Background

Engineering Challenges in Sustainable Waste Conveyance

Skywater (8 Shenton Way) is a landmark mixed-use development in Singapore’s CBD, featuring a 305-m mixed-use supertall, featuring 215 homes, offices, shops, and a hotel, slated for completion in 2030.

The design targets top-tier sustainability: it seeks BCA Green Mark Platinum certification. To meet this target, GWS intends to design an ideal waste conveyance engineering solution.

  • Limited capacity at the 23rd-storey M&E deck restricts conventional system design.

  • Solution must align with BCA Green Mark Platinum standards for efficiency and environmental compliance.

Implementation Approach

GWS engineered a 2-fraction AIRWASTE Stationary System for the residential strata, allowing separation of recyclables and general waste at source. For commercial, hotel, and serviced apartment premises, a mobile compactor with a front bin lifter was provided.

All residential floors are served by separate general-waste and recyclables chutes feeding into the 2‑fraction pneumatic system. Waste thrown down the chute is removed by vacuum suction and transported in enclosed piping down to the central bin centre.

The solution features a custom stacked disposal valve (DV) room at the 23rd storey, combined with vacuum conveyance controls, to transport waste hygienically and safely to the basement-level bin centre

The system overcomes tight space constraints by using a stacked DV room: wheel bins and gate valves at the base, pneumatic valves mid-level, and a break-fall device at the top. A low-flow, high-pressure suction profile ensures waste travels at controlled speeds, reducing impact forces.

Air relief valves at vertical-horizontal transitions alleviate pressure surges, while flexible joints isolate vibration and noise. Together, these innovations allow reliable waste conveyance through the tower without compromising occupant comfort or structural performance

“Designing a waste conveyance system for a supertall required rethinking conventional layouts – every valve, joint, and suction setting was calibrated to safely carry waste over unprecedented vertical distances.”

In summary

Highlights

Vertical Conveyance Innovation

  • Waste collection begins at the 23rd-floor service deck.
  • Custom stacked DV room reduces footprint while meeting code requirements

Controlled Waste Velocity

  • Low-flow, high-pressure suction keeps waste speed manageable
  • Air-relief valves reduce downward pressure surges
  • Acoustic measures ensure minimal disturbance to residents and hotel guests

Hybrid Waste Strategy

  • Pneumatic system for residences; compactor system for hotels and retail.
  • Ensures tailored handling of different waste profiles
In summary

Highlights

Vertical Conveyance Innovation

  • Waste collection begins at the 23rd-floor service deck.
  • Custom stacked DV room reduces footprint while meeting code requirements

Controlled Waste Velocity

  • Low-flow, high-pressure suction keeps waste speed manageable
  • Acoustic measures ensure minimal disturbance to residents and hotel guests
  • Air-relief valves reduce downward pressure surges

Hybrid Waste Strategy

  • Pneumatic system for residences; compactor system for hotels and retail.
  • Ensures tailored handling of different waste profiles

Expertise in complex PWCS Projects

The SkyWater Residences case demonstrates how GWS delivered a technically advanced, space-efficient, and hygienic waste management system for Singapore’s tallest building.

By integrating a dual-fraction pneumatic system with compactor-based commercial solutions, and addressing challenges of height, vibration, and limited space. Through this, the project establishes a benchmark for waste engineering in high-rise mixed-use developments