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OT ONLY HAVE WORDS LIKE “ECO”, “GREEN” AND “SUSTAINABILITY”
ENTERED THE MAINSTREAM LEXI-
CON, being “green” is also fast
becoming something of a way of life. And to cater to the demands of increasingly environmentallyaware consumers, businesses — including property developers — are overhauling the tools of their trade. Phrases like “carbon footprints” have taken over the now elementary-sounding “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, hinting at the higher understanding the layman has of the ecological dilemma. And so, developers have responded by introducing building projects that pride themselves on sustainable eco-friendly features. What better way to display your altruistic side than to show off a luxurious residence that saves the earth at the same time? Call it selflessness without the sacrifice. But what does “sustainability” mean? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the
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IMAGES SANTA GIULIA /9900 WILSHIRE/TRINIT Y APARTMENTS–SIMON DEVITT/ WIRED –THE LIVING HOME
U LT R A - L U X E A PA R T M E N T S TA I L O R E D T O YO U R E V E R Y N E E D ? T H O S E A R E T H I N G S O F T H E PA S T. S H I R L E Y S U R YA L O O K S AT H O W ‘ E C O - L U X E ’ A R C H I T E C T U R E A L L O W S YO U T O E N J OY L U X U R I O U S H O U S I N G T H AT B E N E F I T S T H E E N V I R O N M E N T T O O
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1. LivingHomes prefabricates clients’ homes in a factory to reduce wastage of building materials that end up in landfills.
2, 3, 4. Santa Giulia is designed to cater to the needs of 12,000 residents with a minimal carbon footprint. Its residences, which are surrounded by parks to channel winds into the homes, are powered by a purpose-built gas-fired station.
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S A N TA G I U L I A I S D E S I G N E D TO L E AV E A M I N I M A L C A R B O N F O OT P R I N T I N A VA R I E T Y O F WAYS
resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.” Similarly, sustainability in architecture is about being sensitive to one’s environment by promoting factors such as energy efficiency (to minimise release of greenhouse gases) and use of recycled materials. In the US, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) unveiled the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines in 2000, which awards environmentally conscious buildings silver, gold, or platinum titles. While guidelines help to establish benchmarks, the key to truly green design lies in an integrated, holistic approach in which efficiencies begin to amplify one another. Green design also does not preclude aesthetics, an aspect that respected LA Times architecture
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critic, Christopher Hawthorne, once emphasised as an important criteria for sustainable design. “If a building is beloved, it will be maintained and preserved, and there is nothing more environmentally friendly than longevity,” wrote Hawthorne in early 2001, when the concept of sustainable architecture had just entered public discourse and was perceived as having more to do with how a building works rather than how it presents itself. At the time, green design was also seen as incompatible with the work of “starchitects” like Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas, who were known to show little or no interest in sustainability. In recent years, however, the divide between sustainability and “starchitects” has narrowed, resulting in structural forms
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that boast style and advanced sustainable features. This trend is becoming more apparent in the realm of high-end properties, resulting in the phenomenon represented by the punchy slogan “eco-luxury”. Some recent projects, like Foster and Partners’ upcoming Santa Giulia development, illustrate clearly how architects, developers and consumers are increasingly adopting a green agenda. Due for completion in 2011, Foster and Partners’ masterplan proposes to transform 120 hectares of derelict industrial land in Milan into an innovative new urban quarter. Designed for a mix of residential, commercial, social and cultural uses for 12,000 residents, the developers seek to create a good balance between the city’s inhabitants and their environment. Santa Giulia is designed to leave a minimal carbon footprint in a variety of ways. Despite having schools, residences and retail space, the city is kept compact; has links to public transport to the rest of Milan; keeps its car routes underground; gives priority to pedestrians; has a pneumatic disposal system that carries rubbish
