Singapore needs more energy-efficient buildings: Expert

Cambridge don and architects want more demand for this at design stage
By Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 23 Nov 07;

ARCHITECTS yesterday said homes and buildings in Singapore could be much better designed for the steamy climate, but developers are just not asking for that type of architecture.

Cambridge University architecture professor Koen Steemers told an architectural conference in Singapore that local buildings are not built to minimise energy consumption.

He cited the example of single-glazed glass panels. These are used in many buildings in Singapore, but they absorb heat quickly while failing to maximise natural ventilation.

Professor Steemers found plenty of support among architects around town as well as those attending the international conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture (Plea). Those who follow this discipline factor in climatic and environmental conditions when seeking to keep buildings comfortable.

RDC Architects director Rita Soh told The Straits Times that this type of architecture was once common in Singapore; it can be seen in older bungalows and shophouses that maximise the use of light and ventilation to fit the hot, humid conditions here. As Singapore grew more affluent, Western-looking buildings with glass facades and full air-conditioning became more popular.

Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman told the conference, organised by the architecture department of the National University of Singapore (NUS), that maximising a building's efficiency has become even more important, given rising demand for energy and the soaring costs.

'Often, the most cost-effective strategy is to incorporate energy efficiency measures at the design stage of a facility. This is where incorporation of passive and low energy architecture is essential,' said Dr Maliki.

At Singapore's AIM & Associates, principal architect John Ting said it was 'timely' to revisit the passive architecture concept. Local architects are well-equipped to design such buildings, but developers have to commission them first, added Mr Ting.

Consumers are part of the equation as well: Developers build what homebuyers want, said Mr Chia Hock Jin, the executive director of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas).

'We do realise that sustainability is becoming increasingly important,' said Mr Chia, adding that Redas recently formed a design committee to examine sustainability issues from the developers' perspective.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which sponsored the conference, said about 70 buildings in Singapore have been awarded the Green Mark certification; 40 are awaiting assessment. The scheme, launched in 2005, rates buildings based on their environmental impact and energy efficiency.

Dr Stephen Wittkopf, an assistant professor at NUS' architecture department and the conference chairman, said the university plans to hold public seminars for construction industry players to promote the Plea concept, starting next year.

Mr Tai Lee Siang - the president of the Singapore Institute of Architects and a speaker at the three-day event, which is being held in South-east Asia for the first time - noted an encouraging trend where food and beverage outlets are making greater use of outdoor space.

'The momentum is only just about to kick in. We have to get rid of the mindset that sustainable architecture costs more. This is something that's got to change,' said Mr Tai.

The conference ends tomorrow.