MELTING ICE
SINKING CITIES
A Climate Action Exhibition by CDL, NParks and Ocean Geographic
Located at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) Heritage Museum, the CDL Green Gallery is the first zero-energy gallery in Singapore. It showcases Singapore’s greening efforts through various exhibitions and interactive displays, reflecting CDL’s multifaceted approach to catalysing change within the larger ecosystem. Changing exhibits every six to nine months, the gallery highlights the great strides that Singapore has forged in the uphill battle for sustainability.
Launched by CDL and opened alongside the SBG Heritage Museum by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2013, the CDL Green Gallery was built within 24 hours using prefabricated, modular construction technology. To reduce the environmental impact at SBG, this 314 sqm gallery was assembled off-site before being installed and pieced together at SBG—much like building blocks. As a leading force in sustainability, CDL also ensured that these building blocks could also be modified for reuse in the future.
The gallery is constructed from Hempcrete, a biomaterial that consists of the hemp plant, lime, sand and water. This material is not only resistant to pests, fire, mould and mildew, but also keeps indoor temperatures cool with its high thermal efficiency.
A key feature of the building is the solar photovoltaic (PV) cladded roof panels that are expected to harvest all the energy required for the building’s operations. With 105 solar panels installed on its roof, CDL Green Gallery generates 31,000 kWh annually, surpassing the gallery’s estimated yearly energy consumption.
Other innovative green features include energy-efficient air conditioning, as well as LED lights that consume 57% less energy than conventional lighting. The gallery is also clad with vertical green walls, planted with selected species that attract butterflies such as the Plain Tiger and Chocolate Pansy. These lush plants are irrigated by water from the nearby Swan Lake, rather than potable water.
For its innovative eco-friendly features, the gallery was accorded the BCA Green Mark Platinum status—the highest tier of green buildings in Singapore.
The CDL Green Gallery is a shining example of CDL’s green building expertise and extensive partnerships, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to community engagement, environmental conservation, and the arts.