks of HDB’s multi-storey car parks and sky gardens of residential blocks, as well as on precinct pavilions and commercial blocks. Gracing Façades Complementing ground planting is greenery that softens the façades and vertical surfaces of buildings and structures. It is usually applied on the vertical planes of HDB’s multi-storey car parks with residential blocks close by or those along major roads as well as on surfaces of tall or prominent retaining walls.
HDB’s commitment to bringing green living to the doorstep of our residents through purposeful landscaping has greatly enhanced the living environment for residents.
01
01 Weaving greenery in Punggol Sapphire: landscaped spaces in-between housing blocks with facilities 02 Landscape Implementation and Policy team: (Back row, from left) Technical Executive Pauline Khoo, Higher Principal Technical Executive Yeo Seng Sit, Landscape Architect Benjamin Leow, Technical Executive Chiau Gao Zheng, Senior Landscape Architect Derek Loei and Higher Technical Executive Zulkifli Bin Mohamed Yusof (Front row, from left) Higher Technical Executive Hannah Chua, Senior Landscape Architect Hoo Xin Yu, Deputy Director (Landscape Implementation) Tay Bee Choo, Principal Landscape Architect Dr Lydia Ma, Landscape Architect Rebecca Sng, Landscape Architect Rachel Teo and Technical Executive Jumadi Bin Masmod (Not present in photo) Executive Landscape Architect Jasmine Tay
/13
issue 1 2014
HDB has also looked skywards for inspiring landscaping. Plantings have sprouted on rooftops and walls that not only help to reduce glare and the ambient temperature, but also contribute to the overall beauty and serenity.
02
Sweet Spots Softening, beautifying and also edifying the heartland spaces, HDB’s landscape approach has created many sweet spots for the community to enjoy. HDB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, best sums it up when she said that “HDB’s commitment to bringing green living to the doorstep of our residents through purposeful landscaping has greatly enhanced the living environment for residents. The diverse greenery on the ground, rooftops and façade walls, complemented with amenities, are pockets of oases in the HDB heartland drawing residents together. This is aligned with HDB’s mission
to create well-designed, sustainable and communitycentric towns.” Just last year, four HDB projects – My Waterway@ Punggol, Greenwood Sanctuary@Admiralty, Punggol Breeze, and Casa Clementi, won accolades at the Singapore Landscape Architecture Awards, an acknowledgement of the organisation’s efforts in landscaping HDB towns. For more details on HDB Landscaping, visit the HDB InfoWEB at www.hdb.gov.sg/landscapeguide to access the HDB Landscape Guide produced by the Development & Procurement Group, HDB.
/15
issue 1 2014
NO CHILD’S PLAY An early adopter of prefabrication technology, HDB’s innovative approach has made its use appear as easy as piecing Lego bricks together – but child’s play it certainly is not.
01
f
rom afar, the massing of HDB blocks lends them a cohesive, homogenous feel. Tall towers interjected with low and mid-rise housing blocks flow seamlessly one from another, painting a harmonious skyline of neatly ordered cellblocks of life.
Up close, however, are distinct details that differentiate, giving the towns, precincts and neighbourhoods their own characteristic look and feel. With a multitudinous range of design variations, introducing standardisation through prefabrication can pose a real challenge. Nonetheless, it did not deter HDB from exploring the immense benefits. The first attempt was as far back as in the 1960s, in MacPherson Estate. Several contracts in Bedok Town provided HDB’s next test bed in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, it was more widely and extensively applied. One of the early advocates of the technology is Senior Advisor Er Lau Joo Ming. As HDB’s Chief Structural Engineer in those pioneering years, he led HDB’s prefabrication efforts which made it possible for HDB to develop its building system, one that is able to have different flat typologies and creative design features – while still embracing modularisation and standardisation. Explaining how, he says, “The basics of design and production are well understood by its architects and engineers, and hence the moulds can be manipulated to accommodate architectural features and effects while still retaining cost-efficiencies if these are produced in sufficient quantities.” As a result of HDB’s persistence with prefabrication, it has built up today the capability to implement up to 70 percent of prefabricated materials in its construction projects. This is more than twice the average achieved by developers of private housing projects in Singapore.
