This project was created to promote social responsibility towards the environment. Essentially serving as a showroom with an Eco Discovery Centre (open to the public) during the construction of Seringin Residences, it will become a residents' facility when the residential development is completed in December 2013. The purpose of this centre is to provide an environment for residents/families to appreciate the concept and share in the knowledge of Green living. They will also get the opportunity to be close to nature as they will be able to have hands-on experience in tending to the rooftop garden.
PROJECT BRIEF
The brief was to design a modern urban form that is energy efficient, in order to reduce the reliance on electricity for cooling and lighting. It should also integrate with the ecosystem around the building so as to encourage biodiversity, as well as serve as a model to demonstrate innovation in architectural design and to offer flexible and adaptive use of space.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
The S.A.G.E. is set within an eco-system of indigenous trees and a variety of flora and fauna. The contours of the land allow the creation of a pond to collect water run-off from heavy downpours, and a wetlands fringe to act as a natural filter to the resident frogs and fishes. The pond is designed as an integral part of the rainwater harvesting cycle as well as an additional water retention facility to minimize the impact of heavy rain on the external main drainage system.
BUILDING DESIGN
The architecture takes the form of two inter-connected pavilions, juxtaposed at an angle with each other to enable light and ventilation through the building. Both pavilions are two storey's high with direct access from the upper ground and lower ground levels in order to maintain constant contact with the environment outside. The main entrance is located on upper ground level, which leads visitors to me reception lobby and the Seringin Sales Gallery. Two staircases and a lift connect the flow of activities between the upper ground and the lower ground levels. The lower ground level is naturally ventilated along the corridors, where it houses the Eco Discovery Centre showcasing the Green features of the S.A.G.E.
The building envelope is designed to reduce heat gain and to lower dependency on energy consumption. The large cantilevered overhangs shield glass panels from direct solar heat gain while the extensive use of vertical louvres help channel the cross-ventilated breeze to cool over strategic water features. A Green wall anchors the main breezeway. Plants and herbs contribute to the design language of the external facades, insulating the surface of the concrete ledges from direct sunlight while reducing glare along the windows.
GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES
One hundred and ninety-two PV panels have been installed to harness solar energy as a source of renewable energy for the project. It is an on-grid PV system where the energy generated is sold back to the main Malaysian energy provider Tenaga National Berhad (TNB). The electricity produced is not stored. Instead the TNB outgoing meter will record the amount of solar electricity sold before the electricity flows back (recorded by the incoming meter) for consumption at the S.A.G.E. Thus, the building is effectively drawing back the clean energy for its consumption.
Besides this, the S.A.G.E. also saves electricity by the use of Inverter air-conditioners, energy efficient lighting such as T5, complete with high frequency ballast, LED lights, and heat pump exchanger. There are photo sensors in the sales gallery and motion sensors in the washrooms to trigger electrical lighting when necessary. Low water-use fixtures such as auto-sensor taps have also been installed to ensure a more efficient use of water.
The project team decided to recycle the condensate water, which is usually drained away as a by-product from the air-conditioner. They harness its coolness by blowing room temperature air over the condensate pipes to lower the ambient temperature at the Eco Discovery Centre, thus further lowering the overall cooling load. The team also applied this approach for the hot water supply. By placing a mini heat pump, which heats water efficiently at the Eco Discovery Centre, they are able to obtain cool air through the energy exchange cycle, further supplementing the cooling effect from the recycling of condensate water from air-conditioners.
Rainwater is collected both at the roof and on the ground. Rainwater at the roof is collected into two rainwater harvesting tanks. One is elevated and the other is underground. Water stored in these tanks is used to irrigate the greenery all around the S.A.G.E. Rainwater falling on to the ground Is harvested by channeling the surface run-off water into the centrally located pond. The S.A.G.E. uses this pond and other water features to keep the ambient temperature cool by funneling natural breezes across the surface of the water around the building, keeping The S.A.G.E cool at the naturally ventilated areas.
There are plans for the land/project to be adapted for future use. The land in front of the S.A.G.E. is now a car park, which will be converted to a garden to grow edible greens in phase two. The green roof has an organic vegetable garden that is harvested every three to four weeks. There is also a nursery for residents to plant their own vegetables. In phase one (during the construction of Seringin Residences) the produce from the rooftop vegetable garden is sold to employees and the proceeds are returned to the cost of garden's upkeep. In phase two (after the residential development is completed), the proceeds will go towards the funds of the residents' management committee. Also in the second phase, the walking/bicycle track will stretch up to 1 kilometer when it is connected to the Seringin Residences, to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
There is also a composting hut to provide organic mulch and compost for plants, which will encourage recycling of organic waste.
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