CapitaLand set to enhance future built environment with Smart Buildings to realise public’s #BuildSG2065 aspirations
A highlight of CapitaLand’s SG50 celebrations, the #BuildSG2065 showcase at the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow exhibition is created with top ideas crowd-sourced from the public earlier this year
Singapore, 14 July 2015 – From a little girl’s dream of having robots to lend her mother a hand with daily chores, to a grandmother’s vision of a garden winter-dome – visitors of the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow exhibition (Exhibition) at the ArtScience Museum will be able to catch a glimpse of how they will live, work and play in Singapore in 2065 at the Exhibition’s Forum gallery.
A constellation of crowd-sourced ideas from CapitaLand’s ‘Building Communities – Setting the stage for Singapore2065’ (#BuildSG2065) campaign will be showcased from 17 July to 4 October 2015 at the Forum gallery, as part of the Exhibition. CapitaLand is the Presenting Sponsor of the Exhibition.
CapitaLand kicked off its SG50 celebrations with the #BuildSG2065 national ideas drive from 23 February to 24 May 2015. The public was called upon to unleash their visions and ideas for Singapore’s built environment in the next 50 years. Over 2,000 entries consisting of a myriad of ideas for SG100 from enthusiastic participants were received from participants aged four to 80. 92% of the entries received were from Singaporeans, while the rest were contributed by friends of Singapore from 22 countries.
One of the #BuildSG2065 concepts that stood out was Smart Buildings. Participants wanted the built environment to be resource efficient even while being responsive to their needs through technology. Many entries featured ideas such as mega-structures, 200-storey buildings, floating pods and dome-cities that were integrated and interconnected by technology and architecture, where people can live, work and play seamlessly; as well as their hope for more community “kampung’ spaces to interact with their friends and family. These aspirations align with CapitaLand’s current emphasis on sustainability, integrated developments and community spaces at our properties where people can interact.
Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO, CapitaLand, said: “With dreams of such efficient, complex and expansive buildings, the sustainability, security, and maintenance of properties will become more critical in the future. Leveraging technologies such as sensors and data analytics, anomalies in the function of buildings can be spotted early, and timely actions can be taken to prevent breakdowns. Data analytics can help to prioritise the most important tasks, in terms of urgency or costs, allowing better decisions to be made when it comes to building maintenance and security. Such in-depth understanding of the buildings also allows us to be more efficient in the use of energy and water. These are technologies and enhancements that CapitaLand is ready to explore today to make our buildings smarter and easier to manage, as well as to maintain our market leadership.”
Mr Lim added: “#BuildSG2065 was created to capture the public’s dreams and aspirations for Singapore, specifically towards our built environment. As we look back at our past successes and challenges in this important milestone of SG50, we wanted to inspire Singaporeans to look ahead, using what we have learnt to build a better future. We are pleased to receive over 2,000 entries, with participants ranging from age four to 80. It is a meaningful campaign, not just for CapitaLand, but also for Singapore, because it is a platform for the voices from the ground, from all walks of life, sharing with us what they hope to see when Singapore turns 100.”
The submissions have been crystallised into 50 top ideas which will take the stage at the #BuildSG2065 showcase at the Forum gallery of the Exhibition. As visitors embark on a visual journey through news-making events of Then and Now across different sections of The Straits Times, they will arrive at CapitaLand’s #BuildSG2065 showcase at the Forum gallery, for a glimpse of Tomorrow with a vibrant showcase.
At the Forum gallery, visitors will be able to immerse in the 50 top ideas from the five sections of the #BuildSG2065 showcase: Up, down, and out, which features unconventional ideas on how to overcome Singapore’s space constraint; We’ve got the power, an eye-opening series of ideas on how alternative energy can be harnessed; Back to the future, a futuristic look at transportation possibilities; Integrated and interconnected spaces, where megatowers meet kampung living; and Home smart home, with ideas on how smart technology will make living, working and playing in future buildings even more enjoyable.
Mr Lim said: “However far-fetched the ideas may seem, they can be tomorrow’s reality. There are certainly many ideas that we can pilot and try out, and others that we can explore as technology matures. We hope these ideas have not only inspired us, but will further inspire policy makers, urban planners and property developers to join us in building better communities in Singapore - the place we call home.”
Another highlight of the #BuildSG2065 showcase is the interactive activities. Visitors can learn what electrical devices they can charge up with the sound energy generated as they speak into the Vox Boxes placed in the We’ve got the power section. Visitors will also be treated to a mind-blowing, 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) experience, powered by Samsung Gear VR, with exclusive #BuildSG2065 content created by Isobar Singapore.
To preserve the future-forward spirit of #BuildSG2065, CapitaLand has compiled the 50 top ideas showcased at the Exhibition into the Book of 50. The book will be presented to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Exhibition’s gala opening on 15 July 2015 as an SG50 Gift to the Nation.
The Book of 50 contains ideas from people from all walks of life, across all ages. Among the #BuildSG2065 participants who will see their ideas come to life in the Exhibition as well as the Book of 50 are the youngest participant, four-year-old Ayra Lim Binte Mohd Yusri and the oldest participant, 80-year-old Jessie Mok.
Little Ayra Lim Binte Mohd Yusri, 4, said: “I wish for a robot helper, so that Mummy will have more time to play with me. When I grow up, the robot can help me tidy my room. I am very sad to give away my drawing, but I am very proud that the picture will be in a book for PM Lee. I love Singapore!”
Ms Jessie Mok, 80, said: “When I read about #BuildSG2065 in The Straits Times, my daughter asked me what I thought and we had so much fun thinking about ideas. She helped me submit my idea. I did not think that I would be the oldest participant! My entry is about building garden winter-domes because I love gardening and have never experienced snow and want to experience it with my grandchildren. I am amazed to find out that my idea will be part of the #BuildSG2065 showcase at the Forum gallery. Although I will not be around in 2065, I still want the best for our future generations. My wish for SG100 is for everyone to be happy.”
While the campaign set out to inspire policy makers, urban planners and developers, #BuildSG2065 has also garnered strong support from educators. From pre-school EtonHouse to AWWA SSCC programme (Asian Women’s Welfare Association’s Special Student Care Centre), teachers have used the integrated illustration of 50 top ideas from the public, published in the #BuildSG2065 special of The Straits Times on 1 July 2015, to relay the possibilities of future Singapore. As young Singaporeans doodled away on the #BuildSG2065 special colouring page, they were encouraged to let their imagination run free to depict their own version of Singapore2065.
Ms Josephyne Ho, Senior Principal, EtonHouse Pre-School, said: “#BuildSG2065 is currently part of the learning experience for our K1 class of five-year olds. We wanted to gather the children's thoughts about SG50. The #BuildSG2065 materials published in The Straits Times support the children’s learning journey in class and provide them the opportunity to imagine that anything is possible. Starting this project now allows the children of today to experience firsthand, the changes made to their world of tomorrow. Our goal is to extend this to the rest of our pre-school.”
SG50 S.E.N.D for Hope
In conjunction with the opening of the Exhibition, CapitaLand will launch a special SG50 edition of its popular Send E-card and Donate (S.E.N.D) For Hope initiative on 15 July 2015 to benefit underprivileged children through The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. S.E.N.D For Hope – To 2065, with Love, invites the public to pen a National Day message to Singapore citizens who will be celebrating SG100 in 2065 on CapitaLand Hope Foundation’s (CHF’s) Facebook page. CHF, CapitaLand’s philanthropic arm, will donate S$5 for every e-card sent throughout the duration of the Exhibition until 4 October 2015. Visit www.facebook.com/capitalandhopefoundation for more details.