CDL's 'green' condo gets global recognition

Singapore

CITY Developments Ltd's (CDL) Tree House condominium has received international recognition for its eco-inspired design and green features. The Chestnut Avenue property topped the Sustainable Development category at the FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards 2015 on May 30, winning CDL the World Gold award.

The FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Award is conferred by an international panel comprising real estate professionals and experts. The Sustainable Development category lauds energy-saving projects.

Spanning a total site area of 22,700.4 sq m comprising four 24-storey towers with 429 units, Tree House is home to the world's largest vertical garden. At 24-storeys tall, the garden provides natural insulation and helps to filter pollutants out of the air.

It also reduces heat absorption and lowers the energy needed to cool indoor spaces. According to National University of Singapore studies, the 48 west-facing bedrooms insulated by the vertical garden are expected to achieve air-conditioning energy savings of 98,000 kWh/year, or about S$23,000 annually based on prevailing tariff rate.

Said CDL's deputy chairman Kwek Leng Joo: "As the world faces rapid urbanisation and significant population growth, natural resources are fast diminishing. Thus, the need for sustainable development becomes more critical and pronounced. The real estate industry, which has great environmental impact, must continually evolve and seek green building innovations, sustainable engineering solutions and more efficient use of resources."

At the same event, CapitaLand bagged two awards - Raffles City Chengdu won the World Gold award under the Retail category, while The Interlace won the World Silver award under the Residential (High Rise) category.