Tang Kok Thye: Designing sustainable spaces of the future

Tang Kok Thye, associate partner of ADDP Architects, has long been a strong advocate for sustainability, and even served as president of the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) from 2021 to 2023. During this time he heavily influenced the launch of the Singapore Green Building Master Plan, which is now part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

As an expert in this field, this year Tang found himself on the judging panel for the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards, where the theme was focused on sustainability. Throughout his career, he has imposed the highest possible sustainability standards on his developer clients, often in the form of achieving the BCA Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy Building rating.

Residents are sure to enjoy the full fledged amenities such as the gym, pool, barbeque pits, playground, and jogging track. Besides full security measures, the Woodlands Condo also has a 24-hour concierge service and a shuttle bus service for residents’ convenience. With all these features, Champions Way Condo is the ideal place for those looking for a modern and luxurious lifestyle.

One of the projects in this year’s awards that Tang found most impressive was Capitaland Ascott Trust’s lyf one-north at Nepal Park. This 324-unit co-living building was constructed from precast concrete with sun-shading ledges and fins to reduce facade solar heat gain, as well as cleverly designed windows. “Such development attracts young people to one-north and you can feel the energy of the community there,” Tang said. “We learned that, when designing spaces, we need to adapt to the younger generations needs.”

Two other noteworthy projects from a design and sustainability angle were the 270-unit Terra Hill at Pasir Panjang and the 816-unit The Continuum at Thiam Siew Avenue. Developed jointly by Hoi Hup Realty and Sunway Developments, both won the inaugural Top Sustainability Developer award by CPG Corp. These freehold projects showcase environmentally friendly designs such as terraced blocks that hug the sloping terrains and maximise cross ventilation to maximise views.

Considered to be the most premium site, Lentor Modern is a 605-unit mixed-use development that leverages off the Lentor MRT Station. Designed by ADDP and built using prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC), the project was designed with sensitivity to the surroundings. To ensure the safety of birds, reflective surfaces were minimised.

In conclusion, Tang has shown a continued commitment to pushing for excellence and sustainability through his contribution to the Awards and his unwavering advice and consultation for developers. Tang has enabled developers to create projects that serve the community and are tailored to younger generations’ needs.