Building and Construction Authority (BCA) announced Green Mark version 7, its latest refresh of Singapore's green building certification scheme that focuses on energy performance. The GM v7 pilot phase was successfully completed by 26 projects, including the SMU Administration Building, which also attained the BCA Energy Rating 'Super Low Energy 60' (SLE60). As part of a comprehensive retrofitting project, SMU reduced its energy consumption through several measures, including the adoption of hybrid cooling technology, pairing conventional air-conditioning with ceiling fans to maintain indoor temperatures at a higher 25.5°C to 26°C while maintaining thermal comfort. SMU also replaced chillers nearing the end of their operational lifespan, while optimising the performance of existing air handling units (AHUs). Through the use of sensors, automated blinds and automated lighting systems, SMU practised daylight harvesting while reducing glare and discomfort. These measures enabled the building's annual electricity consumption to be reduced by half, equivalent to a saving of about 500,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh). SMU expects to recover costs within four years.
Sundaravadivelan Selvam, SMU's Vice President, Office of Campus Infrastructure and Services, said the university invested an additional S$1 million in the project to improve the building's environmental performance. He said, "We teach our students to value sustainability, and our faculty also engaged in research in this area. We have to walk the talk and make sure our practices reflect our principles. That's important."