The project is a mixed-use building set along the Singapore River near the intersection of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Avenue.  Following the International Building Code and Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, the development proposes a residential condominium/serviced apartments on the upper floors, and commercial space on the lower floors.  Site restrictions and urban guidelines were critical to the shape and volume of the building’s functional area.

Singapore is a relatively young country and its population is a collage of many different heritages: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western; each of which brings its own unique flavor to the built environment.  Therefore its national identity is represent in the built environment as history has preserve different parts of the country to honor the different cultures.  Prior to colonization, its population was no more than a few hundred of Malays, scattered along the shore in small fishing communities.  Malay architecture, despite its humble appearance, is interesting because it is the perfect example of architecture in touch with its environment and culture.  This was the inspiration to my design; using green design strategies and technologies that incorporate environmental and sustainable principles.

Form follows climate, as one would describe Malay houses.  The design centers on natural ventilation and open spaces to enhance the building’s performance.  Because Singapore is such a hot and humid area, the Malays understood that natural ventilation is the solution.  Therefore, the commercial spaces are designed to have open atriums allowing warm air to rise and escape.  Like the Malay houses, the individual residential structures are elevated off the commercial space so it can take advantage of stronger wind and better natural ventilation.  The interior spaces are also opened with operable windows to create excellent cross ventilation.  This design strategy of utilizing natural ventilation will assist the building in using less energy off the central power grid and offsetting the cost to pay for energy/power.  In addition, the living units on the residential floors are also designed in a way that each unit has more than one view: the riverfront view, view of the vibrant highway and into the commercial open atriums below.  The elevators are located on every three floors providing more space and privacy to each unit.  Green walls are also introduced into the façades, making it an excellent insulation for the building.

Function follows culture was the next step in the design process.  Separating private spaces (residential) and public spaces (commercial) were functionally and culturally crucial.  The solution allows the residential area to cater 50% while the commercial is 40% of the buildable area of the site, and the rest is dedicated to underground parking and open green spaces.