Kampung Admiralty Singapore: Tropical Green Architecture and Lessons for Vietnam's Cities

1. Why has Kampung Admiralty become a symbol of tropical green architecture?

1.1. Context and challenges

Singapore, with an area of just 733 km², is facing the pressure of a rapidly aging population and severe land scarcity. Kampung Admiralty was built to solve three problems simultaneously: housing for the elderly, medical care, and community space – all on a plot of just 8,981 m² (0.9 hectares) in the Woodlands region of Northern Singapore.

What is special is that this project not only stacks functions on top of each other, but also creates a "vertical kampung" with a greening rate of 1.25 – i.e. 1.25 times the green area is 1.25 times the site area, exceeding the minimum requirement of 100% in Singapore [2].

Diagram of the cross-section of the 3-storey "club sandwich"

1.2. Breakthrough "Club Sandwich" design

Designed by the renowned architectural firm WOHA, Kampung Admiralty adopts a cascading "club sandwich" model with three separate but mutually supportive functional "layers" [3].

Ground Level - Community Plaza:

• 900-seat hawker centre
• Commercial and service area
• The community space is shaded by the medical floor above

Middle Floor (2nd-5th Floor - Medical Centre):

• 11,836 m² medical center for the elderly
• General clinics, laboratories, minor surgical wards
• The waiting area is flooded with natural light from the perimeter window system and the central courtyard[4]

Upper Floor (Floors 6-11 - Community Park + Housing):

• 104 studio apartments (36-45 m²) for the elderly living alone or couples
• Large community garden with vegetable growing area, exercise
• Child Care Center and Active Aging Hub[4][5]

Specifications: [2]

• Total construction area: 53,066.49 m²
• Floor area: 32,331.60 m²
• Height limit: 45m (11 floors)
• Efficiency: 71.79%
• Cost: S$150 million (~VND2,700 billion, excluding land)
• Completion: Quarter 3/2017

Community Plaza on the ground floor - a vibrant community space

2. Green Architecture Know-how: Smart Design for Tropical Climates

2.1. Natural Ventilation - 13% reduction in cooling energy

Instead of relying entirely on air conditioning like many modern buildings, Kampung Admiralty is designed as a "breathing creature" [6].

Cross-Ventilation with cross-shaped design:

• Apartment towers with a central core create a wind corridor
• The apartment opens on two sides opposite each other to allow air to circulate naturally

Research shows: Exterior sunshade systems can reduce cooling energy by up to 13% [7]

Egg-crate façade:

• The 750mm thick precast concrete slab forms a mesh structure that surrounds the entire building
• Blocks solar radiation but still allows for open wind
• Single-glazed windows combined with "monsoon" windows can be opened during the rainy season[6]

2.2. Floor garden and 125% greening system

Kampung Admiralty achieved  a Green Plot Ratio of 1.25 – which means that the total area of trees (including ground, green roof, green walls) is 1.25 times the area of the land [2][8]. Concrete:

Green trees are planted in cascading:

• More than 730 trees belonging to 58 local species
• More than 80,000 shrubs of 66 species
• Distributed from the 6th to 8th floors, forming a large hanging garden[9]

Benefits of the Green System:

• Reduce the urban heat island effect: Trees absorb heat and create natural shade
• Cooling the surrounding environment: Trees create a cooling effect through the process of transpiration
• Improving air quality: Absorbing CO₂ and pollutants[6][8]

Green floor garden with community tree planting system

2.3. Smart water management - Save 4.1 million liters/year

Kampung Admiralty integrates the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) system which includes[10][11]:

• Rain gardens: Collecting and filtering natural rainwater
• Bioswales: Surface Water Treatment Biological Trenches
• Rainwater Harvesting System: Rainwater is treated and reused for automatic irrigation of plants
• Result: Savings of 4.1 million liters of tap water per year [10]

Basin and eco-pond bioretention systems

2.4. Renewable energy and smart systems

Solar Panels:

• Installation on the roofs of two apartment buildings
• Supply of electricity to common areas[10]

Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS):

• Use vacuum pipes to collect garbage
• Eliminates the need for manual, cleaner and more efficient collection [10]

Building Management System:

• Track energy and water consumption
• Smart lighting in common areas[10]

Solar panels on the roof of the building

3. Lessons for Vietnamese cities: from theory to practice

3.1. Climate Homogeneity - Application Opportunities

Singapore vs Ho Chi Minh City climate comparison:[12][13]

Conclusion: Ho Chi Minh City's climate is very similar to Singapore – both are hot and humid all year round, suitable for tropical green architectural solutions such as Kampung Admiralty [13].

