\nArtist\u2019s impression of the BCA SkyLab. Source: Building and Construction Authority<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (20 July) officially opened the world\u2019s first high-rise rotatable laboratory for the tropics.
\nBoasting a 360-degree rotatable capability, the BCA Skylab is developed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in collaboration with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.
\nThe 132 sq m facility features a full plug-and-play configurability, and is equipped with a network of over 200 sensors with high accuracy and granularity, across two identical cells for comparison testing.
\nThe BCA Skylab allows for test-bedding of multiple technologies and interactions between technologies, which will provide new insights to building sciences research, said Assistant Professor Wan Man Pun, Principal Investigator from Nanyang Technological University, who was involved in the first research project at the BCA SkyLab.
\nOver the last decade, Singapore has made significant strides in the development of green buildings. In fact, 31 percent of the city-state\u2019s entire building stock has been certified under the Green Mark scheme.
\n\u201cOur medium term aspiration is to have \u2018Positive-energy Low-rise, Zero-energy Medium-rise, Super Low-energy High-rise buildings in the tropics\u2019,\u201d said BCA CEO Dr John Keung.
\n\u201cTo realise this, we need to achieve breakthroughs with innovation as part of our green building agenda going forward. The BCA SkyLab is one such initiative \u2013 it is one of the most innovative projects we have undertaken and one of our proudest accomplishments.\u201d
\nThe BCA SkyLab was built on the rooftop of the recently completed Academic Tower at the BCA Academy.
\nThe facility will transform the BCA Academy into a living lab, which enhances the learning experience of students as well as built environment professionals.
\nSome of its features include a rooftop education deck with a functional energy efficient chiller plant, life-size graphics on Universal Design, and a dedicated outdoor air dual wheel system.
\n\u201cOur built environment sector is not just about the hardware, the technologies and facilities. Building capability in our people forms the core in changing the way we build, and we have to innovate to position our built environment practitioners and future talents ahead of the game,\u201d said Keung.
\n\u201cThe transformation of BCA Academy is a reflection and microcosm of BCA\u2019s initiatives driven by our vision for a future-ready built environment that is safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly.\u201d
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