d ’Nest, developed by property giant City Developments (CDL) and its joint-venture partners Hong Leong Holdings and Hong Realty, is located in the Pasir Ris Grove enclave. The 921- unit project comprises 12 towering blocks, and sits on a sprawling site of 4.1ha (444,280 sq ft), making it one of the largest 99-year leasehold sites in District 18.

At this year’s EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards on Oct 3, d’Nest scooped the award for Top Development. “[d’Nest is] well thought out in terms of landscape,” says Yu Shi Ming, head of the department of real estate at the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore.

The landscape of d’Nest, as its name suggests, was inspired by the warmth and privacy that a nest offers. “Within the site’s verdant landscape, the Nest pavilions that were inspired by nature become signature focal points that weave the social fabric of d’Nest together with the unique play spaces,” says Ann Teo, managing director of Coen Design International, the landscape consultant for d’Nest.

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Designed by Architects 61, d’Nest is based on the “Green Habitat” concept, incorporating eco-friendly design principles to be environmentally sustainable. d’Nest is at the forefront of CDL’s sustainability track record. Focused on the ethos of “conserving as we construct” since 1995, CDL has invested extensively in the use of solar energy technologies for its properties.

At d’Nest, a 1,520 sq m (16,361 sq ft) solar panel system was installed on the rooftops of nine blocks to power the development, which set a new record for the “Largest Solar Panels in a Condominium” in the Singapore Book of Records in 2013. The solar panels generate almost 250,000kWh a year, equivalent to about 5% of the condominium’s annual energy usage. Other eco-features include its waste collection system, charging areas for electric vehicles and rainwater discharge systems.

There are also sky terraces at selected blocks and lush green walls in the development. Apart from creating a natural cooling effect, they also provide a conducive and aesthetically pleasing environment for the residents. In addition, there is a bio-pond allowing aquatic plants to grow. d’Nest was awarded the BCA Green Mark Gold Plus award in 2013.

d’Nest is also designed with a plethora of more than 50 facilities, offered in three thematic zones — Relax, Refresh and Revitalise — for entertainment and respite. According to Coen’s Teo, “the central green feature of the Whispering Water Wall immediately stands out”. This is an extensive 270-degree cascading water wall set in a well-concealed garden surrounded by greenery.

Residents of d’Nest can relax at the Labyrinth Hammock or feel refreshed in the variety of water features available, such as the spa beds, an aqua deck and aqua gym, a 50m lap pool, water cascade, spa sanctuary and kid’s waterplay pool. Children are kept entertained with art and movies at the art and project studios, and they can also expend their energy at the trampoline facility.

d’Nest’s unit offerings range from 484 sq ft, one-bedroom units to 2,379 sq ft, five-bedroom units, and include 10 penthouses ranging from 2,723 to 3,455 sq ft. Each unit is designed in a variety of layouts that offer intelligent storage solutions that maximise the use of space. The two- to five-bedroom apartments offer floor-level or bay-window storage options. All five-bedroom units offer a ceiling storage system.

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