CROWN TOWER AT BARANGAROO, AUSTRALIA
Shaw Tower’s Role in Vertical City Developments
In the field of urban planning and architecture, vertical city developments have emerged as a revolutionary solution to the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, limited land availability, and environmental sustainability. Shaw Tower has been at the forefront of this transformative movement. At the 12th Annual Vertical Cities conference held from 4th – 5th March, 2024, Shaw Tower not only showcased its innovative contributions to vertical city developments but also reaffirmed its commitment to shaping the future of urban development.
Shaw Tower’s Legacy
Shaw Tower, a landmark in Singapore’s architectural landscape, has a rich history that reflects the city-state’s dynamic growth and innovation. Originally completed in 1975, Shaw Tower stood as one of Singapore’s tallest buildings. Its brutalist architecture of the 35-storey tower reflected the growing confidence of the city state – symbolising the nation’s aspirations and economic progress. Over the decades, it became an iconic part of the city’s skyline, known for having the largest cinemas in Singapore, and was an integral part of the Beach Road area in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD).
However, as the demands of urban development evolved, so did Shaw Tower. Recognizing the need to adapt to the changing urban environment, Shaw Tower underwent a significant redevelopment that began with its demolition in 2020. This redevelopment was not merely about constructing a new building but about reimagining what a modern, sustainable, and innovative urban development could be serving the needs of the new office. The new Shaw Tower is set to be a state-of-the-art vertical city, incorporating the latest advancements in sustainable architecture and smart infrastructure, thus solidifying its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Shaw Tower’s Legacy
The 12th Annual Vertical Cities Conference
The 12th Annual Vertical Cities conference held in Singapore was a gathering of the world’s leading architects, urban planners, developers, and policymakers, all focused on the future of sustainable urban development. The conference provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and showcased the latest trends and innovations in vertical city developments and the cutting edge smart technologies to achieve energy efficiency and self-sufficiency. Shaw Tower’s participation was particularly significant, given its ongoing redevelopment and its role as a pioneer in this field.
As one of the speakers at the conference, Alfred Yeung, General Manager of Shaw Towers Realty, highlighted Shaw Tower’s forward- thinking three-pronged approach to sustainability. He emphasised the company’s innovative efforts in integrating cutting-edge smart technologies and implementing energy-efficient design solutions in driving the real estate industry forward. Yeung’s insights were highly appreciated, further solidifying Shaw Tower’s reputation as a key player in shaping the future of sustainable urban environments.
In fact, Shaw Tower as a sustainable and smart building in Singapore highlighted key themes at the conference including sustainable architecture, smart building solutions, and the social and economic impacts of the redevelopment.
Shaw Tower’s Insights into Its Contributions to Vertical City Concepts
Shaw Tower’s redevelopment represents a cutting-edge approach to vertical city concepts, embodying a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Here are some key insights into how Shaw Tower is shaping the future of vertical cities.
Artist's Impression
PIONEERING INNOVATION WITH SMART BUILDING DESIGN
One of the most significant contributions of Shaw Tower is its smart innovative approach to urban density. The landscape of tall buildings is evolving through groundbreaking innovation. The new Shaw Tower is designed to exceed existing sustainable building standards. To achieve these superior sustainability standards, including energy efficiency performance 40% above building code requirements, the new Shaw Tower will integrate several innovative building services systems:
- Active chilled beams to provide office space cooling; a technology that significantly reduces energy consumption whilst achieving excellent thermal comfort.
- Smart Lighting systems – high performance LED light fittings will use wireless, addressable controllers so they can be easily controlled and reconfigured as required.
- Internet of Things (IoT) sensors will be integrated into light fittings to provide a high-resolution map of space occupancy, temperature and daylight levels. This data will not only adjust lighting controls, but also provide tenants with valuable data on how their space is being occupied.
- Renewable power generation – from both PV and wind power generation, to reduce use of grid power and carbon emissions.
- Building data analytics systems will continuously analyse building operations against an optimal operating model, so facilities management can fine-tune for greater efficiency.
Shaw Tower’s approach to urban density also includes a focus on creating healthier urban environments. The building’s design incorporates green spaces and natural light, which contribute to the well-being of its occupants. By promoting sustainable urban living, Shaw Tower sets a new standard for high-density developments. Shaw Tower’s vision embraces health and wellbeing by providing the highest quality environment and designing pandemic-ready features for future occupants. This is also further demonstrated in Shaw Tower’s commitment to obtain WELL v2 Core Gold certification by International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) (pre-certification obtained).
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Energy-efficient
DesignShaw Tower’s architectural design is a model of energy efficiency, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to significantly reduce energy consumption. This includes the energy-efficient chilled water plants, which provide optimised cooling while minimising energy use. Additionally, the high-performance façade systems with a low Envelope Thermal Transfer Value (ETTV), are designed to minimise heat gain through external walls and windows. Together, these elements not only enhance the building’s operational efficiency but also align with its goal of setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban development.
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Future-proofing
Shaw Tower’s redevelopment epitomises future-proofing in urban living. Its adaptable design not only accommodates current needs but also anticipates future technological advancements and urban requirements. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, including ample space for telecommunications rooms, vertical risers, and BMS/security rooms, Shaw Tower is primed to seamlessly integrate emerging technologies. This ensures that the building remains relevant, functional, and adaptable for years to come, without compromising existing infrastructure or causing disruptions.
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Promoting Sustainable Urban Working & Living
Shaw Tower’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its architecture and infrastructure. The building is designed to promote a healthier environment for tenants through high performance air filtration and sterilisation systems that clean the air throughout the tower to promote better air circulation for human health. This is supported by Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring systems and controls that respond automatically to changes in air quality due to shifting occupancy levels or other factors. Occupants and visitors can also enjoy amenities such as a gymnasium, sky terraces, outdoor breakout spaces, end-of-trip facilities supporting green transport options and 15,700 square feet of retail and dining options including a rooftop restaurant.
The new Shaw Tower will respond to Singapore’s developmental agenda of modernising the built environment to meet contemporary needs by introducing smart building technology-enabled sustainable features for a scalable, pandemic-resilient and sustainable workplace essential today.
Shaw Tower’s participation in the 12th Vertical Cities Conference highlighted its pivotal role in advancing the concept of vertical city developments. Through its innovative redevelopment, Shaw Tower as a smart building in Singapore has set new standards for sustainable, high-density urban living. Its contributions to the conference have enriched the global dialogue on vertical urbanism, paving the way for future advancements in the field. As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of urbanization, Shaw Tower stands as a beacon of visionary design and sustainable practices, leading the way towards a more efficient, resilient, and vibrant urban future. By embracing the principles of vertical city developments, Shaw Tower not only enhances its own legacy but also contributes to the broader goal of creating liveable, sustainable cities for generations to come.
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