Over the past 20 years there has been a significant shift in the way developers, occupiers and investors approach office buildings. This has not only affected tenant commitment levels but has also had a dramatic affect on the rental market and investment values according to a market review by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

Who is Smith?
The old adage of ‘location, location, location’ used by many developers to promote their office towers in the 1980’s and 1990’s has more recently shifted towards a focus on environmental features and sustainability.

From research conducted by CBRE with their global occupier clients, the focus has clearly shifted from the employer to the employee.

Changing trends are nothing new in the office sector. In the 1970’s developers offered suspended ceilings before raised floors became the norm the in 1980’s.  Moving into the 1990’s, technology and features such as fiber optic cabling became a key theme before corporate clients shifted their focus in the 2000’s to an increased focus on the design and specifications of the buildings they were occupying as opposed to just considering the location or grade (A, A+, A- Premium, etc).

It not surprising then that today’s developers and investors are looking at new ways to market their buildings to attract this ‘new breed’ of occupiers who are looking to enhance the quality of life for their employees, while having an increased regard for the community and the environment. Read more on Real Estate and Rockets – The New Era of Marketing Tall Buildings…

The Energy Report, a comprehensive study developed by the WWF, AMO and Ecofys, claims that the world can be 100 percent reliant on renewable energy by 2050.

The report proposes to address the urgent problems caused by looming climate change and dwindling fossil fuel supply through its assertion that by 2050, the world’s energy needs could be met entirely by renewable sources. It outlines an ambitious energy saving scenario as the first step toward an energy system in which fossil fuels are gradually replaced by wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and sustainable forms of bio-energy.

This report is based on the assumption that given population growth trends as a planet we will require about double the energy production that we currently draw today by 2050.  However if we were able to reduce that figure by 15 percent all of that energy could come from renewable resources.

The aim of the report is to inspire governments and businesses to understand the challenges associated with this shift and, at the same time, to encourage them to move boldly to bring the renewable economy into reality. By demonstrating the advantages of global cooperation and the deeper integration of global energy infrastructure, The Energy Report shows that the benefits of a transition to renewable energy far outweigh the challenges. Read more on A World 100% Reliant on Renewable Energy by 2050?…

Clark Manus has stepped back a little from the busy role as CEO of commercial architecture firm Heller Manus to take on the arguably more hectic life as president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). However, with skills befitting both positions, he doesn’t see the two roles conflicting, rather a “mutual advantage” exists.

As a practicing architect in a senior position with projects across the globe, the AIA benefits from Manus’ knowledge and ability to champion the architecture profession. Conversely his position as AIA president brings his firm prestige and a network when he moves back into his company work 100 percent.

Coming to HK
Sitting in central Hong Kong on the 49th floor in the American club surrounded by testaments to the heights that architecture can take us, Manus looks relaxed yet very alive. “I love coming here,” he smiles and leans forward. “It’s electric.” He also sees Hong Kong as a good example of how density in a city can create life. It is, in its way, sustainable.

On to Shanghai
With a San Francisco HQ, Heller Manus forms part of the increasingly deep connections running east to west having just completed his first project – an office tower – in Shanghai. It is one of Shanghai’s first LEED gold buildings. He sees sustainability as not only “a good societal aspiration” but part of the “bottom line need to save energy” and reduce waste in general.

Sustainability
For Manus, Architects have a central influence over building sustainably. Emphasising pre-construction design and planning impacts not just the build but its subsequent running costs, especially energy efficiency.

However, Manus warns you cannot always prescribe user behaviour through design alone. Take operable blinds and windows; their sustainability impact entirely depends on user behaviour. Architects should instead offer options through design so that users may meet environmental standards in their own ways stating he believes “building typology should have an inbuilt flexibility” He admits this is easier in office and commercial spaces than when designing multi-owner residential buildings.

Themes
Other than sustainability Manus notes two themes in architecture going forward. The first is how the global economic environment will combine with trends in sustainability to produce more modest buildings contextual to their surroundings – at ground level we will see “much greater accessibility” and more landscaping at pedestrian level. “Because this is where people touch and feel the buildings” he says.

The idea of the architect as care giver carries on through trend number two where groups such as the AIA are getting actively involved in disaster repair…and prevention. The impact of recent earthquakes, floods, typhoons and other natural disasters on building infrastructure in many countries can be mitigated through his organisation’s interaction with policy makers, suggestions as to code upgrades and enforcement as well as changes in materials standards. The list goes on, and so does the busy life of an AIA president all over the world.

