Landscape Design of ABC Water Features and Rooftop Greenery in Public Housing Projects

HDB Architectural Consultants Sharing Session 2012

HDB/DPD/LU

Speaker: Dr MA, Cheng Yi Lydia

29 Feb 2012

Introduction
Objectives
To clarify the design intentions: ABC Waters Design: Environmental benefit; visual enhancement; public awareness & acceptance of a sustainable living environment Rooftop Greenery: Elevated landscape space for activities (passive / active); environmental benefit; pleasant view To share some design tips: Design principles for good practice and some learning points of past experiences will be discussed. To brief on HDBs desirable designs: Good examples will be presented to highlight general design considerations and requirements for desirable proposals.

Presentation Outline Introduction Suitable Types of ABC Waters Design

Landscape Soak-away Enhanced Soak-away Vegetated Swale Bio-retention Swale Bio-retention Basin Design Tips

Rooftop Greenery in HDB Estates Case Studies

Landscape Soak-away
Characteristics:
Landscaped area with good soil hydraulic conductivity to allow infiltration e.g. topsoil not overcompacted Subsoil drain and surface overflow to be provided when advised

Image Source: PUBs Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Feature

Image Source: Google Images

Photo taken by Lydia Ma

Enhanced Soak-away
Characteristics:
A designated landscaped basin with sand and/or turf to keep runoff for infiltration and create temporary pond after storm events. Underground water retention tank and overflow discharge are required. Higher soil hydraulic conductivity is preferred and water detention depth must be controlled.

Image Source: HDB; Photo taken by Lydia Ma

Vegetated Swale
Characteristics:
A strip of land with shallow depression and gentle gradient to convey surface runoff Soil media is generally porous to allow infiltration Subsoil drain is only necessary when the longitudinal slope is less than 1%
Photo taken by Lydia Ma

Image & Picture Source: Google Images

Bio-retention Swale
Characteristics:
A strip of land with depression and gentle longitudinal gradient to allow water conveyance Subsoil pipe, layers of filtration media, surface overflow discharge and planting are required Choice of plant material and filtration/planting media are crucial design elements

Image Source: Google Images

Picture Source: PUBs Engineering Procedures for ABC Waters Design Feature & ABC Workshops

Bio-retention Basin
Characteristics:
A flexible bio-retention system with various size and form Technical design details are close to bio-retention swale Storm-water treatment capacity is greater
Image & Picture Source: PUBs ABC Waters Design Guidelines 2011

Design Tips
Keys for Successful Design:
To determine the suitable types of ABC designs: - the catchment area & expected runoff - the pollutant level & expected treatment To understand the technical challenges: - the water conveyance means & capacity - the inflow speed & volumes and overflow capacity - the flow path & invert levels etc To take care of design details: - the treatment for level changes - the design for inflow energy dissipation / coarse sediment deposition - the safety and maintenance concerns

Presentation Outline Introduction Suitable Types of ABC Waters Design Rooftop Greenery in HDB Estates
- Suitable System for Accessible Rooftop Gardens - Design Challenges for Stand-alone Car Park - Design Tips

Case Studies

Suitable System for Accessible Rooftop Gardens

Design Considerations:
Facilities Provision
Access/Entrance Circulation Lighting Seating Others

Technical Requirements
Fire Safety Regulations Natural Ventilation BFA

Maintenance Concerns
Durability Irrigation Need Pruning Frequency

System Recommended:
Planter with 300mm high
- Allow to plant most types of shrubs - Exempt from occupant load calculation if densely planted with shrub - Occupant load base on 1.5 sqm/person if no dense planting

Planter with 300-500mm high

- Allow to plant small size tree & large shrub - Exempt from occupant load calculation if densely planted with shrub - Occupant load base on 1.5 sqm/person if no dense planting

Planter with 500-800mm high

- Allow to plant small to medium size tree - Exempt from occupant load calculation

Planter with 1-1.2m high

- Allow to plant large tree - Exempt from occupant load calculation

Design Challenges for Stand-alone Car Park

The Call for a Smart Design Approach:
To cope with limited paved area due to occupant load restriction: - Effective circulation plan with small pocket spaces - Innovative design with different planter high To overcome limited structure strength and facility provision: Design according to the potential structure strength for higher planter Use simple design finishes and details for cost-effective outcome Provide flexible design layout for easy conversion/upgrading in future

Photo taken by LA Ms HOO Xin Yu

Design Tips
Keys for Desirable Design:
To make use of the periphery drain: - the maintenance path com gutter could be widen to 1 m to serve as informal footpath To incorporate high planter: high planter could be shallow planter for wheelchair users the use of high planter could gain more occupant load for paved area

To locate tree planter upon columns: - tap on existing structure strength to avoid structure reinforcement To reserve space for potential use: - future community gardening space - potential picnic or exercise corners

Presentation Outline Introduction Suitable Types of ABC Waters Design Rooftop Greenery in HDB Estates Case Studies
Greenwood Sanctuary @ Admarity Balam Estate Rain Garden Bioretention Swale @ Dawson Punggol Ridges MSCP Rooftop Greenery @ Bukit Batok

After Briefing Notes

All case studies will be further elaborated and compiled in HDB Landscape Design Manual, which will be published in 2nd or 3rd Q 2012. PUBs ABC Waters Professionals Course will be conducted every year with 4 Core Modules and 5 Elective Modules. (Participants who complete all four modules plus any two elective modules would be eligible to be registered as an ABC Waters Professional).

Thank You