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Mapletree Business City II in Pasir Panjang has been named as one of the four recipients of the top Platinum award for user-friendly design at the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Universal Design Mark Awards this year, reported the Straits Times.
The business park clinched the prestigious accolade thanks to its people- and eco-friendly design. In fact, it has over 1,400 trees and people have even seen otters hunting for fish at a pond there.
Moses Lee, Mapletree’s director of investments and asset management in Singapore, said during a tour on Wednesday that the business park’s features have been carefully considered.
“The ground floor and mezzanine floor are for parking and traffic. This allows more open areas on the elevated deck for pedestrians to enjoy public spaces and the lush landscape.”
Aside from taking into account wind direction, its planners and architects also designed automated rain screens that activate during bad weather. Given such attention to detail, it’s no wonder that search giant Google has decided to rent space there.
Meanwhile, the other three Platinum winners are Kampung Admiralty, Changi Airport Terminal 4 and City Square Mall, which is the first Platinum awardee for Family-Friendly Business jointly handed out with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
The shopping centre clinched the BCA-MSF Universal Design Mark award thanks to its family-friendly facilities and services that cater to everyone, including children, the elderly and those with disabilities.
For instance, City Square Mall comes with a merry-go-round that can be enjoyed by kids who use wheelchairs, while all personnel at the service counter have received first aid training.
There are also call machines at the entrances that allow shoppers to request for assistance like borrowing wheelchairs, while its basement features an air-conditioned taxi stand.
“The winners for this year’s BCA Universal Design Mark Awards exemplify an emphasis on people-centric designs to create communities and promote inclusivity for all, including people with disabilities and the elderly,” said Clement Tseng, BCA’s group director for building plan and management.
The awards will be held next Tuesday (22 May).
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
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