If Hong Kong’s general environmental record was to be encapsulated in a phrase ‘too little, too late’ would sum up most efforts. However sitting as an example to the naysayers is the highest ever LEED platinum rated project.

Few people would have put money on Hong Kong producing any form of green building achievement. However in one rather stunning exception to that rule the Jones Lang LaSalle’s 5/F and 6/F, Three Pacific Place office in the heart of Hong Kong has set the record for the highest scores ever achieved by a LEED® project. Leveraging internal expertise in design, construction, operations, and management, the JLL project team ensured an integrated design approach – proven the best method for achieving cost effective, environmentally uplifting design -  was adopted from the outset.

JLL began the design through making a real estate decision. They found a building which would best enable the project to satisfy LEED pre-requisites as well as support and contribute directly to achieving LEED credits. By understanding that many integrated areas need to work together the team consciously adopted sustainable practices from the earliest phases. Taking these factors into account JLL chose Swire’s Three Pacific Place as the site for the new office because it was certified under the local rating scheme, BEAM, and its design contributes towards many key LEED objectives. Read more on Platinum Rated…

In 2010, Tencent, provider of China’s largest internet service portal, sought to occupy a new office space in Shenzhen that would serve as inspiration for its largely Gen-Y staff. Its goal was to reflect the company’s creative culture and display its unique position between physical and virtual reality. To address this challenge, designers EDG Creatives developed the design concept “Between 2 Worlds”, transforming the company’s traditional gridded workspace into a highly adaptive environment using different visual themes for each of its eleven floors.

A “regenerative design” approach was used to create Tencent’s new interior office space. This approach addresses the issue of environmental sustainability from the perspective of a dynamic organization, allowing for spatial adaptation as organisational changes are required. The design process is therefore centred on a detailed understanding of the various user needs and interests, and thus helps engage the organisation in a process of defining its own identity and vision of the future.

Project Owner: Tencent Dazu Building
Project Size : 265,018 sqf
Location: Shenzhen, China
Designer: edg Creatives
Completion Date: March, 2011

Oakhill is just another in a string of high end apartment buildings that offer luxurious appointments along side being green.

The “Oakhill” project in Wanchai, Hong Kong with a HK BEAM “Gold” rating, was developed by the Project Team of Brilliant Pearl Limited – the joint venture company between Lai Sun Group and Invesco Real Estate.

A high-rise residential tower with a height of 180 meters, Oakhill dominates the surrounding area. The building consists of 130 generous units with sizes from 906 sqf to 3,023 sqf, with two duplex penthouse units at the top floor. The podium block comprises a Sky Garden, Club House, Carpark and retail shops.

The site area of 13,310 sqf was originally made up of several individual land lots, occupied by low-rise 1950s residential buildings above ground floor shops. The project involved site assembly, demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment.

In order not to delay the project commencement, the Project Team got approvals and started work on the tower area first (know as site one) and then on the Site 2 works including  the podium carpark and plant rooms merged into the Site 1 as a single podium block at a later stage.

The interior design was done by a Japan based architect – Dasic Architects – whose design is distinguishable from other developments in the local market for its simplicity and minimalist design concepts. It is a contrast to the usual heavily ornamented designs featuring elaborate chandeliers and gold trim common in the market. The result, according to the developers, “is that it stands out as an iconic design evoking a high end boutique hotel image.” The lift lobby on every floor showcases a different photographic artwork by the photographer Peter Cook.

The typical floor construction was implemented with a 4-day floor cycle and topping out was achieved in October 2010, followed by the interior fit-out work and mechanical and electrical services installation, the operating permit was obtained in 30 June, 2011. The project was practically completed on 2 September 2011.

The following is the project data:

• Project Type:  Residential & Commercial
• Location:  Wanchai, Hong Kong
• Total Plot Ratio GFA:  138,000 sqf
• No. of Floors:  42 storeys (residential units at 8/F-58/F)
• No. of Units:  130
• Practical Completion:  Sept 2011

HBO+EMTB was commissioned to provide interior design and build services for Asian Century Quest Capital, LLC, an Asian equity firm’s new tenancy in the new-built 50 Connaught Road Central.

The design draws on elegant and contemporary Asian flavours. The subtle interplay of luxury furniture and art pieces, rich red colour palette of walls, translucent partitioning and timber flooring, providing a modern aesthetic and Asian cultural accent throughout the front of house. The workspace is also designed to be an open as possible and maximising natural light.

