BTO River Peaks I & II (Nov 2021)

disclaimer: ​​
1. Readers are advised to use information available here as study guide only and use it at your own risk. 
2. Please note that changes/ update based on updated information will be made from time to time, readers are advised to check on this page regularly.
3. Analysis was done based on available data at the time of this review being published.
4. This analysis is mainly curated for pre-selection. Details varies among developments, therefore, please read through our analysis in full before making comparison between developments.

River Peaks I and II is the first development to be developed under the PLH (Prime Location Public Housing) framework. 10 years of MOP and 6 years of waiting time may not deter buyers from trying their luck for the ‘lottery effect’, but that 16 years (refer to our points to ponder below) may see plenty of changes in your immediate vicinity and your supposedly long-term investment decision.   

Why avoiding west sun is crucial?​

Heat (via direct sunlight) transfer via conduction, convection and radiation. Apart from windows, our parameter walls (mainly made of concrete and steel) are the largest external components which via conduction, convection and radiation will transfer heat into our home. While we can’t absolutely prevent all the above from happening, we can reduce the impact by choosing the unit with the least direct impact from any of the above.    
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK7G6l_K6sA)

Increased exposure to heat (via direct sunlight) will directly cause the following:
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Material loss
1. higher electricity consumption
Units with higher internal temperature will need more active cooling (air-con), therefore, higher electricity consumption. If we take a HDB 5R as a sample and January 2020 usage as a baseline (351kWh), the total monthly differences (the rest of the year 2020) compared to January 2020 added up to 847kWh! Current SP Service going rate is at S$0.24/kWh and that’s S$203.28 in a year! A 4R extra usage added up to 670kWh, which is additional S$160.80.
(https://www.ema.gov.sg/singapore-energy-statistics/Ch03/index3)
(https://www.spgroup.com.sg/sp-services/understanding-the-tariff)

2. materials wear and tear via direct and indirect heat transfer
Most will spend at least S$20,000 and above for interior renovation and fittings. Wear and tear will increase with heat, be it discoloration, material become fragile, etc. even before its warranty ended.   ​​

Personal wellbeing
3. heat related illness-heat exhaustion
(https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250)
(https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/humidifiers/art-20048021)
(https://data.gov.sg/dataset/relative-humidity-monthly-mean)
 
“Heat exhaustion is a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It's one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.
 
Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition. Fortunately, heat exhaustion is preventable.” - Mayo Clinic
 
(Notes: In Singapore, relative humidity is hovering above 72% since 1982, way above the comfort level of 30%-50%.) 

"High humidity can make your home feel stuffy and can cause condensation on walls, floors and other surfaces. Condensation can trigger the growth of harmful bacteria, dust mites and molds. These allergens can cause respiratory problems and trigger allergy and asthma flare-ups."- Mayo Clinic

Climate change
4. high cooling activities (using air-con) lead to higher electricity consumption, which led to high carbon footprint and directly contribute to higher local temperature.
 
“The irony is the electricity for the air conditioning cooling me down as I recover is our second largest source of carbon emissions.
 
If the very act of powering our lives comes at the price of accelerating global warming, how are we going to get out of this carbon conundrum?”
​Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of Health of Singapore

​5. Inherent issue of using concrete as building materials (nett CO2 emission) vs. timber (store and emit CO2). While most of the advance economy has started to move into timber construction, Singapore is still very much dependent on concrete as the main construction material due to limited know how and reluctant to innovate. As long as we are still using concrete, the urban heat island effect will keep on increasing.  

"We engaged hausanalyst to gain further insight on which unit to pick for our BTO. We had a late queue number (1107/1222) and we were worried about the choices we would have. 

Soon Ching was very helpful right from the start and he took note of all our preferences such as corner unit/high floor/not near the refuse area etc. During the months leading up to our flat selection, he provided reports on the different units’ pros and cons and this really helped us make our decision - helped us rank our preferred units. 

His charts also included our chances of getting particular units which was helpful for us to be realistic and adjust our goal. 

The model provided by HDB is just a stagnant model, showing the building from the outside, there is no specific details on sun/viewing angle/the view that you can see from the model. 

Hausanalyst’s 3D model done by Soon Ching allowed us to have a 360 degree view of the unit we want, inside, outside, and even small details like corridor outside our unit. The most important feature provided was the ability to have a real-time view of the view from the various rooms in the unit. It helped us a lot in making our decision. Another crucial factor was also the 3D model’s sun/shade display in real time. Soon Ching was able to show us how the sun would hit our unit throughout the year, to advise us on what to do to relieve heat from the unit and how to prevent mold from damp floor etc. 

