CapitaLand clinches BCA Universal Design Mark Platinum award for Ascott Orchard Singapore and Cairnhill Nine
Sets new milestone in Singapore’s universal design journey with first Platinum-awarded serviced residence
Singapore, 15 May 2017 – CapitaLand’s landmark integrated development at Cairnhill, comprising Ascott Orchard Singapore, a luxurious serviced residence, and Cairnhill Nine, a premium residential tower, is the only recipient of the pinnacle Universal Design (UD) Mark Platinum award by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) this year. This also makes Ascott Orchard Singapore the first serviced residence to be awarded UD Mark Platinum.
For the third consecutive year, CapitaLand has been recognised with the most UD Mark Platinum awards among real estate developers in Singapore, sweeping five of the 11 Platinum awards given out since the UD Mark Certification Scheme was introduced in 2012. Aside from Ascott Orchard Singapore and Cairnhill Nine, three other CapitaLand properties received UD Mark awards this year. Sky Vue, a 694-unit residential development located in Bishan, received a UD Mark GoldPLUS, while Capital Tower, a 52-storey Grade A office building located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, and Marine Blue, a 124-unit residential development located next to the upcoming Marine Parade MRT station, received UD Mark Gold. These accolades cement CapitaLand’s industry leadership position for inclusive, user-centric properties.
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief Corporate Officer of CapitaLand and Chairman of the CapitaLand Sustainability Steering Committee, said: “CapitaLand continues to push the boundaries in universal design, setting yet another record in Singapore’s journey to being an inclusive society. CapitaLand is the sole UD Mark Platinum award winner this year, affirming our conviction to building safe, accessible, vibrant and quality real estate developments. Providing first-in-class universal design helps future-proof our developments as society and demographics evolve, allowing us to deliver sustainable value to our stakeholders and the community. CapitaLand has committed for all its new Singapore developments to achieve at least UD Mark Gold and we will continue to set the benchmark for quality, user-centric developments that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
Ascott Orchard Singapore and Cairnhill Nine was lauded for innovative and forward-thinking accessibility features including the construction of a covered, step-less pedestrian walkway around the perimeter of the development. This bridges the height differences between Bideford Road and Cairnhill Road, and provides seamless, sheltered access to the lobbies of Ascott Orchard Singapore, Cairnhill Nine, as well as the attached Al-Falah Mosque. Ascott Orchard Singapore offers accessible guestrooms for wheelchair users and elderly 2 guests, as well as dual-key units, in which studio and two-bedroom units can be combined, to facilitate multi-generational living. Cairnhill Nine incorporates step-less entrances for easier entry with wheelchairs and prams. Features such as child-height sinks at the BBQ pits and staggered platforms at the swimming pool help make its recreational facilities friendlier for wheelchair users, the elderly and children.
To date, CapitaLand has received a total of 22 UD Mark awards. CapitaGreen was the first standalone office development to win UD Mark Platinum award in 2016; Westgate was the first shopping mall to win the award in 2015 while d’Leedon and The Interlace were the two largest residential developments to receive this award in 2015 and 2014.