/17
issue 1 2014
INNOVATIVE DERIVATIVES Components that are precast range from external façades, floor beams and slabs, refuse chutes and staircases. With the components cast under factory conditions, the prefabricated products are valued for their inherent quality, value and durability. Cost savings come in the form of economies of scale when prefabricated components are produced in bulk for HDB’s massive building programme. With strong emphasis on mechanisation, there is a decrease in dependency on manual labour. Cranes being used to move and install these prefabricated façade components simplify the construction works for external walls. Site safety is also enhanced with workers no longer needing to work on scaffolds along the periphery of the construction. Prefabrication technology is also environmentally friendly. Construction waste is significantly reduced by optimising the use of steel moulds in precast plants, as well as through better scheduling and management of the material usage in the manufacturing process. The reduction of on-site construction brings about better site safety, housekeeping and lower noise and dust levels, thus minimising inconveniences to residents living nearby. 02
Prefabrication involves the production of building components off-site, before transporting these components to the actual site for assembly. Over the years, HDB has developed several complementary and derivative products based on prefabrication technology.
SE CAD Structural Engineering Software SE CAD is a one-stop computer-aided solution for structural analysis, design and detailing for high-rise precast developments. It is integrated with databases housing HDB’s knowledge and experience in building design and precast/ prefabricated technology. The software has won numerous accolades including a Merit Award at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards ceremony in Hong Kong, the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) Gold Award, and Singapore Concrete Institute (SCI) Excellence Award – in 2013.
Spiral Connector System The Spiral Connector, an HDB-patented product, allows for safe and reliable splicing for precast components as well as cast-in-situ construction. It is costeffective and eliminates the need for lapping in steel bars.
Prefabricated FerroLite Partition Wall System The HDB-patented FerroLite is a lightweight and highperformance material. FerroLite Partition Walls provide a sustainable and economical solution for internal partitioning in both residential and commercial developments.
Prefabricated Extensive Green (PEG) Roof Tray System 01 While prefabrication creates a cohesive, homogenous feel, each HDB precinct still has its own unique characteristic look and feel 02 Many interior and exterior components of an HDB flat are prefabricated
Jointly developed by HDB and UGL Premas, the PEG Roof Tray System introduces greenery atop concrete roofs to reduce ambient temperature, providing residents with a more conducive living environment. The system is cost-effective, easy to install and requires minimal maintenance.
01
01 02
Senior Advisor Er Lau Joo Ming shares some experiences with Deputy Director (Building Research) Er Wong Swee Khian Prefabrication technology has vastly improved productivity at HDB’s construction sites
Pioneering Innovations With over 30 years of development in precast concrete technology, HDB has successfully customised its own system catered to the local tropical climate and environment. The Prefabricated Building System is a sustainable and green technology which replaces the conventional methods of in-situ construction, developed by HDB over the years. The HDB Building Research Institute (BRI) spearheads the organisation’s many Research & Development (R&D) efforts in building and environmental sustainability. Their work largely revolves around external collaborations with organisations, institutions and industry vendors. R&D development and test-bedding are also extensively carried out at the Centre of Building Research (CBR), HDB BRI’s master laboratory located in Woodlands. Prior to its rename, the centre was initially known as the Prefabrication Technology Centre (PTC). The PTC was set up in the mid-1990s, and was used to spearhead the promotion and development of prefabrication technology in HDB projects. It is no surprise that HDB BRI officers accomplish most of their work away from their office desks as they search for ways to adopt, adapt and innovate. When asked to describe their ‘typical day’ at work in HDB BRI, Director (Business & Management) Hu Kar Keong, Deputy Director (Building Research) Er Wong Swee Khian and Principal Business Manager Tey Hui San concur that no routine exists; each day has its own agenda and challenges.
/19
issue 1 2014
02
Building More With Less HDB is taking the lead in improving precast and building productivity as well as in reducing Singapore’s dependence on labour by embracing prefabrication technology. This is achieved through the increased adoption of automated and mechanised production systems. The Automated Precast Production System, for instance, aims to hasten the precast process by integrating the Computer Aided Design Drafting (CAD/CAM) capability into the production process. With the automated and mechanised production processes, the system can further reduce the demand for manual labour by an estimated 35 percent. Conventionally, precast methods entail the laying and spreading out of the moulds across the physical factory floor. In order not to be constrained by available space, the Automated Precast Production System follows a factory conveyor belt system, transporting precast moulds from one operation-specific station to the next. The concrete-filled moulds are then stacked up and stored in huge chambers for hardening. With this method, the production capacity of the plant is expected to expand its yield by up to twofold. Previously constrained by factors such as labour, “it is now much easier to produce a greater variety of components with different configurations and sizes with the Automated Precast Production System,” says Swee Khian. A showcase of this is the latest Large Panel Floor System (LPS), designed by HDB BRI, which allows for customised room-sized floor panels. The use of large transportable panels, which can precisely cover the entire floor area of a bedroom, increases construction productivity by eliminating cast in-situ pour stripes, created when standard-width panels are installed. The design of the LPS also simplifies the joint connection, thus making production and construction more efficient. The LPS system has been piloted in two HDB projects at Geylang and Bukit Merah.
