Eco-conscious living solutions

A testament to Eupe’s vision for sustainable living

By M.Mageswari

_{Eupe sets new standards for eco-conscious living in Malaysia.}

PROPERTY developers are transforming the landscape of modern housing development with cutting-edge designs to champion sustainability.

Among these visionary developers stands Eupe Corporation Bhd, whose Parc3 development has won the prestigious High Rise Residential Award at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2023.

With design features like its "Buildings that Breathe" concept and true cross-ventilation, Eupe prioritises the creation of healthier living environments while setting new standards for eco-conscious living in Malaysia.

From passive cooling systems harnessing natural ventilation to the strategic incorporation of green spaces promoting biodiversity, these initiatives by Eupe not only aim to nurture more nature in the city but also enhance the well-being of residents.

Commitment to sustainability

Established in 1986, Eupe has constructed over 25,000 homes, each reflecting its unwavering commitment to design excellence and innovation. Led by its group managing director Datuk Beh Huck Lee, the company has embedded sustainability into its core operations.

"We embed sustainability principles across all our operations, particularly in the functional design of our homes, “ Beh emphasises.

Eupe's sustainability strategy, Sustainability Plus, guides its development initiatives. Sustainability Plus is founded on two central principles: Sustainable Eco-Design, ensuring that every home and property project maximises natural, healthy living for residents, and Building Strong Communities, fostering interaction and strong bonds within the community.

This approach combines traditional sustainable business methods with new directions in sustainability in the property sector that encourage innovative thinking in eco-design and community development.

“We do not chase short term profits at the expense of quality home design; rather, our focus is creating and sustaining long-term value for our buyers,” Beh highlights.

_{“We do not chase short term profits at the expense of quality home design; rather, our focus is creating and sustaining long-term value for our buyers,” says Eupe group managing director Datuk Beh Huck Lee.}

For Eupe, their projects are more than just dwellings; they foster vibrant communities that prioritise well-being and connectivity. Through proactive collaboration with external partners, including technology providers, Eupe enhances sustainability by accessing innovative solutions, expertise, and resources. This approach enables the integration of the latest sustainable technologies and practices into their developments, ensuring they remain at the forefront of eco-conscious design and construction.

_{The main lobby at Parc3 is inspired by the gardens of Pandora from Avatar to create a haven that welcomes residents and accentuates the concept of flowing air and water.}

Design innovation

Eupe integrates a range of cutting-edge features and technologies to enhance sustainability.

Among these innovations is its "Buildings that Breathe" concept, optimising natural air intake and circulation throughout the structure.

True cross-ventilation channels airflow upwards through the building’s atriums and interlocking vents, ensuring continuous ventilation on all floors.

Strategic placement of expansive green spaces and water features further cools incoming air, while promoting biodiversity, and enriching the living environment.

For instance, Parc3’s My Home Garden, can be found throughout the development to provide a natural eco-system for birds and butterflies, seamlessly integrating nature and community and offering residents a shared herb garden for culinary enjoyment and aesthetic appreciation.

Besides that, Novum and Est8 showcase carefully-curated green spaces and gardens as central elements, enhancing nature and encouraging a healthier living environment for residents.

These projects, like Novum, a freehold serviced residence in South Bangsar, completed in 2019, and Est8 in Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, expected to be completed in mid-2026, embody Eupe's commitment to innovative, eco-conscious design. These curated greens are usually well in excess of regulatory guidelines up to 300%.

_{The Parc3 Meranti Sculpture, Malaysia’s Highest Hanging Sculpture in a Residential Building, as certified by the Malaysia Book of Records.}

_{My Home Garden, Parc3’s communal herb garden on the Moonlight Deck where residents can harvest herbs for personal use.}

_{Art pieces made functional - Red Forest, Novum’s outdoor gymnasium in South Bangsar.}
_{Art pieces made functional - Red Forest, Novum’s outdoor gymnasium in South Bangsar.}

_{Parc3’s wave-like structure inspired by nature, complementing the Pudu Ulu Park}.

