• On track to become Singapore’s first heritage shophouse to achieve BCA Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy certification, demonstrating how heritage buildings can be adapted to meet current and future environmental and social needs
• Suite of integrated sustainability features across the shophouse contribute to up to 47% energy savings, an achievement for a conserved building
• Refreshed outdoor space will open to the public from 14 March; support biodiversity and reflect Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision

Singapore, 12 March 2026 — Social impact hub Temasek Shophouse (TSH) will open its new outdoor community space to the public on 14 March, supporting biodiversity while creating accessible spaces for environmental learning and public participation. It reflects Singapore’s broader vision to further restore nature into the urban environment¹ and transform Orchard Road into a greener and more family-friendly lifestyle destination.² This marks the completion of a multi-year transformation that integrates heritage-led sustainability and community engagement. 

The transformation is guided by TSH’s holistic sustainability framework, which shaped how the entire site - both indoor and outdoor spaces - could be adapted to meet contemporary environmental and social needs while preserving its historic character. Features such as solar panels, hybrid cooling systems, energy-efficient lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, pollinator-friendly native plants and a community farm demonstrate this integrated approach.

“With our transformation now complete, we are better positioned to support changemakers and deepen public engagement in social and environmental impact,” said Ms. Yvonne Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Shophouse. “The enhanced Temasek Shophouse will allow us to test and refine sustainable urban design concepts within a conserved heritage setting. This milestone reflects the collective effort of our like-minded partners and designers, and we remain committed to learning and strengthening our approach over time.”

A Testbed for Sustainable and Regenerative Design

TSH’s Sustainability Framework is developed in consultation with SJ Group’s Sustainability & Resilience Office and environmental design consultancy Atelier Ten, a member company of SJ Group. The framework encompasses seven pathways to achieving holistic sustainability – Optimised Energy Performance; Climate Resilience; Landscape & Biodiversity; Holistic Water Management; Health & Wellbeing; Material & Resource Circularity; and Inclusive & Supportive Community (Refer to factsheet for more details).

It also takes into consideration recognised local and international benchmarks that promote high energy performance and low-carbon operations; sustainable building design and resource efficiency; occupant health and wellbeing; and responsible waste reduction and circular practices.³ These efforts have placed TSH on track to become Singapore’s first heritage shophouse to achieve the BCA Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy certification and the International WELL Building Institute WELL Certification (Platinum).

A key priority was adaptive reuse — carefully retaining the original shophouses’ architecture while retrofitting the existing structures, significantly reducing embodied carbon and construction waste. Solar panels offset part of the building’s energy demand, while rainwater is harvested to reduce potable water use. A hybrid cooling system, coupled with ceiling fans and CO₂ sensors, continuously monitors the occupancy and indoor air quality, allowing airflow and cooling to adjust in real time, maintaining comfort without wasting energy. With these features in place, TSH is expected to achieve up to 47% energy savings,  exceeding the current Singapore Super Low Energy standard of 40% energy savings,⁴ a notable achievement for a heritage building with conservation constraints.

Hybrid Cooling Systems implemented across indoor spaces. (Credit: Photographed by Darren Soh for Temasek Shophouse) 

Use of photovoltaics (PV), also known as solar panels, to generate renewable energy and lower the building’s overall carbon footprint (Credit: Temasek Shophouse)

“Every solution had to be precise to meet sustainability goals, with the outdoor community space designed to be just as significant as the building itself from the onset,” said Ms. Naree Phiyawatana, Director, Atelier Ten (a member company of SJ Group). “Under a holistic sustainability framework, the outdoor space and conserved shophouse are designed to support strong community interaction, strengthen the relationship with nature and improve energy efficiency. Aligned with recognised international benchmarks and on track to achieve BCA Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, Temasek Shophouse plays a regenerative role by creating positive environmental and social value, paving the way for how conserved buildings can evolve responsibly and offering a reference point for heritage projects globally.” 

Beyond building performance, the framework also guides the design of outdoor space to integrate nature into daily experience for the community. In collaboration with design firm Henning Larsen, TSH developed a landscape vision that supports biodiversity, climate resilience and community use.

Reimagined green social spaces leading to rejuvenated Stamford Canal (Credit: Temasek Shophouse)

Courtyards have been reimagined as green social spaces, while mature trees on site have been preserved. Timber from older or diseased trees have been repurposed into furniture and fixtures, reducing material waste. Across the outdoors,  fully native planting was prioritised to support biodiversity and ecological resilience. The landscape design also incorporates elements that support rainwater management, while creating usable community space. Wall murals along the canal connect the site’s heritage to its future, reinforcing TSH’s role as both a conserved landmark and a forward-looking social impact hub.

