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E nv i r o n m e n t a l l y f r i e n d l y b u i l d i n g p r a c t i s e s a r e a n increasingly important issue within today’s construction industry, as a building’s green credentials can affect a

multitude of factors, from specification and construction costs to maintenance, life cycle issues and the worth of the site. To help developers meet stringent green building standards Flowcrete Asia has developed car park flooring solutions that del iver on both environmental standards and operational functionality. The Singapore Green Label Scheme, a leading environmental certification mark, has recognised the exemplary ecological properties of Flowcrete Asia’s traffic deck coating solutions

Deckshield ID and Deckcoat EP and has accredited both systems as environmentally friendly flooring materials. This globally recognised endorsement means that architects and designers can specify products, safe in the knowledge that they will limit the environmental impact of the development compared to alternative, more damaging, solutions. The flexible polyurethane Deckshield ID and solvent free, epoxy Deckcoat EP have both been created to provide multi-storey car park facilities with robust, aesthetically pleasing floor finishes. A s i g n i f i c a n t e nv i ro n m e n t a l l y f r i e n d l y f a c t o r i n t h e manufacture of these systems is that there is a reduced amount of Volatile Organic Compounds ( VOCs) within the material’s

The Many Advantages of Flowcrete Asia’s Eco-Friendly Car Park Floors

64 Southeast Asia Building SEPT-OCT 2014

Eco-friendly flooringARCHITECTURE

formulation. VOCs are air pollutants that are known to have a harmful effect on both the natural environment and on human health. The hard wearing nature of Flowcrete Asia’s solutions means that they will withstand the inherent challenges of a car park that include heavy traffic and exposure to corrosive chemicals such as engine oil, battery acid, hydraulic fluids and fuel. The seamless, water tight finish of Deckshield ID and Deckcoat EP not only allows for easy cleaning and inexpensive maintenance but it also stops water ingress from weakening the car park’s crucial underlying structure. The durable and reliable nature of these floor-coating products gives them an extended life span compared to alternative car park flooring solutions. This long service life has environmental and financial benefits, as it minimises the prospect of floor failure and so reduces the cost and impact of early refurbishments and repairs. The chemical and abrasion resistance of Deckshield ID and Deckcoat EP protects the floor and avoids cracking, erosion or deterioration of the finish, ensuring that an attractive appearance is maintained within the facility. This is especially important for facilities that make use of the design versatility of these Flowcrete Asia systems to incorporate colour into the floor design. Colourful surfaces, bright bays and clear signage will not only make a good first impression on visitors but they can also be used to further enhance the building’s green credentials. Many contemporary car parks are implementing colour-coordinated

bays that include special sections that encourage visitors to adopt environmentally friendly practises. Singapore’s Star Vista Mall utilised 40,000 square metres of Deckcoat EP to achieve this. The solution was applied in a variety of eye-catching colours to designate different bays, with pale grey used for the main traffic system, dark grey for parking bays and specialist shades of blue, red and green to highlight disabled, family and green parking spaces. Some of the most impressive car parking facilities in the world have turned to Deckshield ID or Deckcoat EP to ensure an effective flooring solution able to withstand the highly challenging on-site conditions that their venues will inevitably face. One of the world’s largest retail developments, the Dubai Mall, installed over 500,000 square metres of Deckshield ID across its three car park buildings, which together make up the most expansive parking facility in the MENA region. It was important that the floor chosen by the Dubai Mall did not fail when subjected to the region’s high temperatures. Deckshield ID was ideal for this requirement, as its crack bridging properties are able to accommodate thermal cycling and its in-built UV resistance meant that the finish would not yellow in the sun. Deckshield ID and Deckcoat EP both exemplify Flowcrete Asia’s commitment to lowering the environmental impact of the construction sector whilst simultaneously providing flooring solutions that are up to the structural and aesthetic tasks of the most demanding facilities in the world. For more information, visit www.flowcreteasia.com.

SEPT-OCT 2014 Southeast Asia Building 65

Eco-friendly flooring ARCHITECTURE

O f the many construction materials out there, timber is sometimes still under-appreciated amongst

members of the architectural, design and construction fraternity. This issue is further exacerbated by misconceptions that wood is not a sophisticated, versatile or durable building material. This is far from the truth as timber is one of the world’s top performing construction materials. Tried and tested over centuries, its inherent beauty, strength and durability has seen it remain as one of the favourite choices of building material among many architects and engineers. The durability of timber and how it has stood the test of time is best illustrated by

Timber is the ultimate ‘green’

construction material

Text and photos courtesy of Malaysian Timber Council (MTC).

the Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan which is officially the world’s oldest wooden building. Dendrochronological studies of the wood have shown that they came from trees felled in AD 594. Contrary to what modern society believes, timber, applied and maintained correctly, can in fact, outlast other materials such as steel and concrete. One fine example within Malaysian shores is a wooden Palace called Seri Menanti in the state of Negeri Sembilan which has stood steady for 105 years (and counting!)

Timber imprisons carbon, and more With the increasing emphasis on ‘green’ construc t ion or sustainable bui lding, there is a greater need for resources that

significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building, while enhancing the quality and cost-efficiency of a project and ensuring the comfort and safety of its occupants, over the entire lifetime of the building. As a building material that is renewable, carbon neutral and amenable to advanced engineering specifications, incorporating timber into a building’s design is one of the easiest ways to reduce a project ’s environmental impact and cost (for example through pre-fabricated timber members that can be easily installed on-site to reduce construction time). Why? Because timber is the only building material that stores atmospheric carbon. The facts speak for themselves:

One of the many Malaysian Balau-decked boardwalks at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi resort in Maldives. Photo: © MTC


Timber SustainabilityARCHITECTURE

1. The carbon that is absorbed by trees in their lifetime remains “imprisoned” in the wood;

2. On average, a single tree is capable of “locking” up to a whole tonne of carbon during its lifetime;

3. When trees die and the wood rots, the absorbed carbon will return to the air, contributing to CO2 buildup in the atmosphere.

In short, by harvesting trees before they die of old age, we are able to lock up the carbon and prevent it from returning to the atmosphere. Hence, incorporating timber in a design can easily lower the carbon footprint of the project, be it for structural or decorative purposes. Timber also requires a lot less energy for processing compared to other building mater ials. For example, t rees require 1.5 mJ/kg of energy to turn into timber building materials compared to 435 mJ/kg of energy needed to transform bauxite to aluminum. The L i fe Cycle Assessment (LC A) research by renowned entities such as the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization i n 2 0 0 2 , t h e U K B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h E s t a b l i s h m e n t i n 2 0 0 2 a n d t h e U S Consortium for Research on Renewable Materials in 2004 have all shown timber’s cradle-to-grave ecological quotient to be superior to that of steel, concrete and plastics. In 2012, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) published the report of the first stage of its LCA of rough-sawn kiln-dried American hardwood lumber. The report contains data on the environmental profi le of U.S. rough-sawn, k i ln-dried hardwood lumber using a comprehensive set of environmental impacts, from point of harvest in the U.S. through to delivery at the importers yard in major export markets. It provides quantitative data on Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, Eutrophication Potential, Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential , and Ozone Depletion Potential. If similar LCA’s were conducted on other building materials to examine their environmental impact, timber would definitely come out tops and win hands-down in all these categories.

Timber R&D supports a compelling case D e ve l o p m e nt s a n d a d va n ce m e nt s i n engineered wood products and in timber treatments (for example termite-resistance and f ire -retardation) have opened up

Latticed timber screens and Moorish architectural features are recurring themes at the Four Seasons, Langkawi. Photo: © MTC

Extensive use of Malaysian Balau, Merbau and Kempas for decking, flooring, and many other timber application to create an unrivalled luxurious ambience at the Le Prince Maurice Resort, Mauritius. Photo: © MTC

Material Energy required for conversion of raw material into usable building form (mJ/kg)

435

35

1.5

BauxiteàAluminum

Iron oreàSteel

TreesàTimber building materials


Timber Sustainability ARCHITECTURE

more options for incorporating timber into one’s built environment. And in key areas – acoustics, thermal performance and strength – timber is capable of not just fulfilling a wide range of technical specifications, but also providing solutions for both form and function that is not easily matched by other materials. Timber also has a high strength-to-weight ratio i.e., for the same strength required for a given structure, the weight of the timber material to be used can be as much as 16 times less than steel, or five times less than concrete. This is also the reason why Glulam or glued-laminated timber is often specified for

Balau roof trusses and beams used at the Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives. Photo: © MTC

Kempas timber roof trusses with Balau strips flooring frame the view from the main lobby at the Trou Aux Biches Resort Mauritius. Photo: © MTC

large -span areas, enabl ing innovative pillar-less construction (including curved dimensions) for public projects like indoor stadiums and hospitals. Glulam is a highly engineered product that is flexible, stronger but lighter than steel, fire resistant, and most importantly, ecologically sustainable. MTC has been an advocate and promoter of Glulam since 2005 and strongly believes that this engineered product has a huge potential to create a big impact in the Malaysian timber and construction industry. I n m a n y d e v e l o p e d c o u n t r i e s , Glulam has a lso been used to create vehicular bridges, public pavilions, large

span buildings, and Olympic stadiums, fulfilling even the most demanding design, engineering and safety requirements. In promoting the use of more timber as part of eco-friendly construction practices, MTC has been spearheading efforts to introduce G l u l a m i n M a l a y s i a b y e n c o u r a g i n g collaborations between the private and public sectors, like the Malaysian Public Works Department.

Going vertical with timber In the last centur y alone, t imber has repeatedly risen boldly and ingeniously to design and engineering expectations, i n w a y s t h a t n o o t h e r m a t e r i a l h a s .


Timber SustainabilityARCHITECTURE

Major t imber-based projec ts such as the Metropol Parasol (Spain), the Cutty Sark Pavilion (UK), the Sheffield Winter Garden (UK), the Centre Pompidou (France) and the Hannover Convention Centre (Germany) invigorate the imagination with their creative contours that not only turn heads, but also challenge the public’s preconceived ideas and values about timber, and invite both converts and skeptics alike, to really open their hearts and minds to timber’s infinite possibilities in enhancing man’s spatial and built-form experience. Timber engineering research thus far has proven tall wooden buildings as

l ightweight, ef f ic ient struc tures with the potential to respond dynamically to turbulent wind load. For example, the nine-storey timber Stadthaus Apartments in London used exclusively Cross Laminated Timber (CLT ) walls with a two-hour fire rating. It is the first of its kind and this height with its load-bearing walls, floor slabs, as well as stair and lift cores made entirely of timber. The tower houses 29 apartments. CLT’s technical strength is similar to pre-cast concrete, but timber’s advantages lie in its lighter weight, thermal proper ties, and a production process that is a lot less CO2-emitting compared to concrete and steel. In short, CLT is a durable, strong, versatile and sustainable alternative to conventional structural materials. In August 2013, the Stadthaus was overtaken by Melbourne’s The Forté, now officially the world’s tallest residential timber building. Sited in Victoria Harbour in Melbourne, Australia, The Forté houses 23 bout ique apar tments. The For té’s frame was bui l t using CLT, whi le the walls, f loors and ceil ing were all made of solid timber. CLT proves that timber, with its high strength-to-weight ratio, is strong and yet l ight enough for safe vertical construction. I t is also natural, and provides a warmer living experience that is appreciated by many.

