The Skyrise Greenery Awards 2011 is now open for submissions. Jointly organised by Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and National Parks Board (NParks), the competition represents a vision to evolve cityscapes to dynamic, environmentally sustainable urbanscapes.

The main objectives of the awards are to promote creative skyrise greenery design that is integrated into urban developments, and to recognise and highlight the importance of team effort in implementing and maintaining the design intentions.

Last year’s 2nd prize winner, 6 & 38 Armenian Street, Singapore

To that end, each submission must include particulars of the entire team involved in the project such as the owners/developers, the landscape architect or designer, and the landscape contract manager. All architects who are members of Arcasia Institutes or the International Union of Architects are eligible, and each team can submit a maximum of only 3 projects.

Last year’s 3rd prize winner, 101 Queen Street, Melbourne, Australia

All submissions will be judged on the quality of the landscaping including how it reflects a ’City in a Garden’ aspiration with the greenery and how it enhances a cityscape. The quality of the greenery used such as the aptness and biodiversity of the plant species used will also play a part; as will appropriate use of technology and innovative methods in the pursuit of sustainability. If the project showcases emerging trends or sets a new benchmark in these respects, so much the better!

Projects that are submitted for consideration must have been completed between 31 July 2005 and 2011. In other words, projects that are not yet finished but are slated for completion by 31 July 2011 are still eligible.

Last year’s winner (unbuilt project), R4 Apartments, Singapore 

The prizes for the 2011 edition of the awards have also been upped: the winners not only get a plaque but an increased amount of prize money. First prize wins a total of US$8000 (previously US$5000), second prize wins US$5000 (previously US$2000) and the third prize wins US$2000 (previously US$500).

The awards were announced at the same time as the new Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme in Singapore. Inspired by the increased interest in vertical greenery and the availability of more products, NParks expanded their pilot programme, the Green Roof Incentive Scheme, and will be extending a subsidy of up to half of total installation costs for existing buildings in different areas of Singapore to retrofit green walls onto the development. NParks will also help provide technical advice.

Hero image: Last year’s 1st prize winner, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore

To find out more about the Awards or the incentive scheme, visit skyrisegreenery.com