
Sustainable Buildings – Green Mark Platinum Gap Analysis & Certification Strategy
Case scenario
A building owner has engaged your facilities management company to explore opportunities for upgrading their property to attain Green Mark certification.
As a Green Mark Accredited Professional (Facilities Management) [GMAP(FM)], you have been tasked with assessing the feasibility of this objective.
Based on your initial review of the building’s system performance, as outlined in the preliminary survey report (Annex A in the Appendix), you have determined that achieving Green Mark Platinum certification under the Green Mark 2021 assessment framework is attainable. Furthermore, you anticipate that the project could qualify for recognition in at least ONE (1) sustainability badge category.
To proceed, you are required to perform a gap analysis and subsequently develop a strategic plan outlining the measures needed to meet the targeted Green Mark certification level.
The owner has provided you with the information on the building as follows:
| Name | Bandaii Moonrise Incorporated |
| Type | Office |
| Stories / Height | 5 storeys / 24.0m |
| Total GFA | 8,100m2 |
| ACMV Space | Offices, Meeting Rooms (79%) |
| Mech Ventilation Space | Storeroom, Toilets, Staircases (8%) |
| Natural Ventilation Space | Pantries, Lobbies, Corridors (13%) |
| Tenancy | Single-tenancy |
| Year of TOP achieved | 2016 |
| Current ETTV | 47.0 W/m2 |
| Building Orientation | Predominantly NE/SW |
The building has not gone through any systems upgrade or retrofit.
Question 1
Demonstrate the proper assessment procedures to achieve Green Mark Platinum award under GM: 2021 for this building.
Question 2
Use the GM: 2021 ENRB scoresheet and Pathway 2: Fixed Metrics (https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/bca-awards-2020/green-mark- 2021_scoresheet-(enrb).xlsx) to appraise and compute to provide the scoring based on the preliminary survey findings of the building. (Refer to Annex A in the Appendix)
Question 3
Using a gap analysis table (you may adapt from the GM: 2021 ENRB scoresheet but please label it appropriately), you are to list the breakdown of the proposed targeted Green Mark score points of the building. Appraise and describe in detail how you intend to achieve Green Mark Platinum with at least ONE (1) badge in ONE (1) sustainability section.
Note: In your above proposal, you are required to estimate the energy savings, replacement of electricity by renewable energy and Energy Efficiency Index based on the monthly electricity consumption (kWh) provided in Annex A in the Appendix. You are also to suggest proposals to reduce the ETTV value in order to comply with the EE section.
Question 4
For your proposed plan to achieve Green Mark Platinum, using the same scoresheet in Q2, demonstrate and appraise the reasons for all your proposals (under the Remarks column) in relation to the criteria under the Green Mark 2021 framework.
Question 5
Organise and produce a video presentation to articulate the above FOUR (4) questions for approval. The video presentation should be no longer than TEN (10) minutes. Your face should also be show in the video for verification. Accompanying subtitles are good but optional.
Students will be graded based on the following:
- Relevancy
- Clarify
- Depth
- Innovation
- Oral Presentation
Total marks for the 10 – minute presentation video recording with narration is 15 marks. Video format should be in any of the following formats: .mp4, .mpeg, .avi, .mov.
Appendix:
Annex A
Preliminary Survey Report
Constructed in 2016, the office building (Bandaii Moonrise Incorporated) includes open- space car parks within its grounds. It is situated within 300 meters of the nearest bus stop, accessible via a sheltered walkway. The building’s rectangular structure primarily follows a northeast-southwest orientation.
With a gross floor area (GFA) of 8,100 m², most office spaces are air-conditioned, while common areas, such as pantries, corridors, and lobbies, are naturally ventilated. Storerooms, toilets, and staircases use mechanical ventilation. Vertical transportation is supported by two elevators equipped with ACVVVF technology and sleep mode; there are no escalators provided.
Due to limited record-keeping practices, construction-phase data from 2015 is not available. Existing drawings are in AutoCAD format, though the building owner is considering introducing a new Building Management System (BMS) compatible with BIM formats as part of the retrofit.
Greenery surrounds the site, with vertical green walls along some facades, mainly on the longer sides. Approximately 75% of the landscaped areas are irrigated by a water-efficient system with automatic sub-soil drip irrigation and rain sensor control.
The building currently lacks photovoltaic cells, but there is about 700 m² of rooftop space available for potential PV installation. Alternatively, the owner is contemplating converting this rooftop space into a garden.
Corridors and toilets are fitted with motion sensors linked to lighting controls. Both areas also benefit from direct access to natural daylight.
Additionally, the following information and documents are available for Green Mark certification assessment.
- Energy consumption record for past 3 years
- Typical daily chiller plant efficiency graph
- Typical daily air distribution system efficiency graph
- Lighting system
- Greenery Provision table
- A copy of the LEAF certificate
- PUB Water Efficient Building (WEB) basic Certification
- Water consumption [m³/GFA(m²)] for the past 3 years
- Energy consumption record for past 3 years

b. Typical daily chiller plant efficiency graph

Typical daily air distribution system efficiency graph


Lighting system

Greenery Provision table

h. Water consumption [m³/GFA(m²)] for the past 3 years

Expert Answers on Above Questions on Sustainable Buildings
Assessment of Bandaii Moonrise Incorporated for Green Mark Platinum
Bandaii Moonrise Incorporated is a five storey office building that comprises an air conditioned office with naturally ventilated common areas service areas. An analysis of the energy efficiency measures indicates that the building currently has envelope thermal transfer value which is quite effective in meeting out the baseline requirements for existing office buildings. The efficient air conditioning system along with the vertical transportation system contributes towards Energy Efficiency which is crucial for the green marks framework. With respect to water efficiency, the building has already obtained the Pub water efficient building basic certification, and also utilises automatic subsoil drip irrigation system with rain sensor controls to ensure efficient usage of water and reducing its wastage.
From a sustainability point of view, the building incorporates vertical green walls along the facade and landscape areas around the site. The indoor environmental quality is good because it benefits from natural daylight access in corridors and toilets. From sustainable operations and building management aspects, the building maintains autocad drawings and system performance data along with business management systems compatible with BIM formats. The overall analysis indicates that the building complies with the green mark framework requirement for energy efficiency, water efficiency, environment sustainability and indoor environmental quality.
Gap analysis and strategic plan
For energy efficiency, the current score is 30 while the targeted school is 45, water efficiency has a current score of 10 and targeted score of 15. Indoor environmental quality has a score of 8 currently and targeted score of 12. Sustainable management practices includes a current score of 12 while targeted score is 15 and green features have a score of 7 and targeted score of 10.
Proposed improvements
The improvement suggested to perform the installation of solar photovoltaic panels, improve building envelope, upgrade chiller plant efficiency, install smart building management system, and sustainability badge proposal.
Justification of proposed measures
The installation of solar PV would support renewable energy use, while the chiller plant upgrade would improve HVAC efficiency. The smart BMS system would help in improving the energy monitoring while the water efficient irrigation supports water conservation targets. The rooftop Garden helps in improving biodiversity and occupant wellbeing.
| This model answer is reviewed by Siyu Chen, a housing policy assessment expert offering guidance and support. Disclaimer: This answer is a model for study and reference purposes only. Please do not submit it as your own work. |
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