Reader Response (3rd Draft)

In the article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” by ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. Three main topics that we are focusing on are the materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials: “Cool roofs”, “Electrochromic smart glass”, “Rammed earth bricks”, “Green insulation”, “Biodegradable materials”, and “Sustainable resource sourcing” suggest that it helps in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, applications which are “Water efficiency technologies”, “Sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “Solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is on design which includes “Low energy house and Zero-energy building design”, “Self-powered building” and “The use of smart application”. They are designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally friendly processes but also reduces costs for building owners. While I agree to some extent with ConstructionClimateChallenge(2019) that green construction helps to reduce the expenses after the building is built even though the start-up cost is high, in the long run, it can benefit stakeholders like building owners as well as the users economically. There are three main aspects to cost reduction, namely long-term energy savings, reduction of health costs for workers as well as government subsidies, and incentives for moving into green construction. 

Firstly, the long-term energy savings aspects from having green construction will help to cover of the initial cost of constructing the building. According to Au-Yong (2018), the start-up cost for green construction "cost up to five percent” more as compared to regular buildings without green technologies involved. Also, the then Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee claims that  “These costs can be recuperated within three to six years which are well within the typical useful life of the building assets.” In addition, there are also ways to have initial savings as the cost of constructing a green building depends on different conditions. The conditions that are listed down by Surbana International Consultants are the location of the building, the measurements of the building, what the clients want for the building, and the number of times that consultants are at the site (Reyes,2014). With these pieces of evidence, I believe that the costs will be able to recover within the life span of the building as having green construction technologies will help building owners to increase their savings on energy costs.

Secondly, having green construction does not only help in the reduction of the cost on energy consumption but can also help in the reduction of health costs for workers. As mentioned by the then Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in the article by Au-Yong (2018), having green construction in buildings can help to “ensure a healthier lifestyle” for the people working in those buildings. Having an improved lifestyle helps employees from getting sick and eliminates the constant need for workers to go for doctor’s appointments and eventually reduce the cost for employers to pay for the claims by the employees. According to Zein (2018), “A 2017 study by researchers from Havard University, Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University on the Impact of Green Buildings in Cognitive Functions” shows that green building’s environment workers are “more productive” as compared to buildings without green technologies installed. 

Lastly, buildings converting to using green constructions will be able to get some government subsidies and incentives. As mentioned by Au-Yong(2018), Mr. Desmond Lee says that the government, namely the “Centre for Public Project Management, which falls under the Ministry of Finance” will help to collate the “norms for construction costs and consultancy fees” to help companies with the budget for their projects. Au-Yong(2018) also written that the government will work with the companies to “review the design of major infrastructure projects to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money.” In another article, according to Yu, Toh and Huang(2011), Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will be establishing a “$100 million Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)” to motivate building owners to take the first step to upgrade and improve their building according to the Green Mark standards.

Even though the start-up cost of green construction is high, after a few years, the start-up cost will eventually be covered by all the savings throughout the years.

References:

• Yu, S.M., NUS, Toh, E.S., Huang, B (2011). BCA-NUS Project on Valuation of Green Commercial Properties. https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/sustainability/green_building_valuation_report.pdf

• Au-Yong, R. (2018). Parliament: Green buildings cost up to 5 per cent more, but savings ‘more than offset’ costs. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-green-buildings-cost-up-to-5-per-cent-more-but-savings-more-than-offset-costs

• ConstructionClimateChallenge.com (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/

• Reyes, E. (2014). Busting the myth of costly green buildings. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/Busting-myth-costly-green-buildings/

• Zein, Z. (2018). 5 ways green buildings are good for your health. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/5-ways-green-buildings-are-good-for-your-health/ 

Reader Response (2nd Draft)

 In the article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” by ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. Three main topics that we are focusing on are the materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials: “Cool roofs”, “Electrochromic smart glass”, “Rammed earth bricks”, “Green insulation”, “Biodegradable materials”, and “Sustainable resource sourcing” suggest that it helps in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, applications which are “Water efficiency technologies”, “Sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “Solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is on design which includes “Low energy house and Zero-energy building design”, “Self-powered building” and “The use of smart application”. They are designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally friendly processes but also reduces costs for building owners. While I agree to some extent with ConstructionClimateChallenge(2019) that green construction helps to reduce costs even though the start-up cost for building a green building is high, I feel that it will be covered eventually by the reduction of costs through green construction.

Firstly, even though the start-up cost for a building is high but it also really depends on many other aspects that equal up to the cost. In the article by The Straits Time(2018), it stated that the start-up cost for green construction "cost up to five percent” more as compared to regular buildings. However, based on an article taken from Surbana International Consultants(2014) which claims that even though green construction does cost more but it really depends on different conditions. The conditions that are listed down by them are the location of the building, the measurements of the building, what the clients want for the building, and the number of times that consultants are at the site. Surbana International Consultants(2014) also wrote that one of the strategies they have is to help minimize the costs of green construction is to have an optimized and cost-effective design for the building.

