In 2020, Foster + Partners’ Singapore team moved into a row of conservation shophouses on North Canal Road, which were refurbished by the practice. Situated on the second floor and surrounded by lush green tree canopies, three low-rise neighbouring buildings are interconnected to form a large singular volume. The studio is located within a historic conservation neighbourhood and is within walking distance of Singapore’s riverfront, a vibrant part of the city, with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Embracing the sustainable ethos of building reuse, the generous, light-filled spaces follow a model of development that works with the tropical climate. 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 team have been able to enjoy comfort levels at higher ambient temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius, proving to be a successful test bed for recommendations offered to regional clients.
The team in Singapore work under the direction of the London office - and collaborate with the practice’s other offices across the globe - to develop designs and oversee projects on site, across Southeast Asia. The practice is currently working on a number of projects in the region, including the BWDC Residential Tower, a luxury apartment building in a leafy park front location in Manila; BENCH Headquarters, a 24-storey office building for the Philippines' leading clothing and lifestyle brand; and two high-rise legacy headquarters for financial and communications organisations in the heart of the city.
Members of the team in Singapore regularly undertake research projects on the history of tropical design, which range in scale from the macro to the micro, across several different climates. Insights are recorded, shared with the office, and greatly inform the practice’s work in the region.
Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “We strive to provide our clients with a tailored approach, which responds to the tropical climate and local culture. Having the team in Singapore helps us to develop architecture that learns from traditional passive design strategies, to provide unique and responsive designs.”
Roland Schnizer, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “Recognising occupant comfort as an essential factor in the design of our buildings - and driven by a desire to drastically reduce the energy dependency and cooling demands in modern buildings - the team set out to systematically document vernacular design principles so that lessons learnt can be applied to our projects.”
Foster + Partners has completed a range of projects in Singapore, including the Supreme Court, a major judicial centre conceived in response to a rapidly growing population and the limited facilities of the old Supreme Court building; the South Beach development, a mixed-use and energy efficient new urban quarter in downtown Singapore; Capella Resort, a luxury six-star destination that brings together old and new in a tropical context; Apple Orchard Road, the flagship store which creates a new social focus while working with nature; and Apple Marina Bay Sands, a contemporary interpretation of the geodesic dome and a distinctive presence on the water.
