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Climate-conscious design is an important consideration for tomorrow’s homes

JOSHUA WONG

WHILE local home owners are spared the consequences of severe climate change, rising temperatures and heavier rainfall are two challenges architects in Singapore face. DP Architects’ associate director Bernard Tay thinks that good design can provide homes with greater comfort from the heat through natural ventilation and better protection from heavy rains in Singapore’s tropical climate.

With good natural ventilation incorporated in building design, air-conditioning usage can be minimised, helping home owners save on energy consumption and avoid hefty electricity bills.

This can be complemented by simple features such as automated blinds that can be programmed to be drawn to keep out the sun.

According to Mr Tay, one of the climate challenges facing Singapore today is extreme weather conditions that affect thermal comfort, particularly heat. Architects today have the option of utilising innovative technology to address this issue.

He says: “Architects are increasingly making use of technology, such as computational simulation tools, to aid in designing buildings that are more responsive to climate change. The effects of direct and radiant heat from sunlight, and the impact of prevailing winds on ventilation can now be simulated quickly to help us design buildings that respond more positively to such effects.”

To shield living spaces from excessive heat and sunlight more effectively, architects are employing techniques, such as providing thermal buffer zones like corridors, using higher performance materials, and incorporating physical shading devices such as awnings and ledges in their designs.

These measures can go a long way towards lowering indoor temperatures.

In addition, more environmentally friendly materials are being used to reduce the carbon footprint generated by construction.

“Increasingly, many architects are working with developers to obtain more affordable and sustainable sources of manufactured materials with a smaller carbon footprint,” says Mr Tay.

With these ongoing advancements in architecture, homes here are poised to become more climate-resilient in the future.