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  Today Online 4 May 07
Quick off the Green Mark
Sheralyn Tay

It has systems that adjust the amount of lighting in the building according to the brightness of the environment. Condensed water from air-conditioning is used for irrigation. And unwanted computer chips are recycled into signage.

With such measures in place, the new Asia-Pacific headquarters of Xilinx Asia Pacific, an integrated circuit design company, will save about $500,000 a year in energy costs — for the price of a mere 1.1 per cent increase in the overall building cost.

The company is one of the four winners — and the first industrial winner from the private sector — of this year's Green Mark Platinum awards.

Managing director Stacy Fender said its new building in Changi, which will open in July, reflects the firm's commitment in "making the world a safer and greener place for the next generation".

This year, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) gave out awards to 27 developers and building owners, 10 more than in previous years.

Dr John Keung, BCA's chief executive officer, noted a "greater interest" among consumers in BCA Green Mark buildings. Over 50 developers sought Green Mark accreditation this year, more than the total for 2005 and last year. Twelve residential projects were awarded the Green Mark, compared to nine last year.

However, property analyst Nicholas Mak does not foresee developers jumping on the green bandwagon, as costs and the low level of awareness could hamper the take-up rate. "It's a 'nice-to-have' thing but not yet a priority for buyers," he said.
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