3.2. LOTUS Certification System - A tool to promote greening in Vietnam

LOTUS (Leadership in Operation Towards Urban Sustainability) is a green building certification system developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) since 2010, tailored to Vietnam's climate, construction codes and practices [14][15].

Four levels of LOTUS certification:[14][16]

• LOTUS Certified: 40% of total points
• LOTUS Silver: 55% of total points
• LOTUS Gold: 65% of total points
• LOTUS Platinum: 75% of total points

The LOTUS evaluation criteria include 7 categories:[14]

1. Energy Efficiency
2. Water Management
3. Waste Management
4. Green Materials
5. Indoor Environmental Quality
6. Sustainable Site
7. Innovation

Status in Vietnam:[17][18]

• As of 2024, Vietnam has 93 LOTUS-certified projects with a total area of 1,334,387 m²
• In 2023, there will be 11 new projects that have achieved LOTUS certification
• LOTUS was encouraged by the Government in Decision 1393/QD-TTg (2012) on the National Green Growth Strategy [19]

Cost of Certification: [20]

• LOTUS assessment fee: ~$0.3/m² (~7,000 VND/m²)
• Green consulting costs: Depends on the project, but can be offset by operational savings
• Increase in construction costs: Previously it could have been up to 15-25%, but has now decreased significantly due to the more common green material

3.3. Solutions applicable to Vietnam

Natural ventilation and sunshade

• Vietnam can learn from Kampung Admiralty's "egg-crate" design:
• Material: Precast concrete slabs or hollow block bricks (AAC) made in Vietnam
• Estimated cost: 300,000 - 500,000 VND/m² for concrete sunshade
• Efficiency: 13% reduction in cooling energy, 3-5°C reduction in indoor temperature[7]

Examples of applications in Vietnam:

• Viettel HQ (Hanoi): Using a brise-soleil system to reduce solar radiation
• FPT Complex (Da Nang): Optimal orientation building design and shading system

Urban Greening with High Green Plot Ratio

Objectives for Vietnam:

• Encourage projects to achieve GPR ≥ 1.0 (100% green area compared to the ground)
• Priority for projects with a GPR of ≥ 1.25 like Kampung Admiralty

Practical solution:

• Green roofs: Plant trees on the roof to reduce heat and absorb rainwater
• Green walls/facades: Use climbing trees or vertical planting systems
• Sky gardens: Create green space between high floors

Examples of projects in Vietnam: [18]

• Green Building Research Center (Hanoi): LOTUS Gold certified, reducing energy by 26.5%
• AEON Mall Hue: Achieved LOTUS, using insulated glass and high-performance air-conditioning system

Smart Water Management

Solutions for Vietnam:

• Rainwater Harvesting System: Saving tap water for watering and sanitation
• Rain gardens and bioswales: Natural rainwater treatment, urban flood reduction
• Water-saving sanitary equipment: 2-step flush valve, induction hand wash faucet

Savings potential:

• According to VGBC, water management measures can reduce water consumption by 30–50% [20]
• Rainwater harvesting system investment cost: 50-100 million VND for a 10-storey building

Renewable Energy

Solar Panels:

• Current cost: ~4-6 million VND/kWp (down 70% compared to 10 years ago)
• Payback period: 5-7 years thanks to electricity bill savings
• Incentive: The government supports through the rooftop solar power purchase mechanism (DMTMN)

Example:

• Gamuda Gardens (Hanoi): Installing solar panels in common buildings
• Ecopark (Hung Yen): Integrating solar and wind energy systems

Implementation roadmap for Vietnam

Phase 1 (Immediate – 2 years):

• Applying LOTUS Certified for new projects ≥ 2,500 m²
• Prioritize low-cost measures: natural ventilation, sunshades, water-saving devices
• Training of architects and engineers in tropical green design

Phase 2 (2-5 years):

• LOTUS Silver-Gold Target for Apartment and Office Projects
• Integrated renewable energy (solar cell) and intelligent management system
• Developing the domestic green material supply chain

Phase 3 (5-10 years):

• Replicating the "vertical kampung" model in large cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City). Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang)
• Achieving a Green Plot Ratio ≥ 1.25 for new urban projects
• Formulation of tax incentives and incentives for green buildings

Roadmap for green building implementation in Vietnam]

Economic benefits: Green means saving

Long-term operating savings

• VGBC research shows:[20]
• Electricity saving: 25-50% compared with conventional building
• Water Saving: 30-50%
• Reduced maintenance costs: Due to the use of sustainable materials and smart design

Specific example: A 10-storey apartment building (5,000 m²) in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Electricity cost/year: ~500 million VND
• Save 30% with green design: ~150 million VND/year
• Green Investment Payback Period: 3-5 years