Timber is en vogue forever Timber i s exc i t ing and inspirat ional . I t p e r fo r m s o n s o m a ny l e ve l s . I t i s aesthetically beautiful and easily sourced. Building in timber is one of the most eco-friendly solutions for housing the earth’s growing population. It is the only building material that can be grown, requiring no special infrastructure apart from what nature readily provides – soil, water and the sun. It has been estimated that the current rate of 50 percent urbanisation in the modern world will reach 70 percent by 2040. Forward thinking urban architects in many countries are already developing blueprints for constructing timber high-rises. As a building material, once timber’s technical and inherent proper ties are adequately understood, it is only a matter of imagination for it to exceed design and performance expectations. ‘ G r e e n ’ d e s i g n i s i n c r e a s i n g l y becoming a pre-requisite for modern-day construction. Building owners and

developers are becoming more discerning with genuine interest for built forms that support sustainable choices: from cer t i f ied bui lding mater ia ls to smar t energy-saving devices and rec yclable resources. The desire for incorporating ‘greener’ alternatives into personal and co m m e rc i a l c h o i ce s h a s a l s o g a i n e d traction in Malaysia. One of MTC’s objectives is to generate a w a r e n e s s o n t i m b e r a s a b u i l d i n g material among construction industr y players and consumers. MTC encourages them to confidently embrace timber as a high quality, flexible, sustainable and eco-friendly construction material from a renewable resource. As one of the countries in the world with a significant amount of their land area still covered in natural forest, it is easy for Malaysia to embrace the philosophy of loving wood. A l t h o u g h M a l ays i a h a s a c h i e ve d significant economic growth, thanks to its strong forestry policies, 61 percent of its land area is still covered in natural forest. Apart from its solid history of timber architecture and forestry management, trees grow so easily in the Malaysian climate, given the huge amount of rain and sunshine that the country is blessed with. Under Malaysia’s sustainable forest management practices, forest species are being re -planted continuously to provide not just ecological services of absorbing CO2 as they grow, but also to suppor t the nat ion’s socio - economic activities. Malaysia is also in the process of establishing 375,000 hectares of fast-growing forest plantations by the year 2020 to supplement the country ’s raw material needs. For as long as there is a human need for the built form, timber will continue to amaze with its versatil ity and capacity to be bent, carved, conditioned, glued, joined, oiled, laminated, nailed, painted, peeled, polished, sanded, sawn, screwed, sl iced, turned, treated and varnished to suit any design specification. Whatever the requirements, there will always be a timber species to suit any design style at any time. Timber is versati le, durable, warm, sustainable, eco-friendly, beautiful and natural. In short, t imber is timeless. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , e - m a i l e d i t o r _ m h g @ m t c . c o m . m y o r v i s i t w w w.mtc.com.my.

Malaysian Kapur trusses, battens, posts and beams, and even the underside of the thatched roof are all spray-painted white, giving the Ayada Maldives a refreshingly different feel. Photo: © MTC


Timber Sustainability ARCHITECTURE

N ature Landscape’s Green Solutions team was honoured to work with Lend Lease and Landscape Architect, ICN Design International in greening this BCA Green Mark Platinum awardee (the highest accolade and a first by a mixed-used development in Singapore), within a sustainable and incident & injury free culture.

JEM’s eco-friendly features and 122 percent green replacement of lost landscape by means of skyrise greenery (green wall and roof ) and landscape areas are visible throughout its 17-storey of four zones of greenery space. The JEM Street between levels 1 to 4 comprises 20 percent of its greenery in native species, while the JEM Park from levels 5 to 7 covers in lushness for community’s enjoyment. The third zone, Sky Terraces at the office side is designed with sustainable vertical gardens that act as shade while beautifying the facade appearance of this building, housing Singapore Ministry of National Development, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority and the Building and Construction Authority. The last zone, Sky Sanctuary situated at the top of office tower offers office workers a break from their stressful corporate environment. The JEM® shopping mall was opened in mid-2013, much to shoppers’ delight. The vast greenery promotes bio-diversity while helps in urban island heat mitigation; while the captivating skyrise greenery at the facades of the development is indeed a refreshing sight to behold. For more information, visit www.naturelandscapes.com.

Green Walls & Green RoofsLANDSCAPING


Nature Landscapes has redefined the shopping experience by bringing nature closer to shoppers at the crown jewel of West Singapore, JEM.

JEM creates a natural landscape

Green Walls & Green Roofs LANDSCAPING


JEM creates a natural landscape

Singapore - A Hub for Solar PV Energy

1 As of 31 March 2014, Singapore had 18.1MWp connected to the grid (source: SP PowerGrid)

Text by Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd

For more information, contact Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd at tel (+65) 6511 9339, email [email protected] or visit www.phoenixsolar.sg.

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) are contributing a growing share of electricity generation in many ASEAN countries. Most of them have significant renewable energy targets and have promoted

PV through different support mechanisms, the most popular being the feed-in tariff. As a result, we are seeing a growing number of PV installations in the MW range throughout the region. Singapore is not an exception; though unlike its neighbouring countries, it has always refused to use subsidies to promote renewable energy, for fear of distorting the electricity market. A combination of adequate sunshine levels, high retail electricity tariffs and declining system costs make unsubsidised PV commercially viable in Singapore. In Singapore, PV achieved grid parity in 2013, making it commercially viable. Market growth since then has been exponential, with cumulative installations doubling each year, both as outright purchases and as leased systems. Singapore is not only the first natural market in the ASEAN region but also a reference in the development of innovative green building technologies and solutions. It continues to nurture industrial capacity to establish a sustainable green economy. Apart from being a land scarce country, the interplay between policy-makers and industry contributes to develop the country’s PV expertise on the rooftop segment. The government funds and promotes green initiatives and research facilities, such as the Green Mark Scheme, the Solar Capability Scheme and the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). It also adjusts market regulations to accommodate distributed generation facilities. PV installers have responded with solutions for all types of roof (metal, tiled or flat concrete roof ); ensuring the optimum use of available space and minimising any shade impact. Space constraints also encouraged local system integrators to refine their solutions to

generate more electricity per square metre, while improving system quality and reliability. Reaching this level of proficiency has given Singapore a head start with exportable expertise to the wider ASEAN region. Singapore-based companies now have the opportunity to leverage their know-how to develop new markets in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, where they have proved to be cost-competitive. Anticipating a significant contribution to total electricity production from PV within a few years, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) is already considering one of the next PV challenges: the management of intermittency. PV is an intermittent generator; it only generates in proportion to sunshine intensity, which varies throughout the day, and can fluctuate quite wildly as clouds cross the sun. The 18.1 megawatts of PV capacity installed to date1 in Singapore make no discernible impact on grid stability, but as PV installations increase, their intermittency could become a problem for Singapore’s public grid. EMA already started addressing intermittency in October 2013, with a public consultation seeking feedback on enhancements to the regulatory framework for intermittent generation sources. The final determination paper was published in July 2014. In this paper, EMA announced its intention to replace a hard cap on PV installations with a “dynamic pathway” framework that ensures sufficient reserves (back-up) capacity in tandem with intermittent generators such as PV. It also announced the release of a second consultation paper in Q4 2014 to seek industry feedback on the framework. With its combination of proactive regulatory policies and competitive industry dynamics, Singapore can continue to lead the region as a clean energy hub, establishing a robust RE sector and associated technological capabilities.

PV car port, 137kWp (Elegant Group, Malaysia)Photo: © Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd

Rooftop PV system, 1MWp (Megabangna, Thailand)Photo: © Phoenix Solar Pte Ltd


Solar PhotovoltaicsARCHITECTURE

Untitled-4 1 23/7/14 3:21 pm

http://www.hotel-exhibition.com

The Dilemma The modern day’s green roof systems are often layered, lightweight and loose-laid, and as such, relocating, reshaping or redesigning a green roof is a matter of “lift and carry.” Marketers capitalise on such characteristics to sell their systems. Building owners are often quoted to remark, “I want the flexibility to move my green roof about when I want to, without incurring much cost; I will be bored with my green roof after (say) 5 to 7 years.”

But just how easy exactly (or cumbersome) it is to re-locate, re-shape or re-design a green roof? Can the components of the green roof be re-used? Can a green roof be transformed into a roof garden?

We are privileged to share with readers of this issue of Southeast Asia Building that, at the time of this article is being written, we are undertaking one such project in Singapore that is undergoing transformation, relocation, reshaping as well as redesigning!

The Original Green Roof In mid-2012, two green-minded students at the United World College South East Asia (Tampines campus) got together and decided to change the world for the better starting with a green roof. They took the initiative to convince the Dairy Farm Group to bear the cost of and house a 9 metre by 9 metre (81 square metre in total) green roof at their premises in Tampines North Drive 2. The Group is a leading pan-Asia retailer who operates supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, health and beauty stores and home furnishings stores under well-known brands such as Cold Storage, IKEA, Giant, Seven Eleven and Guardian, to name a few. As a form of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), the Group graciously agreed, and with subsidy from National Parks Board’s Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS), the green roof was implemented in a remote corner of the vast roof of the existing 4-storey building that also houses the offices and warehouse. Over a few days in late 2012, under my direct supervision, about 30 people comprising students and teachers from UWC SEA as well as international students from around the region all chipped in to carry all the materials by hand up 5 floors by stairs and install the layers of the green roof and planted herbs in it. Amongst the herbs were cymbopogon citratus (commonly known as lemongrass), pandanus amaryllifolius (fragrant pandan), ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) and curry leaves. Irrigation was done manually.

Moving, Reshaping and Transforming a Green Roof

From this To this

Fig 1: Kirsty and Katherine, the two green-minded students from UWC SEA (Tampines campus) master-minded the entire green roof project.

Article by Ho Wan Weng, Managing Director of Verditecture Pte Ltd

Green RoofLANDSCAPING


Nov 2012

Fig 2 & 3: Over a few days, an empty corner of the roof (left pic) was occupied by a simple green roof, or rather, a herb garden (right pic).

Fig 4 to 10: With bare hands, the layers of the green roof system were installed, including spreading of the substrate and planting the herbs.

Fig 4

Fig 7 Fig 8

Fig 9 Fig 10

Fig 5 Fig 6

Green Roof LANDSCAPING


The event proved to be a great success, and it attracted media coverage too! The green roof, or rather, the herb garden thrived. Unfortunately, the 2-month drought in early 2014 put a tremendous strained on the green roof. But it did not dampen the spirit of Dairy Farm Group.

The Transformation Through the two years (2012 – 2014), the Dairy Farm Group was convinced that the green roof worked and could be better. The drought in 2014 brought along an opportunity – instead of re-planting at the green roof, the Group decided to have a larger, lush, roof garden up on the same roof (but at a more accessible location some 70 metres away) to be used as a place of leisure and relaxation for its employees, and to provide the opportunity for its employees to interact with nature.

Together with Vertical Green Pte Ltd, the transformation, relocation, reshaping and redesigning of the green roof into an L-shape 170 square metre roof garden began. Installation work started in July 2014 and is still on-going at the time of this article is being written. The roof garden will eventually consist of vertical greenery, turfed area, tall shrubs, herbs and ground covering plants, which collectively, provide shade and cooling effect. It would be able to take light human traffic. Sprinkled with a few furniture and fixtures, it could be quite an appealing invitation to people as well as the surrounding wildlife to treat the roof garden as a tropical-paradise-on-the-roof. Operation-wise, the 5 layers of the original green roof, namely the root barrier, moisture retention/protection mat, drainage cum reservoir panel, filter sheet and the substrate (that is, the lightweight soilless growing media) which were loose-laid onto the roof, were carefully removed from the original location layer by layer and moved to the new location on the same roof. The unusable plants were also removed and disposed of. After the green roof was removed over 2 days, we found that the underlying roof slab was intact, dry, without cracks, nor residues or stains from the green roof system. In fact, the slab was ‘cleaner’ than the surrounding that was not previously covered by the roof greenery. It showed how much dirt and pollution there was over two short years.

Fig 11 & 12: The location of the new roof garden was decided – The area adjacent to the stairwell and generator room.

A close observation of each of the layers of the green roof revealed that, over a period of 2 years, roots of plants (whether originally intended or otherwise, such as weeds) grew through the 100 millimetres deep substrate, through the filter sheet, through the gaps between the 25 millimetres deep drainage cum reservoir panels and resided on the surface of the 4 millimetres thick moisture retention / protection mat, but did not penetrate the root barrier. This is a good case study to dispel the market notion (and so, architects and building owners please note) that “the root barrier is redundant because of 2 main “reasons” – one, the layers above the root barrier are thick enough to prevent root penetration; two, the chosen plants are with short fibrous root systems, and as such, the roots would not grow all the way

Fig 13 & 14: The plot vacated by the original green roof looked cleaner than the surrounding. The roof slab remained intact.



through the green roof system.” As a responsible green roof specialist, we at Verditecture maintain that having a properly installed and quality root barrier is mandatory simply because it nullifies the risk of root penetration into the roof construction, whether by the roots of the intended or unintended plants. Without the root barrier, the roots would not stop at the moisture retention / protection mat but continue to grow through the mat and into the surface cracks of the roof slabs and beams (where there may be accumulated dirt or moisture that the roots are attracted to). If unhindered, the roots would force open these cracks and soon, these surface cracks would develop into structural cracks thereby adversely affecting the structural integrity of the roof construction. Therefore, the adverse consequences of a root penetration into the roof construction are just too great to be ignored!

