VEGETATION

Green and sustainable architecture refers to a building that is designed and constructed to minimise impact on the environment and ensures that the building is resource-efficient (materials, energy, water, space) in its operation and maintenance.

With greater awareness among the masses of the environmental degradation caused by man’s actions, there is a need to ensure that the development of public housing in Singapore does not cause further damage to the environment. To this end, the Housing and Development Board “capitalizes on green technologies and innovations to optimize energy conservation, water management and waste management”[1] in developing Singapore’s housing estates.

USING VEGETATION
Vegetation is one environmental factor that can contribute to the comfort of living, in several ways.

---

1. Protection against summer warming
Location of trees in front of windows facing south can help especially summer shading of windows, and act as a natural sunshade. In contrast, in winter, when the leaves are fallen CPAC, let the sun go which helps heat the house. Thus, we recommend placement of windows as large as the area to the south, providing a system of shading.

---

2. Visual Comfort
Vegetation always had an important role in human visual comfort. It is recommended to position the trees so we can admire inside the house or on the terrace.