Magazines Archives - 2009 November

Snapshots of ‘green’malls in Singapore
Story 10 - Focus

Eco-friendly from the onset One of Singapore’s upcoming integrated resorts (IRs), Marina Bay Sands, has pledged its commitment to being eco-friendly by implementing a number of features and practices.
Aside from minimising waste through recycling and re-using materials, the development uses non-toxic eco-paints wherever possible.

The IR will house a S$25-million (US$17.85-million) Intelligent Building Management System, which automates lighting, heating and water supply throughout the resort. Using a District Cooling System, air-conditioning for the resorts will use water-cooled chillers, which are said to be 80% more efficient
than air-cooled chillers. The cooling system uses ice that is generated during off-peak power periods, while the heat from the chillers provide hot water for the hotel and its restaurants.

Hotel guests can regulate the temperature in their rooms with an “eco” button on their remote controls.
Curtains in unoccupied rooms will be kept closed and double-glazed windows throughout most of the resort will reduce heat and noise.

Solar leads the way CapitaLand Retail has re-opened its first mall with photovoltaics cells, or solar
panels. Closed for renovations in 2007, Sembawang Shopping Centre re-opened last December, with 51 solar panels on its roof to help generate 34.52kW of electricity daily for the complex.

The company invested S$150,000 (US$107,100) on the upgrade, along with additional features. These features include “variable speed drive controls” for its air-conditioning system and travellators,
recycling condensed water from its cooling towers and harvesting rain-water to maintain the mall’s greenery and rooftop garden. The mall’s parking guidance system lowers carbon emissions
and reduces petrol consumption by helping drivers easily locate car-park lots. This May, the mall was recognised by Singapore’s Building & Construction Authority (BCA) with the Green Mark Gold award for its efforts to go green.

To view full story, get a copy of Retail Asia. To subscribe, please download the subscription form from http://www.retailasiaonline.com/subscription.html