It is now much easier to produce a greater variety of components with different configurations and sizes with the Automated Precast Production System.
03
Working Around Challenges The R&D work never stops as HDB BRI aims to break even more boundaries in prefabrication, from making its FerroLite Partition Walls lighter and more durable, to enhancing the design software features which facilitate the adoption of prefabrication. These design processes need to be re-engineered by making them compatible with other Building Information Modelling (BIM) software. There is also a need to innovate and develop ways to optimise and enhance the Automated Precast Production System, one of which is by developing new precast component designs that are compatible with such production methods. Initiatives like these will encourage and move the industry forward in prefabrication technologies. There have been numerous challenges every step of the way, as noted by Hui San. “In our area, it is important to be at the forefront of technology, so extensive background and literature research needs to be done constantly. What makes our job challenging and interesting is that we can’t apply the new technologies and systems wholesale, having to modify and inject new elements to suit our needs.” The hurdles do not end there. Swee Khian recalls, “Unlike the large precast plants and factories overseas which are built specifically for the automated precast equipment, CBR is only a small plant in comparison. The Automated Precast Production System had to be customised in order to fit into the existing factory space in CBR – we also had to customise the production system to meet our needs as there are differences in the production processes.”
01
(From left) Deputy Director (Building Research) Er Wong Swee Khian, Director (Business & Management) Hu Kar Keong and Principal Business Manager Tey Hui San at the Centre of Building Research
In the Prefabricated Building System, HDB is its own consultant, designer, producer and precaster. With all the steps sequenced into a single process, HDB has the leeway to influence, from design to production, at any step of the process, fully maximising the system’s capability. To achieve better outcomes, HDB has taken into account the different requirements of various stakeholder parties. “While contractors look at the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation, developers may be more concerned with the building’s long-term maintenance. We have to put ourselves in everyone’s shoes and look at the entire process, improving and modifying as we go along,” explains Kar Keong. A prefabrication forerunner, HDB has been sharing its knowledge and expertise with industry figures and agencies, encouraging more of the private sector to come on board the prefabrication journey. HDB provides design guides and assists design consultants and construction companies in their efforts to achieve more widespread adoption of a technology that has become more than indispensable.
/21
issue 1 2014
MEET THE
ers
Behind the neat, ordered façades of HDB blocks are a living compendium of lives, people and stories; some more colourful and compelling than others but all uniquely interesting in their own special way. Kung Guangjun is one such HDB dweller, amidst the three million or so residents living in HDB towns. But what sets him apart is his unusual hobby. There are more like him that we would try to unearth and turn the spotlight on – just so their stories may be told and enjoyed.
Guitar 01
s
Lad
omewhere in Bukit Panjang, an HDB town in the west of Singapore lives a young man named Kung Guangjun. He lives the normal life of an undergraduate and a typical Singaporean student. Heading to his university on school days for lectures and tutorials, with rugby training slotted in-between classes where possible, and then going home for dinner and studies and rest, very little sets him apart from thousands like him in the daily routine of living.
Unknown to his neighbours and the world at large, in the balcony of his parents’ HDB flat, from an improvised workbench he put together, Guangjun crafts electric guitars – from parts and pieces he painstakingly sources and lovingly assembles to produce intensely wonderful sounds on this side of rock heaven! Yes, Guangjun builds electric guitars from scratch. From the conception of the design, the guitar’s ergonomics, the creation of the prototype, to sourcing for raw wood from local timber mills and guitar parts from overseas, right down to the actual crafting of the guitar – sawing, drilling holes, cutting frets, wiring, sanding and eventually lacquering it, he sees to every meticulous step himself. Where did the passion to craft a guitar come from, a skill unusual even for guitar aficionados? So we asked Guangjun who readily explains, “I wanted a unique 8-string guitar that I could not afford to buy. I refused to settle for a cheaper model and saving and scrimping for it is surely an impossible dream on the pocket money of a student – so I decided to build one for myself!”
