Planning Development – New Build Standards

 

SDG 11.4.8

 

Sunway University’s Futuristic Expansion Plan

Planning Development – New Build Standards

 

Sunway’s implementation of green building designs is reflected in many of our major projects and commitments. In 2019, the University begun plans for physical infrastructure expansion to accommodate the expected population growth by the year 2025.

The University will expand into a nearby location known as the Sunway South Quay Square which will include a performing arts centre. These new facilities will be built according to the Gold Plus certification standard of green buildings and is expected to be completed by 2025.

 

Faculty of Engineering & Technology’s Annex Building

In addition, the University is currently developing the Faculty of Engineering & Technology (FET) Annex Building, an expansion of its state-of-the-art laboratories, including Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Virtual Reality labs. Designed with a Net Zero package, incorporating rooftop solar panels with battery storage microgrid, Building Energy Management System with smart sensors, AI dashboard monitoring and digital twin integration, the building also includes:

  • Sustainable furniture and fit-outs, with waste upcycled into furniture
  • Comprehensive waste management covering construction and daily operations
  • Green concrete and pre-cast concrete construction methods
  • Heat-insulating exterior paint and air-purifying interior paint
  • Rainwater harvesting system and district cooling system for high-efficiency cooling.

The Annex Building is also part of an ongoing research project led by FET’s researchers in the Net Zero field, who are closely monitoring its development as a living testbed for sustainable building technologies. The project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Through these initiatives, Sunway University demonstrates that sustainable campus expansion not only meets Gold Plus green building standards but also advances research and innovation in Net Zero development, contributing to a more resilient and livable community aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

fet_annex

 

Green building certification

These new facilities will be built according to the Gold Plus certification standard of green buildings and is expected to be completed by 2025.

The new building with estimated 600,000 square feet space will have features such as passive architecture to achieve maximum energy savings while ensuring thermal comfort. The estimated envelope heat transfer will be significantly better than Malaysia’s building code baseline standard MS1525-2014. It will also be utilising a district cooling system with chilled water centrally supplied, enabling reduced water consumption compared to traditional cooling systems. The rainwater harvesting system will also contribute to the reduction in water consumption from municipal supply.

Similar to the existing University building completed in 2014, the new development will also be equipped with intelligent building management system with precise measurement and monitoring of energy and water consumption and smart adjustment to achieve optimum and efficient usage.

This new building is adhering to Sunway University's Green Building Design Guidelines.

Fifteen-minute city

The University will continue to engage local development authorities to ensure that pedestrian infrastructure is connected to all University buildings. Walking accessibility to major facilities and amenities such as public transport stations, malls, recreational areas and medical centres.

“15-minute cities” is a term coined by Franco-Colombian academic Carlos Moreno. It has been promoted as the solution to many issues of urban congestion and sustainable living.

In Sunway City, any part can be reached within 15 minutes either on foot or by bicycle, hence eliminating the need for private vehicles and fuel as well as stress from commuting, thereby improving well-being of the community.