A brighter shade of green

WHEN PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering was completed in 2013, one of the first things that came through its doors were the sustainability-related accolades and certifications – including Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum rating, the nation’s highest environmental certification. The hotel’s green reputation makes sense considering its rainwater harvesting system, motion sensors for energy regulation, and solar cells to illuminate 15,000 sq m of tiered “sky gardens”, each featuring dozens of plant varieties that purify the air.

The architects of the building achieved these feats of engineering in part because they designed and built the hotel entirely from the ground up. With an empty plot of land to work with, they were able to incorporate an extensive number of sustainability features into the blueprint itself.

However, not every building project has the advantage of a blank canvas.