DEFINING A TROPICAL AESTHETIC IN CONTEMPORARY SINGAPORE: A DISCOURSE ON CLIMATE-RESPONSIVE DESIGN

Abstract

Globalisation has greatly impacted the local architectural scene, resulting in blind adaptations of western designs over the last decade. However, such adaptations are now insufficient in pushing the creative boundaries of local architectural projects and have proven to be inefficient in achieving thermal comforts sustainably. There is an urgent need to come up with climate responsive designs which cater to the local context especially with rising urban temperatures due to the densification of high-rise residential areas. This paper will explain the rationale behind the need for new and creative developments in climate responsive architecture. A design framework is conceived after reviewing the vernacular Malay House as a case-study. 18 local residential projects are also evaluated based on this framework, by examining the current repertoire of climatic strategies used and also their applications to the high-rise typology. An evaluation of the selected projects revealed that current climate responsive strategies in low-rise residential design are in fact adequate and efficient in attaining thermal comfort in the tropics. However, the fundamental differences between low-rise and high-rise typology prevents the direct translation of these climatic strategies to high-rise residential buildings. It is pertinent for architects to not only adapt these methods but also generate new and innovative climate responsive strategies for the high-rise typology. Most importantly, this paper will serve to provide a design framework that is applicable for both typologies. This framework will then be valuable for future architects whom are interested in climate responsive design.