Singapore's 'Tree House' vertical gardens break Guinness World Record

As one of the most densely populated and urbanized nations in the world with little of its original vegetation left, it is fitting that Singapore would be the home to the world's largest vertical gardens.

The Tree House condominiums, built by CDL, is planned for completion in December 2017. The high-rise will have a vertical garden that is 24,638 sf in total and is expected to save more than $500,000 in energy and water costs annually.

In tropical Singapore, the plants act as insulation to absorb heat and reduce the amount of energy needed to cool each unit. Furthermore, staircases will be equipped with motion-sensor lighting. Furthermore, the sloped design creates a “bio-shelter,” aiding rainwater collection for landscape irrigation, CDL explained in a press release.

"With the eco-inspired Tree House, CDL has not only created a place where residents are proud to call home, but more importantly, a green icon which places Singapore on the world map," said Kwek Leng Joo, CDL's deputy chairman.

Two innovations—program manager Gafcon’s SharePoint360 project management platform and a new BIM “wall creator” add-on developed by ClarkDietrich Building Systems for use with the Revit BIM platform and construction consultant—show how fabricators and owner’s reps are stepping in to fill the gaps between construction and design that can typically be exposed by working with a 3D model.