NUS launches its first building cluster targeting net-zero and a new interdisciplinary centre, boosting Singapore’s capabilities for sustainability leadership

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has unveiled new initiatives to further advance the sustainability goals of the University and the nation, in the form of its first building cluster targeting net-zero – comprising two newly completed adaptive reuse projects and SDE4, which was recently accorded the Building Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark (GM) 2021 in Operation Platinum Positive Energy Award – and a new centre that aims to develop innovative solutions for sustainable, resilient and liveable cities.

These initiatives were launched today by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies.

Built in the 1970s, SDE1 and SDE3 are among the oldest buildings on NUS Kent Ridge Campus. These two buildings were designed by the NUS College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) in collaboration with CPG Consultants through an academia-industry collaboration launched in 2015, to transform the usable space and to incorporate innovative building features for improved energy efficiency and comfort. The two buildings have a combined gross floor area of around 24,000 square metres, and are equipped with studios, workshops, research centres, offices, learning spaces, as well as public and social spaces.

Noting that what NUS has done with SDE1 and SDE3 has great potential to be applied in Singapore and beyond, Mr Heng said, “SDE1 and SDE3 offer lessons on how such rejuvenation can be done to meet new needs while improving carbon performance… This is a highly commendable effort that the built environment sector can learn from.”

NUS Cities, which is based in NUS CDE and helmed by Professor Khoo Teng Chye as its Director, aspires to be an interdisciplinary centre that draws upon the wealth of expertise across NUS to offer university-wide education and research programmes that will improve the planning, management and governance of high-density, high-growth, sustainable, resilient and liveable cities.

To read more : NUS News