Nestled in the one-north district, a master-planned work-live-play area, Elementum is purpose-built for biomedical sciences companies. (Picture: Ho Bee Land)
Singapore stands at the forefront of the biomedical sciences industry in the Asia Pacific region, and the country is a natural hub for many international pharmaceutical companies and research institutes. This has translated into a strong demand for high-quality industrial spaces that meet the standards these cutting-edge companies require.
Elementum, by established property developer Ho Bee Land, is the latest purpose-built development that is specifically designed for companies in the biomedical industry. This 12-storey business park development features more than 280,000 sq ft of biomedical business park spaces and 50,000 sq ft of prime office space that is available for lease.
This project has been conceptualised from the ground up as a work-live-play ecosystem that supports research facilities and future-ready offices, as well as a wide range of amenities and community-centric facilities. It is also the only major, multi-user biomedical services development that will be completed by 2H2023.
Consistent government support over the past 30 years has helped Singapore turn into a research and development hub in the Asia Pacific region. This vision is supported by the National Research Foundation, a department within the Prime Minister’s Office, and regular five-year plans that position Singapore as an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy.
In 2010, Singapore’s R&D strategy was expanded to include research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE). For example, the RIE2015 and RIE2020 plans included commercialisation and innovation strategies to tap into the growing pipeline of cutting-edge research output and to support Singapore-based research enterprises.
In December 2020, the government’s RIE2025 plan was launched. As part of this five-year plan, the government announced that it would sustain its investments in RIE activities in Singapore at about 1% of GDP, which translates to approximately $25 billion.
It also highlighted the government’s commitment to continue investing in R&D in a sustained manner through economic cycles.
The RIE2025 focuses on three key areas: expanding the scope of RIE to address a broader spectrum of national needs, enriching Singapore’s scientific base to anchor top talent, and scaling up innovation and enterprise platforms to drive technology translation as well as accelerate enterprise innovation.
Elementum is centrally located at North Buona Vista Link in Singapore’s one-north district. This locale has been master-planned and developed as the premier location for international companies to set up research and innovation labs and facilities in Singapore.
The 200-hectare district is populated with high-spec industrial buildings and business park developments. Many multinational companies in the sciences, info-communications technology and media industries are established there.
The One-North district has been master-planned and developed as the premier location for international companies to set up research and innovation labs and facilities in Singapore. Elementum (pictured, centre) is in the heart of this prime district. (Picture: Ho Bee Land)
This includes Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), Procter & Gamble (P&G), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). There are also other multinational companies such as Grab Holdings, Seagate, Lucasfilm, and Mediacorp.
One-north is more than just a district to work at — the all-encompassing neighbourhood also includes several residential developments and a convenient transport network.
This includes co-living spaces at the 324- bed lyf one-north, as well as Citadines Fusionopolis Singapore, a serviced residence at Fusionopolis One. Both developments are beside one-north MRT station on the Circle Line — one stop away from Buona Vita MRT Interchange, which is a five-minute walk from Elementum. From Buona Vista MRT Interchange, commuters can conveniently travel to the CBD, the Civic District, the Orchard Road shopping belt, and Changi International Airport.
Other residential developments including condominiums are also nearby. The newest is the 165-unit One-North Eden, which was launched in April 2021.
Meanwhile, major roads and highways serve one-north, meaning that the CBD and Orchard Road are less than 20 minutes by car, while Changi International Airport and JTC Tuas Biomedical Park are about a 30-minute drive away.
The one-north district is a highly desirable location for companies who want to provide a convenient and liveable neighbourhood for their employees. The overall liveability of the area is enhanced due to its central location and proximity to amenities and green spaces.
For example, the vibrant Holland Village neighbourhood is just one MRT station away from Buona Vista Interchange. The area is a popular F&B destination for both locals and expats who flock there every night to enjoy the multitude of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. Most of these F&B establishments and retail shops are concentrated along the shophouses and low-rise buildings that can be found beside the MRT station.
