Amber45 swept four awards at the 2021 EdgeProp Excellence Awards, including Top Development.
SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - The EdgeProp Excellence Awards 2021 saw the luxury development Amber45 clinch the coveted Top Development Award and emerge winner in three other categories. Its developer, UOL Group, took home the awards for Design Excellence, Landscape Excellence and Sustainability Excellence during the awards ceremony on Nov 24.
Amber45 is a freehold development in the highly desirable Amber Road enclave in District 15. The boutique development sits on a rectangular-shaped, 69,940 sq ft site. UOL Group worked with local architectural firm ADDP Architects to design the project based on the concept of an urban resort.
Despite the relatively compact footprint of the site, the architects were able to accommodate a full range of condominium facilities, including a 50m lap pool as the centrepiece. Other facilities include a tennis court, luxuriously furnished clubhouse and a gym. The development was completed in September 2020.
The lap pool is the centrepiece. (Picture: UOL Group)
Amber45 has a single 21-storey residential tower, with 139 units featuring a mix of two- to four-bedroom configurations. Unit sizes start from 614 sq ft for a two-bedder, while a four-bedroom premium unit is 1,798 sq ft.
From the start of the development phase of Amber45, UOL Group and ADDP Architects identified the compact shape and size of the site as one of the main challenges to overcome to create a standout luxury residence.
During a guided walkthrough of the development by the team from ADDP, the judges for this year’s EdgeProp Excellence Awards were shown how the residential block is positioned at the front end of the site.
According to the architects, the placement of the residential block at the front end of the site frees up the rear for landscaping, and the facilities including the 50m swimming pool and a full-sized tennis court, which is no mean feat.
Despite the compact size of the site, the condo features a 50m swimming pool, clubhouse and tennis court. (Picture: UOL Group)
As a result, Amber45 received top marks from the judges in terms of design excellence. The architectural design successfully portrays a welcoming oasis for residents through the central landscaped courtyard.
“This [courtyard] maximises privacy while taking advantage of the north-south orientation (of the site) and prevailing breezes,” says a UOL spokesperson. The layout of the tennis court at the opposite end of the swimming pool from the residential block works well to control views from the neighbouring high-rise residential developments. “The high tennis court fencing, cladded with stone and interspersed with vertical greenery, forms a scenic backdrop for the communal areas of the development,” the spokesperson says.
Overall, the judges commended the design concept and its successful implementation in the finished development. This contributed to the top marks that were awarded for the project in the Design Excellence category.
According to UOL, the design of Amber45 takes cues from the history of the Amber Road area as a turn-of-the-century seaside retreat for colonial elites and wealthy merchants. The design of Amber45 continues the tradition of high-end residential developments in the prime East Coast neighbourhood, with the eclectic Katong district nearby.
The clubhouse at Amber45 mirrors the luxury finishes and aesthetic throughout the development. (Picture: UOL Group)
In terms of its exterior design, ADDP Architects created a Modernist composition of linear planes that are formed by a mix of horizontal ledges and vertical brise soleil (sun-screening device) to provide shading and reduce heat gain.
The façade of the building features a series of curtain walls and long balconies. The grey and copper tones of the exterior of the building highlight a luxurious contemporary look, complemented by a palette of natural materials around the landscaped areas and within the interiors. Common areas around the condo also feature premium finishes such as marble flooring to create a sense of sophistication within each space.
The north-south orientation of the residential block means that each unit enjoys the incoming sea breeze. The developer deliberately designed each unit type with functionality in mind to meet buyers’ needs.
For example, living and dining rooms feature an open plan concept with sizeable balconies. Three-bedroom units have guest rooms that could double up as flexible, multi-purpose rooms. All the three- and four-bedroom units come with a dry kitchen, while the four-bedroom premium units feature a generously sized dining area and attached dry kitchen.
The layout of each unit is functional and designed to suit homeowners’ needs, such as this spacious living and dining area in the three-bedroom unit. (Picture: UOL Group)
At Amber45, the four-bedroom premium units come with their own private lift lobby.
Amber45 was also scored highly by the judges in the category for Landscape Excellence.
Overall, the development attained a green plot ratio of 9.33 due to its effective use of trees, vegetation and landscaped gardens throughout the site. The development also boasts a landscape replacement area of about 35%. This refers to the landscape areas provided on the first or upper floors of the development relative to the site area.
In particular, the judges praised the landscape design around the 50m lap pool, which is interspersed with landscape planting and activity pavilions to create a compelling lifestyle proposition. The overall waterscape is also enhanced by well-incorporated features such as water hammocks, an aqua gym and hydro massage features.
The activity pavilions were also sensitively designed to blend in with the landscaping while allowing open views and privacy.
High-quality materials such as marble flooring and accent marble features in bathrooms enhance the luxurious feel. (Picture: UOL Group)
From construction to completion, many aspects of Amber45 have been designed to reduce the overall environmental impact and minimise maintenance issues long after the developer hands the keys to residents.
According to a UOL spokesperson, sustainability and energy consumption were among the key considerations during the initial planning phase of the development.
The developer prioritised the use of construction materials that have a Green Label certification. This certification is administered by the Singapore Environment Council and National Environment Agency to identify environmentally preferred products that meet regulated eco-standards.
Low-energy features throughout Amber45 include the provision of energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme-certified fittings, and motion detectors to regulate the lights in all common areas.
In addition, the provision of the curtain wall system
and dark grey tinted glass throughout the development helps to reduce the overall envelop thermal transmission value and building cooling load. This reduces the overall energy consumption by individual residential units for cooling.
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