Tree House

Text by Eugene Tan

Nestled within the Upper Bukit Timah and Chestnut Avenue private residential estate is a condominium that has entered the Guinness World Records in 2014 for having the largest vertical garden in the world. Together with other green features, Tree House is expected to achieve approximately over S$500,000 in energy and water savings a year.

Tree House Condominium from Petir Road (Photo credit: City Developments Limited)

Designed with environmental sustainability in mind, Tree House’s vertical garden is more than just a unique architectural structure. A natural insulation, the vertical garden reduces the estate’s carbon footprint by filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air. It reduces heat absorption and lowers the energy needed to cool indoor spaces. This is expected to achieve air-conditioning energy savings of between 15% and 30%, or a total of approximately between S$12,000 and S$24,000 annually for the 48 west-facing master bedrooms that are insulated by the vertical wall.

Tree House condominium by CDL achieved a Guinness World Record for its large vertical garden Photo credit: City Developments Limited

Other green features at Tree House include the use of heat-reducing laminated green tinted windows, lifts with Variable Voltage and Variable Frequency motor drive and sleep mode programming and motion sensors at staircases that will activate lights automatically.

In addition to having entered Guinness World Records, Tree House received top honours in the ‘Best Innovative Green Building’ category at the MIPIM Asia Awards 2013 which honours outstanding real estate projects in Asia Pacific. Tree House was also conferred the Green Mark Platinum award by the Building and Construction Authority in 2010 and ‘Special Award - Best Design for Maintenance’ at the National Parks Board’s Skyrise Greenery Awards in 2013.

Tree House Condominium Singapore rendering by ADDP Architects Photo credit: City Developments Limited

Surrounded by the lush greenery, Tree House is a nature and eco-inspired development that comprises four 24-storey towers with 429 units. This award winning development not only offers residents the picturesque views of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Upper Peirce Reservoir, but the well-thought development also incorporates numerous sustainable design features that provide dwellers with a green environment.