More builders going green

BCA’s 2009 awards tally jumps to 151 and its Green Mark scheme draws more interest

INTEREST in green building is growing in Singapore. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) gave out a whopping 151 awards this year – up from 97 last year – reflecting the industry’s growing commitment towards building a safe, high-quality, sustainable and friendly built environment.

In particular, BCA’s Green Mark certification scheme, which was launched in 2005, attracted more interest. Some 103 buildings were certified ‘green’ this year, up from 69 last year.

And following keen interest from both public and private sectors in ‘greening’ their properties, BCA this year expanded the Green Mark scheme to offer certifications in three more categories: infrastructure, office interior, and landed houses. Previously, the Green Mark scheme was only offered to buildings.

The Marina Barrage won a Green Mark Platinum award under the infrastructure category. The development, which spans the mouth of the Marina Channel to create Singapore’s 15th reservoir and the first in the city, was praised as a showcase of environmental and water sustainability.

Four office tenants were awarded the Green Mark for Office Interior while two landed homes were given the BCA Green Mark for Landed Houses award.

Analysts said there has been a spike in the number of projects with Green Mark certification, as demand from corporations is motivating developers and construction companies to build green buildings.

‘Most multinational corporations have some level of commitment to the environment, whether as a result of mandatory reporting in their home country or through voluntary involvement in corporate social responsibility indices,’ said Paul Baxter, Colliers International’s director for corporate services in Asia-Pacific.

For these organisations, choosing a Green Mark-certified building helps them achieve their corporate sustainability objectives, he said.

Tenants are also showing an increased willingness to pay more for green space. A survey done by CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle late last year showed that 60 per cent of Asia-Pacific companies are willing to pay a premium rent to occupy sustainable space – despite the tighter economic environment.

The main obstacle to building green buildings – the higher cost for developers – still remains. However, the cost premium to build a green building has shrunk from as much as 10 per cent to around 4 per cent as construction companies and developers become more comfortable with sustainable design, products and technology, said Colliers’ Mr Baxter. Also, maintaining the property once it is built is cheaper, and tenants can reap cost savings of as much as 15-30 per cent as compared to buildings with conventional designs.

Other than the Green Mark scheme, companies last night also received awards under five other categories – including two categories introduced this year.

Under the pre-existing categories, eight projects won the Construction Excellence Award – including the St Regis Hotel and residential developments Icon, Citylights and The Tresor. Another eight projects picked up the Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Award. Developments lauded in this category include The Sail @ Marina Bay and Parc Emily.

Ten projects, including Anchorvale Community Club and Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre, and VivoCity, won the Universal Design Award.

Two new award categories were introduced this year as the building industry becomes more green.

The inaugural Green and Gracious Builder Award was developed to recognise progressive builders who take the effort to address environmental and public concerns arising from construction works.

Some 14 construction companies – including familiar industry names such as Poh Lian Construction, Tiong Seng Contractors, Woh Hup, Tiong Aik Construction, Lum Chang Building Contractors and Lian Beng Construction – won the award this year.

The other new award, the Built Environment Leadership Award, was launched to recognise outstanding industry firms such as developers, builders, and architectural, structural, and mechanical and electrical consultants that have demonstrated excellence and leadership.

The Platinum award in this category was given to City Developments, and seven Gold Class awards were given out to other outstanding firms such as CapitaLand, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Surbana International Consultants, Woh Hup and Tiong Seng Contractors.

Looking ahead, interest in green building is likely to remain strong, analysts said.

CB Richard Ellis, for example, has embarked on a comprehensive study to evaluate the wide range of benefits that sustainability has for commercial real estate holdings. More such studies can be expected as developers and contractors look to ‘green’ more upcoming projects.

Source : Business Times – 28 May 2009