DISCLAIMER:
1. Readers are advised to use information available here as study guide only and use it at your own risk.
2. Please note that changes/ update based on updated information will be made from time to time, readers are advised to check on this page regularly.
3. Analysis was done based on available data at the time of this review being published.
We have organised the rating for each attribute bellow into a scale of 1 to 4 (1 being not so desirable to 4 which is most desirable). Our scoring system is based on data collected from all BTO launches and SERS program since year 2010 which consist of more than 250 developments with more than 200,000 units in total (on average, HDB launch 15,000 to 20,000 units per year).
SUN EXPOSURE
Heat have
been a sticky issue in Singapore currently and in foreseeable future due to
climate change as well as rapid urbanisation and redevelopment activities. So
much so that the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) (https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Resources/Ideas-and-Trends/Beat-the-heat) have
funded ‘Cooling Singapore’ initiative,
which consist of multi-institutional initiative led by Singapore-ETH Centre
(SEC), NUS, SMART and TUM CREATE to look into ways to reduce heat in Singapore
since 2017 (https://www.coolingsingapore.sg/).
The best
way to reduce heat intake has always been avoiding it in the first place. The
understanding of heat intake varies due to geographical location. In Singapore,
we try to avoid heat intake from the west sun (afternoon sun) at all cost due
to Singapore being located along the equator, which mean closer to the sun than
other part of the Earth. Sun radiation carries along UV (ultraviolet) and IR
(Infrared) wave which is detrimental to the building enclosure as well as the
interior spaces and heat up the building a lot faster than the air-con can cool
it down.
The higher
the unit, the hotter it will be as hot air rises. On top of that, increase
usage of air-con which contribute to hot air being emitted from the condenser
unit (outdoor unit) will also move upward. Thus, affecting the higher units as
the building goes up higher with almost all units these days using air-con. So,
the challenge is about finding a balance between having nice view with higher
floor vs increase heat intake due to height increase. Architectural elements
introduced on the building façade may or may not help in reducing the heat
intake as the design are standardised throughout the whole development
regardless of the effectiveness for it. Therefore, detailed analysis needs to
be done to ascertain the effectiveness of these elements.
Kim Keat
Ripples is located within the Toa Payoh planning area, Central Region under URA
Planning area. This development is part of HDB Toa Payoh remaking our heartland
initiative announced back in year 2017. Kim Keat Ripples will be the second of
3 developments planned for this vicinity under Masterplan 2019. The other
development, Kim Keat Beacon was launched back in May 2018. Based on our early assessment for a 4-room,
you will have 90% chance of getting a hot unit. A hot unit mean the main façade
of the unit having 3pm west sun exposure of at least 3 months in a year (note
that this assessment is based on units having a standard horizontal shading
device of at least 300mm to 600mm). We rate the west sun exposure for this
development at 1 out of 4 for 4-room. (Please note that our detail assessment will
be based on scientific approach used in the construction industry worldwide and
it is only available in our paid analysis package)
PREVAILING WIND
With the heat
being the main culprit, wind has been touted as a saviour. The most visible air
intake would be the prevailing wind, which happens due to weather changes in
Northern and Southern hemisphere. Fundamentally, the Northern and Southern
hemisphere experience 4 seasons, thus prevailing wind happen across the equator
when there’s a difference of pressure in both hemispheres. Apart from that,
there’s other wind sources as well like locally induced wind, sea breeze, etc. In
our report, we have never given a ‘0’ for wind assessment in scoring chart.
Reason being, the wind intensity may be minimal, but its movement through
spaces may increase or decrease the intensity. For example, as the wind move
through a gap, the intensity will increase after it went through the gap between
two objects. The same situation will happen as air movement (wind) move across
the void decks, building, trees, etc. as it gains its intensity and speed.
At
hausanalyst, we have collected wind data released by Singapore Meteorological
Service from 2014 to 2017 which was recorded at Changi Airport Station. Based
on the data collected, we found a consistency in terms of the frequent
direction of prevailing wind as well as the major wind direction which happen
almost 1 in 5 during the prevailing season. 3 other prevailing wind directions
only happen 1 in 10 during the prevailing season. Knowing which of these wind
directions and when does it happen will greatly help when selecting a unit.
Based on
recorded prevailing wind data from 2014-2017 which we have analysed, if you
were to get a 4-room unit, your chance of getting a prevailing wind will be at 60%.
We define the prevailing wind exposure as the wind hitting diagonally onto the
surface of the external wall of the unit (usually the main façade). While we
welcome wind exposure during a hot day, we may not like it during heavy rain as
it will help to intensify the rain hitting directly at the windows and some instances
cause seepage due to poor workmanship on the window frame. Having prevailing
wind will greatly help with cross ventilation of a unit to induce passive internal
air change whereby in stagnant air there may consist of bacteria and
virus. Read more about prevailing wind
exposure here (https://www.hausanalyst.com/bto-analysis/good-housing-prevailing-wind-exposure).
We rate the wind exposure for this development at 3 out of 4 for 4-room.
These 2 health advisory from Singapore and Hong Kong government has a few steps in common, one of these is 'maintain good indoor ventilation OR well-ventilated'. This is consistent with what we have been arguing. Better exposure to prevailing wind will greatly help in terms of air exchange between indoor and outdoor.
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