Also, a close examination of the filter sheet and moisture retention / protection mat showed that, though they are made of recycled synthetic fibres such as polyester and polyethylene, they did not deteriorate over the 2 years while in service within the green roof. The filter sheet, even with roots of plant present sporadically, did not tear easily (that means its tensile strength was largely intact) and still allowed water to percolate through it readily and was not clogged up by the substrate as the traditional gardener would expect. This is only possible with a quality filter sheet; but more importantly, it is due to a high performance growing media or substrate, such as the Zupermix Hardy or the Optigreen Type E that we supply. The substrate is a formulated mixture of granular minerals, crushed brick chippings and a dose of compost; it does not contain soil in which the fine clay and silt particles would be the culprit to clog up the filter sheet. The granulation of the substrate is all done at the production stage and so doing allows for the removal of most of the fine particles. As an earth-conscious green roof specialist, we do not encourage the rampant use of soil, garden soil or top soil as the primary ingredient in a growing media. We subscribe to the philosophy that mother-nature takes decades if not centuries to churn up fertile top soil and so, it is not readily replaceable; also, mankind has made enough ‘stuff ’ that can be recycled and re-engineered to be used a growing media without expending excessive energy. Thousands of projects worldwide over the past 2 decades have proven that plants do grow and thrive on soilless media. It is rather regrettable that Asia has not quite caught on yet.

Fig 15: The roots of plants went through the filter sheet. The filter sheet was not clogged.

Fig 16: The roots of plants reached the moisture retention / protection mat. The mat was not crushed but maintained its original thickness of 4 millimetres.

Th e m o i s t u re re t e n t i o n / protection mat, even with roots of p lant present sporadical ly, still maintains its thickness of 4 millimetres (that means that the cushioning effect was intact) and soaks up water as it should. The drainage cum reservoir panels, made of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), was still in good working condition! With that, we decided that ALL the layers of the original green roof system could be re-used at the new roof garden.

Fig 17: The layers from the original green roof were redeployed and re-used at the new roof garden with minimal wastage.



Optigreen Economy Roof System However, as the area of the new roof garden was more than twice of that of the original green roof, more materials, that is, all the 5 layers, were needed. From Germany, we brought in and installed the Optigreen Economy Roof System, which also conceived the 5 layers, but with a higher capacity and performance, to complement the build-up of the original green roof system:

The underlayers of the Optigreen Economy Roof System were placed in the main section of the roof garden while the materials from the original green roof occupied the rest. The substrate from the original green roof was first placed on and evenly spread across the filter sheet. The fresh batch of substrate from Optigreen, Type E, was then placed over it till the design depth of 130 millimetres was achieved throughout the roof garden. With a deeper substrate, the growth of a wider variety of plants (including some low shrubs) and grass can be sustained. Once the system was installed, vertical greenery system was next to be installed and planting work commenced subsequently.

Fig 18: Typical build-up of the Optigreen Economy Roof System

Existing roof slab

Substrate, Optigreen Type E

Filter sheet, Optigreen Type 105

Drainage cum Reservoir Panel, Optigreen FKD25

Moisture Retention / Protection Mat, Optigreen RMS300

Root Barrier, WSF40

Fig 19: Installing the Optigreen Economy Roof System at the new roof garden.

Fig 20: At the new roof garden, fresh substrate, Optigreen Type E, was placed on top of that from the original green roof, till the designed depth is reached.



With that, a green roof was relocated, re-shaped. Re-designed and transformed into a roof garden. As the finishing works are still on-going at the time of this article being written, I do not have photographs of the completed look. But I hope to share them with you in my next article!

Finally, I hope to impress upon you, the readers, of 2 points:1. Root penetration is a reality, not a myth. Having a properly installed quality root barrier is a prudent investment.2. With a quality engineered green roof system, all the layers of the system can be moved with ease and re-used, with minimal wastage.

About the AuthorMr Ho Wan Weng is the Managing Director of Verditecture Pte Ltd, a company that he started in 2003, and offers consultancy services on and distributes the Optigreen (Germany) roof greenery systems and accessories, and Verdigreenz (Singapore) green wall system in the ASEAN region. A structural engineer by training, Mr Ho is also a well-known expert in the green roof industry, and an invited speaker at several major events including the World Expo Shanghai, China (2010), IGRA Green Roof Congress in Germany (2004, 2009) and Singapore (2010) and, WGIN Green Roof Congress in Hangzhou, China (2012) and Nantes, France (2013). In 2009 and 2011, Mr Ho was engaged by NParks CUGE as a Consultant to draft the industry guidelines on skyrise greenery. For more information, email: [email protected] or visit www.verditecture.com.

Fig 21: The new roof garden that is almost completed, amidst all the heavy M&E services up on the roof, to the delight of the proud Owners, Dairy Farm Group.



Machines for every sanding task

E very wooden floor is unique and has its own needs. For 90 years, Bona has been working closely with wood-flooring professionals and craftsmen. That’s why we understand what it takes to create beautiful wooden floors. Today, our experience, expertise and innovation enable us to introduce a full, comprehensive machine range for all your sanding

needs. A unique fusion of a strong passion for wooden floors and expert technical knowhow – The Bona Elite Fleet. Bona’s unparalleled passion for wooden floors has led us to introduce groundbreaking innovations that have changed the landscape of wood floor treatment. Today, we have taken this passion and powered it with state-of-the-art technology of Italian machine manufacturers Kunzle and Tasin (K&T). The result is a complete, fully compatible range of high performance sanding machines. Whether it is bare wood sanding, edge sanding, all-purpose sanding for domestic floors, heavy-duty sanding for large public areas, or dust-free sanding, the Bona Elite Fleet helps the wood flooring craftsman handle every sanding challenge with ease and efficiency.


Wood Floor TreatmentARCHITECTURE

Under deep toe kicks, radiators, or even beds. The Bona Belt Lite is a per fec t balance of power and f lexibi l ity that is ideal for such j o b s . I t c a n a l s o b e e a s i l y a s s e m b l e d and disassembled to facilitate easy transport and movement.

Large floor areas such as sports arenas, exhibition halls or museums require the most powerful sanding machines for maximum efficiency. The Bona Belt HD, which is equipped with a heavy-duty 2-speed motor and a large drum diameter, is the ideal choice that will handle even the toughest challenges.

When it comes to sanding domestic areas like homes and small offices, it takes an easily manoeuvrable machine that does not compromise on efficiency and smooth results. The Bona Belt Lite is a perfect balance of power and flexibility that is ideal for such jobs. It can also be easily assembled and disassembled to facilitate easy transport and movement.

Large public areas

Domestic professional

Under stairs

Powerful Sanding Performance

Superior moveability, powerful sanding

Effective sanding for hard-to-reach areas

Bona 8700 Ceramic Belt Bona 8700 Ceramic Abrasives are specially developed for coarse sanding of hard lacquers like urea formaldehyde, and is ideal when used in combination with Bona Belt HD. The extreme high performance is made possible by a grit type containing ceramic aluminium oxide, which results in an aggressiveness for optimal removal.

Bona 8300 Antistatic Zircon BeltOptimal silicon carbide/zirconium mix on the abrasive surface, when used together with the Bona Belt Lite, ensures easy and effective sanding. Improved antistatic and smooth performance reduces clogging to a minimum, adding square-metre results. Contains self-sharpening material for a longer lifetime.


Wood Floor Treatment ARCHITECTURE

Bona 8500 Aluminium Oxide Belt Where the lifetime of the abrasive is not in focus, Bona 8500 is the classic choice in combination with Bona Scorpion. The aluminium oxide in the abrasive delivers smooth and effective sanding results on a wide range of wooden floors. Together with the cotton cloth backing, 8500 does the job in most floor situations where no extra sanding performance is required.

In tight spaces where there is limited room for bulky machines or large movements, the sanding machine required should be easily manoeuvrable and portable, yet effective. The direction-free Bona FlexiSand Pro System combines sanding, grinding, cleaning, oiling and polishing all in one machine, ensuring maximum efficiency in constrained spaces.

Some indoor areas require a high level of air cleanliness and quality, especially private nhomes, kindergartens, hospitals, museums and galleries. The Bona Dust Care System (DCS) contains all dust within the system and its innovative 2-step cyclonic and filter separation ensures that the air is kept perfectly clean.

Narrow hallways

Bona Dust Care System

Unique flexibility and efficiency

Enhanced indoor air quality with DCS

For more information, contact Bona Far East & Pacific Pte Ltd at tel (+65) 6377 1158, fax (+65) 6377 0277, email [email protected] or visit www.bona.com.

Bona Power Drive and abrasives Specially developed as part of the Bona FlexiSand Pro System, the Bona Power Drive delivers direction-free sanding down to bare wood. Combine with Bona 8700 Ceramic Abrasives, followed by Bona 8300 Antistatic Abrasives for the smoothest end results.

For the DIY floor owner and professionals dealing with domestic floors or smaller commercial spaces, it is important that sanding is carried out with ease and safety. The Bona Scorpion is compact, easy to use and adheres to the highest safety standards, an ideal tool for these situations.

Semi-professional

Easy and safe sanding


Wood Floor TreatmentARCHITECTURE

http://www.sgbw.com.sg

T he new $1.3 bi l l ion S ingapore Spor ts Hub is the first integrated sports, leisure, entertainment and lifestyle destination in

Asia. Located on a 35-hectare waterfront site in Kallang Basin, the Sports Hub will open to the public over a few phases, starting from 27 June 2014. Designed by Arup, DP Architects and Aecom, Sports Hub is conceived as not only a state-of-the-art sporting venue, but as an integral part of the community and residential enclave. It is designed within a natural landscape that is linked to an island-wide park connector system, making it accessible to the public at all times. It is a unique development that bridges sports and community, and it was planned and designed to inspire public participation beyond special occasions. Commenting on the completion of the Sports Hub, Mr Seah Chee Huang, Associate Director, DP Architects said: “It was an emotional moment for me, filled with a mix of immense sense of relief, pride and accomplishment. After more than 8 years of hard work and effort, it was overwhelming to witness how our design ideas, sketches, drawings and models have come to life, finally being realised and enjoyed by the communit y i n s u c h a m a s s i ve way. It is such a huge accomplishment and, personally, I am very proud to be part of this team that has brought to Singapore a n d S i n g a p o r e a n s this great spectacle that is not just distinctively reshaping our urban landscape and city skyline, but also enriching the community ’s lives and experiences in whole new ways, through the host of facilities, public realms, settings and spaces that we have helped create. I believe that we have achieved something truly meaningful.” The centerpiece of the Sports Hub is the new National Stadium, which is set to impress everyone with its ultra-lightweight roof, featuring the world’s widest span dome. The ultra-thin 310 metres dome roof is juxtaposed against the inverted ‘peaked’ roof of the Singapore Indoor Stadium to create a beautiful skyline in the city. In addition, a lot of passive design measures and innovative engineering solutions have been integrated to naturally ventilate the stadium and ensure the minimal use of natural resources. The design efforts of the Singapore Sports Hub Consortium to create a sustainable Sports Hub were recognised with the Green Mark GoldPLUS status. The Singapore Sports Hub is a truly iconic structure, which Singaporeans will cherish for years to come!

New Singapore Sports HubOCBC AQUATIC CENTREDesigned to ensure an excellent standard of daylight, this naturally ventilated and highly scalable state-of-the-art aquatic competition facility houses three formal pools – competition, training and diving. These pools meet Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) standards, and will be suitable for swimming, water-polo, diving and synchronized swimming events. The welcoming courtyard between the training and competition pools provides a wide and seamless connection to the Sports Promenade.

NATIONAL STADIUMThe National Stadium is a state-of-the-art sports venue, air-cooled, and designed with a movable roof and retractable seating to support the widest range of sports and leisure events throughout the year. It will be the first stadium in the world custom-designed to host athletics, football, rugby and cricket all in one venue, converting from one mode to another within 48 hours. As a new cultural icon, the design of the stadium has focused on creating a close relationship with the city by opening the seating bowl and roof towards the waterfront and the city skyline. In form and massing, the National Stadium, creates a distinctive silhouette and an identity for Singapore Sports Hub, complementing the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

STADIUM ROARThe main entrance of the National Stadium, this 5,000 square metres open space is aligned with the stadium roof opening and the axis towards the city’s skyline, providing spectacular views of the city. It forms a spectacular civic space for ceremonial arrival.

