ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands achieves highest level of recognition for its sustainability efforts.
Museum is second venue in the resort to be accorded platinum status, following Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Setting a new milestone in its sustainability journey, Marina Bay Sands achieved the world-leading LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification for its ArtScience Museum this month, surpassing an earlier Gold certification that the Museum received in 2018. The Museum now stands alongside Sands Expo & Convention Centre as the second venue at Marina Bay Sands to achieve this certification.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the certification celebrates the Museum’s outstanding environmental performance in water, energy and waste management, as well as sustainable purchasing practices, aligning with the rigorous standards set by the LEED rating system. As a globally recognised symbol of excellence in green buildings, the rating system recognises excellence in building design, construction, and operation. The Museum is the first in Asia Pacific to be accorded this highest level under the Building Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings rating system.
“This accomplishment underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability and reflects our dedication to creating a greener future. ArtScience Museum’s LEED Platinum certification sets a new standard for environmental excellence in the region, and we are proud to lead the way in sustainable practices within the arts and cultural sector,” said Meridith Beaujean, Executive Director of Sustainability at Marina Bay Sands.
“Marina Bay Sands’ LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionise our buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green, and high performing buildings. Marina Bay Sands is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.”
ArtScience Museum’s innovative lotus-shaped architecture was created by renowned architect Moshe Safdie who intersected art with sustainability into the building’s overall design. Key sustainability features include natural flow of daylight illuminating the interiors of the museum, as well as the seamless integration of a rainwater harvesting system – the Rain Oculus – into the building. Nearly 400,000 litres of rainwater are recycled each year, with the water reused for landscaping, water feature maintenance, and bathroom flushing. Installation of solar films on the windows in the lobby was completed last year, minimising heat gain and saving 26,000kWh in energy from the reduced reliance on air-conditioning.
Highlighting its commitment to sustainability beyond its infrastructure, ArtScience Museum has continually integrated environmental themes into its programming. Last year, Sensory Odyssey: Into the Heart of Our Living World, made its Asian debut at ArtScience Museum, following a successful run in Paris. The multi-sensory and immersive exhibition took visitors on a trailblazing journey through seven natural environments, exploring the salt lakes of the savannah and traversing through the depths of the ocean.
In the final gallery, visitors were invited to participate in the creation of an installation of a mangrove tree. For each leaf that visitors added to the tree, Marina Bay Sands planted a real mangrove tree. The mangrove trees were planted in the Rajang-Belawai Paloh delta, Sarawak. Partnering with WWF Singapore, the integrated resort donated S$90,000 and planted 20,000 mangrove trees as part of a project to rehabilitate and protect 8,945 hectares in the largest mangrove forest in Sarawak.
ArtScience Museum also hosted the Waves of Change festival for a third consecutive year, with a line-up of exhibitions, films and events to raise awareness of the ocean and encourage conversations on marine conservation.
“The environment is something we are deeply passionate about at ArtScience Museum, and we are thrilled we have reached this major sustainability milestone of receiving LEED Platinum certification. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the building: it is in our DNA and expressed through the many exhibitions and programmes we have presented on environmental themes. Working with our colleagues in Sustainability and with partners like WWF, we are able to turn our interest in environmental issues into action, inspiring our visitors to play an active role in making the world a better place,” said Honor Harger, Vice President of Attractions and ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.
The latest certification adds to Marina Bay Sands’ suite of prestigious awards and accolades. Guided by its Sands ECO360 programme, Marina Bay Sands has been accorded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria for Hotels and Accommodations, Green Mark Platinum Award by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, and Sustainable Event Standards for Venues Platinum certification from the Events Industry Council.
About Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd
Marina Bay Sands is Asia’s leading business, leisure and entertainment destination. The integrated resort features Singapore’s largest hotel with approximately 1,850 luxurious rooms and suites, crowned by the spectacular Sands SkyPark and iconic infinity pool. Its stunning architecture and compelling programming, including state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, Asia’s best luxury shopping mall, world-class dining and entertainment, as well as cutting-edge exhibitions at ArtScience Museum, have transformed the country’s skyline and tourism landscape since it opened in 2010.
Marina Bay Sands is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen to serve its people, communities and environment. As one of the largest players in hospitality, it employs more than 11,000 Team Members across the property. It drives social impact through its community engagement programme, Sands Cares, and leads environmental stewardship through its global sustainability programme, Sands ECO360.
For more information, please visit www.marinabaysands.com
About ArtScience Museum
ArtScience Museum is a major cultural institution in Singapore that explores the intersection between art, science, technology and culture. It is the cultural component of Marina Bay Sands. Since its opening in February 2011,
ArtScience Museum has staged large-scale exhibitions by some of the world’s major artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, M.C. Escher, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as exhibitions that explore
aspects of science and technology – including particle physics, big data, robotics, palaeontology, marine biology and space science. For more information, please visit www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html
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