Singapore’s aspiration to turn 80 percent of its buildings energy-efficient by 2030 is set to get a boost in October, when the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) organises the inaugural International Green Building Conference (IGBC) at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The theme for the conference, “Build Green. The Future is Now”, serves as a rallying call for the building industry to take action now to safeguard the future of this earth.
Distinguished Line-up
This march towards a future with greener buildings will be kicked off by a collection of renowned speakers and experts from around the world, forming an impressive line-up of industry who’s-who at the IGBC. They include:
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| Maria Atkinson Global Head of Sustainability Lend Lease Australia |
Peter Head Director ARUP UK |
Tay Kim Poh CEO of the Housing and Development Board Singapore |
Focusing on topical green issues concerning the industry, IGBC is also the anchor event of the Singapore Green Building Week, which will take place between 26 and 30 October 2009. The Singapore Green Building Week, to be opened by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, will feature the official opening of Singapore’s first Zero Energy Building - the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
It is a building that is able to generate as much electricity as it consumes through renewable energy, which works out to a net energy consumption of zero over a typical year. As BCA's flagship R&D project under its Green Building Masterplan, an existing building at the BCA Academy will be retrofitted into a Zero-Energy Building (ZEB). When completed in 2009, the ZEB at the BCA Academy will house green classrooms and offices, and will also function as a test-bedding centre for Green Building Technologies.
As a highlight of the conference, eight BCA Green Mark Tours have been specially arranged for conference participants to get an exclusive chance to see live examples of green buildings, such as Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 3, the National Library Building, Republic Polytechnic, and the Marina Barrage. These buildings have been recognised for their exemplary environmental design and performance.
Partnership with BEX Asia
To complement the conference, BCA, HDB and NParks will also showcase some of their green projects at the Singapore Green Pavilion at BEX Asia, a building exhibition by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) for the Southeast Asia market featuring the latest in building materials, design and architecture, with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable environments.
Mr Tan Tian Chong, Director of Technology Development Division, BCA, said that BCA’s strong support and involvement in this regional building event reflects its commitment towards green building and sustainability issues. BEX Asia’s global reach and repute also make it the ideal platform to showcase BCA’s Second Green Building Masterplan to the international community.
Mr Tan said, “We believe such events will continue to raise the awareness and adoption of environmentally friendlier, more sustainable designs, materials and construction methods among builders and developers in the region.”
Professionals interested to hear from the experts in the building industry and understand more about green buildings may wish to register as delegates at the IGBC.