Upgraded Nee Soon South CC to have energy-saving, dementia-friendly features

SINGAPORE — Come 2022, Nee Soon South residents can expect an upgraded community club (CC) that uses less energy and is more dementia-friendly.

Announcing this at the constituency’s open house on Sunday (Dec 1), Nee Soon South’s grassroots adviser Lee Bee Wah said the CC — located near Khatib MRT Station — is projected to become a Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) after the upgrading works are completed in the second quarter of 2022.

These upgrades will make it the first CC in Singapore to integrate both SLEB-compliance and dementia-friendly features.

The Building and Construction Authority’s Super Low Energy programme is aimed at pushing the envelope of environmental sustainability in Singapore by harnessing cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions in the built environment sector.

The upgrades to Nee Soon South CC include energy-saving features such as a hybrid air-conditioning system, light-emitting diodes (LED) lighting and an in-house smart energy management system.

These technologies will reduce energy consumption by more than 50 per cent. In addition, the CC will be installed with solar panels and utilise natural ventilation to reach its aim of a zero energy building that generates its own energy for consumption.

“Climate change is a major issue, and we have to do whatever we can to reduce our carbon emissions,” said Dr Lee. “The upgraded CC is designed to have net zero energy consumption, by reducing consumption and offsetting it with the energy from solar panels.”

To better meet the residents’ needs, Nee Soon South CC will also incorporate dementia-friendly features to help the elderly navigate the building with ease.

These include zoning areas in the CC by colour and the use of clear signages in fonts that are large and easy to read.

The upgraded CC will also have three badminton courts, a revamped culinary studio and theatrette, and a sheltered courtyard in the central atrium space.