Next, a building would be able to have a reduction in cost in many ways by upgrading their current building by using green construction. A research article from Building and Construction Authority(BCA)(2011) suggests that the average savings that a building can have “range from 6% to 35% of the total building energy consumption” as compared to before making the change. Not only can green construction help in the reduction of cost on energy consumption, but it can also help to “ensure a healthier lifestyle” for the people working in those buildings as stated by the then Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in an article by The Straits Times(2018). With the thoughts of having a better lifestyle, it also helps to reduce employees from getting sick which helps to eliminate the constant need for workers to go for doctor’s appointments and eventually reduce the cost for employers to pay for the claims by the employees.

Lastly, as stated in the first point, the start-up cost for a building might be able to reduce to a certain extent, the cost would definitely be higher compared to normal buildings which do not take green construction into consideration. It does not mean that the start-up cost will not be covered by the savings. With changes such as adopting “Sustainable indoor environment technologies” suggested by the article “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” made to the building, the research by BCA(2011) stated that these savings will help to cover the start-up cost in about 6 years assuming that “the average payback is about $0.20/kWh”. The savings for each type of building varies as the savings is based on how much power they use over 24 hours. In the article by The Straits Time(2018), Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee claims that  “These costs can be recuperated within three to six years which are well within the typical useful life of the building assets.” With these evidence from two different sources, I can believe that with all the savings that we get from using environmentally friendly construction methods, we will be able to get back what we have given in the start and also be able to save more than before.

Even though the start-up cost of green construction is high, after a few years, the start-up cost will eventually be covered by all the savings throughout the years.

References:

• Assoc Prof Yu, S.M., NUS Mr Toh, E.S., Mr Huang, B. (2011) BCA-NUS Project on Valuation of Green Commercial Properties. https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/sustainability/green_building_valuation_report.pdf

• Au-Yong, R. (2018) Parliament: Green buildings cost up to 5 per cent more, but savings ‘more than offset’ costs. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-green-buildings-cost-up-to-5-per-cent-more-but-savings-more-than-offset-costs

• ConstructionClimateChallenge.com (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/

• Reyes, E Surbana International Consultants(2014). Busting the myth of costly green buildings. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/Busting-myth-costly-green-buildings/

Summary 2nd Draft

 In the article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” by ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. Three main topics that we are focusing on are the materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials: “Cool roofs”, “Electrochromic smart glass”, “Rammed earth bricks”, “Green insulation”, “Biodegradable materials”, and “Sustainable resource sourcing” suggest that it helps in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, applications which are “Water efficiency technologies”, “Sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “Solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is on design which includes “Low energy house and Zero-energy building design”, “Self-powered building” and “The use of smart application”. They are designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally friendly processes but also reduces costs for building owners.

ConstructionClimateChallenge.com (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/

Reader Response (1st Draft)

 In the article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” by ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. There are three main topics which are materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials: “Cool roofs”, “Electrochromic smart glass”, “Rammed earth bricks”, “Green insulation”, “Biodegradable materials”, and “Sustainable resource sourcing” suggest that it helps in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, the applications which are “Water efficiency technologies”, “Sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “Solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is design which includes “Low energy house and Zero-energy building design”, “Self-powered building” and “The use of smart application”. They are designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally process but also reduces costs for building owners. While I agree to some extent with ConstructionClimateChallenge that green construction helps to reduce costs even though the start-up cost for building a green building is high, I feel that it will be covered eventually by the reduction of costs through green construction.

Firstly, even though the start-up cost for a building is high but it also really depends on many other aspects that equal up to the cost. In the article by The Straits Time, it stated that the start-up cost for green construction "cost up to five percent” more as compared to regular buildings. But also based on an article taken from Surbana International Consultants which claims that even though green construction does cost more but it really depends on different conditions. The conditions that are listed down by them are the location of the building, the measurements of the building, what the clients want for the building, and the number of times that consultants are at the site. Surbana International Consultants also wrote that one of the strategies they have is to help minimize the costs of green construction is to have an optimized and cost-effective design for the building.

Next, a building would be able to have a reduction in cost in many ways by upgrading their current building by using green construction. A research article from Building and Construction Authority(BCA) suggests that the average savings that a building can have “range from 6% to 35% of the total building energy consumption” as compared to before making the change. Not only can green construction help in the reduction of cost on energy consumption, but it can also help to “ensure a healthier lifestyle” for the people working in those buildings as stated by the then Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee in an article by The Straits Times. With the thoughts of having a better lifestyle, it also helps to reduce employees from getting sick which helps to eliminate the constant need for workers to go for doctor’s appointments and eventually reduce the cost for employers to pay for the claims by the employees.

Lastly, as stated in the first point, the start-up cost for a building might be able to reduce to a certain extent, the cost would definitely be higher compared to normal buildings which do not take green construction into consideration. It does not mean that the start-up cost will not be covered by the savings. With changes such as adopting “Sustainable indoor environment technologies” suggested by the article “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” made to the building, the research by BCA stated that these savings will help to cover the start-up cost in about 6 years assuming that “the average payback is about $0.20/kWh”. The savings for each type of building varies as the savings is based on how much power they use over 24 hours. In the article by The Straits Time, Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee claims that  “These costs can be recuperated within three to six years which are well within the typical useful life of the building assets.” With these evidence from two different sources, I can believe that with all the savings that we get from using environmentally friendly construction methods, we will be able to get back what we have given in the start and also be able to save more than before.

