A $2.25 million donation from CDL enables the setting up of two first-of-its-kind laboratories to test-bed building technologies in indoor and outdoor tropical environments.
City Developments Limited (CDL) and the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) School of Design and Environment have joined forces to promote smart, green building technologies.
CDL has donated $2.25 million to the institution to fund its research projects and for the construction of two new laboratories, where smart building technologies can be tested in indoor and outdoor tropical environments.
The first is the NUS-CDL Tropical Technologies Laboratory (T² Lab), a 107 sqm facility where researchers can look into integrated technology solutions for people-centric, climate-responsive buildings of the future.
Possible studies that can be conducted there include the use of smart building materials, structure envelopes that mimic nature, solar chimney, sunlight control and shading, systems for harvesting of renewable energy, and ways of setting up vertical gardens, either ornamental or edible. Researchers can also explore how architecture and building design deal with weather extremities, air pollution, and rising sea levels.
The second laboratory is the NUS-CDL Smart Green Home, which aims to create homes that are not only safe and secure, but also lead to enhanced health, comfort and quality of life.
T² Lab is expected to be completed in December this year, while the NUS-CDL Smart Green Home is targeted to be ready by December 2017.
“The capabilities developed by the two NUS-CDL platforms will set new benchmarks for our building industry, as Singapore gears up to become a smart and sustainable nation,” said CDL’s Chief Executive Officer Grant Kelley.
“This research partnership between CDL and NUS is a prime example of how companies can work alongside government partners and institutes of higher learning to capture business opportunities in this exciting growth sector,” noted Goh Chee Kiong, Executive Director at the Economic Development Board (EDB), which supports the collaboration.
He added that the government recently identified the field of urban solutions and sustainability as a recipient of dedicated public research funding over the next five years.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