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to a central recycling area and has its own gas-fired station to power the entire site. A 32 hectare park makes up more than half of the city, and the main housing complex is built around the park to channel winds into the dwellings, thereby greatly reducing the need for air-conditioning. The price tag for a residence in Santa Giulia? At approximately €10,000 (S$21,000) per sqm, an apartment would cost an average of €1.3 million, as eco-conscious luxury is not without its price. Each of the 600 units comes with large windows, great views of the park, and excellent natural light and ventilation. Each is also equipped with energy-saving devices and co-generation technology. For example, heat emitted from electricity generation is used to warm the building, and ‘smart’ heating and lighting systems automatically set themselves to optimum conditions. Aesthetic and environmental concerns work hand-in-hand in creating this “city with a conscience”. Top architect Richard Meier has also moved in a green direction. He is now involved in
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9900 Wilshire, Beverly Hills’ first residential development to qualify for the LEED Gold rating, to be
ready by 2009. Located within the famous 90210 zipcode, this US$500 million, 252-unit luxury condominium is designed to be site-specific and exhibits an impressive urban density for Southern California. The building’s systems will be interlinked in a holistic manner to reduce overall consumption of water by 50 per cent and energy by 35 per cent. This is made possible by floor plans that allow the western sea breeze to provide natural ventilation and maximum access to natural light. Walls and floors also act as a thermal sink to absorb heat throughout the day. Designintegrated technology in the form of lighting linked to motion sensors that switch lights off in unused rooms and switch them on when occupants enter, as well as shading and glazing technologies fitted to minimise excess heat penetration are also part of the energy-saving package. South of the equator, Trinity Apartments in Auckland, New Zealand, designed by Architectus
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— a Sydney-based firm known for award-winning design and environmental sensitivity — is a living example of eco-meets-luxury since its completion in 2005. This six-storey, three-tiered concrete, glass, and cedar residential complex with 32 roomy apartments is a model of sustainable practices. Prefabricated components were used extensively during construction to minimise material waste and the site’s proximity to major public transport routes encourages a pedestrian culture. A lap and reflection pool cools the space around the building; layered levels allow each unit to harness natural light, warmth, and wind; and new technology allows residents to control just how much sunlight they want let in. Looking for something even more radical? Consider the idea of a luxurious, eco-conscious habitat, ready to go wherever you are. This is the WIRED LivingHomes — the first of a new line of prefabricated housing located in Crestwood Hills, Los Angeles. Designed by renowned architect Ray Kappe, known for his mastery of space and environmental sensitivity,
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TRINITY APARTMENTS’ CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTES ENCOURAGES A PEDESTRIAN CULTURE
LivingHomes is a line of modern residences aimed at a high-end environmentally-conscious clientele. When an order is placed, the house is built in a factory, trucked to the home site, and assembled in just one day, thereby reducing the amount of building material sent to landfills. With cutting-edge technology in the form of smart lighting and temperature control through remote control, each home’s projected energy use is 36 per cent more efficient than a conventional residence of the same size. Each unit is also packed with features such as an energy monitoring system; and countertops, tiles, and insulation made from recycled materials. It’s no wonder then that LivingHomes was named one of the “World’s 11 Coolest
New Products” by Business 2.0 and CNN. There are also plans to expand in the next few years, as response from Asia and Europe is said to be “very good”. Whether eco-luxury is truly upscale enlightenment or canny marketing, the motivation to build environmentally-friendly housing is still a step in the right direction. As the world’s population continues to increase on a steep upward trajectory, it matters more than ever the way in which we live and work in our increasingly crowded cities. With new developments making their mark on the international landscape, it seems reasonable to conjecture that investment from the biggest players in the market will ultimately augment the move towards long-term sustainable development
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5. Richard Meier’s 9900 Wilshire will appeal to high-net-worth individuals who want a swanky pad in the famous 90210 zipcode.
6, 7, 8. Up and running since 2005, Trinity Apartments in Auckland, NZ boasts a myriad of sustainable features including lap pools that cool the spaces around the buildings and layered levels that allow optimal light in.
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