With the introduction of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Scheme over the past few years, Singapore has seen an exuberant interest in green buildings. This growing interest has also spread to the hospitality sector, with more sustainable-themed hotels sprouting up in Singapore.
Singapore’s latest green hotel, PARKROYAL on Pickering, opened this year at the heart of the Central Business District, between Hong Lim Park and Chinatown. Let’s take a look at some of its green features.
The PARKROYAL on Pickering hotel management had sustainability in mind even before the hotel was built. They engaged local architectural firm WOHA to design the hotel based on a hotel-in-a-garden concept with over 15,000 square metres of four-storey tall sky-gardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls, planter terraces and cascading vertical greenery, amounting to twice its land area.
Nature-inspired materials and textures such as light and dark wood, pebbles, water, and glass are also used throughout the design of the hotel.
The hotel has several green features such as:
- Rainwater harvesting and use of NEWater
- Extensive use of natural light
- Use of energy efficient LED and T5 type fluorescent lamps
- Water efficient fittings
- Automatic sensors to regulate energy and water usage
- Recycling bins in all guest rooms
- Spaces such as external hotel corridors are designed to be naturally ventilated
For its sustainable design, the hotel has been awarded the BCA Green Mark Platinum award, the highest rating for green buildings in Singapore. It is also the recipient of the Solar Pioneer Award as one of the first in the hospitality sector to introduce solar-powered sky-gardens with solar cells that power landscape lighting.
One interesting section of the hotel is the dedicated wellness space found outdoors amidst landscaping and waterfalls on the fifth floor. The space has fitness and recreational facilities including an infinity pool overlooking the city, fitness centre, outdoor terrace and a 300-metre garden walk.
PARKROYAL on Pickering has managed to include extensive greenery and natural light into the overall design of the hotel, making its guests feel like they are staying in a resort right in the heart of the city. A fitting match to Singapore’s desire to be a city in a garden.
Source and images credit: PARKROYAL on Pickering