Parc3, located in Jalan Pudu Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, stands as a testament to sustainable architecture. With its wave-like structure mimicking the flow of air and water, Parc3 integrates passive cooling systems, leveraging natural thermodynamics and convection for air circulation. The building’s façade is designed to redefine the city skyline yet create a common focus of identity and pride for the surrounding community, complementing the Pudu Ulu Park just across from the development.

_{Parc3's Celebrity Kitchen elevates daily events into memorable experiences.}

Social and digital connectivity

Eupe's housing projects are designed to adapt to the evolving needs and lifestyles of residents. Their designs incorporate adaptable spaces and flexible layouts to accommodate diverse lifestyles and changing needs, ensuring that the communities thrive for generations to come.

Key aspects of Eupe's approach include flexibility in design, integration of smart technologies, promotion of health and well-being, and community-focused planning. These projects offer customisation and adaptation options to suit changing lifestyle preferences and demographic requirements. For example, open floor plans and modular design elements allow residents to tailor their living spaces to growing families, multi-generational living arrangements, or home-based work setups.

Parc3's Barbecue Pit, one of the many spaces to connect and encourage togetherness for its residents.

_{My Home Garden comes equipped with QR codes to help residents identify plants and herbs.}

_{Parc3’s car park comes with charging stations to encourage residents to use electric vehicles and lower their carbon footprint.}

Furthermore, Eupe strategically locates its developments near key amenities and public transportation hubs, providing high-speed internet and development-specific apps that allow residents to book facilities, pay utility bills, communicate with management, and stay connected no matter where they are. All these to ensure convenience and connectivity for residents. Moreover, the inclusion of health and wellness amenities reflects the increasing importance placed on personal well-being and lifestyle choices.

In fostering a sense of community, Eupe designs spaces that encourage social interaction, connectivity, and a shared sense of identity among residents. Communal gardens, public art installations, and other communal elements contribute to a strong community ethos and a supportive neighbourhood environment. By integrating lifestyle facilities, recreational spaces, and community areas within their developments, Eupe enhances the quality of life for homebuyers, providing opportunities for relaxation, social interaction, and leisure activities.

Parc3 serves as a prime example of this approach, offering adaptable living spaces, smart technologies for payments and guest access, and wellness amenities that cater to diverse lifestyles and promote a thriving community such as its herb gardens which are maintained all year round for its residents to harvest.

Energy efficiency

Eupe implements various strategies to enhance energy efficiency in its housing developments. This includes the installation of 5-star energy-efficient air conditioners and LED lighting, which operate on timed schedules to conserve energy.

Passive cooling designs and abundant greenery are integrated to reduce the reliance on air conditioning, consequently lowering long-term carbon emissions.

Additionally, measures such as tinted laminated glazing, shades, and fins are employed to minimise heat gain. These energy-efficient choices not only reduce environmental impact but also contribute to longterm cost savings for residents.

_{Parc3's modern gymnasium with the latest in fitness equipment.}

Natural ventilation is incorporated into 80% of lifts and lobbies, while lifts with self-generative drives contribute to energy savings. Furthermore, maximising natural light and ventilation in car parks and common areas, such as gyms and business centres, reduces the dependence on artificial lighting.

Parc3 exemplifies these energy-efficient strategies, featuring cutting-edge cooling systems, extensive greenery, and innovative architectural elements that reduce heat gain and enhance natural ventilation, thereby promoting a sustainable and comfortable living environment.

_{The 5-storey cascades and forest trail at Parc3 cools incoming air and soothes the senses with the sounds of waterfalls and scent of leaves.}
_{The 5-storey cascades and forest trail at Parc3 cools incoming air and soothes the senses with the sounds of waterfalls and scent of leaves.}

Renewable energy

Eupe integrates renewable energy into several housing projects through the installation of solar panels. These panels generate clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and promote environmental sustainability.

