Foster + Partners Singapore office recently moved into a row of conservation shophouses in Singapore’s North Canal Road that were refurbished to suit the studio’s unique needs. Situated on the second floor and surrounded by lush green tree canopies, three low-rise neighbouring buildings have been interconnected to form a large singular volume for the twelve-person studio.
Embracing the sustainable ethos of building reuse, the generous, light-filled spaces follow a model of development that works with the tropical climate of the region. Large openable windows, ceiling fans and Venetian timber shutters allow for the space to be naturally ventilated through part of the day, while moderating levels of natural light to suit our work. With changes to the office dress code to climate appropriate lightweight clothing, the occupants have been able to enjoy comfort levels at higher ambient temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius, proving to be a successful test bed for recommendations we offer to our regional clients.