Increase the value of real estate

International Studies:

• Buildings with green certification have a value 7-10% higher than ordinary buildings
• Higher occupancy rates: Office tenants are willing to pay 3-5% more for green buildings
• Faster sell/lease speed: 10-20%

Brand image and social responsibility

Companies that invest in green buildings usually:

• Improve brand credibility: Be recognized as a responsible business
• Attracting talent: Employees love working in a green, clean environment
• Meet ESG requirements: More and more international investors require businesses to comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards

Conclusion: From "should" to "when to start"

Kampung Admiralty is not only a beautiful architectural project, but also a living testament to how tropical green architecture can be both sustainable, economical, and community-friendly.

Bottom Line:

• Vietnam's climate is similar to Singapore's, and similar solutions can be applied
• LOTUS is an available tool for guiding and certifying green buildings in Vietnam
• Cost is no longer a barrier: With local materials and popular technology, the cost of green building has been significantly reduced
• Outstanding long-term benefits: Operating savings, increasing real estate value, and contributing to national sustainable development goals

4. The question is no longer "Should we build green?" but "When do we start?"

Kampung Admiralty at night - a symbol of tropical green architecture

 5. References

[1] Designboom. (2018). WOHA's kampung admiralty wins building of the year at world architecture festival 2018. Accessed from: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/woha-kampung-admiralty-singapore-10-30-2018/

[2] Designboom. (2018). Kampung Admiralty - Specifications. Accessed from: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/woha-kampung-admiralty-singapore-10-30-2018/

[3] WOHA. (2024). Kampung Admiralty. Accessed from: https://woha.net/project/kampung-admiralty/

[4] Architect Magazine. (2025). Kampung Admiralty. Accessed from: https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/kampung-admiralty/

[5] Wallpaper. (2022). Why Singapore's Kampung Admiralty by WOHA leads the way in designing communities. Access from: https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/designing-communities-woha

[6] ArchitectureAU. Creating stronger communities: Kampung Admiralty. Access from: https://architectureau.com/articles/kampung-admiralty/

[7] ResearchGate. (2023). Thermal Performance Analysis of Existing External Solar Shading at Kampung Admiralty, Singapore. Access from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377094110_Thermal_Performance_Analysis_of_Existing_External_Solar_Shading_at_Kampung_Admiralty_Singapore

[8] UNEP Neighbourhood Guidelines. A three-dimensional green, mixed-use bioclimatic block in Kampung Admirality, Singapore. Access from: https://www.neighbourhoodguidelines.org/bioclimatic-block-kampung-admirality-singapore

[9] Dezeen. (2018). WOHA creates green community for senior citizens with Kampung Admiralty in Singapore. Access from: https://www.dezeen.com/2018/12/07/kampung-admiralty-woha-singapore-world-building-year/

[10] CSC Singapore. Kampung Admiralty: Building for All Ages. Access from: https://www.csc.gov.sg/articles/kampung-admiralty-building-for-all-ages

[11] State of Green. (2022). Kampung Admiralty: Green infrastructure bringing people together. Accessed from: https://stateofgreen.com/en/solutions/kampung-admiralty/

[12] Climate-Data.org. Ho Chi Minh City climate. Accessed from: https://en.climate-data.org/asia/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/ho-chi-minh-city-4235/

[13] Weather and Climate. Compare Ho Chi Minh & Central Singapore Weather and Climate. Accessed from: https://weatherandclimate.com/compare-ho-chi-minh-and-central-singapore

[14] VGBC. (2024). LOTUS Rating Systems. Access from: https://www.vgbc.vn/en/rating-systems/

[15] VGBC. (2025). Vietnam Green Building Council. Accessed from: https://www.vgbc.vn/en/

[16] BIC JSC. LOTUS green building standards. Access from: https://bicjsc.com/lotus-green-building-standards

[17] Constructive Voices. (2024). Vietnam Top Green Buildings. Access from: https://constructive-voices.com/vietnam-top-green-buildings/

[18] Vilandco. (2024). 11 Projects Achieve LOTUS Green Building Certification in 2023. Access from: https://vilandco.vn/en/11-du-an-dat-chung-nhan-cong-trinh-xanh-lotus-trong-nam-2023/

[19] VGBC. (2024). Develop LOTUS as a green building rating system. Access from: https://www.vgbc.vn/en/green-building-policies/

[20] VGBC. (2024). Green Building in Vietnam. Access from: https://www.vgbc.vn/en/green-building/

• Share
• Facebook
• twitter
• linkedin
• pinterest