STADIUM RIVERSIDE WALKAn unobstructed waterfront setting of approximately 250 metres, this promenade space provides a vantage point for a breathtaking view of the city and is a playground for waterfront activities such as beach volleyball and links up the OCBC Square and Stadium Roar. Designed with the community in mind, the Stadium Riverside Walk provides a space for the public to interact.

WATER SPORTS CENTREEngaging dynamically with the waterfront, the community water sports facilities are combined and integrated with elite training and racing programmes. A multi-purpose building includes judging and race-control facilities, changing rooms, boat rental, information centre and café.

KALLANG WAVE MALLIn and above the retail mall’s active roof are facilities for leisure activities including a rock-climbing wall and water-park.

SPLASH-N-SURF

Photo: © DP Architects

Seah Chee Huang Facilities of the Singapore Sports Hub include:

- A 55,000-seat National Stadium with a retractable roof and comfort cooling for spectators- A 3,000-seat OCBC Aquatic Centre, expandable to 6,000 capacity for specific events- A 3,000-seat OCBC Arena, a multi-purpose sports hall, scalable and flexible in layout- The Kallang Wave Mall, a 41,000 sq m commercial retail space with integrated leisure waterpark and rock-climbing- The Sports Hub Library catering more than 80,000 books for a wide demographic- The Singapore Sports Museum with a 2,200 sq m exhibition area for local and international exhibitions- A Water Sports Centre for canoe, kayak and dragon boat athletes and enthusiasts- The existing 12,000-seat Singapore Indoor Stadium- A diverse range of community sport facilities: hard courts, skate park, fitness corners, jogging and cycling paths, bowling lawn, beach volleyball court, etc.

Sustainable Sports VenueARCHITECTURE


New Singapore Sports Hub

COMMUNITY FACILITIESLocated along the Sports Promenade, on the roof of the basement and multi-storey car park, this communal activity space features facilities such as hard courts and skate park, adding vibrancy to the hub.

OCBC ARENAThe OCBC Arena consists of six halls over two levels that are designed to be scalable in size, and will cater to an array of indoor sports events. It is organised as two multi-purpose modules flanking a central public atrium, allowing for simultaneous usage of the six sports halls. The OCBC Arena features a controlled, natural daylight and mixed mode ventilation system. This will give the option of air-conditioning for competition events or a low energy, natural ventilation system for everyday use.

SPORTS PROMENANDEFurther exemplifying the integration of sport and public space is the Sports Promenade. Principally designed to provide rain and sun-protection to spectators outside of the stadium, in response to the tropical climate in Singapore, the design was developed to realize the potential of this 1km connector space for everyday use. On non-event days, the Sports Promenande transforms into an exercise area with a jogging path and fitness corners. This inspirational civic space links the National Stadium to other venues within the precinct.

OCBC SQUAREThe 16m-high sheltered space provides a sense of arrival with its spatial quality and forms a focal point and multi-purpose event plaza. From here, through an extensive network of canopies, visitors are led to other facilities under shade and shelter. The space is flanked by specialist retail and dining outlets in north, as well as Sports Hub Library and Singapore Sports Museum in the south.

ARENA PARKAt the eastern entrance to the MRT station, the Arena Park provides shaded access through deployable canopies to the OCBC Arena and the offices. Bioswale is one of the sustainability features specially designed to complement the existing environment. A wetland feature, bioswale filters and cleans surface runoff water before discharging it back into the drainage system.

This pedestrian overhead bridge links to Kallang Stadium, providing another sheltered access to the hub.

SPORTS HUB LIBRARY & SINGAPORE SPORTS MUSEUM

SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM

STADIUM MRT STATION

Photo: © Singapore Sports Hub

PROJECT DATAMaster Plan: DP Architects + Arup + AecomArchitecture:Sports Venues: Arup Associates + DP ArchitectsRetail, Leisure, Office Facilities: DP ArchitectsEngineering: ArupLandscape: AecomMain Contractor: Dragages Singapore

Sustainable Sports Venue ARCHITECTURE


C EMEX participated in the construction of the Arena da Amazonia soccer stadium that has hosted several competitive opening round matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup including England vs. Italy, USA vs. Portugal, and the match of Honduras vs.

Switzerland in the northern city of Manaus, Brazil. Designed by the internationally recognised architectural firm of Von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (GMP), the new 170,000 square metre stadium has the capacity for more than 43,000 spectators and is one of the 12 stadiums built to accommodate the 2014 FIFA World Cup. CEMEX worked in close collaboration with renowned construction company Andrade Gutierrez S.A. providing 28,000 tons of its specialty high-quality cement and its tailor-made customer service throughout the project. “CEMEX is proud to provide its customers with high-quality building materials and best-in-class customer service for beautiful and innovative large-scale projects around the world. With people from more than 200 countries watching, we welcomed the opportunity to help Manaus, the greatest city in the Amazon, to successfully present the 2014 FIFA World Cup to millions of fans worldwide,” said Fernando A. Gonzalez, CEMEX’s Chief Executive Officer. Oval shaped, the stadium resembles an indigenous woven basket: its upper level has see-through panels crisscrossed with beams in a woven pattern. The seats are painted in the colours of Amazon fruit – papaya, banana, mango, and pineapple. The innovative stadium called for the highest quality standards of construction, adhering to the strict safety requirements of FIFA and the Brazilian National Construction Code. The stadium’s ecological design is a model for sustainable construction of large-scale projects. Its innovative characteristics combine comfortable facilities with high energy efficiency and make it one of the world’s first stadiums to be certified under the LEED scheme administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. CEMEX supplied cement via its marine terminal located in Manaus, approximately 20 kilometers from the stadium. CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.cemex.com.

CEMEX cements partnership with 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

CEMEX supplied 28,000 tons of its specialty cement for the new 170,000 square metres high-tech stadium in Manaus. The stadium, located in the heart of the Amazon, has an innovative ecological design and is one of the world’s first stadiums to be LEED certified. Photos courtesy of CEMEX


Sustainable building materialsARCHITECTURE

T he eco-friendly park, which will cover almost 50,000 square metres, will become home to a number of software companies and has been designed to encourage a creative culture,

incorporating shared facilities and social spaces. Modular buildings, which are partly pre-fabricated off site, will link together and minimise exposure to the extreme range of temperatures typical in the region (-30°C in the winter to over 42°C in the summer). Steven Smit, Atkins’ architecture design director in Shanghai, said: “Our challenge was to design collaborative contemporary spaces to help attract a new growth industry to the region. The innovative ‘binary’ masterplan approach enables our client to grow the park in further stages within a flexible modular system. The project highlights Atkins’ leadership as a multidisciplinary consultant, able to pull in skills from architecture, landscape design and sustainability teams.” Atkins’ modular and cost effective design, which was developed with the aid of BIM (Building Information Modelling), has been

designed according to the Chinese “China Three-Star” green building system, a first for the city of Karamay. Karamay has the highest GDP per capita in China due to its connection with one of the country’s biggest oil fields. Founded 50 years ago, Karamay has recently been striving to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on the oil sector. Atkins has been instrumental in this process over a number of years to provide development consultancy to prepare the City Diversification Strategy in 2011 which defines a route for the city to develop a circular economy and identified the opportunity to attract a wide range of other industries to the city such as IT (including cloud computing), engineering services, automotive and tourism. Atkins has also been a key masterplanner for the Karamay city government, with designs provided for a new transport hub, a central business district and motor city zone as well as a new park, lake and bridge. Construction began on 15 June 2014 and the first phase will complete in 2015.

Cloud Computing Park in Karamay, China

Work to create an innovative and integrated IT park in one of China’s wealthiest cities has started as construction begins on the Atkins-designed Cloud Computing Industry Park in Karamay, Xinjiang province.


Eco-friendly IT Park ARCHITECTURE

The Permasteelisa Group achieves the first “Closed Cavity Facade” with operable windows The LEO Building in Frankfurt is covered by a highly technological skin done by operable modules of Closed Cavity Facade and Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Units.

Photo: © Martin Duckek Photography


Architectural EnvelopesARCHITECTURE

T he MFree-S (the Closed Cavity Facade of Permasteelisa Group) has been used for the first time in Germany on the LEO project. Close to the exhibition centre of Frankfurt, a unique green building has been constructed – the LEO. Thanks to the energetic refurbishment during major reconstruction works, about 60 percent of the previously spent energy was saved. The facade engineered and produced

by Gartner GmbH, the German subsidiary of the Permasteelisa Group, plays a key role in this achievement. The MFree-S is a closed double skin facade which has been installed at the LEO building for the first time in Germany; besides, for the first time on a world-wide scale, it has been equipped with parallel opening windows to allow for natural aeration. Bright glass fibre reinforced concrete units shaping the external cladding provide a contrast to the dark aluminum profiles of the window frames. This facade design elegantly combines the new construction and the preexisting building and creates a homogeneous appearance of the whole complex. During the overall refurbishment and modernization of the building which had been constructed in 1986, the Frankfurt-located architects Schneider+Schumacher have connected the two preexisting opposing 17-storey and 9-storey wings by means of a 67 metre high diagonal building. Thus, a U-shaped complex has been created enlarging the building by approximately 15,000 square metres to a total of approximately 47,000 square metres. The window openings in the preexisting buildings have been enlarged to allow more daylight to enter the office rooms. After renovation, final energy demand for heating and cooling declined by 60 percent to approx. 90 kWh/m2a and primary energy demand for heating was reduced by 70 percent to 28 kWh/m2a. Gartner GmbH has cladded the LEO building with a 10,000 square metres MFree-S (closed-cavity facade) as well as approximately 13,000 square metres glass fibre reinforced concrete units and approximately 5,000 square metres mullion-transom stick system and steel mullion-transom stick system facades. For the LEED gold certification of the LEO building by the U.S. Green Building Council, the building envelope plays an essential role. The decisive technical innovation of MFree-S is the fully closed cavity of the facade, which improves transparency as well as heat, sun and noise protection. The highly transparent low iron glasses used do not require any dark or reflective coatings for sun protection. The 94 mm facade cavity contains highly efficient sun protection systems with sensitive control and light control. Since the facade cavity is hermetically sealed, neither the inside of the glazing nor the surfaces of the solar control louvres can become soiled. Therefore, compared to the standard double-skin facades, there is no more need to clean the facade cavities. Exterior glazing of the MFree-S used on LEO building consists of 6 mm impact pane while inside double glazing is used achieving an Ucw value of 1,0 W/m2K and a g value of 0.1 including sun protection. A constant flow of dry and clean air flows into the closed cavity units in order to avoid condensation. During variations in temperature the dehumified air prevents condensation on the external pane. The parallel opening windows of the LEO facade can be opened electrically to allow for natural aeration and smoke evacuation in case of fire. A total of 451 parallel opening windows can be opened electrically up to 70 mm and 860 windows up to 180 mm while 692 windows can be opened manually up to 70 mm. A sensor installed in the electric engine of the individually numbered windows reports every single opening maneuvers to the building management system which switches off the air-conditioning system of the relevant room during natural ventilation in order to minimise energy consumption. The sun protection louvers with light control, which are integrated in the facade cavity can be operated even when windows are open. On the outside, Gartner has cladded the LEO building with bright glass fibre reinforced concrete units partly with deep profiles and partly with smooth surface. The changing surface structure creates special light effects. These units are made of cement, sand and additives with an alkali-resistant textile glass fibre, which have been approved by the building inspection authorities. The concrete matrix was poured into closed molds creating smooth formwork surfaces. All moldings are dyed-through. Stainless steel threaded inserts have been cast-in on the reverse side for installation purposes. For more information, visit www.permasteelisagroup.com.