01 Kung Guangjun, the self-taught guitar enthusiast 02 The four electric guitars crafted by Guangjun 03 Guitar-making process in his home balcony (Photos courtesy of Kung Guangjun)
/23
issue 1 2014
HDB estates pretty much became one of the most interesting places around, with all the different ramps, railings and variety of angles and walls available – simply awesome.
A crazy idea? No, not for this young man who majors in mechanical engineering. “I’ve always been interested in wood and metal working, so making the decision to build one wasn’t so much a lofty ambition as it was a natural reaction. Of course, I didn’t expect it to be a breeze; it took me three tries in about three years to get it right. The experience of working with tools helped though, as I have been making wood and paper models with various tools since my primary school days.” His lack of knowledge and skills were not deterrent factors as far as he was concerned. These could be picked up, learned and honed over time. Guangjun started off with just a book on guitar-making, and acquired the technical know-hows mainly through trial-and-error, and various videos and advice from the online guitar-making community. The act of getting down to doing it was a greater inertia to overcome. “You see, everything is difficult when you look at it. But once you get over the initial apprehension and start doing it, solve one problem at a time, it’s actually not as tough as you believed it to be at the start.”
With a laugh and a twinkle in his eye, he confesses to having practised his parkour manoeuvres with his friends around his housing estate in his teens. “After getting into parkour, I developed a keener eye and a very different interpretation of my surroundings. For example, railings are not just railings anymore – they have square railings, round railings, oval railings, and all of these are to parkour-ers, different levels of challenges to take up. HDB estates pretty much became one of the most interesting places around, with all the different ramps, railings and variety of angles and walls available – simply awesome.” It is definitely not part of HDB’s plan for the railings around its housing estates to become practice spots for parkour enthusiasts. But this chance uncovering shows how places and spaces are owned and used in creative, albeit sometimes rather disingenuous ways. As for Guangjun, pushing the boundaries of his potential has never been about limiting himself to any presuppositions about his youth and inexperience – which is what makes him one of our favourite HDB dwellers.
Deep words from a 23-year-old, but if you consider that he is also a self-taught parkour enthusiast, you catch a glimpse of a soul unafraid to try.
03
/25
issue 1 2014
A Brighter Shade Of
Green
Developing an environmental conscience has turned Singapore a brighter shade of green – with public housing paving the way in using energy-efficient technologies and getting its heartland communities to embrace the green agenda.
t
he Fine, Green City
The transformation of Singapore into a clean and green garden city has earned it the moniker of ‘The Fine City’ because of deterrent measures for littering in public places. Increasingly, however, ‘The Fine City’ label has come to embrace more positive aspects as the little red dot (another of the country’s nicknames) has expanded and evolved into a fine, global city and a happening metropolis.
This fine city is also working hard to be a green city – not merely a green, garden city, but a city intent on reducing its carbon footprint. Being clean and green has now gone beyond its obvious, literal meanings. While using litter bins and planting plants and parks are still important, the green ethos has taken stronger root. In buildings, homes and offices, various ‘green’ technologies are being employed to use energy and water more efficiently and effectively. And nowhere in Singapore is this more prevalent than in Punggol, HDB’s ecotown of the 21st century. 01
/27
issue 1 2014
The Greenprint Revolution
(On pages 24 and 25) HDB Greenprint initiatives in Yuhua including the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System 01 Punggol, Singapore’s first eco-town: a winning advocate of sustainable living
Punggol, a brand new town, has the privilege of incorporating all things green right from the start, and so boasts several iconic green innovations. One is a 4.2 kilometre-long meandering waterway, My Waterway@Punggol. It is designed with sustainable features and is noted for its innovative approach in bringing green living by the waters to the residents of the town. The other is the first eco-precinct in Singapore, the Treelodge@Punggol, incorporating practical and cost-effective green features such as solar panels, energy regenerative elevators and a rainwater harvesting system. But what about the older, mature housing towns and estates? Although Punggol’s green opportunities have passed them by, the HDB Greenprint has brought about a green revolution from the ground up for these towns. The HDB Greenprint, launched in 2012, is a comprehensive framework to help guide the development of sustainable living for HDB towns. It is a vital part of HDB’s larger ‘Roadmap for Better Living in HDB Towns’ that aims at developing well-designed, sustainable, and communitycentric towns.
