Listed property group City Developments (CDL) and non-profit organisation Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) have teamed up to launch the Singapore Sustainable Academy. This is the first such collaboration between a property developer and a non-governmental, non-profit organisation to create a training and networking facility dedicated to sustainability, says Grant Kelley, CEO of CDL.

The new 4,300 sq ft Sustainability Academy will be located on the roof terrace of CDL’s City Square Mall. The site for the academy was chosen as the mall was the first to win the Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Platinum award in 2007 for its green features. According to Esther An, CDL’s chief sustainability officer, the mall was also chosen because it is linked to the Farrer Park MRT station and sees monthly footfalls of two million to three million. Given its connectivity and accessibility, it is an ideal location for the academy. This is because the academy aims to promote a low-carbon economy, resource efficiency and sustainability practices among businesses and the community, especially youths.

Artist’s impression of the new 4,300 sq ft Sustainability Academy to be located on the roof terrace of CDL’s City Square Mall

The Sustainability Academy, which will have classrooms, office space and an exhibition gallery, is scheduled to be completed in March 2017. The construction cost of $2 million will be shared among all the partners. The academy is jointly designed by CDL and Ong&Ong Pte Ltd and will be built by Woh Hup (Pte) Ltd. It will use residual construction materials and laminated timber that has been verified using the Nature’s Barcode system to ensure that the wood did not come from illegal logging. It will be designed as a “zero-energy building” and its features include solar technology with 3,230 sq ft of photovoltaic panels on the roof, and the ability to monitor real-time energy generation and consumption.

According to CDL and SEAS, the initiative dovetails with the release of The Climate Action Plan on July 10. The creation of the Sustainability Academy has the backing of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the National Environment Agency, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and the Building and Construction Authority.

This article appeared in The Edge Property pullout, Issue 741 (Aug 15, 2016) of The Edge Singapore.