Photo: © Martin Duckek Photography


Architectural Envelopes ARCHITECTURE

P arkview Green in Beijing is one of China’s largest sustainable architecture projects comprising of four buildings covered by an additional building envelope. The multi-use building, which includes a hotel, retail space and a commercial hub, was designed to be energy efficient. The innovative concept is the first of its kind in China, making use of a hybrid ventilation system within the

additional envelope to create a controlled microclimate and saving on energy consumption. Over 4,000 automated vents, powered by SE Controls, are installed throughout the buildings. Each automated vent is controlled by OS2 controllers, which interface with the BMS system to deliver optimal thermal comfort and energy saving in different seasons. The building’s public areas are naturally ventilated during most parts of the year whilst the occupied office space windows are controlled by manual switches, allowing occupants to open and close the vents and enable natural ventilation to take place within the ‘microclimate’. While the vents are opening the chilled ceiling air-conditioning system is switched off to avoid condensation and energy wastage. Inside the atrium, which is an extension of the retail area, the space is ventilated naturally during spring and autumn seasons. The build-up of heat inside the envelope due to solar gain, lighting and occupant activity is extracted out of the building naturally by chimney effect, and cooler air refills the building at a lower level. During hot summer days the vents are fully opened and mechanical cooling can be implemented at the low level of the atrium in order to remove excess heat. However, during the winter months when temperatures fall, all operable vents are closed to trap heat inside the building. Should the inside temperature fall beneath the set point temperature, additional heating will be activated to improve thermal comfort for the buildings occupants and visitors.

Parkview Green – A LEED Platinum rating mixed use project in Beijing selected SE Controls to deliver Hybrid Ventilation Solution.

Parkview Green – A Breath of Fresh Air

Parkview Green interior atrium.Parkview Green


Mixed use buildingARCHITECTURE

PROJECT DATA

Project: Parkview GreenLocation: Beijing, ChinaClient: The Hong Kong Parkview GroupArchitect: Integrated Design AssociatesFaçade Contractor: Jian Ni CompanyEngineering Consultant: Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited

About SE ControlsSE Controls specia l i ses in the des ign, projec t management and installation of advanced smoke ventilation and natural ventilation solutions to meet the needs of architects, contractors, building services engineers and facilities managers worldwide. For more information, visit www.secontrols.com.

Natural ventilation

Office ventilation


Mixed use building ARCHITECTURE

M ost people have heard that concrete has a relatively high carbon footprint. This applies to all types of concrete, which includes concrete masonry, precast and ready mix. With mounting pressure from end users to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint, the entire concrete

industry is now responding and is looking for new strategies to reduce its footprint. These strategies can include new materials, technologies and processes to minimise CO2 emissions during production or approaches to actually absorb CO2 into the material. Let’s start by discussing the source of carbon emissions in the industry, and then address some of the solutions. You might be wondering what the major sources of CO2 are in the cement and concrete industry. The majority of the carbon footprint of concrete is actually attributed to CO2 produced during cement production. Cement acts as the glue that holds concrete together, and is a critical ingredient in concrete. The production of one tonne of cement creates up to 0.8 tonne of CO2, making the carbon intensity of cement production the biggest environmental impediment for the concrete industry. There are two main sources of CO2 emissions associated with cement production:

1. Fuel combustion – required to heat the raw materials of cement to high temperatures, and 2. Calcination – CO2 is released during a chemical reaction that takes place during cement production. For the chemistry buffs out there, here is the science behind the reaction: 1. When cement is produced, the raw material (limestone) is heated to produce lime (CaO), a precursor to cement – this reaction is known as calcination and releases a molecule of CO2

CaCO3 (limestone) g CaO (lime) + CO2 Cement production is ultimately responsible for about 5 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions might not be a problem if there wasn’t so much cement and concrete manufactured globally. According to the IMF database world economic outlook, worldwide cement consumption reached a record estimated 3.6 billion tonnes in 2012. Future forecasts show that production will increase even higher owing to growing demand in developing markets. This also translates into increased demand for concrete. In fact, concrete is the world’s most widely used building material with about one tonne of concrete used per person every year. The good news is that strategies are available to reduce the CO2 footprint of concrete. In fact, a recently published paper[1] by Licht and colleagues in Chemical Communications entitled “STEP cement: Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of CaO without CO2 Emission” hints of a future where cement can be produced with zero carbon emissions[2] and therefore potentially yield carbon negative concrete products. This would be an important development for the industry and for the environment, given that cement and concrete production is on the rise. Here are some of the options available today to make lower-carbon concrete products; most of the efforts have been in developing lower-carbon cement, which in turn would yield concrete products with a lower carbon footprint. The cement industry has three realistic avenues to reduce the carbon intensity of cement (and thereby improve the sustainability profile of concrete): 1. Thermal and electrical efficiency - Deploy best available technology in new cement plants (while pursuing retrofits where economically viable) to lower the energy requirements for producing cement, 2. Alternative fuels - Use less carbon-intensive fuels and/or alternate fuels to supply the energy for cement production, and 3. Clinker substitution - Substitute clinker (a precursor to cement) with other low carbon materials with “cementitious” (i.e. cement- like) properties, for example fly ash or slag.

To contextualize these efforts, currently clinker substitution can help achieve LEED points since it contributes to the recycled content credit. Other cement and concrete industry carbon intensity levers currently do not provide additional LEED points. Luckily, future versions of

Affordable, low-carbon concrete is now a reality

Jennifer Wagner

Article by Jennifer Wagner, Vice President of Sustainability CarbonCure Technologies


Low-carbon concreteARCHITECTURE

LEED (such as the upcoming LEED v4) are likely to reward environmental efforts within the cement and concrete industry by issuing points for manufacturers who provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). EPDs are tools used to measure the environmental impact of a produc t throughout i ts ent i re l i fe cycle. A unique idea developed by Canadian innovator CarbonCure Technologies involves taking waste carbon dioxide (CO2) and injecting it into concrete during production. The concept is to use a new mineral carbonation technology for beneficially reusing waste CO2 in the concrete products’ manufacturing process – or simply put, recycling waste CO2 to make greener concrete. The company was founded in 2007 by Robert Niven, who put his chemistry and engineering background to work when he developed the technology and brought the idea out of the lab and into the real world. Niven’s idea of using sequestering CO2 in concrete production to make concrete stronger and greener was developed from the understanding of earlier uses of CO2 in concrete production in the 1940s. CO2 was used in the early days primarily to protect against freeze-thaw and efflorescence, and the mechanism is well understood. Niven simply developed a technology that overcame some of the engineering challenges associated with early technologies that used CO2. The success to date of CarbonCure can be attributed to Niven’s strong team and extensive list of industry partners. Niven’s ultimate goal is to work with other material and technology innovators to eventually bring affordable low-carbon concrete products to market. Since then, the company has built durable industry partnerships with leading concrete products manufacturers across North America, including Shaw Group, the largest concrete products company in Atlantic Canada that has been working with CarbonCure for the past five years. There are several environmental advantages to using CarbonCure’s technology in the manufacturing process. CarbonCure’s technology delivers waste CO2 into concrete masonry products while it’s being manufactured. The CO2 gas undergoes a chemical reaction and is converted into a solid - calcium carbonate – within the concrete. This means that CO2 - which would have otherwise become a harmful greenhouse gas - now becomes safely and permanently embedded in the concrete. The introduction of CO2 can also create other material advantages for the manufacturer, such as higher early strength of the concrete. This higher early strength can translate into lower cement and energy requirements, reduced defects (solid waste) and other manufacturing benefits. The best part is that the products don’t have a significant cost premium – CarbonCure products cost about the same as regular concrete products. The products also meet all required ASTM and CSA standards. The bottom line is that products made with CarbonCure’s technology are green without the tradeoffs.

CarbonCure works with concrete products manufacturers to introduce its CO2-injecting technology into their plants. CarbonCure is currently working with several manufacturers across North America to bring low-carbon concrete products to market. Current manufacturing partners include Shaw Group (Eastern Canada), Atlas Block (Ontario), Northfield Block (Illinois) and Basalite (Northern California). CarbonCure also engages with end users to encourage adoption of green concrete in the market. Several architects, engineers and construction firms (AECs) have already specified CarbonCure products for construction projects. The designers wanted sustainable products that meet all performance criteria and specified CarbonCure concrete masonry across all construction projects at their firms. The building sector will continue to push the limits on green, with the emergence of LEED v4, the Living Building Challenge and Architecture 2030. For instance, Architecture 2030 is challenging manufacturers to reduce their

product’s carbon footprint by 50 percent by the year 2030. By combining several innovative approaches such as CarbonCure’s technology, the concrete industry will be well positioned to meet the growing demand for low-carbon building materials. Moving forward, CarbonCure is looking for partners to help transform the built environment by manufacturing and building with low-carbon concrete wherever possible. Imagine a future where concrete absorbs more CO2 than was emitted during its production. While we aren’t there yet, we certainly are headed in the right direction. With a commitment to continued innovation, this technology is the company’s first step towards integrating and developing affordable regenerative concrete at scale. For more information, email Jennifer Wagner at [email protected] or visit www.carboncure.com.

[1] http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/CC/C2CC31341C#!divAbstract [2] http://phys.org/news/2012-04-solar-thermal-cement-carbon-dioxide.html


Low-carbon concrete ARCHITECTURE

I n recent years the focus on environmentally friendly products has continued to grow. There are many elements that need to be considered when it comes to ensuring a project is truly ecologically friendly. However, one area that is often overlooked is waterproofing. There are many different waterproofing membranes on the market; however these are typically very damaging to the environment as they

are usually manufactured from oil based products and have a shelf life of 5-20 years. This creates huge replacement costs and when they are replaced they create large volumes of landfill. One such example of a green project is the Suarga sustainable boutique resort in Bali. Suarga is a registered applicant of the Forest Stewardship CouncilTM, building with predominantly recuperated wood sourced from abandoned Ironwood pontoons in Borneo, broken down teak houses and old factories in Java and other FSC certified materials. All aspects of the project have been designed to minimise its carbon footprint. Power is 100 percent off the grid, running fully on solar power, there is sustainable water technology and even the pumps for the swimming pools are on solar power. In terms of waterproofing, Suarga utilised Radcon Formula #7 from Radcrete Pacific in Australia. Radcon Formula #7 was applied to the rooftops and concrete walls as well as all seven swimming pools, waste water tanks and constructed wetlands. Radcon was chosen because it offers a unique, cost effective and ecological alternative and is known to be “the world’s more environmentally friendly concrete waterproofing”. Radcon remains in the concrete forever and never needs to be recycled. It has no VOC’s and is completely non-toxic to marine and plant life. It is also suitable for use with potable water.

Radcon Formula #7 is approved by Singapore Green Label and is certified by Ecospecifier, the leading global source of sustainable development and “green” product information, with a presence in a range of cities around the world, including Singapore. Another recent projec t seek ing to ut i l ise environmentally friendly waterproofing is The Pearl

apartments in Kuala Lumpur. The Pearl has a number of green areas throughout their development including trafficable podium decks, swimming pools, water features, rooftop and planter boxers. Another issue that is commonly faced with rooftop areas is the growth of plants, where roots can penetrate the concrete. Unlike membranes where the roots can grow between the joins of the materials, this issue doesn’t arise when using Radcon Formula #7. The formula impregnates both the concrete and any cracks present, so therefore any weak points or joins are no longer a problem. A benefit that The Pearl apartments have acquired through using this product is the “lifetime waterproofing” offered by Radcon. Once Radcon has been applied it continues to waterproof for the entire design life of the structure, compared to the typical 10 or 20 year guarantee most commonly available when using a membrane. Financially, this has also reduced any future maintenance costs that would otherwise be incurred when using a membrane, proving that a product can be ecologically friendly and cost effective at the same time. With a strong track record worldwide, Radcon’s use on green projects is well proven over many years – it is currently being used on a series of green roofs throughout Asia and has been used on green roofs for over 25 years. Radcrete’s Michael Rorke said: “We’ve seen a sharp incline in green projects across Southeast Asia, and what we find surprising is that a number of consultants are unaware that waterproofing can be ‘green’, resorting to unsightly bitumen or oil based products that impact on the aesthetics of the structure and need to be replaced. While Radcon is a new concept to some Consultants, they are quickly impressed with our flawless track record, our thorough testing and that a product that is so efficient can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. The icing on the cake, or should we say roof, is our 100 year guarantee.” For more information, visit www.radcrete.com.au.

Radcon waterproofing selected for sustainable projects in Southeast Asia Radcon Formula #7 from Radcrete Pacific in Australia was recently specified for the Suarga sustainable boutique resort in Bali and The Pearl apartments in Kuala Lumpur.

Photos: The Suarga sustainable boutique resort in Bali under construction.


