EiM unveils Singapore's first net zero international school building
Education in Motion unveils Singapore’s first net zero international school building at Dulwich College (Singapore), bolstering sustainability education for all students and marking a first in sustainable design locally
- Guest of Honour, Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, officiated the grand opening of The Greenhouse, Singapore’s first net zero international school building which was also attended by Her Excellency Kara Owen CMG, British High Commissioner to Singapore.
- The Greenhouse is a net-zero energy, seven-storey state-of-the-art structure that will cater close to 3,000 students aged 2-18 who study at the Dulwich College (Singapore) campus.
- Eco-envelope of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panels is a first-in-Singapore design which maximises solar energy generation to supply 40 per cent of the building's annual energy consumption.
- Education in Motion’s (EiM) Founder and Chief Collaboration Officer, Ms. Karen Yung, shared that this is part of EiM’s continued efforts to support Singapore’s path towards a green economy. As a Singaporean, Ms. Yung holds a profound personal commitment to supporting the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Global education leader Education in Motion (EiM) announced the grand opening of The Greenhouse, Singapore’s first net zero international school building located at the Dulwich College (Singapore) campus in Bukit Batok. The building achieves more than 100% energy savings and reduces about 216 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during operations, the equivalent of powering 122 four-room HDB flats or planting 8,600 trees. The ceremony was officiated by Guest of Honour Mr. Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration and distinguished guest, Her Excellency Kara Owen CMG, British High Commissioner to Singapore.
The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore) is the only international school building in Singapore to be certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, contributing to the Singapore Green Plan 2030 through its energy savings and carbon reduction features. This is the highest level of sustainable construction certification in Singapore.
The design of the building also marks a first in Singapore with the introduction of an eco-envelope consisting of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panels covering an extensive 1,300m² extending from the north facade of The Greenhouse to the rooftop. Generating a total of 210,000 kWh of renewable energy annually, the eco-envelope will offset 85 tonnes of CO2, which is the equivalent of planting 3,400 trees. This was achieved through close collaborations with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to ensure the innovative system fully complied with all safety and design requirements in Singapore.
Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration
Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, shared during his speech at the grand opening, “I applaud Education in Motion’s efforts in pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency and encourage more organisations to follow suit. This will not only allow companies to develop a competitive edge, but it also helps to align them with the growing environmental consciousness of investors and building users.”
He added, “Educational institutions such as Education in Motion are leading the way by integrating sustainability into everyday life, through holistic and experiential learning. Overall, The Greenhouse’s value lies in its ability to give its students a renewed sense of ownership and confidence, as well as the tools to lead and make a positive impact in our world. Let us continue to empower our children and young people to care for the planet, and create a brighter and more sustainable future.”
Founder and Chief Collaboration Officer at EiM
Ms Karen Yung, Founder and Chief Collaboration Officer at EiM echoed: “We believe that education and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Sustainability has always been close to our hearts, and it needs to start from the ground-up – in our schools. At Education in Motion, we pride ourselves on being the progressive leader of education for a sustainable future. We created The Greenhouse to be a space where students are inspired and empowered to create a sustainable future for generations to come. The Greenhouse is not just a building – it is a testament to nurturing environmentally conscious global citizens who are deeply passionate and committed to creating real impact for a better world.”
“The Greenhouse also symbolises the valuable partnership between the public and private sector, providing opportunities for us to co-create and set new standards in sustainable development together. together. As a Singaporean, actively contributing to a greener future for our country is a cause that deeply resonates with me, and we are excited to pursue more such projects in the future,” she added.
A strong commitment to Singapore’s Green Future
Aligned with the Singapore Green Building Masterplan, EiM’s The Greenhouse captures Singapore’s collective commitment to pursue more ambitious sustainability standards through its features.
One critical aspect of The Greenhouse at Dulwich College (Singapore) is the use of technology to educate the student body on sustainability and energy consumption. Within the building, screens display real-time information about energy usage generated from the solar panels, rainwater harvesting tank, and more. The data is then integrated into the College’s Senior School curriculum, empowering students to recognise and better understand the impact of their activities on the environment. This approach brings to life the practical application of sustainability principles through the building architecture and how students interact with it.
Supporting the transition to a green economy by promoting global citizenship in schools
With the goal of inspiring generations of learners to ‘Live Worldwise’, EiM encourages a forward-thinking approach to learning. Experiential, collaborative learning is adopted across EiM’s schools, including Dulwich College (Singapore), and The Greenhouse will further enhance these efforts, encouraging students to explore the natural world, and getting them to actively participate in local communities. Built upon an interdisciplinary learning future, The Greenhouse provides all students engaging and meaningful learning opportunities through its features, such as the rooftop garden, where students will have the opportunity to grow and harvest local fruits, and a working kitchen, where students experiment with making meals made of herbs and vegetables grown in the specialist hydroponic system.
To support the curriculum, The Greenhouse provides students with collaborative learning spaces, workshops to accommodate the SE21 initiative (STEAM and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century) and resources to encourage developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Additionally, lessons will expose students to both local and global efforts to solve global challenges, allowing young minds to better understand how they can leave an impact on this planet.
By integrating sustainability into education, leveraging innovative technology, and fostering a deep understanding of sustainability principles amongst students, EiM will continue to be at the forefront of sustainability education. EiM will actively pursue initiatives to accelerate this shift to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Singapore.
