Ecological considerations for highrise housing in Singapore

Abstract

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Housing Development Board (HDB), the public housing authority in Singapore, have embarked upon a collaborative research program to look into the development of an Eco-Town for Singapore. The aim of this program is to extend the very successful public housing program in Singapore to incorporate ecological measures as much as possible. Two research trusts were identified: one on housing design, and another on urban design. This paper will report on the framework of this research program, placing it within the context of public housing in Singapore. It will review current housing design practice and reflect upon earlier designs in terms of their ecological and sustainable values. A brief historical account of public housing in Singapore and how it has developed in response to changing social needs and affluence will be presented. Of particular concern is the growing preference for air-conditioning as the affluence of the society grew and the design consequences of this and other changes in user expectations and preferences. Other ecologically related aspects will also be identified and discussed. The paper will cover both architectural and master planning aspects and identify specific issues that may be unique to the Singapore context. The paper will also report on studio research carried out in NUS on two existing sites - Punggol 21 and Tiong Baru - and look at how the above considerations can be applied in practice. In conclusion, the paper will present a simple framework for developing a design approach to ecological design.