Eco-friendly concrete waterproofingARCHITECTURE

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http://www.expocambodia.com/cambuild2014

An architectural gem with traditional cover

On the outskirts of Farum, a small town 20 kilometres north of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, the Posehuset country estate lies only a stone’s throw from the country road. Right on the edge of the woods, the whitewashed, thatched house looks like any other traditional Danish country estate − at first sight. However, it is inhabited by an artist couple and features a private music studio and, hidden behind the plain walls of an old barn building, a modern studio that is used for workshops. It has a distinctive black aluminium roof with roof windows and solar collectors. It looks like the top of a designer treasure box.

“P osehuset” means bag house. Th e n a m e c a m e f ro m t h e country estate former owner

who had a passion for collecting plastic bags. When the artist couple Lone and S ø r e n A s m u s s o n b o u g h t t h e p l a c e a couple of years ago, they kept the distinctive name. Today, the Posehuset studio is known for a diverse range of artistic activities and music productions. There was s imply not enough space for all the activities, experiments and productions in the workrooms and the music studio, so the couple had to tackle some of them in their private living room. Before long, the t wo ar t ists decided to remodel the adjacent barn building into a daylight-flooded studio for the workshops. At first, the couple planned to do the remodelling themselves; they had already successfully renovated the main building. “We started digging out the basement but soon agreed that we didn’t have enough time to realise our architectural ideas while also taking care of our family, kids and our many artistic projects,” said Lone. So they hired a team of daylight planners and architects to carry out the remodelling project. Their basic idea was to transform the old barn into a multi-purpose workspace by installing a pre-built box with a roof structure. The box was to be placed inside the existing walls with the help of a crane. However, during the planning process it became clear that it would be difficult to fit a pre-built box inside the existing


Sustainable HouseARCHITECTURE

barn. So the studio was built on-site, within the old brick walls, and completed with a new wooden roof structure. The design and refinement of the roof, with i t s s ys te m o f d i f fe re nt l y- s i ze d b l a c k aluminium plates took over a year. “With such limited ground space, the concept as a whole and all the details needed to be fine-tuned particularly well, just like cutting and polishing a gemstone. The roof breaks the limits of the building and forms a contrast to all the other architectural elements. Even the slope of the new roof is different from that of the main building,” explained Brian Wendin, architect and daylight consultant at VELUX Denmark. O n t h e w e s t e r n r o o f f a c a d e , borderless roof parts and solar modules have been arranged in an almost seamless combination. The three differently-sized VELUX roof windows instal led on the eastern roof facade supply the inside of the building with the maximum amount of daylight. Together with the glass door, they are the only source of natural light. Even though the old window and door openings of the barn were preser ved during the remodell ing, and are st i l l v i s i b l e f ro m t h e o u t s i d e , t h e y we re completely covered on the inside with veneer. From the outside, the new studio with its combination of different old and new materials and angles looks like a prism or a gem peeking out of the old barn building. I n s i d e t h e s t u d i o, l a r g e m i r r o r s covering the walls, as well as half the ceiling, transform the room into a sort of large-scale camera obscure. The interplay

PROJECT DATA

Project: The Posehuset studioLocation: Farum, DenmarkArchitect: Svendborg Architects, Copenhagen Building owners: Lone and Søren AsmussonConstruction company: A & C Byg Gross floor area: 25 square metresYear of construction: 2010Products: 3 VELUX roof windowsPhotos: © The VELUX Group

of daylight, reflective surfaces and the s impl ic i t y of the unfur nished studio creates a space of 25 square metres that seems to be constantly changing and begging for artistic creativity. “ The interplay of light and shadows a n d t h e c o n t i n u o u s l y v a r y i n g l i g h t and spatial effects match our working m e t h o d p e r fe c t l y,” e x p l a i n e d S ø re n . “ The surprising ways in which nature is incorporated into the room through the roof windows, and the reflections of the mirrors, excites me over and over again. And even though the studio is strictly used as a working space for our experiments, our kids enjoy being in there and playing or falling asleep on the floor as well,” added Lone.


Sustainable House ARCHITECTURE

T he Hive is Europe’s first joint university and public library – a unique academic, educational and learning centre for the City of Worcester and its University. The ‘BREEAM Outstanding’

project was designed by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios with a distinctive and sustainable landscape design by Grant Associates Grant Associates’ landscape design brief was to create a high quality landscape environment that would become a distinctive and exciting visitor attraction - a place which would capture a sense of history and place whilst reflecting on the contemporary themes of sustainability and technological innovation. The landscape is based on a strong narrative derived from the local landscape of the River Severn, Malvern Hills and the Elgar trail that inspired Land of Hope and Glory and key storytelling themes:

Nature uplifts the spirits - the landscape spaces are arranged to ‘enlighten and delight’ inviting visitors to experience the therapeutic qualities of nature, an encounter with birdsong, scented plants, colourful wildflowers and dragonflies.

Healthy water for sustained life - demonstrates to visitors the importance of healthy water for life and the ability of natural systems,

The Hive

not man made chemicals, to take care of this.

Knowledge and Heritage - creates a special sense of place derived from the primary circulation route The Causeway.

The two-hectare site comprises a series of islands and belvederes overlooking two landform basins containing rich local damp meadow and The Causeway, an extension of the city wall route, routes circling around and through the Centre. Highlights include:

The Water MeadowA wildflower water meadow is the principal landscape, a resource for environmental education, robust enough to deal with seasonal flooding from the river, with low maintenance demands. Locally harvested seeds from a site of special interest include cowslips, orchids, fritillary’s and flag irises.

Sustainable Drainage System The water meadow also serves a practical purpose dealing with sustainable urban drainage; filtering rainwater and surface water through reed bed swales and working with the environmental

The Hive is Europe’s first joint university and public library – a unique academic, educational and learning centre for the City of Worcester and its University. The ‘BREEAM Outstanding’ project was designed by architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios with a distinctive and sustainable landscape design by Grant Associates.

PROJECT DATA

Project: The HiveLocation: Worcester City, Worcestershire, UKClient: Worcester City CouncilArchitects: Feilden Clegg Bradley StudiosEngineers: Hyder, Max FordhamContractor: Galliford TryProject value: £2 million (landscape works)Photos: © Grant Associates

Joint University & Public LibraryLANDSCAPING


engineering of the building by vir tue of the evaporative cooling process with p r e v a i l i n g s o u t h -westerly winds.

Habitat Islets Two habitat i s lets e m e r g e f r o m t h e water meadow. One reached by bridge

from the children’s library creates a place where children can read and be informed in a stimulating natural environment surrounded by the wonder of nature, scented plants, wild life nests and a mini orchard. The second is a wildlife haven with large canopy trees and coppice-planting providing secluded nesting and roosting and includes the rare Black Poplar Trees.

The Causeway A safe and secure network of pedestrian friendly routes circle around and through the Library and History Centre, broadening out to form seating terraces or outdoor rooms such as the café terrace by the Belvedere. The route includes seating areas, and a causeway bridge and footbridge to connect adjoining sites. Peter Chmiel, director, Grant Associates said: “The landscape of The Hive Worcester Library and History Centre aims to be an leading example of sustainable design, including SUDS drainage, water attenuation, productive urban gardens, locally sourced materials and plant species, and careful landscape management to enhance species diversity and ecological richness.” Tim Osborn, senior associate, Grant Associates, said: “ The success of the project, particularly achieving Breeam Outstanding, was a result of a highly collaborative working method between the main contractor Galliford Try, Worcester City Council and the design team Grant Associates and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.”

Peter Chmiel, director, Grant Associates

Joint University & Public Library LANDSCAPING


PRODUCTSHOWCASE Mixed Category


Seating is the most important furniture in most outdoor spaces. It is an immediate, tactile experience. Providing seating is an act of hospitality. Thoughtful, well-cared-for seating indicates a desire to enrich the space and provide for its users. Many times, planners leave seatings to last priority and apply little budget to it. Planning good seating accentuate build up areas for users to rest, socialise and spend quiet time and at the same time allow them to stop and smell the flowers, view the architecture and enjoy the surrounding in comfortable seats. For 30 years ODM-products are beautifying public spaces and other developments alike. The ODM-product range covers benches, litter bins, stools, tables, bike racks, and many other street and site furnishings. The clean, unique design adds a rugged elegance to your site. New designs for age-appropriate users, youth as well as the elderly, approved and certified by GGT Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gerontotechnik®. ODM Furniture is made in Germany by ODM Stadtmöbel GmbH & Co. KG. Since 2014 ODM is a division of the NUSSER Stadtmöbel-Group, Winnenden, Germany. In Singapore, ODM Furniture is distributed by CT-ART Creation Pte Ltd. For more information, tel (+65) 6762 9891, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ctart.com.sg and http://www.odm-mosbach.com.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE CT-ART CREATION PTE LTD

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http://www.concreteshowseasia.com

PRODUCTSHOWCASE New on the Market


Playpoint (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a leading playground equipment distributor in Singapore, has launched a new fitness line called the “KINETICS Fitness”. KINETICS Fitness is designed to blend seamlessly with landscaping or architectural elements. Comprising of 13 fitness stations, the equipment is like a sculpture that is admired not only for its design but also serves as a functional fitness aid to promote healthy living. User comfort has also been taken into consideration, such as seen on the Sit-Up Bench and Body Curl Bench, where rubber mats are applied. KINETICS is a range of exercise equipment that explores the relationship between the motion of human bodies and its subsequent causes. Through a dynamic system of exercises, the body uses itself to get in shape by frequent repetition of movements that emphasise on smaller muscles. K I N E T I C S e q u i p m e n t i s d e s i g n e d t o b u i l d endurance, instead of strength, through a repeated rhythm of motions. The equipment draws inspiration and elements f rom Hatha yoga, where physical strength is balanced by flexibil ity and endurance training. For more information, tel (+65) 6398 1558, fax (+65) 6398 1559, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.playpoint.asia.

KINETICS FITNESS EQUIPMENT PLAYPOINT

New on the MarketPRODUCT

SHOWCASE


EDL, a leading distributor of High Pressure Laminates, understands that to create beautiful spaces, you need beautiful materials. “Cover Everything” transcends the ordinary to bring you inspirational designs and sophisticated spaces. Going beyond the sur face, EDL celebrates the multi-faceted, three -dimensional nature of its High Pressure Laminates and show just how they can spark off the greatest potential in everyone and in every space. With Cover Everything, EDL introduces new additions to its 2014 portfolio.

R-SeriesEDL brings you one step closer to the nature you seek with its R-Series. The abbreviation for “Ridges-Series”, the tactile grooves, the asymmetrical forms and textures, the patterned grains – all the details evoke the natural splendour of wood. Available in size 2440mm x 1220mm x 0.8mm.

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATES EDL

R-Series. Photo: © EDL Alevé. Photo: © EDL

Solid Appeal (Fine Matt). Photo: © EDL

Alevé Named after the ancient Alevé forest in Piedmont I taly, re -imagine your natural environment with this collection. Available in 10 feet, achieve a streamlined, seamless effect with reduced join l ines. Bring the forest closer to you. Available in size 3050mm x 1300mm x 0.8mm.

Solid Appeal (Fine Matt)Following the resurgence in demand of matt textures, EDL introduced a new range of solid colours in a f ine matt texture. The new range boasts no reflection and a powdery finish. Available in size 2440mm x 1220mm x 0.8mm.

For more information, visit www.edleuro.com.


Green Building Materials & ProductsGREEN PRODUCT SHOWCASE

ZWALUW GREEN-FOAM DEN BRAVEN

D e n B r a v e n , a N e t h e r l a n d s - b a s e d c o m p a n y s p e c i a l i s i n g i n t h e p ro d u c t i o n o f h i g h - q u a l i t y sealants, adhesives, foams and technical aerosols for use in the construction industry as well as for a variety of industrial applications, has developed a new polyurethane foam technology that can be sold without risk phrases and the use of safety gloves throughout the consumer and professional building and hardware stores. The formulation is so unique that Den Braven obtained for a patent. The performance of the foam is so exceptional high that it not only a harmless and environmentally friendly insulating foam. Den Braven has conducted an air loss test by a European Notified Body. The current tested and approved flexible polyurethane fo a m s f r o m t h e S u s t a i n a b l e A i r t i g h t B u i l d i n g Solutions already where tested as best performing foams for air-tightness and sound reduction. Also Zwaluw Green-Foam has been tested up to a pressure of 1050 Pa although the norm prescribes 650 Pa. The result is that Zwaluw Green-Foam is by far to most airtight polyurethane foam available. It scores 25 times lower than the prescribed regulations.