Waste Management
Energy Conservation
Water Conservation
Green Commuting
Landscaping & Greenery
Community Engagement
It has set out six areas of sustainability to ensure an integrated and holistic approach. These cover waste management, energy and water conservation as well as green commuting, landscaping and greenery, and community engagement. With over 80 percent of resident households in Singapore living in HDB flats, every small step taken will have a natural dispersal effect on the wider population. Hence, the Greenprint is being piloted at Yuhua, a public housing estate in the western part of Singapore. Lessons learnt will help refine the Greenprint for wider roll-out to other towns.
01
Piloting First In Yuhua The aim is to create a ‘Green Neighbourhood’ in Yuhua with active participation from the community living in the 38 blocks of about 3,200 flats. What can Yuhua look forward to? For starters, HDB will test bed an automated Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) for all 38 blocks. Instead of manual collection of refuse from the bin chutes, underground pipes will transport the refuse to a centralised sealed container at the bin centre, where regular pick-ups will be made by collection trucks. The automation promises more sanitary and efficient waste collection, as opposed to the
conventional manual refuse collection currently installed. Yuhua residents can also expect more sustainable and green initiatives such as solar panels and sensor-controlled outdoor LED street lighting that will bring energy and monetary savings to the town. Enhanced pedestrian and extended cycling networks will be introduced and this is complemented with the installation of secured bicycle parking facilities at the void decks. This journey began in October 2012 at a Greenprint Exhibition, where residents viewed and responded to the green plans in the pipeline which resulted in a customised Greenprint plan for
Yuhua. It was evident that Yuhua residents were concerned about their carbon footprint and how they could adopt greener lifestyles, as over 600 households in the precinct had made pledges to adopt greener practices, and to live a greener life. They had also indicated interest in the idea of a community garden and a gardening club, having vertical greenery in the estate, and also the ‘Save-As-YouReduce-Scheme’, that incentivises waste reduction and recycling. On average, if each household was to reduce 20 percent of their total waste, or half a kilogram of waste per day, they would be able to save a dollar a month on waste collection fees.
/29
issue 1 2014
02
It will not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also help grow a stronger green conscience in the heartland.
03
Funding Innovative Solutions To encourage innovative ideas and widen public participation in the greening of Yuhua, a Greenprint Fund was created to support green and original test-bedding solutions meant for implementation in Yuhua. The solutions had to be highly implementable products, processes, systems or methodologies that help improve the quality of life and the living environment. These include facilitating savings in water and electricity, increasing recycling rates and reducing heat. Each application would receive up to $100,000 in funding, for the trial implementation of these solutions in the pilot green neighbourhood.
04
This approach of co-creating sustainable green solutions with the community marks the first bold step towards the greening of HDB’s older towns and estates. It will not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also help grow a stronger green conscience in the heartland. And that – given the considerable population living in HDB towns – is going to have a phenomenal impact on the little red dot’s green vision.
01 Residents can look forward to enhanced pedestrian and cycling networks 02 Pledges from Yuhua residents to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle 03 (From left) Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations Ms Grace Fu with HDB CEO Dr Cheong Koon Hean and Director (Building Research) Er Teh Poh Suan at the HDB Greenprint Exhibition 04 Ms Grace Fu leading by example at the HDB Greenprint Exhibition
Greenprint Fund
Proposals
01
A year later in November 2013, five projects across the six sustainability areas under the HDB Greenprint were chosen to be test-bedded in the Yuhua Estate. 1.
Community ‘Parklets’ At HDB Common Areas These mini parks will be created at sheltered areas in the estate such as void decks, to provide conducive set-ups for friendly interactions to take place. It takes inspiration from urban spaces in many European countries, where strangers meet and many a friendship is formed.
2.
Ducted System LED For Common Areas Applying the technology of diffused lighting to an HDB corridor would cut down energy consumption by more than 70 percent. A common area which used to require more than 10 lighting points can now be served by three.
3. Lightweight Retractable Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System For Open-air Areas A first of its kind in a residential estate in Singapore, these panels can be utilised with a weather-guided system in open areas like car parks and basketball courts for the dual purpose of providing shelter and generating electricity. No longer will solar panels have to be restricted in its usage on rooftops or building façades.