Even though the start-up cost of green construction is high, after a few years, the start-up cost will eventually be covered by all the savings throughout the years.

References:

• ConstructionClimateChallenge.com (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/

• Elga Reyes, Surbana International Consultants(2014). Busting the myth of costly green buildings. Eco-Business. Retrieved March 12, 2014 from https://www.eco-business.com/news/Busting-myth-costly-green-buildings/

• Assoc Prof Yu, S.M., NUS Mr Toh, E.S., Mr Benjamin Huang, X.Y. (2011) BCA-NUS Project on Valuation of Green Commercial Properties. Retrieved September 30, 2011 from https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/sustainability/green_building_valuation_report.pdf

• Rachel Au-Yong (2018) Parliament: Green buildings cost up to 5 per cent more, but savings ‘more than offset’ costs. The Straits Times. Retrieved January 10, 2018 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-green-buildings-cost-up-to-5-per-cent-more-but-savings-more-than-offset-costs

Summary 1st Draft (revised 6/10)

In the article, “Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction” by ConstructionClimateChallenge (2019) claims that green construction “makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable”. This article focuses on introducing sustainable construction technologies that enhance the environment. There are three main topics which are materials, applications, and design. Firstly, the technologies under materials: “Cool roofs”, “Electrochromic smart glass”, “Rammed earth bricks”, “Green insulation”, “Biodegradable materials”, and “Sustainable resource sourcing” suggest that it helps in the reduction of “heat absorption” and the harmful impacts on the environment by using recycled or sustainable raw materials. Secondly, the applications which are “Water efficiency technologies”, “Sustainable indoor environment technologies”, and “Solar powers”. These applications intend to conserve resources and discourage the use of substances and materials that cannot be renewed while reducing damaging impacts on the environment. The last point is design which includes “Low energy house and Zero-energy building design”, “Self-powered building” and “The use of smart application”. They are designed to conserve and produce energy for the building to generate sufficient power. Green construction not only makes buildings more sustainable by using resource-efficient and environmentally process but also reduces costs for building owners. While I agree to some extent with ConstructionClimateChallenge that green construction helps to reduce costs even though the start-up cost for building a green building is high, I feel that it will be covered eventually by the reduction of costs through green construction.

Reference:

ConstructionClimateChallenge.com (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction.

https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green construction/

Assignment 1: Self Introduction - Formal Letter (Revised 6/10)

 Dear Professor Brad,

My name is Tay Yume and I am writing this letter to introduce myself to you to allow you to know me better as your student in the effective communication class. Having graduated from Integrated Facility Management in Temasek Polytechnic, I have been exposed to some of the modules that are in my current course which is Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Service). With this similarity that the course have, I finally decided to enroll in this course to further my studies. My interest in engineering started when I was young as I enjoyed constructing different structures using legos and making sure that they are able to stand on their own.

For my weakness in communication, I tend to be quite shy while talking to a big audience and it always hinders me while I am doing presentations. With this weakness at hand, I usually will end up portraying myself as an unconfident person even though I know what I need to deliver during my presentation. 

On the other hand, I am someone who is a good listening ear to my friends and is able to provide some advice to them. I am also able to lead a group in group projects if there is a need too. I will take the initiative to start the ball rolling and get the team to be on tasks so that we do not need to rush at the end. 

My goals for this module is to be able to improve and be more confident during presentations as well as to be able to improve my writing. I am quite weak in my writing as I have a limitation on my vocabulary. I always have the tendency to write as though I am talking so it really reflects on my writing which causes it to be grammatically wrong. As for my presentation skills, I always tend to get really nervous whenever I need to present in front of a big group of people and it always makes me look as though I am weaker in speaking as compared to my groupmates when there is a group presentation. This issue always stresses me as due to my presentation skills I feel that I will pull my team down during presentations. I hope through this module, I will be able to improve both my writing as well as my presentation skills. 

In my opinion, I think the thing that differentiates me from others is that I am more of a hands-on person in terms of me being able to figure things out by myself without any instructions or steps to follow. An example that I have would be that whenever I get a new gadget, I would not read any of the instructions on how to start up the item and go straight to using it and figure it out by myself.

Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction letter about myself.

Best regards,

Tay Yume

Revised on 6th October 2020

Read: Wei Ying's, Tobi's and Eryn's Blog

Task 3 - The importance of the communicating skills of engineers - Quote 3 (Revised 16/9)

Communication 

“Employers identify communication as 

one of the basic competencies every graduate should have, 

asserting that the ability to communicate is 

valuable for obtaining employment and maintaining

 successful job performance.”

Sherwyn Morreale, Michael Osborn & Judy Pearson, Professors of Communication (2000)

Explanation: 

Communication is something that everyone in the workforce requires as

 it helps to convey the message that we want to bring forth to our employers 

 Without being able to communicate well with our employers, 

we will not be able to build strong relationships with them.

Revised on 16th September 2020