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HDB seeking to channel sunlight into basements

SINGAPORE — The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is calling for proposals that will tap sunlight as lighting or energy sources for underground spaces, as it explores the idea of constructing underground basements for public housing blocks in land-scarce Singapore.

HDB flats at Redhill. Photo: Ernest Chua

HDB flats at Redhill. Photo: Ernest Chua

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SINGAPORE — The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is calling for proposals that will tap sunlight as lighting or energy sources for underground spaces, as it explores the idea of constructing underground basements for public housing blocks in land-scarce Singapore.

Yesterday, Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that HDB put up the Request for Proposal (RFP) on government procurement website GeBIZ earlier this month.

The RFP documents said HDB is looking for new solutions that can slash overall energy costs by half, reduce the need for artificial lighting in the day and the space required for a lighting system, as well as solutions that provide the same or better light distribution as compared with existing LED options.

“As there are no off-the-shelf solutions, HDB proposes to work with the private sector in developing the system for daylighting solutions for underground spaces,” the documents added. The solutions could harness daylight to power artificial lighting or bring in natural sunlight for underground spaces.

The RFP will close on Nov 7.

Apart from improving the energy efficiency for underground spaces, the documents said the proposed solutions will also help town councils reduce operation and maintenance costs of these spaces.

The RFP is part of the Public-Private Co-Innovation Partnership, a platform for the Government and Singapore companies to co-develop innovative solutions to meet government needs. While the project is open to all companies, more support will be given for small and medium enterprises based here.

Last year, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said a subterranean statutory land use plan could be on the cards, signalling for the first time that urban planners are exploring the possibility of large-scale underground developments. The minister is also chairing an inter-ministerial committee to study and coordinate underground developments.

Last month, detailed plans for Punggol Northshore, an upcoming district in Punggol eco-town, were announced. HDB blocks in the district will have underground car parks, among other features.

Currently, countries such as Japan and Korea adopt light pipe systems — which help reflect sunlight from the rooftop — to channel natural daylight into underground spaces. The Building and Construction Authority’s Zero Energy Building also uses a similar system to transmit daylight indoors.

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