At Est8 in Seputeh, the solar panel system covering approximately 460m² is expected to generate more than 100,000 kWh of energy annually, supplying power to the building's amenities with excess energy fed into the grid.

Cinta Sayang Resort in Sungai Petani, Kedah features solar-powered lights that reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, minimising the resort's carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency. In FY2024, the resort saved approximately 15,264 kWh of electricity through solar power usage.

At Parc3, Eupe installed a walkway with battery-powered solar panels, providing over 12 hours of illumination after a 5–6-hour charge, with motion sensors enhancing efficiency regardless of weather conditions.

_{Parc3's Infinity Pool uses UV waves to clean its water, minimising the environmental impact of chlorine usage.}

Resource efficiency

Eupe prioritises resource efficiency across all its housing developments, focusing on water conservation, sustainable construction methods, and waste reduction initiatives.

The developer incorporates taps with slower flow rates and dual-flush systems to minimise water consumption.

Water-efficient fittings in Kuala Lumpur projects, such as Parc3, Novum, Est8, and Helix2 (the serviced residence project in PJ South expected to be completed by the end of 2025), have resulted in substantial water savings ranging from 22.64% to 44.6% compared to conventional fittings.

In these projects, rainwater harvesting systems are also implemented to recycle runoff for garden irrigation, significantly reducing the reliance on potable water sources.

Landscape irrigation relies on rainwater or recycled water, and a significant percentage of plants at Parc3 are drought-resistant, requiring minimal irrigation.

Meanwhile at Cinta Sayang Resort, water-saving measures include using pond water for irrigating the golf course, resulting in the recycling of 26,280 m³ of water annually.

In the northern region, Eupe prioritises non-portable water sources like underground water for nonhygienic and irrigation purposes, minimising the impact on the domestic water supply.

Eupe employs the Industrialised Building System (IBS) to minimise material wastage by using reusable formwork.

The company also adopted the Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) method, which ensures high-quality workmanship, while designing with Building Information Modelling (BIM) minimises human error in project designs.

Furthermore, Eupe implements comprehensive waste management practices, utilising a 3R bin or cage system to efficiently recycle construction waste. In Est8, reusable bottles are provided to construction workers to reduce plastic waste.

Additionally, initiatives like "Bring Your Waste to Work" encourage staff to bring organic waste collection for composting, promoting a circular economy and reducing landfill waste. These comprehensive efforts reflect Eupe's dedication to sustainability throughout its projects' lifecycle.

Green building practices

Eupe takes a holistic approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility in its building practices.

The company meticulously selects building materials, prioritising criteria aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly construction methods.

In addition to water, energy and resource considerations, Eupe places importance on the environmental impact of building materials themselves. The company prioritises paints with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content and non-solvent-based waterproofing paints, aiming to reduce ozone depletion and greenhouse effects.

Furthermore, Eupe sources construction materials sustainably, opting for green-certified products such as laminated timber flooring and waterproofing materials.

Health and safety considerations are also paramount in Eupe's building practices. The company prioritises adhesive sealants that minimise airborne contaminants, ensuring healthier indoor environments for residents.

_{Cloud Maze, one of the Sky Gardens at Est8, is specifically designed to physically and mentally stimulate kids from ages one to four.}
_{Cloud Maze, one of the Sky Gardens at Est8, is specifically designed to physically and mentally stimulate kids from ages one to four.}

_{Est8’s Floating Garden is designed as an outdoor cardio, strength and yoga zone.}

_{Helix2 in PJ South, Eupe’s first affordable housing project in the Central region, demonstrates that sustainability is accessible to all.}

_{Novum in South Bangsar, Eupe’s first project in Klang Valley.}

Homebuyer endorsement

Eupe's sustainable communities have attracted significant interest from homebuyers, with projects like Novum and Parc3 experiencing overwhelming demand.

Both Novum and Parc3 were almost fully sold out before their completion, underscoring the strong demand for sustainable living and the innovative features integrated into Eupe's projects.