Benefits • MDI free polyurethane foam, no R-phrases and gloves • The newest polyurethane technology • Patented formulation by Den Braven • Lowest air loss rate amongst all polyurethane foams • High thermal and acoustic insulation properties • High yield and good dimensional stability • Specifically developed for the shop resale

For more information, contact Bart van Kuijk, Regional Sales Manager Asia – Oceania, Den Braven, at tel (+65) 9618 5008, email [email protected] or visit www.denbraven.com.

100%

MDI FREE FOAM

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http://www.worldofconcrete.com



SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS REWALL

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the ReWall Company provides 100 percent recycled, durable, versatile materials to meet your needs. All ReWall products feature up to 100 percent recycled content, moisture and abuse resistance, highest mold resistance rating by ASTM D3273 (10), no VOCs, and at least Class C flame spread rating. The R eWal l Company rec yc les beverage car tons into durable, mold resistant boards used for interior and exterior walls, tile backer, underlayment and ceiling tiles. Instead of landfilling cartons or sending them to a paper mill where they are hydropulped and only a portion of the carton fiber is recovered, the company shreds and presses & melts a composite carton into a composite panel with no waste. ReWall claims to be the first company in the country to take the discarded cartons that schoolchildren throw away every day and it recycles them for the building of healthy schools. The boards and ceiling panels are manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa, and distributed nationally.

ReWall® EssentialBoard Replaces mold and abuse resistant gypsum but it is even tougher and more mold resistant. Also replaces exterior structural sheathing and stucco substrate.• Water resistant, durable, flexible, insulating and acoustic properties• Substitute for OSB, plywood and mold/abuse-resistant drywall• Standard board size: 4’ x 12’ x 1/2” with custom sizes available• Optional beveled edge for finishing like drywall• R-1 at ½”

ReWall® NakedBoard Moisture and abuse resistant finished wall panels for residential and commercial accent areas, industrial spaces, closets, garages, kitchens, etc.• Same core as EssentialBoard, pre-finished with no facing paper• Exclusive design shouts “recycled” at first glance• Standard board size: 4’ x 12’ x 1/2” with custom sizes available

ReWall® Ceiling PanelSuspended ceiling grids in residential basements, bathrooms and utility spaces• Paper or plastic and flat or textured finishes• Durable, flexible, resistant to water stains• Several colour options available• Standard size: 2’ x 2’

ReWall® QuarterBack Substrate for floor underlayment and roof coverboard• Substitute for cement and specialty gypsum boards• Standard size: 3’ x 5’ x 1/4”• Excellent flexural and compressive strength• Mold and abuse (crack) resistance

ReWall Company is currently seeking manufacturing partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.rewallmaterials.com.

ReWall® EssentialBoard

ReWall® Ceiling Panel

ReWall® NakedBoard

A selected participant in the International Buyer Programwww.worldofconcrete.com

Source Code: SEAB

If you work in commercial construction then roll up your sleeves and get ready for World of Concrete, the largest annual event specifically for concrete and masonry professionals.

More than 100 expert-led sessions—featuring hands-on training, interactive workshops and continuing education opportunities—help you build skills in concrete repair, flooring,

project management, decorative concrete, finance, and much more. Sessions are presented in both 90-minute and 3-hour formats. Look closely and you’ll see—World of

Concrete has the training you need to elevate your career and your business.

FEBRUARY 3-6, 2015 • SEMINARS: FEBRUARY 2-6 • LAS VEGAS CONVENTIO

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HYBRID CHILLER SYSTEM AL-CO

FLOOR TILES NOVABELL

By incorporating state-of-the-art German technology with impeccable engineering design, the AL-CO Evaporative air-cooled hybrid chiller system is an all-in-one package that saves energy, water and space, while being eco-friendly. It is the optimal green cooling solution for various types of buildings in all climatic conditions. AL-CO hybrid chiller design allows it to deliver an effective green cooling solution by reducing electricity and water consumption. The patented Tube-to-Plate evaporative condenser coil used provides superior heat transfer, and generates energy savings up to 40 percent relative to conventional air-cooled chiller systems. With this Tube-to-Plate design, water is also utilsed more efficiently, resulting in 40 percent less consumption compared to conventional water-cooled chiller systems. Furthermore, its innovative package design eliminates the need for condenser pumps and piping systems and cooling towers, which allows for further savings in electrical energy. Using less electrical power to generate comfort cooling, the hybrid chiller system leaves a smaller carbon footprint and alleviates greenhouse effects. This ultimately results in a lower impact on global warming – making AL-CO the ideal green cooling solution. In certain countries where water shortage is inevitable, the AL-CO hybrid chiller system provides an optional “Dry Mode” feature which allows the chiller to operate without water in an emergency. The AL-CO hybrid chiller system also represents the ideal cooling solution to building owners with its space-efficient design. The AL-CO hybrid chiller system does not require any mechanical chiller plant room and condenser pipe riser shaft, which are common to conventional water-cooled chiller systems. Only a relatively small space is required for installation of the hybrid chiller, providing building owners with greater flexibility in building space management. Health and safety have always been a priority to AL-CO. And its hybrid chiller system offers critical health benefits by being able to prevent and control Legionnaires Disease - a potentially fatal pneumonia. Cooling towers are excellent incubators for the Legionella bacteria. However the AL-CO hybrid chiller system operates without these vulnerable cooling towers, thereby mitigating the risk of the disease. AL-CO’s evaporative condenser system is specially designed to control Legionnaires Disease by allowing individual system flushing during routine maintenance visits, without system disruption. AL-CO hybrid chiller also emits the lowest noise level compared to other conventional chiller systems. This virtue mitigates noise pollution and contributes to a more healthy, pleasant and comfortable environment. AL-CO also provides a “super low noise option,” which is designed with additional acoustic panels that further attenuate noise emission. The evaporative condenser coil used in the AL-CO hybrid chiller is designed using stainless steel material for greater system reliability. It eliminates the need for costly chemical coil cleaning and prevents unnecessary hazardous chemical discharge. The system also utilises green refrigerant which is chlorine-free and has zero ozone depletion, making it the environmentally friendly air-conditioning system. The AL-CO Evaporative air-cooled hybrid chiller system is available in Malaysia and Southeast Asia from AL CO Sales & Services Sdn. Bhd (AL-CO South East Asia). For more information, visit www.AL-CO.net.

To cater to the more attentive tastes in home décor, NovaBell presents Walking – a floor rich in personality and emotion that is also pratical and reliable for everyday living. Available in a variety of colours, it is perfect for creating a good balance between the floor and its surrounding environment. The formats offered (60x60, 70x35, 35x35, 11,5x35) also ensure that one’s own personality can be imprinted into the living space. The quality of the raw materials and state-of-the-art technology ensure easy cleaning and resistance over time. Walking is the ideal floor covering for trendy spaces, where surfaces take the leading roles and show every detail of their characters and personalities. Walking is part of the “NovaBell ecosystem” programme. The programme brings together porcelain stoneware products in the interests of sustai nable development, intended as the safeguarding of the environment, health and safety. For more information, visit www.novabell.com.

AL-CO Evaporative air-cooled hybrid chiller system

Photo: © NovaBell

A joint venture partnership of

THRILLING.

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Re-defi ne your future. At ISE 2015, fi nd out how today’s tools will power tomorrow’s content – enchanting audiences everywhere from living rooms to arenas, and giving your business magical new stories to tell. Find out more:

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WOOD FINISH TILES RAK CERAMICS

Wood Art collection is a series of novel and contemporary wood finished tiles that stand out for its stylish appearance. The wood textured tiles are part of RAK Ceramics’ commitment to offer eco-friendly tiles that are an alternative to natural wood with primary focus on conservation of trees. These tiles are produced using the latest digital print technology to provide finish similar to natural wood without cutting trees and encourage end users to be part of a growing eco-friendly society. Moreover, the product meets the requirement of international quality standards and is resistant to chemicals, fire, frost, thermal shock, stain, dirt and termites that may badly affect the natural wood. In comparison to natural woods, the tile has superior strength due to low water absorption and maintains its shape & colours over a period of time.

The following make up the WOOD ART GRES PORCELLANATO TILES collection:• Hemlock is a contemporary adaptation of dark soiled wood adorned with a carbon speckle effect. The tile is produced in 14.5 x 120cm

and 19.5 x 120cm formats with 3 different colour shades.• West Wood is inspired from freshly harvested lumber giving a tidy appearance to settings. The tile is available in sizes of 60x 120cm,

19.5 X 120cm and 14.5 x 120cm in 3 different colours.• Vintage is inspired from gracefully aged wood, with warm tones to decorate interiors. These Gres Porcellanato tiles are available in

sizes of 19.5 x 120cm and 14.5 x 120cm for both walls and floors.• A modern adaptation of wood possessing blushing hues of red cherries; Sequoia is best suited for floors in lawns and walls in living

rooms and are available in 19.5 x 120cm and 14.5 x 120cm cut sizes.• Neat planks of fresh pinewood arranged symmetrically give a vivid ambiance to the interiors. Chip Wood is available in sizes of 19.5

x 120 cm and 14.5 x 120 cm for both walls and floors.• Arizona tile has novel design, influenced by the look and feel of tidy and solid wood providing a classy appearance within any setting.

Manufactured in 14.5cm x 120cm and 19.5cm x 120cm sizes, the tile is also available in 4 distinct colours and is applicable on both wall and floor.

• Yukon takes inspiration from aging wood that forms naturally striped patterns. Available in 14.5 x 120cm and 19.5 x 120cm formats in 3 distinct shades.

For more information, visit www.rakceramics.com/woodart.

Hemlock. Photo: © RAK Ceramics West Wood. Photo: © RAK Ceramics Vintage. Photo: © RAK Ceramics

Sequoia. Photo: © RAK Ceramics Arizona. Photo: © RAK Ceramics Yukon. Photo: © RAK Ceramics


Green Building Materials & Products GREEN PRODUCT SHOWCASE

COMCORK FLOORING ENTEGRO GROUP

DECORATIVE WALL PANELS WALLART

Comcork is a sustainable highly versatile resilient flooring product manufactured by Australian company, Entegro Group. Based in Melbourne, they manufacture a unique range of resilient commercial and residential flooring, which is not only environmentally sustainable, but also utilises recycled materials in 70 percent of its construction. Made from 70 percent pre-consumer recycled cork, Comcork’s unique composition and design, encompasses all the natural and environmental benefits of cork, while offering a flexible and creative flooring solution for any space. Comcork is specially formulated and manufactured to take advantage of the many natural properties of cork and rubber including flexibility, ergonomics, comfort, chemical and slip resistance, durability, resilience plus thermal and sound insulation properties. The product has been successfully specified and used in Education, Commercial, Offices, Retail, Marine, Hospitality, Aged Care, Sport & Recreation, Public Spaces and Residential areas. The secret behind Comcork Flooring is its unique blend of cork and rubber. Cork is a naturally renewable resource and is made up of an amazing cell structure with millions of little air pockets. There are about 40 million air pocket cells in every cm2 of cork. These act like mini heat, sound and shock absorbers. Combine this with the flexibility and strength of rubber and you have a product that offers some very special benefits. Comcork’s exciting range includes five very distinct profiles/textures that are available is 27 different colours. “Comcork is for architects and interior designers that are passionate about the environment and individual design,” said Philip Withington, Sales & Development Director, Entegro Group. For more information, visit www.comcork.com.au.

Over the last few years, WallArt Europe BV has certainly set a new standard for wall decoration with their original and eco friendly 3D wall panels. These remarkable panels are made from the fibrous residue of sugarcane, called bagasse. This natural material is 100 percent recycled and compostable and therefore 100 percent degradable. But there is more to these wall panels than the environmentally friendly aspect. With just as little as a few tiles as an accent you can give any room or interior an entirely different look. So imagine what a completely covered wall or even several walls can do for the atmosphere! Any bedroom, bathroom, living room and even an office or showroom will make an impression that’s not easily forgotten. WallArt has over 20 stunning designs so there is bound to be one that fits your taste. Are you going retro with a design like ‘Ellipses’? Do you want to give your interior a dash of Africa with design ‘Dundees’? Or do you feel more comfortable with a modern design like ‘Cubes’? The possibilities are nearly endless and the choice is up to you! WallArt was chosen as one of the best and most innovative eco friendly home decor products by interior designers from the United States. And if you are ready to add an extra dimension to your interior, all you have to do is pick your favourite 3D design and start decorating! Which is even easier and more fun with WallArt’s brand new website. You can let yourself get inspired by the many stylish pictures. Take a look at every design up close. Download handy installation guides and view an even more handy installation video. WallArt is available in Hong Kong from WallArt Hong Kong Limited. For more information, visit www.mywallart.com.

