The Lotus Pond at The Interlace, which is one of the three residential properties that was accorded the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Certification
The Lotus Pond at The Interlace, which is one of the three residential properties that was accorded the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Certification in June 2014 by Singapore’s national water agency for having sustainable, beautiful, and functional spaces

CapitaLand Singapore’s environmentally-friendly and well-designed properties which integrate sustainable, beautiful, and functional spaces have once more clinched another accolade. In June 2014, its residential properties The Interlace, d’Leedon, and Sky Habitat received the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Certification from Singapore’s national water agency, PUB.

“We have in place a holistic environmentally sustainable strategy which includes water conservation. Regardless of weather conditions in Singapore, CapitaLand Limited has put in place water saving measures and monitor water consumption as part of its standard operating procedures. In addition, water consumption targets are set and linked to its key performance indicators,” said Mr Tan Seng Chai, Chairman of CapitaLand Sustainability Steering Committee and Group Chief Corporate Officer, CapitaLand Limited.

The ABC Waters Programme was launched by PUB in 2006 to transform Singapore’s water bodies beyond their utilitarian purpose into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes, creating a vibrant City of Gardens and Water. The ABC Waters Certification scheme, which was rolled out in 2010, recognises public agencies and private developers who have seamlessly integrated green features for stormwater management or ABC Waters design features into their developments. To date, 48 projects have been certified.

“This will help us create many more green and blue lungs all over the island and this is an important part where we combine the blue and green into a very integrated cityscape that we have in Singapore. It is important that we develop the competence and capabilities quickly by documenting and applying good ABC Waters design features,” said Ms Grace Fu, Prime Minister’s Office; and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, and Foreign Affairs, who presented the certificates to certified projects at the Seminar on ‘Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters – Enhancing Liveability of our Environment’ during the Singapore International Water Week 2014.

Blue Oasis at The Interlace

CapitaLand’s residential properties that are certified incorporate environmentally-friendly green water features that create blue oases within the developments.

The Interlace, for example, offers a Rain Garden that encourages biodiversity within the estate, providing a home for wildlife while beautifying it. Located on the lowest part of the properties, the Rain Garden allows detention and treatment of stormwater runoff before the water enters public drains. Beyond being functional, with educational signs strategically placed, residents are provided with opportunities to learn about the water features.

In addition, the uniquely stacked superblocks have replaced some drains with a planted channel of vegetation. The 60-metre long vegetated swale on one side of the estate’s peripheries helps to slow down stormwater runoff, and remove litter and sediments from the water. It also enhances biodiversity, while beautifying the surroundings. An elevated walkway alongside complete with seats allows appreciation of this stretch that integrates green and blue spaces seamlessly.

The Interlace also has extensive balconies that invite terrace planting which helps to slow down the flow of rainwater runoff, easing the stress on the downstream storm-water drains. Rainwater is also channeled to the recycle tank in the basement.

Reaching for More Blue at Sky Habitat

At the Sky Habitat, a corridor of plants usher residents from their homes to the Lily Pond, a linear Bio Pond with wetland plants and bio filters specially engineered and designed for this compact development. This blue space enhances the biodiversity of the estate and provides a habitat for wildlife. The Lily Pond’s linear wetland system also serves to clean stormwater runoff from hard paved surfaces around by collecting and re-circulating the water through the multiple wetland cells to simulate the natural flow of a conventional constructed wetland.

Sky Habitat also boasts its own bio-retention basin that blends seamlessly with the surroundings at the north-western corner of the development. Stormwater from the swimming pool deck, social pavilion and green buffer is channeled to this bio-retention basin for cleansing before being discharged to the public drainage system.


Distinctive Water Features at Ecosystems of d’Leedon

d’Leedon, Singapore’s largest residential development, is conceptualised to incorporate five landscapes inspired by the distinct components of mountain ecosystems – Rock, Forest, Water, Foothills, and Meadows. Each is differentiated by its unique palette of plants, paving surfaces, and facilities.

Its seven 36-storey towers will gently taper inwards as they merge with the ground to occupy only 22% of the site to free up more space for landscaping and lifestyle facilities. Most of d’Leedon’s surface roads have been relocated to the basement to allow for more greenery which improves the biodiversity of the development. The basement also houses a rainwater tank which collects water from two locations. The water is then supplied to the automatic irrigation system, helping to conserve water usage.

Along d’Leedon’s southern boundary which is the lowest point of the property, two large bio-retention basins allow stormwater to be detained and treated before being released into public drains. Educational signs along the bio-retention basins allow residents to learn more about the ABC Waters design features of d’Leedon.

With creative water designs that provide sustainable stormwater management and water conservation functions, CapitaLand’s homes have certainly perfected the ABCs of integrating blue spaces into Singapore’s cityscape.