4. Solar Powered Street Light With Mosquito Killer And Motion Sensor Function This innovative product incorporates multiple existing ideas into a most useful energy-saving tool. It is powered by solar energy, and lights up dark areas while luring mosquitoes into its trap. 5.
Hobby Farming With Recyclable Materials Gardening with the likes of coffee and soya bean waste is definitely an environmentally friendly activity that can bring residents together. As they learn the value of putting discarded materials to good use by cultivating fresh produce for their families and friends, more than just green seeds are planted.
/31
issue 1 2014
02
Setting An Example Adviser to Yuhua Grassroots Organisations, and Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Grace Fu, at HDB’s Green Homes Package Launch at the Yuhua Community Club on 30 November 2013, urged Yuhua residents to adopt a greener lifestyle and lead the pack to be an example to other HDB estates. 03
01 Five winning ideas of the Greenprint Fund showcased at the public exhibition 02 Interactive displays to learn about green commuting 03 Yuhua residents can look forward to sensorcontrolled outdoor LED street lighting 04 Residents learning about hobby farming
04
Many residents took time that day to go around the exhibition, educating themselves on what they can do to go green in their homes. An elderly couple on their way for their morning walk happened to stop by and found themselves learning about the advantages of solar panels, and motion sensor lights, things they said only “the younger generation knows about”. However this is not entirely true as many younger residents also benefitted from the exhibition. Ms Hami, in her early twenties, shared some insights that she had gained from the exhibits, like taking note of the running cost of an electrical appliance and its energy consumption when comparing prices. The hobby farming proposal was a popular one with residents, as many were intrigued by the simplicity of its methodology and its outcomes. Such enthusiasm from Yuhua’s residents is an indicator of the potential in these little green initiatives. As we look at the years to come, we envisage that this Green Community will extend its roots beyond the bounds of Yuhua, into other HDB estates in Singapore.
Winning Works In 2013, HDB continued to receive accolades for its work in public housing — as planner and developer of HDB towns and homes, and architect of policies, programmes and services to shape better lives and living.
/33
issue 1 2014
01
(On page 32) Casa Clementi – HDB’s largest public housing project 01 Punggol Breeze – high-rise modern development with green spaces
Punggol Breeze Casa Clementi FIABCI Singapore Property Award 2013 (Master Plan category)
Project Management Institute (PMI) Distinguished Project Award
Punggol Breeze received the FIABCI1 Singapore Property Award 2013 for creating a functional and aesthetically appealing living environment. Its seamless, integrated design features a gateway that leads residents from the LRT (Light Rapid Transit) train station to the blocks, and is infused with greenery which serves as visual respite and helps to reduce heat and glare as well, with plenty of spaces for recreation and community bonding.
Casa Clementi is the largest public housing project developed by HDB to date. Located in a built-up environment, it presented challenges both in site construction and stakeholder management. HDB had worked together with its design and building partners from Surbana International Consultants and also Straits Construction to put a sound quality assurance system in place which helped the team clinch the award.
1
Fédération Internationale des Administrateurs de Biens Conseils et Agents Immobiliers (French: International Real Estate Federation)
Both Punggol Breeze and Casa Clementi have also garnered several other awards for design as well as construction.
Punggol Waterway • Building and Construction Authority (BCA)’s Universal Design Mark (Gold Award) • FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Award (Gold Award in Public Infrastructure/Amenities category) • Minister for National Development R&D Award (Distinguished Award) • The Chicago Athenaeum International Architectural Award 2013 • Singapore Landscape Architecture Award (Gold Award in Integrated Design category) • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Outstanding Civil Engineering Award (Merit Award) 01
01 A waterway loved and enjoyed by Singaporeans (Photo courtesy of Lui Woon Kuan)
Punggol Waterway, the first and the longest manmade waterway in Singapore, has been constantly in the limelight since its launch. Well-loved by residents who enjoy its meandering banks that offer a myriad of leisure activities, it has been getting good reviews and recognition from the international community too for its innovative approach in design and sustainability.