Similarly, as of May 2024, the take-up rates for Est8 and Helix2 are both above 95%, more than a year or two before completion.

Back in Sungai Petani, Stage 1 of Eupe’s Villa Natura development was sold out on the first day of the launch indicating a growing interest in its philosophy in the northern region as well. This reflects the growing appeal of environmentally conscious housing options and highlights the success of Eupe's sustainability innovations.

Certifications and recognition

Eupe's commitment to sustainability has been widely recognised through various certifications and awards.

Notably, Eupe’s Sky Residences was the first Malaysian residential project to be awarded the globally prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation for its eco-design and features.

_{Beh (centre) is celebrating the World Gold win for the Residential High Rise category for Parc3 with the Eupe team at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence 2024 in Singapore.}
_{Beh (centre) is celebrating the World Gold win for the Residential High Rise category for Parc3 with the Eupe team at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence 2024 in Singapore.}

Furthermore, Parc3, Helix2, and Est8 have all been GreenRE Gold certified while Novum has received GBI certification.

In 2023, Eupe received the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia: Company of The Year Award for Social Engagement in the Property Development and Construction category.

Additionally, Eupe was honoured with the Asia Responsible Enterprise award for Corporate Sustainability Reporting in the same year.

Parc3 has been particularly lauded, receiving multiple accolades such as the ESG Business Awards for Green Building and Healthy Lifestyle Product in 2023, and the iProperty Development Excellence Award for Best Sustainable High-Rise Development in 2021. In 2024, Parc3 also received the prestigious FIABCI Residential High Rise category award in Malaysia and won against other international developments at the Grand Prix.

“These awards show that our approach to designing sustainable homes is helping to set innovative benchmarks not only in Malaysia, but on a world stage.

“We strive to set new directions with each project we undertake, so awards such as the FIABCI Grand Prix award really raise the high bar for our future projects. We’re ready and able to meet that challenge.”

Lessons learned and future directions

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable development, Eupe stands as a beacon of innovation and adaptation. Recognising the dynamic nature of sustainability, the company emphasises continuous innovation to remain at the forefront of the industry.

"We understand the importance of staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in sustainable development," shares Beh. This commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements ensures that Eupe's projects reflect the cutting edge of eco-design.

However, Eupe's approach goes beyond mere technological advancement. It is deeply rooted in engaging stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to address sustainability challenges effectively. "Our holistic approach considers environmental, social, and economic factors," explains Beh, highlighting Eupe's commitment to the well-being of residents, communities, and future generations.

This holistic ethos is exemplified in Eupe's customised solutions for each project. Recognising that every location, climate, and community is unique, Eupe tailors its initiatives to meet specific needs.

At the heart of Eupe's sustainable philosophy lies the Shared Value model. This model aims to make sustainable living more accessible by providing iconic architecture, improved lifestyle facilities, and eco-design features at an affordable price point. It's about creating not just homes, but vibrant communities that thrive on sustainability.

Looking ahead, Eupe envisions pushing the boundaries of innovation by establishing a biodiversity target for future projects and adopting policies to account for operational carbon emissions of the projects it designs and builds.

In addition to the 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it has already adopted, the developer has integrated SDG 15, reflecting Eupe’s commitment to enhancing land-based nature through biodiverse design and nature-enhancing practices in their projects.

Collaboration is key to Eupe's success. By partnering with experts across various disciplines, the company integrates fresh perspectives and innovative solutions into its developments, ensuring the highest standards of sustainability and environmental performance in its developments.

"Through our collective efforts, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for all," asserts Beh. Eupe's commitment to sustainability isn't just about constructing buildings—it's about creating communities that thrive in harmony with nature and each other.

As the company continues to innovate and lead the way in sustainable development, it paves the path towards a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.

To learn more about Eupe and stay updated on its projects, visit https://eupe.com.my/.

This article is brought to you by Eupe Corporation Bhd.