Awarded the first Top Industrial Property title at the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards (EPEA) 2024 is Tai Seng Exchange (TSX), a development by domestic integrated property developer Soilbuild Group Holdings.
The awards this year added a new category for industrial projects. Judges evaluated projects according to standards like architecture and design, adaptability and flexibility, safety and compliance, among others. With the best overall score, TSX won the prize and thereby became the first EPEA title for Soilbuild.
Established in 1976, the organisation has a long history in developing, building and running industrial and residential structures as well as commercial spaces. Part of Soilbuild Business Space REIT, this portfolio comprises high-specification industrial buildings and business parks spread across Singapore.
Located along Tai Seng Avenue, TSX is a campus-style industrial complex. Set on a 444,283 square foot property, the complex, Zoned for Business 2, or heavy industrial usage, boasts four buildings each eight to nine stories tall. Completing in 2023, TSX boasts a gross floor space of over 1.13 million sq ft, including a 302-lot parking. One may walk from the Tai Seng MRT Station on the Circle Line.
Designed in association with AC Consortium, a division of RSP Architects, Planners and Engineers with expertise in industrial park planning, the architecture of TSX delighted the EPEA judges.
With the four tower blocks grouped around a central landscaped garden courtyard on the third level, the construction follows a radial site design. According to the developer, the circular arrangement is meant to be a friendly area encouraging community feeling.
Additionally highly praised by judges for sustainability is the project. Large amounts of planted space abound in the Green Mark Platinum-certified structure, including various patches of vegetation all over the site and planters along the balconies of every tower. A rainwater recycling system helps to somewhat balance the water required for the plant life on the site.
Not usually seen in large industrial buildings, TSX also boasts end-of-trip facilities including a shared lounge with café, library, and many conference spaces. Along with a double-volume welcome space manned by a concierge, every tower features a protected dropoff area.
Offering units ranging between 1,500 sq ft and 25,930 sq ft, three of TSX’s towers—A, B and D—have been equipped for general commercial space use. Tower C, meantime, has been especially built to house laboratory facilities.
TSX became the first industrial development in Singapore supporting SS 641:2019 compliance, a fire safety requirement for laboratories utilising chemicals, as part of its laboratory space offering. The criteria cover labs in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and gas production sectors as well as research organisations and providers of laboratory equipment.
Lim Han Qin, head of Soilbuild Group, notes that businesses here may save on remodelling expenses as they won’t have to make extra changes to satisfy the criteria. This also reduces the fit-out period required by renters, thereby enabling them to start activities earlier.
Tower C’s laboratory areas run from 2,500 square feet to 24,000 square feet. The comprehensive safety and compliance rules of TSX complement the units, as do emergency response plans covering bomb threats, gas leaks and power outages.
From security and monitoring all around the property to energy consumption in its shared spaces, TSX uses a range of smart technology for several objectives. Among the security elements on the property are face recognition systems connected with a lift destination control system that guides users to their assigned floor.
Lim explains, “This system reduces waste by eliminating the need for granting access cards to renters.” A further advantage of the facial recognition technology is its touchless way of identification, therefore encouraging improved cleanliness.
Additionally integrated within the building is technology to improve renters’ general well-being and comfort. While a separate system sterilises the air using UV light, TSX utilises sensors to track interior air quality and temperature. Moreover, common area sensors contribute to increase energy economy.
Lim adds that the smart solutions at TSX not only lessen the need for on-site personnel but also enhance operational efficiency, sustainability, and tenant happiness, all of which help to contribute to the general success of the development.
Other developments by Soilbuild include Tampines Connection which was just launched, set to receive good response due to the lack of supply of new industrial. Stellar @ Tampines which is located just beside Tampines Connection also set to launch soon as part of Tampines West transformation.
