Key Words: Green building, environmental impact, Green Mark, healthcare facilities, quality of life, market awareness

Abstract:

Aim of this paper is to provide review of recent approach by Singapore government to green building (GB) assessment. Literature review shows attempt to combine various performance objectives to provide framework to evaluate GB in Singapore. Green Mark (GM) assessment scheme (Singapore) attempts to combine features from three major GB rating systems to evaluate environmental performance in building and quality of life (QOL): BREEAM (UK), LEED (USA) and Green Star (Australia). Basis of the scheme is similar to BREEAM, LEED and Green Star: a certificate awarded to individual buildings based on ‘credits’ for set of performance criteria. This certificate indicates MA for the building’s environmental performance.

For a rating scheme to add value to green design, it must offer credible, consistent basis for comparison, evaluate relevant technical aspects and not be over-burdensome to implement and communicate. This paper provides review of current GM assessment scheme in comparison to other building assessment schemes and limitations in rating performance of healthcare facilities.

This discussion will include design of survey instruments and case study based on Singapore’s healthcare facilities and users’ QOL to demonstrate effectiveness of GM building assessment tool. Of interest is the relative penetration of sustainable development practices and GM into consciousness of healthcare management. The survey and case study intends to address direction of future research to improve MA and effectiveness of GM in evaluating performance of healthcare facilities.