The greening efforts of four residential and commercial developments paid off, when they were conferred the inaugural SIA-NParks Greenery Awards.

The award, which is jointly presented by the SIA ( (Singapore Institute of Architects) and NParks (National Parks Board), is open to members of the SIA. It aims to promote skyrise greenery in Singapore and to recognize the greening efforts in high rise developments by owners/developers, architects, landscape architects/designers, and landscape contract managers.

This year's inaugural Awards, held in conjunction with ArchiFest 2008, were presented by Guest of Honour, Dr Leong Chee Chiew, Chief Operating Officer of NParks, at a ceremony in HortPark.

The four winners are:

Naumi Hotel

• Developer: Surya Jhunjhunwala
• Architect: Eco-id Architects
• Landscape Architect: Eco-id Architects
• Landscape Contract Owner: Hydroculture-Scape Pte Ltd

Newton Suites

• Developer: UOL Group Limited
• Architect: WOHA Architects Pte Ltd
• Landscape Architect: Cicada Pte Ltd
• Landscape Contract Owner: Nature Landscapes Pte Ltd

One George Street

• Developer: George Street Pte Ltd c/o Capitaland Commercial Project Management
• Architect: DCA Architects and Skidmore, Owing & Merrill LLP
• Landscape Architect: Sitetectonix Pte Ltd
• Landscape Contract Owner: Scenic Landscape Pte Ltd

Vivo City

• Developer: MapleTree Investments Pte Ltd
• Architect: DP Architects Pte Ltd and Toyo Ito & Associates, Japan
• Landscape Architect: Sitetectonix Pte Ltd
• Landscape Contract Owner: Nature Landscapes Pte Ltd

Entries were assessed by a jury comprising representatives from NParks, SIA, Design Council Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects, and Urban Redevelopment Authority. The judges took into consideration factors such as landscape considerations to enhance Singapore's cityscape and environment quality, as well as originality, creativity and sustainability of the landscape ideas.