26 Nov 2019
A groundbreaking ceremony for the National Service (NS) Hub was held on 25 November 2019, marking a new milestone in Singapore’s NS journey. The facility will bring together various NS-related services and tap smart technologies for higher efficiency. Environmentally sustainable solutions will also be incorporated to develop a green and energy-efficient NS Hub.
Collaborating closely with MINDEF, DSTA is responsible for the development and delivery of the NS Hub from planning, design, construction to maintenance support. The NS Hub is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
At the ceremony, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said: “The NS Hub we are building today will represent more than just a building where NSFs (full-time NSmen) and NSmen will come back to enlist, take their IPPTs (Integrated Physical Proficiency Test), undergo medical check-ups, or perform other administrative matters. I believe that the NS Hub is the physical embodiment of Singapore’s unique NS commitment and culture.”
The Fitness Conditioning Centre at the NS Hub will be the first purpose-built, all-weather facility where servicemen can attempt their IPPT or do fitness training. The centre encompasses a 400m sheltered running track, fully equipped exercise studios, and an In-Processing Centre that will make use of technology to create a seamless and user-friendly experience. Various amenities and facilities in the NS Hub, such as F&B outlets and a football field, will also be made available to the public.
Senior Programme Manager (Building and Infrastructure) Pang Lu Kit, who is managing the project, highlighted that the DSTA team aims to create a space that is not only conducive for users, but also one that is environmentally responsible.
“We are tapping computational fluid dynamics to simulate wind flow, and we planned the placement of the buildings such that seasonal winds will flow through naturally to help ventilate and cool the place,” he said.
The DSTA team that is working on the NS Hub
The facility is designed to harness natural ventilation and daylight to reduce the demands for energy. It will also incorporate features such as green roofs, solar panels and rainwater harvesting to save energy and water, and tap clean energy. These measures will reduce carbon emissions by about 2,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to the effect of planting 124,000 trees. With these measures in place, the team is targeting for the NS Hub to be among the top ten per cent of energy-efficient buildings in Singapore.
Source: MINDEF