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These articles below can also be found in the 15 - 31 October 2009 issue of Square Foot magazine:
To view the Interactive Squarefoot eMagazine
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Greening our cities
New developments across the region are leading the way in environmentally friendly building. Rosanne Barrett reports
Asia is the powerhouse of the world’s construction industry. India and China are currently booming and according to the Asia Business Council they have recently been home to more than half of the world’s new construction. With Asia at the forefront of the construction industry’s future, local governments are starting to develop comprehensive strategies for green buildings.
In addition to Singapore’s Green Building Masterplan that aims to have 80 percent of buildings using 50 percent less energy by 2030, Japan has introduced the Sustainable Building Consortium that rates the eco-efficiency of all new builds. South Korea and Taiwan also have voluntary codes of practice. In Hong Kong the government, last year, finalised public consultation on a set of proposed mandatory building energy efficiency standards but legislation is yet to go before the Legislative Council. On the mainland, the Green Building Council was launched last year – it will implement a rating system that incorporates land-use, energy, water, construction materials, and indoor air quality.
But some developers are already building green. In Hong Kong, Hysan’s Hennessy Centre in Causeway Bay is the first building in the SAR to be pre-certified as platinum by the U.S.-based Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEEDS). “Our aim is to develop a building of the highest standards which will remain competitive for many years to come,” said Hysan Chair Peter T.C. Lee. “We want the building to be both commercially successful and environmentally responsible.” Due for completion in 2011, the building will feature several large openings on the lower levels to promote the flow of air and light, and reduce the wall effect. Low-emission double glazing, sun shades and vents will also be relied on for cooling, and the project will utilise recycled construction materials.
In Singapore, where green buildings are now mandated by the government, the first carbon-neutral building in the Asia Pacific region opened in July. The 11 Tampines Concourse building, a private three-storey development, is made from recycled materials and features eco-friendly fittings. It uses an indoor water-cooling system instead of air conditioning to maintain the internal air temperature at 26°C, while relying on a façade and roof greening system spread over 4,500 square metres to cool the building further. Sensors on each floor regulate the use of artificial light.
In Japan, Itoman City Hall, Okinawa has also been praised for its green properties. Completed in 2002, the building features solar power generating panels on the roof, louvres to promote the flow of fresh air, and veranda-type constructs for shading.
The mainland’s green credentials came to the fore during the 2008 Olympic Games. The Beijing Olympic Athletes’ Village was LEED-certified gold for its green construction, integrated location and innovation, while the Water Cube used water- and power-saving techniques in its construction. The outer surface and roof can collect 10,000 tons of rain water, and the venue can save 140,000 tons of recycled water each year.
And more projects are in the works – even whole cities. The joint China-Singapore project, Tianjin Eco-city started construction in mid-2008. Envisaged as a model for the future, the efficiency of the city will be measured against key performance indicators, including pollution and renewable-energy-use targets. Singaporean Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the project was unique for its social and environmental philosophy: “The Tianjin Eco-city is underpinned by the principle of the ‘three harmonies’, namely, harmony between man and man, man and the economy, and man and the environment.”
Overall, Asia is proving it can create energy- and water-efficient projects that come within budget. Big-banner buildings are popping up all over the region and governments are meeting to legislate for green buildings codes.73.1
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