WalkEasy Ivory from Comcork Flooring was used at the King Furniture retail shop in Chatswood.

WallArt Waves WallArt Ellipses WallArt Cullians WallArt Cubes



increasing the thickness of the panel.

Advantage:• Excellent sound absorption• Fabric Finish and easy to clean• Humidity & moisture resistant• Recycled and Recyclable

Ekous acoustic wall panel, E-Wall was chosen as “BEST NEW ECO PRODUCT” in the recent Archidex & ECO-B 2014 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The ECO-B award recognises produc t that stands out from the multitude of environmental solution available in the market and go long way toward addressing architects

and interior designers concerns and design element. “ The quality and innovation of our winning entry and being commended as best eco product are further evidence of the growth of green initiatives in Malaysia. Ekous product range promotes and educates users that good acoustics means good productivity and positive impact in many interior spaces. The ECO-B Award is an instrumental milestone in driving new product development of Ekous product range,” said by the company. Ekous E-Wall panel is available in Malaysia. For more information, visit www.ekous.net.

E–WALL (RECYCLED ACOUSTIC WALL PANEL) EKOUS

MARMOLEUM FLOORING FORBO

Cu r re n t i n t e r i o r d e s i g n t re n d s i n m o d e r n commercial buildings can often include hard sur faces on cei l ings and wal ls . These hard sur faces can cause problems with reflected sound. These interior spaces may be difficult to utilise fully simply because:

a) Noise levels may be unacceptably highb) Reverberation causes speech and music to be difficult to hear clearly or is distorted

By incorporating E-Wall acoustic panel as either a new feature or by direct fixing them to the existing wall, the reduction of unwanted noise can be quite significant. E-wall is made from recycled polyester fibre with fabricated structure that provides good sound absorption properties. It significantly reduced unwanted noise in any given space. Depending on the area of application, the product is available in different shapes, colours and depths with various frameworks thicknesses.

Acoustic Performance: Ekous E-Wall panel have been tested under ISO 0354 and Swedish Standard SS 25269 using a full reverberation chamber test. An NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficients) of 0.80 means that 80 percent of the sound that hits the panel is absorbed. Increases in low frequency absorption can be achieved by adding air gap or by

Sustainable design is the focus of attention for specifiers, designers and end-users alike. With Forbo Flooring Systems’ Marmoleum flooring, sustainability comes without compromise. The ultimate ‘green’ floor covering, linoleum is produced from renewable and sustainable resources including linseed oil, rosin, chalk & woodflour without adverse consequences for the environment. In addition, linoleum consumes very little energy during its production with consequent benefits for the climate, and is biodegradable at the end of its long life span. Independent Lifecycle Analysis shows that state-of-the-art production processes for Marmoleum®, contribute relatively little in the way of carbon emissions and these are offset by the carbon dioxide taken up by the plants used as raw materials. At the end of its long life, Marmoleum can also be incinerated. The amount of CO2 released during incineration is roughly equivalent to that taken up by the raw materials during their growing phase. Therefore linoleum is a closed loop system. 10 independent internationally recognised environmental awards speak volumes. Tried and tested, Forbo’s Marmoleum® collections meet the rigorous demands of the modern world, in terms of sustainability as well as in terms of their outstanding performance and inherent health benefits. Unlike some floor coverings, linoleum achieves its exceptional bacteriostatic properties without the addition of harmful chemicals and does not contribute to sick building syndrome with non-harmful VOC emissions. Topshield, an advanced water-based surface finish, ensures exceptional value with lowest cleaning and maintenance costs, while maintaining an impeccable environmental profile. Creating healthier, more sustainable indoor environments is increasingly important and flooring choice is a key factor in helping to promote health and well-being. Linoleum satisfies the demand for a floor covering that combines exceptional performance with an exceptional environmental profile. Manufactured from natural and harvestable raw materials, a linoleum floor offers strength of colour and design and legendary durability. If you are looking for a high impact floor with a real wow factor which is easy and cost-effective to maintain then linoleum products fit the bill. Renowned for outstanding performance and durability, Forbo Marmoleum® are available in a dazzling array of colours and innovative designs & textures. Forbo Marmoleum® is available in Singapore from Forbo Flooring Systems (SE Asia). For more information, visit www.forbo-flooring.com.

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ECO-KITCHEN SPECIALIST GREENVINEDESIGN

The kitchen is the heart of the home because it is where nutritious meals are prepared for your loved ones. It is a place where a mother pours out her love to prepare, cook or bake to serve her family. A warm, healthy home-cooked meal blesses the hungry family after a long day of work and play. There is something wonderful in the smell of bread, muffins or cake coming from the kitchen. A meal facilitates the family time and bonding as the family gathers together for a time of sharing. Traditions and memories are built over a good, healthy meal. In order to embrace this vision, it requires careful and meticulous planning of the kitchen, so that the kitchen is run efficiently. GreenVineDesign embraces this vision with you, and they are here to help you plan and design your kitchen. GreenVineDesign is an eco-kitchen designer in Singapore who uses environmentally friendly recycled glass countertops. The company not only maximises the kitchen space, they also recommend eco-friendly materials, appliances and fixtures to help you protect the health of your loved ones. Botolstone is one such product which GreenVineDesign has sourced for you. It is an eco-friendly countertop made of recycled glass aggregates. Beautiful and timeless in appearance, Botolstone is also free from volatile organic compound (V.O.C). It is so important

YTONG AAC BLOCK & PANEL XELLA GROUP

YTONG autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is a brand of the century. Now, one of the strongest brands on the building materials market, that has long been a guarantee for the best thermal insulation and solid quality, also numbers among the premium group of top German products. Manufactured from inorganic material, YTONG AAC has no radioactivity, is free of allergenic substances and has no toxic gases releases in case of fire. Since 1923, YTONG has become a well-known and ecological construction material. YTONG AAC is manufactured by progressive technology using the most efficient equipment to ensure high quality products and reliable technical characteristics. YTONG is composed of natural raw materials, cement, lime, sand and water. The Chinese Government prohibits the use of clay bricks through the application of the New Wall Material Regulations. YTONG has been identified as one of few materials that can be used to replace clay bricks. YTONG, a high quality product, can protect the ecological and agricultural cultivated land and as a result can contribute to maintaining the Chinese food security. YTONG is suitable for building the houses of all standards on energy efficiency: starting from energy-saving and up to passive houses. YTONG products have excellent thermal insulation energy-saving performance. Maintenance of the exterior wall insulation system can be simplified without the use of heat preservation materials. The YTONG AAC wall system can easily reduce heat losses in buildings and insulate the building from cold outside air, resulting

that the counter top is free from all dangerous emissions as food, which would be consumed by your family, is prepared on the kitchen top. More importantly, you can rest assured of the eco-friendly kitchen top material as Botolstone is endorsed with the prestigious green label endorsed by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC). Botolstone is a truly sustainable countertop as it is made up of over 60 percent recycled glass bottles and the remaining less than 40 percent natural

minerals. By using a Botolstone kitchen top, you help to save the glass bottles, which would have otherwise land up in landfills. Botolstone is hard and is also stain resistant. This will ensure that your kitchen top does not scratch, melt, burn, or stain easily. The kitchen top is easily maintained with a simple soap/water solution, unlike granite or marble counters that may require special cleaners. Recycled glass concrete kitchen tops, unlike solid-surface or laminate counters, don’t show wear over time. In durability, the only product comparable is quartz, which often has high levels of V.O.Cs. Recycled glass concrete countertops is the most popular kitchen top choice in the United States. It is now available in Singapore and GreenVineDesign is the sole distributor of this eco-friendly and safe product. For more information, visit www.greenvinedesign.com.

in a lower consumption of heating and cooling equipment such as air-conditioners and heaters. YTONG ensures long-term protection of the structures from climate-related impacts and provides pleasant room conditions for the inhabitants. In addition, only one cubic metre of raw material can produce five cubic metres of YTONG AAC products. YTONG is a high quality lightweight product. It can float on water and can reduce the consumption of energy in raw material transport, production, finished product transportation and construction installation. The Xella Group, the holding company of YTONG AAC, has been a member of the “Energy Efficiency Made in Germany Initiative” by the Germany Ministry of Economics and Technology since 2008 and aims to show solutions in the field of energy efficiency and transfer know-how into the hands of political decision-makers, key opinion leaders and market participants. The Group has 90 plants globally and there are three plants in China to produce and supply to the Asia Pacific markets. For more information, visit www.ytong.asia.

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Brazil 2014A comprehensive look at various innovative lighting and audio-visual systems that

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A Local Kitchen is Transformed into a Social Hub.

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ON THE COVER Sunlight House in Austria ARCHITECTURE Green Lighthouse, a C02-neutral building in Denmark INTERIOR Tseun Wan Adventist Hospital extension building in Hong Kong LANDSCAPE Sky Gardens at PARKROYAL on Pickering SHOW REVIEW WORLDBEX 2014 SHOW PREVIEWS BEX Asia 2014, OneBuild@JB 2014 & Ecobuild Southeast Asia 2014 PLUS Interview with Mr Oon Wee Chin, President, Southeast Asia, UTC Building & Industrial Systems


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SEALERS ZYDEX

Zydex® is a hi-tech research driven company striving for sustainability through innovation. Founded in 1997, Zydex® has rapidly expanded its business portfolio in catering to Textiles, Waterproofing, Paints & Sealers, Roads, Agriculture and Industrial Chemicals. The company is deeply committed to becoming an organisation to develop sustainable and eco-friendly chemical technologies for all its divisions. One of the company’s eco-friendly products is the Zycosil® Conc penetrative waterproofing product.

Zycosil® Conc Zycosil® Conc is a 100 percent Reactive Organosilane Nano-sealer which becomes an integral part of the structure itself. Zycosil® Conc is water dilutable, safe, sprayable and easy to apply. Zycosil® Conc has several unique features. It is like 1mm deep ‘skin’ to your building vs 0.075mm polymer or paint ‘Band-Aid’ on your building. The peel off issues are eliminated as Zycosil® Conc is non-leachable and UV resistant. Zycosil® Conc works easily. It penetrates up to approximately 0.5-1mm into substrates and converts the siliceous surface to alkyl siloxane (water resistant) surface. Complete drying is critical to complete the reaction and achieve water resistance. Surface tension of the hydrophobic surface created by Zycosil® Conc will ensure that water molecules stay in droplet form due to repulsion. This large droplet will not enter into nano pores of cementitious surface. For more information, visit www.zydexindustries.com.

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Zycosil penetrates, reacts and protects concrete (cracks and pores) at a nano size level by changing its Surface Chemistry.

One cannot develop tastefrom what is of average qualitybut only from the very best.~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Sheet Metal International Systems Pte Ltd30 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 5, #03-05 Singapore 739211. Tel: (65) 6365 7131 Fax: (65) 6365 2086 Email: [email protected]

www.sheetmetal.com.sg

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LEADING THE FIELD IN MAINTENANCE SERVICES—On pole for servicing quality

The formula for outstanding maintenance services reads: highly trained engineers and technicians, reliable back-up, constant reachability, personal on-site presence, rapid spare part availability, and excellent time and cost ef ciency. Add to this all-round support from initial planning and installation to regular servicing and upgrades, and there you have it: a comprehensive, tailor-made service capability. We are ready to roll.

DORMA. THE ACCESS.

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DORMA Far East Country Offices:Singapore Tel: 65 6268 7633Indonesia Tel: 62 21 293 0376-2Korea Tel: 82 31 776 0051Malaysia/Brunei Tel: 603 7665 1683Philippines Tel: 632 893 4077-8Taiwan Tel: 886 2 2709 6611Vietnam Tel: 84 8 62 888748Thailand/Cambodia/ Tel: 66 2236 4994-6Laos/Myanmar

www.dorma.com.sg

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