Green Developer

I attended a meeting discussing the implementation of low carbon cities in Malaysia last week. It was an enlightening experience with the chances of hearing what others have done and also sharing of knowledge and opinion with others on the way forward. One of the particular people impressed me the most must be a young developer with plenty of ideas and actions of going green in his development projects. More than often we hear others of wanting to do it but might not have even started it, but Sam Tan of Ken Property Holding Bhd has so much showcases and good green practices to share. He reckoned that how extra steps and effort have to be taken for enduring green route. His maiden trial was converting an abandoned office project into a service apartment in Bangsar area. The green beginning did not stop there but continue with other development projects having green facade and elements. The green building is not mere compliance of minimum guidelines for being accredited, but a lot of innovation and creative design are incorporated. For example, designing a pathway for flow of natural ventilation in order to reduce capture of hot air and locating space for optimisation in natural lighting are some of the example. Of course, the design has eaten into the bottom line of profit margin. This however does not prevent them to experience with new green ideas and design. Their good gesture was paid back with overwhelming response from the buyers who do not mind to pay extra for getting a green home. After all, in long run, the house buyers are able to save from the green gestures. For example, the pre-installed rain water harvesting tanks will help reduce the water bill. This has obviously brought in new dimension to the property development and construction sector. I wish to have more property developers with such "green and low carbon" features in mind come on board.