Cdl Opens New Annex Singapore Sustainability Academy City Square Malls Roof Terrace
City Developments Ltd (CDL), a leading property developer in Singapore, marked a significant milestone on July 25 with the official opening of its new 2,690 sq ft annex to the Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA). The event was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as the guest of honour.
Joining DPM Heng in the opening ceremony were CDL’s Group CFO Yiong Yim Ming, Board of Director Chong Yoon Chou, Group General Manager Mr Chia Ngiang Hong, Group CEO Sherman Kwek, Group COO Kwek Eik Sheng, Chief Sustainability Officer Esther An, and GCNS Honorary Treasurer Michael Tang.
Around 1,500 Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats located in the Clementi and Queenstown regions are nearing the end of their 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). As a result, there is a predicted surge in demand from HDB upgraders within the vicinity for the upcoming projects. With the inclusion of Elta, this demand is expected to further intensify.
Situated on the rooftop of City Square Mall, the new annex boasts a collaboration space, a conference room, and office spaces for its anchor tenant, the Singapore chapter of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Network (GCNS). It aims to facilitate partnerships between industry and non-profit organisations, promote industry best practices, and advocate for a low-carbon economy.
“The SSA Annex not only serves as GCNS’ new home, but also strengthens our collective efforts towards achieving our national and global sustainable goals,” stated Dr Bicky Bhangu, President of CGNS.
The SSA was first established seven years ago on the rooftop of City Square Mall, as a pioneering hub for sustainability education and action. “Through our strong partnership with six government agencies and 15 like-minded industry and NGO partners, we initiated Singapore’s first ground-up initiative and zero-energy facility dedicated to building capacity and inspiring thought leadership for climate action,” said CDL Group CEO Sherman Kwek. “Since its inception, the SSA has hosted over 1,000 events and training sessions, attracting more than 35,000 visitors and engaging over 100 partners.”
In line with the main SSA building, the annex was constructed with green technology to achieve the prestigious Green Mark Platinum award. To minimise its environmental impact, eco-friendly materials like mass-engineered timber panels and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from sustainable sources were used. The lightweight and thermally insulated properties of these materials help to reduce cooling costs.
Moreover, the SSA annex is equipped with a 31.6-kilowatt peak (kWp) rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System, which enables it to achieve net-zero operational energy consumption.
The opening of the SSA annex marks yet another significant milestone for CDL in its journey towards sustainability, showcasing its commitment to building a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.