THE FORMER SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND ITS SOLO-AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM: A CASE OF CONSTRAINT-BRED INGENUITY IN DESIGN

Abstract

Although scheduled for conversion into the National Art Gallery in 2012, the former Supreme Court building of Singapore still stands as the definitive icon of law and justice in the hearts of many older Singaporeans today. The building is also highly regarded for its architectural value, with its display of classical design being one of the most grandiose among colonial buildings existing in Singapore today. Lesser known about the Supreme Court though, is the fact that its overt reference to classical building typologies belies a very innovative approach to its building design. One might even argue that that certain aspects of the building can be considered as “high tech” during the period of its construction. One such aspect of the Supreme Court is the way in which the ventilation needs of the sealed court rooms, attendant rooms and the library were tackled during a time when mechanical ventilation was still a novelty. In their quest to construct a non-indigenous building in hot tropical Singapore, as well as work their way around a limited budget, the designers adopted a rare and little known mechanical ventilation system called “Solo-air” system and used it in combination with passive ventilation strategies. The result of their efforts was a ventilation strategy that potentially showcased a fine example of integrated design in architecture in which services, furnishing and building were artfully combined. 2 Documenting this aspect of the Supreme Court is critical to a richer understanding of one of our most important national monuments. It is also a challenge, perhaps, to rethink contemporary approaches to mechanical ventilation design which are too often chaperoned only by convenience and pragmatism.