“Temasek Shophouse presented an opportunity to explore how heritage spaces can contribute meaningfully to a regenerative urban future,” said Ms. Jia Xin Chum, Studio Director, Henning Larsen. “Together, we sought to integrate biodiversity, climate resilience and community life into the landscape in a way that feels both natural and purposeful. We believe projects like this demonstrate how cities can evolve responsibly – strengthening their environmental performance while actively engaging the community.”

Partnerships Enabling Practical Decarbonisation and Community Engagement

TSH’s sustainability efforts are bolstered by strategic partnerships with organisations such as Sembcorp and Fullerton Fund Management.

TSH’s multi-year partnership with Sembcorp focuses on applying decarbonisation solutions across its premises. Drawing on Sembcorp’s capabilities in renewable energy and decarbonisation, the collaboration will support TSH’s endeavours in demonstrating how heritage community spaces can integrate real and meaningful sustainability practices to reduce the carbon footprint of day-to-day operations.

In addition, the community farm by Fullerton Fund Management at TSH will engage the wider community to embrace sustainable living through greater awareness of local produce and mindful consumption. Through workshops, community farm tours, regular Farmers’ Markets, and an upcoming farm-to-table experience with Bibik Violet featuring produce from the community farm, the public are invited to connect, learn, and support local producers, in line with Singapore’s food resilience ambitions. 

Originally built in the early 1900s, the shophouses that form TSH were once home to heritage landmarks such as the Malayan Motors showroom and Midfilm House. Their conservation preserves an important part of Singapore’s architectural legacy, while their adaptive reuse demonstrates how heritage buildings can meet modern sustainability standards.

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[1] Singapore’s City in Nature vision

[2] Singapore’s Master Plan

[3] The benchmarks guiding TSH include the BCA Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, and TRUE Waste.

[4] 40% energy savings is measured against SS530:2024, which is Singapore’s national standard for energy efficiency in building systems such as cooling and lighting. It sets the baseline requirements for how efficiently buildings should operate.

About Temasek Shophouse

Temasek Shophouse, a social impact hub in the heart of Singapore, works closely with partners to convene change-makers, foster collaborations, and catalyse partnerships and solutions for positive impact.

With a focus on building connected communities, Temasek Shophouse seeks to strengthen relationships in Singapore and beyond, steward community bonds through effective placemaking efforts in community spaces, and support change-makers and social impact organisations by providing co-working and event spaces. Temasek Shophouse is home to the Temasek Trust ecosystem and like-minded co-working partners.

Visit the Temasek Shophouse website, and follow it on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn, for its latest updates.

About SJ Group

SJ designs spaces and systems that unlock human potential, delivering connection and certainty on shifting ground.  

For over 75 years, SJ and its member companies have turned foresight into form and function through urban, infrastructure and managed services consulting. Through its business lines, it builds clarity into complexity, identity into infrastructure, character into skylines and insights into the future.

SJ walks global expertise home in over 40 countries, with 16,000 specialists united by a culture of openness and excellence. As the next-generation partner for the built world, SJ pushes the boundaries of innovative design and technology — unlocking potential for Real impact, made together.  

The group continues a collective legacy of creating futures worth inheriting, meeting the needs of today and the aspirations of generations to come.

About Henning Larsen 

Founded in 1959 and now part of the Ramboll Group, Henning Larsen is a global design studio committed to shaping resilient and inclusive communities. The Singapore studio leads with a systems-thinking and biophilic approach that integrates nature-based solutions and blue-green infrastructure to address climate adaptation, stormwater management and biodiversity loss.  This holistic approach enables Henning Larsen to manifest lasting change by co-creating, innovating, and cultivating desirable futures through design.

With over 500 employees, the growing design community spans studios in eight countries including Denmark, the United States, Singapore, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Australia and Hong Kong.

Visit the Henning Larsen website, and follow it on Instagram and LinkedIn, for its latest updates.

Media Contacts

Temasek Shophouse
Jessica Seet
Multimedia and Communications
[email protected]

Alyson Tay
Advocate, Communications and Engagement
[email protected]

Tate Anzur for Temasek Shophouse
Advocate, Communications and Engagement
[email protected]