The attractiveness of the Holland Village area will be enhanced when the upcoming mixed-use development, One Holland Village, is completed by 2024. The integrated development comprises residences, offices, and retail space.
Elementum has been designed with amenities and green spaces to elevate the work-live-play environment. (Picture: Ho Bee Land)
Elementum is also beside the Rail Corridor, a 24km public green trail that stretches from Woodlands in the north to Tanjong Pagar near the CBD. The business park development will feature direct access to this green space, enhancing the sense of community that Ho Bee Land believes will foster the right environment for innovation.
Elementum is designed to be at the heart of The Village — an open, community-focused design that connects the neighbouring Metropolis, Elementum and Rail Corridor.
Within one-north, there is the 16-hectare one-north park that spans the length of the district and is a key element in the master plan for a work-live-play environment.
Ho Bee Land has worked closely with award-winning architects Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill in the design of Elementum to ensure the development meets leading industry standards. Its design and specifications were also benchmarked against best-case projects from around the world.
The 12-storey development comprises offices and fitted-out laboratories. There are nine floors of prime business park spaces or lab spaces, as well as two retail floors and two basement carpark floors.
To suit the needs of companies in the biomedical sector, the developer brought in biomedical consultants during the early stages of the development planning for advice on infrastructure and technical specifications.
The design and specifications of Elemetum were benchmarked against best-case projects from around the world. (Picture: Ho Bee Land)
For example, some of the purpose-built infrastructure include dedicated exhaust shafts, floor traps that connect to dilution tanks within the unit, as well as standby power generators to provide emergency power. All lab spaces in the building will also be fitted with dedicated exhaust risers to the roof.
Each floor plate features a flexible modular design to accommodate a range of unit sizes and greater customisation of spaces to suit different requirements. The fitted-out laboratories have been designed to be readily available for new start-ups, and the design embraces a ‘plug-and-play’ concept for convenience.
Successful workplaces of the future will be those that incorporate sustainable features into its architecture. In this regard, Elementum will be a leading example of this type of forward-looking workplace design.
The development is set to achieve the Green Mark Platinum certification by the Building and Construction Authority. This is the highest certification by the regulatory body to recognise a developer’s commitment towards sustainability in its project design.
Elementum’s overall energy and water efficiency is aided by the reduction in heat retention due to the use of low-emissivity high-performance glass. This material leads to energy savings of up to 30%. It has been calibrated to maximise daylight, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
The development also features a Sky Terrace with shaded overhangs, as well as Biophilic Terraces that help boost productivity and employee well-being with lush greenery that encircles the perimeter of the terraces.
The biophilic terraces built into Elementum help to enhance employee wellbeing and boost overall productivity. (Picture: Ho Bee Land)
These biophilic elements, which refer to architectural designs that incorporate nature into building spaces, improve air quality, channel natural lighting, and control temperature more naturally. Conscious biophilic design such as this has a positive impact on both employee wellness and retention.
Several end-of-trip facilities will be located within the building to serve commuters who prefer to cycle, jog, or walk to work. A bicycle station will also be included, with parking, dedicated lockers, and shower facilities.
Singapore’s biomedical industry has grown significantly over the past few years. Output from this sector increased 12% y-o-y to reach $17.6 billion in 2021, compared to just $4.8 million in 2000.
The growth of the sector has been backed by an established ecosystem, ample funding, strong supply of competent local talent, and robust government support. The sector will continue to grow on the back of higher healthcare spending in the Asia Pacific region, an increased focus on biomedical research, and the growth of the foodtech sector to boost food supply resilience.
However, the increase in demand for suitable biomedical sciences real estate faces a limited pipeline supply of quality biomedical lab space in Singapore. This has resulted in a mismatch in real estate demand and supply.
Elementum will be the only major biomedical science-focused new development that is well-positioned to meet the expanding needs of pharmaceutical companies, and the space is available for lease now.