Stepping into The Glades feels like entering a lush eco-resort.
The project sits on a 343,050 sq ft site that is naturally high-sloping and undulating, with a height difference of up to 13m between the highest and lowest points. About 80% of the area is dedicated to landscaping, most of which is covered in greenery.
The 50m pool at the middle deck is set against a feature wall of cascading waterfalls. Credit: Samuel Issac Chua/The Edge Singapore
Jointly developed by Keppel Land and Vanke Real Estate, The Glades won the Landscape Excellence Award at the inaugural Edge- Prop Singapore Excellence Awards ceremony on Oct 23.
The Glades is billed as a contemporary eco-resort. The design, by world-renowned architecture firm P&T Consultants and landscape architect Via+ Signature, integrates the slope of the site in a series of terraced landscaped decks.
The grounds also had mature trees, including yellow flame trees and raintrees, which were conserved by the developer and incorporated into the redeveloped landscape.
The strategy minimised the need for land cutting during construction and creates a condo that is unique as it is site-specific.
About 50% of the site is covered in greenery. In addition to ground-level planting, green walls are used to create the effect of widespread greenery throughout the development.
Water features and waterfalls are interwoven with the various species of flora to create themed spaces such as a forest valley and forest trail.
Greenery and water features create an impression of a lush eco-resort
There are also spa pavilions, whose designs are inspired by the “super- trees” at the Gardens by the Bay. Mesh is used on the pavilions to enable creeping plants to grow and cover them, integrating additional greenery into the landscape.
Located at the middle landscaped deck is an Olympic-length swimming pool that is set against a feature wall of cascading waterfalls. The spice and herb garden near the eco-clubhouse on the lower deck offers residents with green thumbs space to engage in urban farming.
The clubhouse is equipped with 95 solar panels that fully power the air-conditioning, lightings and appliances, making it a net-zero-energy building.
The greenery at The Glades also functions as a noise barrier, shielding the development from the MRT tracks 250m away. The sky garden serves as a communal space and also decreases the noise.
The design of the spa pavilions was inspired by the ‘super-trees’ at Gardens by the Bay
Together with the burbling water features and cascading waterfalls, residents can easily tune out any noise from the surrounding traffic.
As part of the sustainable landscape management strategy, an automatic drip irrigation system with rain sensor is used to maintain the landscaping.
“As a responsible green developer, we are committed to the highest standards of environment protection and strive to continually improve,” says Keppel Land.