We had a late queue number, but we managed to get our dream unit at 20 floors (high floor) as well, honestly extremely happy. Soon Ching was also very contactable at all times, provided updates often and consistently up till our queue number was called 👍🏼😂 

Incredibly supportive and extremely helpful service that would give you an insight into unit picking that you won’t get anywhere else. Thank you very much hausanalyst and Soon Ching!"

Mr. Tristan Liow | legal | Bishan Ridges 4-rm 2021

Why understanding the prevailing wind is important?

1. assist in cooling (heat mitigation)
A good prevailing wind exposure will help to mitigate heat impact, with condition, it faces the wider surface of the unit.
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2. assist in ventilation (removing stagnant air, virus, bacteria)
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-Home.html)
No cross ventilation leads to stagnant air. Stagnant air leads to more viruses and bacteria trap in the same locality. When Covid19 hits, cross ventilation suddenly became all important to rid the interior spaces of the virus. 

3. assisting in pollutants movement (dust from construction, place of worship)
Knowing your present and future surrounding may not be enough to prevent future discomfort if you don’t understand the direction of the prevailing wind and the season it happens.

4. high intensity wind load (high building)
Higher building within less denser surrounding will have to live with higher intensity of direct wind load. We welcome a good wind flow, but excessive wind flow will create havoc more than comfort.

5. splashing during rainy days
a. While everyone loves privacy by aiming for end lot/ units, the inherent issue is actually the exposure to water splashing (during rainy days with wind assistance) into the corridor which threaten to back flow into the immediate unit if the drainage system fails.

b. "The HDB said it received feedback about water seeping into flats from the owners of 24 units at Waterway Terraces I. Said a spokesman: "Most of these units face an open field, making them more prone to impact by heavy downpours." - The Straits Times July 15, 2015
(Notes: based on NEA recorded data for 14 July 2015, prevailing wind was coming from SSW, this is consistent with the reported case of units facing the open field which is facing SSW.) ​

Why viewing angle is important?

​1. actual view not being represented in scaled model
Gone were the days when homeowners get to choose from a completed housing development. With scaled models (usually 300 times smaller than the actual built product), homeowners can hardly visualise their immediate surroundings, let alone knowing their exact view from every window.  

2. visual coverage
The visual field of the human eye spans approximately 120 degrees of arc.  However, most of that arc is peripheral vision. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_span) Knowing what you are capable of and allowing for a situation to maximize your capability is better than not having the option to do so. In short, if you can see wider view and further away, why should you settle for anything less?

3. architecture feature (window frame, fin, etc.)
External walls with shade and fins or windows with transom and mullion are architectural features which may serve as sun shading devices or just purely aesthetic features. The thickness, depth and location of these features will affect your viewing quality. 

4. visual privacy

5. awareness of surrounding

For this development, our preliminary assessment for viewing angle shown that at least 12% of the stacks here will enjoy a good viewing angle. Therefore, we give a score of 1 out of total 4 for this attribute. 

"Really satisfied with the entire process - Soon Ching walked us through our options with evidence to back his suggestions and took the time to explain the rationale behind livability conditions of certain apartments. Would highly recommend his services for new home-buyers!"

Dr. Joel Arun | Resident Doctor, CGH | SkyResidences@Dawson 3-rm 2021​

Why noise is emerging as an important good housing indicator?

1. personal wellbeing
(https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/noise/publications/2018/biological-mechanisms-related-to-cardiovascular-and-metabolic-effects-by-environmental-noise)
​
a. hearing loss
b. cardiovascular disease
c. stress and depression
d. insomnia
​ 
2. affecting daily routine (WFH)

 For this development, our preliminary assessment for noise disturbance shown at least 1 major and 2 minor noise disturbance will affect this development. Therefore, we give a score of 2 out of total 4 for this attribute. We assign 3 points for each major noise source and 1 point for each minor noise source.

Why building distance is critical in a selecting a good unit?

 1. claustrophobic (height vs distance)
 
2. provide shading from west sun

3. ventilation via prevailing wind movement
Better or wider building distance will allow for better prevailing wind movement.

4. privacy (in tandem to visual and noise)

5. living in 3D but planning in 2D
(https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Guidelines/Development-Control/Residential/Flats-Condominiums/Building-Length)
Current planning standards are more concern about the wall-like development (2D) rather than a more 3D approach of how to sparse the unit/ building away from each other and allow more breathing space.    ​

​RIVER PEAKS I & II | PARC CLOVER@TENGAH |
​PARC GLEN@TENGAH | HOUGANG OLIVE | 
KENT HEIGHTS | NANYANG OPAL | 
TANJONG TREE RESIDENCES@HOUGANG | 
​HEART OF YEW TEE

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