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ECO-LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT Making a mark, naturally

S P Setia's Eco Sanctuary condominium is a green tribute to Mother Nature

04:45 AM Oct 26, 2012


While nature has inspired many man-made creations , one property developer has taken that concept to new heights with the development of a luxurious condominium that attempts to emulate the ecology of its surroundings.

The muse for Eco Sanctuary's landscape design is the rich biodiversity of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, while the architectural form of the three towers is a nod to the adjoining Chestnut Nature Reserve and the nearby Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

In particular, the design is a study of the intricacy of the butterfly. By observing the minutiae of the butterfly wing and the layers of its iridescent scales, the design arrives at a rich interlay of curvilinear and oblique patterns.

"The layout of the site traces the metamorphosis of the butterfly from the egg to the papillon stage. A first-of-a-kind butterfly trail, housing butterflies of various indigenous species amid an ecosystem of trees and shrubs and flowers, will run the length of this luxurious condominium," said Mr Neo Keng Hoe, General Manager of S P Setia (Singapore).

The bio-mimicry doesn't end there, with dragonfly bio-ponds and songbird gazebos dotting the landscape.

Ecologically-themed gardens wrap around the residences, including the Papillon Path, Sunbird Walk, Dragonfly Walk and Lotus Creek.

This nature corridor culminates at the Butterfly Gate, which links to the great outdoors.

The landscape is designed to integrate with the adjacent park, and leads to a cycling and jogging trail as well as the Central Catchment Reserve.

True to its green inspiration, the Eco Sanctuary aims to achieve the BCA Greenmark Platinum standard that will not only help residents save on utility bills but also promote sustainability.

Some of these features include lifts with a sleep mode, rainwater harvesting, and drip irrigation with rain sensor and motion sensors.

The three towers comprise 483 apartments of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units featuring high ceilings at 3.4 metres.

The condominium will incorporate resort-style recreational facilities, including sky terraces, a sky bridge with a panoramic view, a gymnasium, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a clubhouse and alfresco decks.

The sky terraces at each tower offer residents gourmet dining rooms, cocktail bars and massage spas for private parties. Hammocks and cabanas are also available for those who just want to relax.

The clubhouse, meanwhile, is planned around a hexagonal sculptural pool on the inside. From the outside, the entire structure appears to float above the swimming pool.

From Eco Sanctuary, residents are also well-connected to popular schools along Bukit Timah Road and Upper Bukit Timah Road.

The retail and commercial belts of Orchard Road and Marina Bay are also a short drive away.

S P Setia is a property developer in Malaysia, whose projects range from mass townships, eco and luxury residences to high-rise condominiums.

Listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, the group has expanded its operations beyond Malaysia to countries like Vietnam, Australia, Singapore and China.

For more information on Eco Sanctuary, call 6271 2255.