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Printed on recycled paper.

[ Disclaimer ]

This guide is published by

The Centre for Sustainable Buildings and Construction,

Building and Construction Authority.

Copyright @ 2010 Building and Construction Authority,

Singapore.

All rights reserved. This document or any part thereof may not bereproduced for any reason whatsoever in any form or means whatsoeverand howsoever without the prior written consent and approval of theBuilding and Construction Authority.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of theinformation contained in this publication, the Building and ConstructionAuthority, its employees or agents shall not be responsible for anymistake or inaccuracy that may be contained herein and all such liabilityand responsibility are expressly disclaimed by these said parties.

ISBN 978-981-08-5313-6


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[ Foreword ]

As a small island city-state with limited resources and growing needs, we have to use our land, water,

energy and other resources prudently, pragmatically and with an eye on the future. This way, we ensure

that Singaporeans can enjoy both economic growth and a good living environment for ourselves, and for

the future generations.

Last year, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) set a target for Singapores

built environment: By 2030, 80% of the existing buildings in Singapore are to achieve at least the BCA

Green Mark certification rating. In terms of energy efficiency, the Committee set a target of 35% reductionfrom the 2005 level by 2030.

To support the IMCSD targets and the strategies put in place, the Building and Construction Authority

(BCA) formulated the 2nd Green Building Masterplan to step up its efforts in delivering a sustainable built

environment. As one of the initiatives under this Masterplan, BCA worked with the industry to develop this

series of GREEN BUILDING PLATINUM GUIDEBOOKS.

These guidebooks provide useful information on sustainable building design, attributes of green buildings,

as well as the latest green building technologies and design strategies and approaches. They are intended

for building owners, architects, engineering consultants, and all the parties in a building project, to help

them better appreciate the various issues involved in delivering a green building. They are intended also to

consolidate all the good practices that have been introduced since the launch of BCAs Green Mark Scheme

in 2005.

In this particular volume on Building Planning & Massing, we present the importance andbenefits of integrated and passive design and the adoption of energy efficient strategies such as natural

ventilation and building greenery in the early design stage.

We have gone past the point where going green is an option. It has now become an absolutenecessity. We hope, through this series of guidebooks, to inspire all stakeholders in the industry to make

a concerted effort to improve the performance of our buildings in every sense and ensure a better built

environment for our future.

Dr John KeungChief Executive OfficerBuilding and Construction Authority


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[ Contents ]

[ Introduction ] 6

CHAPTER 1 Integrated Green Building Design 10

CHAPTER 2 Building Siting, Massing and Orientation 24

CHAPTER 3 Building Envelope 40

CHAPTER 4 Natural Ventilation 58

CHAPTER 5 Building Greenery and Landscaping 76

CHAPTER 6 Renewable Energy 90

[ Acknowledgements ] 110

[ About BSD and ARUP ] 111

[ About CSBC ] 112


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INTRODUCTIONGuide for Green Buildings

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

The way the world has used global natural resources in the past has placed

a tremendous strain on the environment depleting our natural resources,

polluting the environment, warming the earth, raising sea levels, and endangering

our biodiversity. Climate change has become the inevitable result of our past actions.

According to the United Nations, cities consume two thirds of global energy use.

76% of the worlds energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) are also emitted by cities

through transport, industry, and building and construction related activities.

Studies have shown that buildings and construction activities use 40% energy,

30% mineral resources and 20% water of the worlds resources. It also accounts

for 40% CO2

emissions, 30% solid wastes and 20% water pollution in the world.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ESSENTIAL TO SINGAPORE

Sustainable development has always been a key consideration for the development

of Singapore. Growing and developing our city state in an efficient, clean and green

way by utilising less resources; generating less waste; reducing pollution to the

environment; and preserving greenery, waterways and our natural heritage, are the

goals of the Sustainable Development Blueprint as set out by the Inter-Ministerial

Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD).This way, we ensure that Singapore

can enjoy both economic growth and a good living environment for ourselves,

and for the future generations.

THE ROLE OF BUILDINGS

The 4th Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC) has shown that buildings have the highest potential to reduce carbon

emissions [Figure 1].This is due to the large consumption of energy within

buildings. With the use of the right design and green technologies, a considerable

amount of both energy and economic savings can actually be achieved.


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A study conducted by the United Nations

Environment Programme Sustainable

Buildings and Climate Initiative (UNEP-

SBCI) has also shown that an average

of 15% of total energy used occurs in

the material production and construction

process, while about 85% of total energy

used is in the operational phase of the

building [Figure 2]. Of these, as high as 50%

of the total energy used can be reduced

at net zero cost with commercially

available technologies.

This is a challenge to the industry and

there are many opportunities to develop

new solutions, especially in the area

of energy efficiency. Our buildings

consume about one third of Singapores

total end-use electricity and are the

largest electricity consumer after the

industrial sector. It is critical to look into

practical measures to reduce the impact

of our buildings, and make them more

resource and energy efficient.

The Green Agenda is not merely a fad.

As climate change and resource

constraints become more apparent,

we must adapt out of necessity and

respond to the new drivers and economics

of the earth. We are entering an ecological

age where the impact of our activities on

the earth will drive our actions.

Source: UNEP-SBCI, 2007

[Figure 1] Buildings have the highest potential to reduce carbon emissions (4th Assessment Report, Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change).

[Figure 2] Life cycle energy use of buildings.

Source: IPCC, 2007: 4th Assessment Report of the IPCC

CONSTRUCTION OPERATION

% OF LIFE CYCLE ENERGY USE

OFFICES FINLAND

OFFICES USA

RESIDENTIAL SWEDEN

OFFICES JAPAN

13 87

84

82

79

16

18

21

0 20 40 60 80 100

Embodiedenergy

Operationalenergy

Energy supply Transport Buildings Industry Agriculture Forestry Waste

Non-OECD/EI

EIT

OECD

World total

US$/tCO2-eq

GtCO

2-eq/yr

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