The start of this year marked the unveiling of Singapore’s first new-build net-zero energy building (a building that generates equal, if not more energy than it consumes within its footprint). The building in focus is the School of Design and Environment 4 (SDE 4), an addition to the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Design and Environment precinct. Situated atop a hillock, this project is the result of an International design competition. It is a collaboration between Serie Architects and Multiply Architects along with Surbana Jurong Private Limited (a Singaporean urban and infrastructure consultancy firm). Nestled within a verdant landscape, the design is contextual and serves to put forth the pedagogical aspirations of the school.

The School of Design and Environment 4, Singapore | The Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from the traditional, tropical architecture of Malay houses, the design reflects an extended roof projection and a layout that largely facilitates cross ventilation. The building houses labs, offices, exhibition spaces, research spaces, workshops, studios, a café, library and more coupled with an adequate distribution of open, social spaces, spread over 6 storeys.

Christopher Lee (Co-founder and Principal of Serie Architects) talks about the learning spaces that have been thoughtfully constructed. The studio spaces are large and open while the smaller rooms are more contemplative in nature and are for researchers and masters level students. A centrally-located presentation area drops down into the social plaza and the space behind the east and the west facades are dedicated to prototyping and model-making. These are interspersed with open, informal spaces which are intended to facilitate more social interactions.

The School of Design and Environment 4, Singapore | Climate-Responsive Design

The South façade of the building is lined with impressive columns that scale the entire height of the structure to support the roof projection, creating a shaded space below and for the interiors. The programmatic spaces are enveloped in glass, maintaining visual connectivity with the outside.

The east and the west facades are covered in undulating perforated aluminium panels that moderate the amount of harsh light filtering through. These panels can be dismantled for the students to experiment with various other façade systems on a 1:1 scale. The design school thus provides researchers and students a space to put their prototypes to test, and in the process also furthers the idea of developing newer technologies for green buildings. The entire layout depicts a porous architecture that facilitates social interactions coupled with visual connectivity to the outside area as well as across floors.

The School of Design and Environment 4, Singapore | Sustainable Strategies

The roof of the building is covered with 1,225 solar photovoltaic panels and the design employs a hybrid cooling system (designed by Transsolar KlimaEngineering – rooms are supplied with cool air at higher temperatures and humidity levels as compared to conventional systems and the ceiling fans distribute the cool air throughout the room) that is energy-efficient and also ensures the rooms don’t get overly cooled, and air conditioning is used only when required.

The south gardens have been designed as a natural purification system. The run-off from the roof and hardscape is filtered as it passes through the soil. Almost 50 per cent of the plants selected here are native species which gives rise for environmental education opportunities as well. More than 50 per cent of the area is naturally ventilated creating a sense of openness that is enhanced by the incorporation of terraces, landscaped balconies and informal spaces. The extended projection at the south façade along with the screened double façades of the east and the west elevations are an appropriate response to Singapore’s tropical climate and ensure a cooler, comfortable environment for the building’s users.

The School of Design and Environment 4, Singapore | Eco-friendly Architecture

SDE 4, with a Green Mark Platinum certification sets an example of a flexible, energy-efficient and environmental-friendly design within a tropical region and exudes an aesthetic that is determined by the exposed materiality of the structure. The building in its entirety comes together functionally as well as aesthetically and provides a comprehensive learning atmosphere.

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