Roche Hong Kong Limited appointed HBO+EMTB to provide interior design and build services for their new office at Caroline Centre. As Roche known for innovative health care, the design of the office reflects strong emphasised on its corporate image.

The design also converted an office into flexible and high quality training that support Roche’s mission of promoting teamwork, open communication and effective knowledge sharing.

The open and inviting reception area reinforce the corporate branding of Roche. The five meeting rooms are a series of interrelated rooms with the flexibility of allowing seamless reconfiguration to accommodate functions and special events. By the use of green in combination with white and darken timber colour, the breakout area looks refresh and cozy. The open plan workstations and full-height glazed private offices are also designed to allow easy social interaction among business units.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the launch of an Ideas Competition titled “Journey of Possibilities” for the Rail Corridor. The Ideas Competition is intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor.

Since the return of the former railway land to Singapore on 1 July 2011, the Rail Corridor project has garnered widespread public interest. From the feedback we received, it is clear that there are many more people out there who would like to make tangible contributions towards the envisioning of the Rail Corridor’s future. In order to create the window of opportunity for all to participate in this project, the URA is conducting the Ideas Competition from 30 November 2011 to 9 March 2012.

About the Ideas Competition
The Ideas Competition covers a 25.3km stretch from Kranji coastal mudflats in the north to Tanjong Pagar district in the south of Singapore, as well as a 1.9km stretch of former Jurong Line which spurs off from the main line near Bukit Timah Railway Station to Ulu Pandan Canal. Read more on “Journey of Possibilities” – Ideas Competition for the Rail Corridor…

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced today the launch of an Ideas Competition titled “Journey of Possibilities” for the Rail Corridor. The Ideas Competition is intended to draw innovative and fresh new ideas from the public in addressing some of the key challenges and issues in planning for the future use of the Rail Corridor.

Since the return of the former railway land to Singapore on 1 July 2011, the Rail Corridor project has garnered widespread public interest. From the feedback we received, it is clear that there are many more people out there who would like to make tangible contributions towards the envisioning of the Rail Corridor’s future. In order to create the window of opportunity for all to participate in this project, the URA is conducting the Ideas Competition from 30 November 2011 to 9 March 2012.

About the Ideas Competition
The Ideas Competition covers a 25.3km stretch from Kranji coastal mudflats in the north to Tanjong Pagar district in the south of Singapore, as well as a 1.9km stretch of former Jurong Line which spurs off from the main line near Bukit Timah Railway Station to Ulu Pandan Canal.

We welcome participants to be bold and creative in envisioning the “possibilities” for the transformation of the Rail Corridor into a truly extraordinary trail with multiple landscapes and experiences that can be enjoyed by all. The challenge is to develop visionary and compelling ideas for the Rail Corridor in response to five key issues that we have identified over the course of our extensive public engagement process.

Useful ideas and concepts from the competition may be distilled into design principles as part of the brief for the Rail Corridor Design Competition that is being considered currently.

An exhibition which features a selection of entries including all award-winners will be held after the competition.

Two Categories – Open and Youth Challenge
There are two categories for the Ideas Competition, namely the “Open” Category and the “Youth Challenge” (secondary school students). While the “Open” Category is open to all interested participants, the “Youth Challenge” is a youth-centric competition which is targeted at secondary school students.

Under the “Open” Category, the public is invited to choose the issue that they would like to address and to propose innovative solutions and ideas in response to the issue. The five key issues are:

1. Bio-diversity and sensitive development
2. Inclusiveness, accessibility and resolving conflicts
3. Community ownership, pride and sense of well-being
4. Heritage
5. Great Ideas for a Public Space

Under the “Youth Challenge”, we encourage young participants in secondary schools to come up with exciting new ideas and proposals that will surprise and excite Singaporeans. The ideas, concepts and proposals need not be limited to the five key issues. They could be wide-ranging reflecting the interests and aspirations of the younger generation, and how the Rail Corridor could be especially meaningful to them. We welcome secondary school students to join us on this exciting journey, to dream up possibilities that could eventually be turned into reality.

Judging and awards
Judging panels, comprising subject matter experts, representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as Rail Corridor Consultation Group members, will be formed for each of the five issues and “Youth Challenge”.

For the Open Category, three top prizes will be awarded for each issue, with cash values of S$2,000, S$1,000 and $500 respectively. Three top prizes will also be awarded for the Youth Challenge comprising cash values of S$1,000, S$500 and S$250 respectively.

For more details, please visit Urban Redevelopment Authority website.