Summary_Reader Response Draft #1

In the article “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future” by MacKenzie (2017), Singapore's continuous growth has redefined utilitarian designs of green buildings, adding weight to its contribution in tackling climate change. Being densely populated, Singapore generates high power consumption. The Building Construction Authority of Singapore has planned to overcome the issue by targeting to certify 80 percent of buildings with the Green Mark by 2030, as well as raising awareness about climate change. Many planners are also starting to enforce eco-friendly systems and materials into buildings. Contrary to popular belief, it is not hefty to integrate environmental elements to building’s design. The integration would serve as cost-efficient investments that are beneficial in the long run. It involves using light colors, maximising natural light, leveraging technology, installing suitable elements that promote sustainability and working with stakeholders. In working towards a greener future, making prudent decisions on a building’s design is critical, as it would be a pivotal weapon in Singapore’s fight against climate change.

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The article offers various suggestions on improving the energy efficiency of buildings. However, there is a lack of information regarding the requirements of obtaining the Green Mark for buildings as well as how the certification can aid in reducing power usage. These points will further emphasize the suitability on how it can aid in sustainability.

The Green Mark Scheme was introduced in 2015 by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore to push the industry towards more environmentally friendly buildings. Buildings to undergo the certification process are required to meet certain criteria for the efficiency on the usage of resources, green features and many more. Having 80 percent of buildings to be certified with the mark will greatly benefit the eco-system as each criterion is to be viewed with high importance.

The scheme aims to create opportunities to allow contractors to do their part in being environmentally friendly. It has been reported to provide benefits such as expediting the reduction in energy, water and material resource usage, reducing potential environmental impact, improving indoor environmental quality for better health and well being as well as to provide a clearer direction for continual improvement. Ultimately, it projects the buildings in a more efficacious image and will further encourage more people to do their part in saving the environment.

Derek MacKenzie. (2017). Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future.

Retrieved from:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-green-buildings-singapore-s-natural-ally-for-a-9183380

BCA. (2018). Green Mark for Non-Residential Buildings NRB: 2015
Retrieved from:
https://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/others/Green_Mark_NRB_2015_Criteria.pdf

BCA. (2019). Green mark buildings.

Retrieved from:

https://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/green_mark_buildings.html

Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future (Reader Response Draft 1)

In the article “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future” by MacKenzie (2017), Singapore's continuous growth has redefined utilitarian designs of green buildings, adding weight to its contribution in tackling climate change.

Being densely populated, Singapore generates high power consumption. The Building Construction Authority  of Singapore has planned to overcome the issue by targeting to certify 80 percent of buildings with the Green Mark by 2030, as well as raising awareness about climate change. Many planners are also starting to enforce eco-friendly systems and materials into buildings.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not hefty to integrate environmental elements to building’s design. The integration would serve as cost-efficient investments that are beneficial in the long run. It involves using light colors, maximising natural light, leveraging technology, installing suitable elements that promote sustainability and working with stakeholders. In working towards a greener future, making prudent decisions on a building’s design is critical, as it would be a pivotal weapon in Singapore’s fight against climate change.

Derek MacKenzie. (2017). Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future.

Retrieved from:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-green-buildings-singapore-s-natural-ally-for-a-9183380

The article offers various suggestions on improving the energy efficiency of buildings. However, there is a lack of information regarding the requirements of obtaining the Green Mark for buildings as well as how the certification can aid in reducing power usage. These points will further emphasize the suitability on how it can aid in sustainability.

Green Mark requirements

Buildings to be screened for the Green Mark scheme are graded under various categories such as climatic responsive design, building energy performance, advanced green efforts, resource stewardship and smart and healthy building.

BCA. (2018). Green Mark for Non-Residential Buildings NRB: 2015
Retrieved from:
https://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/others/Green_Mark_NRB_2015_Criteria.pdf

Effectiveness of Green Mark

• Facilitate reduction in energy, water and material resource usage
• Reduce potential environmental impact
• Improve indoor environmental quality for better health and well being and
• Provide clearer direction for continual improvement

BCA. (2019). Green mark buildings.

Retrieved from:

https://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/green_mark_buildings.html

Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future (Summary Draft 1)

In the article “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future” by MacKenzie (2017), Singapore's continuous growth has redefined utilitarian designs of green buildings, adding weight to its contribution in tackling climate change.

Being densely populated, Singapore generates high power consumption. The Building Construction Authority  of Singapore has planned to overcome the issue by targeting to certify 80 percent of buildings with the Green Mark by 2030, as well as raising awareness about climate change. Many planners are also starting to enforce eco-friendly systems and materials into buildings.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not hefty to integrate environmental elements to building’s design. The integration would serve as cost-efficient investments that are beneficial in the long run. It involves using light colors, maximising natural light, leveraging technology, installing suitable elements that promote sustainability and working with stakeholders. In working towards a greener future, making prudent decisions on a building’s design is critical, as it would be a pivotal weapon in Singapore’s fight against climate change.

Derek MacKenzie. (2017). Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future.

Retrieved from:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-green-buildings-singapore-s-natural-ally-for-a-9183380

The article offers various suggestions on improving the energy efficiency of buildings. However, there is a lack of information regarding the requirements of obtaining the Green Mark for buildings as well as how the certification can aid in reducing power usage.

Reported Speech for Problem Senario

During the previous effective communication session, we were tasked to share a problem we were facing and how it had affected the people around us. 

Steven shared with me his issue regarding punctuality and how adversely it had affected his friends. As he has always been a laid-back, easy-going person, he believed that there was of not much importance and urgency in rushing for occasions. For example, plans would have been made for Steven and his friends to meet up the day before, and yet he would still turn up about 30 minutes to an hour late on the actual day. 

He claimed that the problem stems from his laziness and has observed that it had created a barrier of distrust between him and his friends. His friends started to anticipate his late-coming and therefore started to arrive late as well, to prevent time wasted waiting for Steven. As a result, their plans would be shortened with the reduced amount of time they have. 

Steven has been very aware on the wasted amount of time and has been actively trying to kick off the bad habit by introducing time management into his lifestyle and planning schedules to follow strictly.

Edited on 18/1/19, 2.45 pm

Self-Introduction Letter

Dear Prof Blackstone,

My name is Ling Wei Jie and I am writing this letter to help you get to know me better. I am currently a first year student studying civil engineering in the Singapore Institute of Technology.

I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in civil engineering with business in the year 2016. Construction works piqued my interest as it was always fascinating to see buildings of bizarre shapes and sizes, such as The Interlace in Bukit Merah, being built. It has been nothing short of amazing to learn about how engineers create newer and more efficient work processes.

I have a passion for music and have been playing the trumpet for 15 years. Picking up the instrument has given the shy and passive me numerous chances and opportunities to express myself. Performing in huge crowds and concert halls helped me to build up my confidence and allowed me to get accustomed and feel less nervous when I am required to speak up.

A communication weakness that I have would be that I am very passive. I tend to be very laid back and non-assertive due to my introverted nature. Over the course of this module, I hope to learn to be more active in presentation, as well as to improve my grammar and vocabulary use.

Looking forward to working together with you!

Best regards,
Ling Wei Jie

Edited on 21/1/19, 1.37 pm

Welcome :)

This blog has been created with the purpose to document my journey in the Effective Communication module. Feel free to leave any comments or feedback!