[M II A II R II K]

Vertical Gardens


14 May 2015

By Suzanne Lee

Read More: https://maptia.com/suzannelee/stories/vertical-gardens

Land is a major constraint in many Asian cities and faced with growing population density, the only way to build is upward. In Singapore, where every square metre counts, high rise buildings have typified the urban fabric for many years.

- Singapore leads the way in vertical living with an emphasis on the quality of life for the city state’s five and a half million inhabitants. Recent developments have tried to soften the friction between nature and the urban environment by incorporating plants and living organisms into architectural designs and creating ‘vertical gardens’ that utilise vertical rather than ground space to allow plants to flourish.

- In Singapore, skyrise greenery helps to reduce the urban heat island effect, contributing to the city beautification efforts and bringing nature back into its skyscraper office buildings in the central business district. The Parkroyal hotel in Singapore claims to have a total foliage cover of more than 200% of the structure’s total land area, and has used vertical greenery to replace the original greenery that was lost when the hotel was built. The 12-storey-high tower features curvaceous, solar-powered sky-gardens which overlook the city park in the central business district.

- The impressive ‘Gardens by the Bay’ development is an integral part of the strategy by the Singapore government to transform Singapore from a ‘Garden City’ into a ‘City in a Garden’. The cloud forest at Gardens by the Bay is a popular relaxation destination for many local residents who want to escape the city’s humid heat. The conservatory replicates the cool, moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions between 1,000 and 3,000 metres above sea level, found in South-East Asia and in Central and South America.

- Photovoltaic cells on these structures that harness solar energy can then be used for some of the functions of the supertrees, such as lighting and collection of rainwater for use in irrigation and fountain displays. The supertrees also provide some air intake and exhaust functions of the conservatories’ cooling systems. These vertical gardens perform a multitude of functions such as providing shade and working as environmental engines for the gardens.

- The Tree House serviced apartments in Singapore set a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest vertical garden. The building’s green wall measures 24 storeys tall and is expected to save more than $500,000 in energy and water costs annually. A natural insulation, it’s primary function is to serve as a vertical green lung and it also has a rainwater harvesting system. Three sky gardens add to the vertical greening at the 7th, 13th and 19th floors. With the 2,289 square metre Treehouse Development, Singapore is now officially home to the world’s biggest vertical garden.

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