Star, Singapore

The Star, Singapore’s striking SG$500 million cultural, retail and entertainment hub, is located at Vista Xchange, an area in the town of Buona Vista that embraces academic, scientific, business and residential facilities.

We provided mechanical and electrical design and project managed building services for clients Rock Productions and CapitaLand Retail.

The 15-level, 62,000sq m structure incorporates the Star Performing Arts Centre, which boasts the country’s only 5000 seat theatre and a 300 seat amphitheatre, and, situated below, the Star Vista, a shopping mall with more than 100 retail, food and beverage outlets.

The building meets world class acoustic, environmental, comfort and fire safety standards, reflected in multiple awards for architecture, property and use of steel.

Gold rating

Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA) awarded the project a Green Mark Gold Award, highlighting its building services – in particular its cooling systems – and measures such as the maximisation of natural daylight and use of environmentally friendly materials.

Leading green design

The landmark hub has an iconic design that is sustainable and unique to Singapore. Environmental efficiencies have been achieved through close integration of architectural, structural and building services innovations.

The mall is the first in Singapore to be naturally cooled. Its layout encourages air movement through the structure. The civic square, outdoor theatre and pre-function areas are open air and along with the 33m high open entrance foyer, provide a shaded cool environment all year long. Corridors and walkways are mostly open too, with shelters provided to protect against inclement weather. Thus, air conditioning is only required within the outlet units themselves. Computational fluid dynamic modelling was used to study air movement and provide reassurance that a comfortable level of cooling can be provided.

The building’s shape provides shading and parts of the roof are shaded by trellis. A large roof top garden with trees overlooks a reflective pool. Gardens planted throughout blend inside and outside spaces and promote the building as green-friendly.

Energy saving lamps and movement sensors for activation of lighting in toilets, corridors and stairways, as well as escalator start-up, achieve over 10% energy savings.