BARRY Reader Response Draft 1

According to the article “About the gardens” taken from the Garden by the Bay website, it states that much effort is done in ensuring that it is environmentally sustainable in terms of water and energy. The author talks about the implementation in Dragonfly lake and Kingfisher lake, how it acts as a natural filtration system as well as a provider of aquatic habitats for the diversity of biological life living within them. It raises awareness of the value that aquatic plants play in nature and also highlighting the significance of clean water in a sustaining biodiversity. The author mentioned that the two conservatories dome are fitted with specially selected glass that allows optimal light in for plants, but reduces a substantial amount of heat. It also brought up the cutting-edge technologies for energy-efficient solutions helps the energy-efficiency in cooling by at least 30% savings in energy consumption. It described that how the conservatives’ uses shade to lower the heat within reducing the need of cooling and how in return the waste heat produced by the electricity could be reuse for dehumidifying. In addition, the author mentioned about the use of photovoltaic cells on the supertrees harvested which will be used for lightnings while others act as air exhaust containment units.

I believed that Garden by the bay uses an eco-friendly approach in being energy efficient and sustainable at the same time. I agree that Garden’s by the bay has achieved local and international success by being the largest ecofriendly and sustainable conservatories ever built by being energy efficient and sustainable at the same time.

Firstly, the main showcase of Garden’s by the bay are its two main conservatories as they are exhibit of energy efficiency and sustainable technology. The Flower Dome replicating the climate of Mediterranean and semi-arid region such as South Africa, California and Western Australia. The Cloud Forest Dome is a cool and moist conservatory in tropical montane regions.

Secondly, The glasses of the conservatories were specially selected that prevents over amount of heat entering the domes. It also enables 65 per cent of light to enter the dome, providing maximum illumination. [Laetitia 2014] The Conservatories apply the strategy of cooling only the lower levels, thus reducing the volume of air to be cooled. This is achieved through thermal stratification – ground cooling by chilled water pipes cast within the floor slabs enabling cool air to settle at the lower occupied zone while the warm air rises and is vented out at high levels. Electricity is generated on-site to run the chillers that cool the Conservatories.[Laetitia 2014] At the same time, waste heat is captured in the process to regenerate the liquid desiccant. This co-generation of energy is achieved by the use of a Combined Heat Power (CHP) steam turbine that is fed by horticultural waste from the Gardens and other parks around Singapore. This reduces dependency on the electrical grid.[Laetitia 2014] This Innovative design strategies were developed for controlling these conditions within the naturally environment of Singapore, while minimizing energy demand to ideal levels.

In conclusion, I believe that Garden's by the bay was a success by creating awareness of eco-friendly sustainable energy design locally and internationally. The author brought across the different aspects and ways that Garden’s by the bay used to achieve its goals by being ecofriendly sustainable gardens.    

References:

Laetitia, W (2014) Gardens by The Bay: The garden life. Retrieved 31 May, 2014, from: http://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/travel/gardens-bay-garden-life