/35
issue 1 2014
Promoting A
Sustainable Way Of Life Singapore Environment Council – Senoko Energy Green Innovation Award
Energy Efficiency National Partnership Award
In urbanised Singapore, every green space is precious. One such innovative solution to optimise green space that HDB developed with UGL Premas, is the Prefabricated Extensive Green (PEG) Roof Tray System. It adds instant greenery on the roofs of buildings which makes it possible to have gardens in the sky. This green innovation clinched the Singapore Environment Council – Senoko Energy Green Innovation Award for the PEG Roof Tray System at the Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards (SEAA) ceremony in 2013.
Energy-saving is part of HDB’s focus on sustainability, and this is a key emphasis not just for residential projects, but also for commercial buildings that HDB builds and manages. At the Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) Awards, HDB won the award for ‘Best Energy Efficiency Practices in the Public Sector (Large Building category)’ for Connection ONE – a commercial complex commissioned by HDB.
Customer-facing Processes iCMG Enterprise & IT Architecture Excellence Award (Best Enterprise & IT Architecture in Government / Defence / Public Sector category) Just as how HDB has been applauded for well-designed public housing, its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Architecture and Methodology have also garnered awards. At the Architecture World Conference 2013 in India, HDB’s Enterprise Architecture (EA) bagged an award for work that “showed talent, vision, and workmanship in creating successful systems and enduring enterprises”. HDB’s EA fits this bill as it is a blueprint for coordinating applications, information, and technology, to ensure HDB’s ICT initiatives are aligned with its corporate goals and strategies. Furthermore, it allows for a 360-degree view of HDB’s customers and end-to-end integration of business processes.
IT Excellence Award 2013 (Best Bottom-line IT category) The Integrated Car Parks System (ICPS) is a cohesive portal enabling more effective processing of car park offences, using IT to reduce operating costs and improve work efficiency to serve HDB’s customers better. For this innovative approach, it received the 2013 IT Excellence Award for ICPS.
eGov Excellence Awards 2013 (Distinguished Award in e-Services, and Merit Awards in m-Services and Websites categories) HDB also won awards for enhancing the quality of online services for its customers. The MyDoc@HDB which won the Distinguished Award in the e-Services category in the eGov Excellence Awards 2013 makes it convenient for buyers and current home owners to deposit one set of supporting documents for multiple applications with HDB. The Mobile@HDB application and HDB InfoWEB website, in turn, won Merit Awards also for the ease and friendliness of its services and information, in the m-Services and the Websites categories respectively.
Delivering Flats Using
Innovative Methods And Boosting Productivity 01
01 HDB continually looks out for new ways to boost productivity
Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Awards Construction productivity is another area where HDB has achieved notable success. It was conferred the BCA’s Productivity Award (Platinum) for the Advocates category, which is the highest award for achievements in improving productivity at the organisational level in Singapore. Besides this, HDB also received 17 other awards at the same BCA Awards 2013 ceremony.
Editorial Adviser Lim Yuin Chien Editor Florence Keh Print & Online team Priya Shandhini (Assistant Editor), Brenda Tan, Jane Chang, Nur Raihana, Deborah Chua, Benjamin Chew Special thanks to the following Groups Building & Infrastructure Building Quality Building Research Institute Corporate Development Development & Procurement Estate Administration & Property Housing Management Information Services Properties & Land Design
Contributions We envision ‘Dwellings’ to be a platform for the sharing of ideas, works and projects that promote and advance quality and sustainable housing. We welcome written contributions from all who share a keen interest in housing and habitats, whether you are an academic, industry practitioner or professional. Contact For feedback and contributions, please email the ‘Dwellings’ editorial team at dwellings@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg. Please also let us know if you wish to receive a print magazine. Published by
HDB Hub 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh Singapore 310480 Tel: 6490 1111 www.hdb.gov.sg
Copyright terms The copyright of the materials contained in this magazine belongs to HDB. Nothing in this magazine shall be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form or by any means for any purpose whatsoever without prior written consent of HDB. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of HDB and no liabilities shall be attached thereto. All rights reserved.
HDB makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of the contents of this magazine and specifically disclaims all warranties and any liability for errors or omissions. HDB does not endorse any product(s), person(s), place(s) or receive any benefits for featuring any third party articles/ stories/contents in this magazine.
While HDB endeavours to ensure that all information is correct at the time of printing,
All information is correct at the time of printing.
Copyright © 2014 Housing & Development Board.
Dwellings is a publication by the Housing & Development Board. Visit us at www.dwellings.sg.