One of the main attractions of highland resorts, besides their
cool climes and individual charms, is their fresh air. Free of – or rather low
in – pollutants, the first thing many city tourists do upon arriving at their
destination is to take lung-fulls of the stuff.
Although less than 20% of
dry air is made up of oxygen, researchers say the more we take in, the better it
is for us as the best way to improve health comes from the optimum oxygenation
of every cell.
It may have been this basis of wanting to deliver a
healthy development that led Perfect Eagle Development Sdn Bhd to name its
project in Puchong, Selangor, O2 City.
While the idea may be simple, its
execution is far more complex, requiring socio-economic forecasts, ecological
conservation analysis and the adoption of energy efficient solutions for it to
be turned into reality.
Taking inspiration from the naturally occurring process of
photosynthesis, part of the building design of O2 City was formed to reflect and
respond to the natural environment as well as to meet human needs.
To
cultivate an “outstanding environment for living, working and social
activities”, PEB drew on advanced green technologies to create a sustainable
residential township that can offer healthy lifestyles.
Before that,
though, it studied the topography and position of its 64-acre site so the
development components comprising six blocks of serviced residences, up to four
blocks of boutique offices, a retail mall and a hotel could best use natural
sunlight, natural ventilation and passive heating and cooling so running costs
and energy usage could be reduced.
It also specified plants along the
east and west borders of O2 City to diffuse heat and reduce the amount of energy
needed for cooling and will incorporate sustainable energy solutions such as
solar, heat pumps and heat recovery systems to lighten the development’s demands
for conventional power.
Conserving water resource through recycling of
grey water, harvesting of rainwater and other water saving methods is another
green feature of the development.
In terms
of further reducing the development’s carbon footprint and reducing pollution
once the entire project is completed by 2022, PEB said it will strive to
encourage its population of residents and office workers to use public
transportation or selfpropelled modes of movement such as walking and
cycling.
Ultimately, PEB hopes its efforts will make O2 City a place
where birds, flora and fauna will also be happy to call home.
To measure
its efforts, the developer will subject O2 City to international green
assessment tools and certification systems such as the United States’ Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Singapore’s Green Mark and Malaysia’s
Green Building Index (GBI) ratings.
O2 City is taking shape near
educational institutions such as the Limkokwing University, Multimedia
University, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Binary University College, Alice Smith
International School, Rafflesia International School, Australian International
School as well as Nexus International School.
Also near by it will be the
Columbia Asia Medical Centre and the Serdang Hospital as well as the 25ha Ayer
Hitam Recreation Park, Putrajaya Botanical Gardens, Wetland Park and IOI Palm
Gardens.
O2 City’s serviced residences with built-up areas of between
1,000sq ft and 2,600sq ft are being offered from RM500psf. This will mark the
first phase of the development and it’s expected to be completed by the first
quarter of 2016.
Source: The Malay Mail
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